IRFVS 123

Chapter 123

“What… what is this, Administrator?”

She’d already been shocked to learn that the sacred relic stored in the Magic Tower had only been half of it—
but to find out that the remaining piece had been in her own house all along?!

How in the world did the past Elizia even get her hands on something like this?!

Administrator: Huh— wh-what is that?

“Why don’t you know either?!”

Didn’t they give her that cryptic hint earlier, telling her to look around the room? What were they even thinking?

Are they pretending not to know on purpose?

Maybe they’re keeping quiet because if they say too much, it’ll count as a “regulation violation” and they’ll vanish again.

Elizia sat back down on her bed, staring in disbelief at the “Fragment of Prinis’s Bracelet.”
She’d just gotten rid of one sacred relic, and now another one was sitting right here in her room?!

…How did the temple not find this?

Maybe it was because it wasn’t the main body—there was a setting that fragments couldn’t be tracked.
It must truly be one of those “detached pieces.” It had been hidden so perfectly that no one had ever discovered it.

And judging from the concealment spell, it looks like no one but me could have found or opened it anyway.

That was an extremely high-level spell.

Could it really have been the “past Elizia” who did this?
The more she learned about her predecessor, the less ordinary that woman seemed.

Elizia’s eyes moved toward the system window floating before her.

Conditions fulfilled. Would you like to attempt dimensional transfer?

1. Yes

2. No

“…”

As expected, she wouldn’t know until she actually went there herself.
Her hesitation didn’t last long. Elizia pressed Yes.

Flaaash!

The dimensional transfer activated.

Ding!

Time remaining until return:
00:29:50

Return immediately?

1. Yes

2. No

As expected, the “time-limit window” appeared again.

Elizia looked around, puzzled.

“…Where am I?”

It was a familiar place—familiar air, familiar scenery.
She’d been here before.

“The Enderi Forest?”

She hadn’t been teleported inside the cabin, but when she looked around, she recognized the same forest as before.
The morning sunlight, the crisp scent of dew—it all tickled her nose.
Light shimmered beautifully through the trees.
It really was a different time zone from Lemeghol.

If I walk from here, I should reach the cabin.

The forest was vast enough to get lost in, but she had her own way of navigating.

Iris’s Wings!

Elizia soared into the air, taking in the forest’s view from above—
and even spotted the distant cabin.

Aha, that way.

She immediately set off in that direction.
Since her time was limited, she had to move fast—and running was one thing she excelled at.
She dashed through the forest without hesitation.

Before long, the cabin came into view.

Elizia stopped some distance away, looking around the cabin.
It felt strangely nostalgic.

Exactly the same.

It was the same cabin she’d seen before!

Apparently, since it was the same type of relic, it transferred her to the same dimension, though the starting point differed slightly.

Then… did the past Elizia also come here often?

Finn had acted as if he was the only one who could come and go,
but if the past Elizia had possessed a fragment, she might have visited here too.

Still, with the time limit, and considering she’d need to keep the relic secret, it made sense that she’d stayed hidden.

Especially since Finn had shown no sign of recognizing her earlier—
perhaps the past Elizia had intentionally avoided him or hid whenever he was around.

Or maybe… she’d never bothered coming all the way here at all.

After all, what was there to do here?
From an outsider’s perspective, it was just a forest.

Maybe she’d simply thought, “Ah, a relic fragment,” hid it carefully, and never used it again.

Hmm, I should head back.

Elizia quietly stepped back.
If Finn saw her here, things would get complicated fast.
She’d already bolted the last time they parted—it’d be awkward to face him again so soon.

And worse, if he asked how she’d managed to come back here, she’d be in deep trouble.

No one could find out that she possessed an undiscovered relic fragment.
She needed to leave before anyone noticed.

Determined, Elizia reached out toward the “Return” button.

“…Elly?”

A faint voice whispered.

Startled, Elizia turned toward the sound.

From a distance, someone had just stepped out of the cabin—

Finn.

He stared at her wide-eyed, frozen in shock, as if doubting his own eyes.

How could she possibly be here?—that was written all over his face.

“…”

“…”

For a very brief moment, Elizia froze, utterly unsure what to do—

Return!

Ding!

And she bolted.

“Oh no, what do I do!”

The moment she returned, Elizia immediately opened the livestream chat window and poured out what had just happened.

“What do I say if he asks how I got there?! Why—why did he have to come right then of all times?!”

He’d already been exhausted after fighting the monsters—
why would he come all the way to Seiros Manor instead of sleeping?!
And how did they end up running into each other right at that timing!

Elizia had only meant to take a quick peek, thinking there was no chance of meeting him.
The coincidence was absurd.

chat: OMG she got caught the second she arrived LOL

chat: Just pretend you didn’t see him. Say Finn was hallucinating!

chat: Wait, but why does Elizia even have that relic piece??

My point exactly.

The Fragment of Prinis’s Bracelet.

If anyone found out she possessed it, it would be a disaster.
The temple would drag her away for questioning again,
and the Magic Tower might storm in demanding it back.

And she’d been caught—by Finn, of all people.

Maybe I should’ve at least asked him to keep it a secret before running off…

Or maybe… denying everything would be better?

Elizia agonized over it for quite some time.
She and her viewers debated possibilities, then drifted into idle chatter as she rolled around on her bed.
Who knew how much time had passed when—

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on her door.

“Who is it?”

“…Are you awake?”

It was the Duke’s voice from beyond the door.

Elizia glanced out the window—
morning sunlight streamed in, and she could hear the servants bustling outside.

Guess it’s about time to get up.

Yesterday, the Duke had told her to rest, saying she must be tired.
But now, it seemed time for a proper talk.

How was she supposed to explain suddenly becoming a Swordmaster?

It’s a little awkward to say I ‘just discovered my talent,’ isn’t it?

From what she remembered, the real Elizia could already use sword aura before.
If she claimed she’d just learned now, that could bite her later.

Hmm… whatever.

Maybe I’ll just bluff like always.

I saved everyone’s lives! You can’t really complain, right?

Elizia was about to open her mouth when the Duke spoke first.

“About what happened yesterday.”

“…”

“You don’t have to force yourself to explain.”

He coughed awkwardly from behind the door.

“Ahem, not that you were planning to explain anyway…”

H-He figured me out.

So he’s finally realized I never explain anything, huh?!
Well, after so many times, it’s about time he gave up.

Elizia strode to the door and opened it.
The Duke looked startled, not expecting her to open it so suddenly.

She gestured toward the sofa inside.

“It’s uncomfortable to stand and talk. Please, sit.”

“…”

After a brief pause, the Duke came in and sat on the opposite sofa.
At least his face looked less grim than yesterday.

Disappointment: 370%

Wow, that’s low—wait, what am I saying, 300% isn’t low!

She stifled a sigh.
She’d gotten so used to triple-digit disappointment that even this seemed mild.

At least he didn’t look like he’d collapse from stress anymore.
He must’ve calmed down and sorted out his thoughts while resting at home.

And he did say he wasn’t disappointed in me, exactly…

That line had surprised her.
If not her, then what was he disappointed in?

The world itself, maybe?

That… actually made sense.

Monsters in the palace, poison threats in the family, beasts prowling near home—
who wouldn’t be disappointed with life after all that?

Now that the monster crisis had passed, he might finally be regaining his balance.

Maybe he really isn’t disappointed in me after all…?

While she pondered that, the Duke spoke again.

“I won’t ask why you hid your strength all this time.”

His expression was heavy—part resignation, part worry, and part bitterness.

“Thanks to you, everyone survived yesterday. You have my gratitude.”

Ahem. Of course you should be thankful.

Elizia nodded with an exaggeratedly proud smile.

Wow, he’s actually being polite for once?

Still, she wasn’t about to complain. It was a rare good mood.
Maybe he’d even overlook a few other things.

But then—

“But still…”

The Duke exhaled deeply, his voice turning grave again.

“Have you thought about what you’ll do from now on?”

“…”

“Is there something you truly want?”

The question caught her off guard.
She hadn’t expected him to ask so directly about her wishes or future.

What would the real Elizia have said?

Since she had no idea, she just smiled faintly and improvised.

“Oh, I already got an award from His Majesty! I’m fine with just that.
I got to see a sacred relic, and both you and Howell are safe. That’s enough.”

“…”

The Duke’s eyes widened slightly.
He stayed silent for a while before speaking again, hesitant.

“Still… if you ever find yourself in trouble because of this, tell me right away.
I’ll help however I can.”

In trouble?

Well, yesterday she’d been offered the position of Knight Commander,
and she had received more than a few jealous glares from the knights.

Maybe people would start requesting her to hunt monsters for them too.

That wouldn’t be so bad.

She wasn’t afraid of that kind of work, so there was nothing to worry about.

“I don’t think I’ll have any problems, but if I do, I’ll let you know.”

The Duke nodded slowly, apparently satisfied.
As he seemed about to leave—

“And… one more thing.”

He paused.

“…What do you think of the Tower Master?”

Ah.

That question was bound to come up.
After all, she’d had several run-ins with Finn,
and now that his identity as Tower Master was public, curiosity was natural.

The Duke frowned.

“You looked shocked. I suppose he kept it secret from you as well?”

“Well, that’s…”

“I told you to be careful with him! Who knows how long and how much he’s been deceiving you—!”

“Wait, hold on!”

Elizia blinked in confusion.

“Isn’t being the Tower Master… a good thing?”

Officially, he was the strongest individual in the Empire—
his power rivaled even the Imperial and Temple authorities.

Shouldn’t she be pleased to know someone that important?

The Duke muttered under his breath, frowning deeper.

“He’s someone constantly tangled up in dangerous affairs.”

“…Pretty sure that’s my line.”

Aren’t I the one always getting into danger?

Elizia answered calmly, and the Duke sighed again.

“True. You seem to seek out danger. I truly don’t understand you sometimes.
You’re not… planning to meet the Tower Master again anytime soon, are you?”

“…No.”

Elizia looked away.

“Not for a while… I think.”

She still hadn’t decided how to explain what happened yesterday.
She’d literally run away from him. Facing him again would be unbearably awkward.
She needed time to think.

“…I see.”

The Duke seemed surprised by her immediate refusal.
He looked at her as if thinking, ‘That’s unusual for you.’
Elizia turned her head away.

Yeah… I’ll just think about it for a bit.

That afternoon, during lunch.

While eating, Elizia received unexpected news.

“Someone from the Magic Tower has arrived.”

“…”

“…”

Silence fell over the dining room.

Avoiding the Duke’s ‘Didn’t you say you wouldn’t meet him?’ stare, Elizia asked cautiously,

“Um… did they say what for?”

It could’ve been something else, right?
Maybe a congratulatory gift for her achievements,
or some kind of research notice for the mages.

That’s what she hoped for.

But the servant’s face turned pale as he answered,

“I’m not sure, miss. But… the Tower Master himself has come.”

“…”