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chapter 14
Arban focused on Rielly’s expressions and gaze, predicting how she might react.
Rielly blinked her large eyes quickly and responded immediately.
“Wow… really? You’ve never been to another noble’s estate? Me neither! Then, since Your Grace has visited our mansion, could I be invited to your estate next time?”
Rielly, who seemed slightly surprised at first, quickly brightened and made her suggestion with a slightly flushed, delighted expression.
Arban, concentrating all his attention on her expression, felt momentarily unsteady.
Along with her seemingly casual reaction, an entirely unexpected proposal had been made.
He quickly considered it.
Inviting her to the mansion wasn’t a bad idea. It would create a reason to promise a next meeting.
If it later proved unnecessary, he could dismiss it then.
For now, until he decided otherwise, it was better to continue the connection.
“…Of course. If the Lady wishes, it is no problem at all.”
Arban did not correct Rielly’s mistaken assumption that he had never visited another noble’s estate.
“Really? You’ll allow it? Then I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“I will do my best to live up to that expectation.”
Rielly was thrilled at Arban’s consent.
Though it hadn’t been long since she had possessed this body, she had never left the Duke’s mansion.
So visiting another home felt very exciting.
Moreover, it wasn’t just anyone’s home—it was Arban Canellowell’s estate.
A smile naturally appeared on Rielly’s lips, but it lasted only briefly.
She remembered the most important point—the words she needed to say to Arban—and her face stiffened with tension.
Rielly turned to face Arban, who was walking about half a step behind her.
We’ve come this far inside, so it should be fine to bring it up.
Though Rielly was not short, standing directly in front of the tall Arban, she had to tilt her head slightly to meet his gaze.
Feeling the tension rising from her toes, she swallowed dryly and looked at Arban. She could feel sweat soaking into her clasped hands.
Even as she hesitated, Arban did not rush her and waited patiently.
Finally, Rielly opened her eyes wide and stared directly at him.
Her stiff lips finally moved.
“Y-Your Grace. Actually, I have something I want to tell only you, quietly.”
“Yes. Please, speak.”
“…Um, if I know the location where the lost Holy Sword… that is, the Sword of Goddess Supernessa… rests… I know it might be hard to believe?”
Even as she spoke, she knew it would be difficult for Arban to accept.
In fact, anyone would probably scoff at such a story.
A noblewoman who had been staying home suddenly claiming, “I know where the lost Holy Sword is!”—how absurd would that seem?
But there was no other way.
She was not clever enough to devise a better plan, and at this past point in the story, there were no suitable cards she could play.
All she could do was confront the situation head-on.
She could not pretend ignorance and ignore the fact that this man in front of her could lose an arm.
Rielly wanted to prevent the misfortune of Arban Canellowell in whatever way she could.
“…….”
Arban stared steadily at the faintly trembling reflection of himself in her eyes.
He paid more attention to the fact that she seemed to know the resting place of the Holy Sword in some detail than to her sudden mention of it.
“The lost Holy Sword… and the place where it rests…?”
How could she know that?
The lost sword’s location was known only to the royal family and a few high nobles.
Moreover, those who knew it had rested there before being lost were only those with royal blood.
To most nobles and commoners, the sword was thought to remain within the royal household.
The Sword of Goddess Supernessa symbolized the blessing of the goddess on the Sharus Empire and was also a powerful weapon.
The first emperor was chosen by the sword.
It was a weapon that bore the blessing of the goddess, with the protection of a dragon inhabiting it.
“Those chosen by the sword are recognized as the masters of the dragon resting within it and receive its protection.”
In other words, they gain the dragon’s power.
Since no one had been chosen after the first emperor’s death, the sword and dragon entered a dormant state.
Before going dormant, the sword had been enshrined in the goddess’s temple in the Eshit Mountains.
Years later, a major earthquake collapsed the temple, and the sword’s location became unknown.
However, the royal family concealed the loss.
Even ignoring the symbolic meaning, the absence of the sword is critical.
For centuries, searches continued secretly, but the location remained unknown.
Yet, how could a noblewoman know the whereabouts of such an artifact?
Arban wondered, but instead of scolding Rielly, he calmly asked:
“Are you saying that you know the location of the Holy Sword?”
“Yes, it’s true. It’s not far from the recently discovered Eshit Mountains Mana Stone Mine… but it’s difficult to explain in detail.”
Honestly, it was not difficult to explain, but revealing all facts would sound absurd and undermine her credibility.
“But if you lead me to the mine, I can find the sword for you.”
“…If you are so certain, why are you telling me? If you delivered the sword from the Rober household, the royal family would reward you handsomely.”
“Well… maybe… but I don’t care about rewards. And anyway, the royal family probably wouldn’t believe me.”
Rielly, her tension already gone, muttered with a slightly sulky expression.
“Even if I shouted that I alone know the sword’s location… without proof, no one will believe me. Not even my father.”
Her argument had merit, but Arban thought differently.
If she reported to the royal family, “I know where the lost sword rests”, as she had just told him, he was certain the emperor would search the location without hesitation.
Arban suddenly felt curious.
The information sounded persuasive to him, yet the source, Rielly herself, had no confidence.
Why, then, had she revealed it to him?
“Then… did you tell me this information, knowing it might seem ridiculous, because you thought I would believe you?”
‘No, she probably doesn’t think I’ll believe it. But still… just this once, trust her.’
Rielly took a small, deep breath to suppress the urge to blurt out her true feelings.
“Honestly, if I said yes, it would be a lie. But I hope you believe me. I have no reason to lie to Your Grace, and I have other things to do than waste time inventing a false story.”
“Even if I assume everything you say is true, I still do not understand why you are telling me the sword’s location.”
“I want to make a deal. I give the sword to Your Grace, and in exchange, you fulfill a request for me. It’s not a loss for you.”
“A deal?”
Arban tried to guess what Rielly’s requested exchange might be.
But Rielly didn’t give him time to think.
“Yes, a deal. The timing is a little early, but you will likely inspect the Mana Stone Mine someday anyway. Think of it as visiting it together with me.”
She spoke rapidly, as if not allowing Arban to interrupt.
“It’s not a difficult request. My younger sibling is very talented in swordsmanship, and I want you to be their instructor. If we fail to find the sword… just in case that happens, I will provide compensation.”
Her hesitation and nervousness had long disappeared.
Rielly lifted her head toward Arban with a confidence that almost felt challenging.
‘You’re destined to become my brother’s teacher anyway. I don’t need all these schemes. I just care about your left arm being safe. That’s it. Please, say yes!’
Her pent-up frustration burst out as she spoke.
“So let’s go find the Holy Sword together!”
Her plan to persuade gently had failed.
It was spilled water at this point.
Meanwhile, Arban, stepping back slightly as they drew close, was caught in confusion.
Her eyes held mixed emotions, but one thing was clear: desperation.
What could make her so desperate?
Arban was indeed considered the Empire’s finest swordsman.
Yet being skilled with a sword and teaching someone else are entirely different matters.
By his instincts, her desperation was not simply about asking him to train her sibling.
Arban narrowed his eyes slightly.
‘There is definitely another intention here.’
