WHCP 44

Chapter 44

“Of course! I knew it felt like you were forcing me to wear the artifact too quickly!”

Mio huffed and stomped in front of Marquis Duon.

“Explain Tararia properly! No, wait—could this be a scam? Nothing’s changed at all!”

“Th-this really is the artifact Tararia! The idea that your body might change… I only guessed that because I thought it would be the easiest way to experience someone else’s perspective…!”

Marquis Duon hurried to the safe and fetched an old booklet from inside.

“You already know that I majored in archaeology at the academy, right? This is a booklet that organizes ancient artifacts whose whereabouts had become obscure. Tararia originally had a different shape, but the gem and the joint here are unique to it and can’t be changed!”

Mio opened the booklet, and the page showing Tararia was right there. As the marquis had said, the engraving on the gem and the connecting joint exactly matched the anklet Mio was wearing.

“I’m telling you, this is definitely Tararia. Whether it changes your body or not, it’s supposed to function. And yet, this—!”

The marquis bent down again to examine the Tararia on Mio’s ankle. While inspecting the booklet with her ankle extended, Mio suddenly had a thought.

‘…If they’ve gathered ancient artifacts, maybe the Wishing Stone is in here too?’

Mio glanced at the marquis, who was muttering in frustration, and turned the page casually. By what seemed like coincidence, the Wishing Stone was described on the very next page after Tararia.

[Omphalos ★★★★★]

The name was different, but the appearance was the same, so she recognized it. It was the very item that had been at the auction with the safe. The stone she had been eyeing. Mio whispered its true name in her mind.

‘Omphalos. So that was its original name.’

All she had known before was that the artifact called the Wishing Stone had been discovered late and sold for a high price. Thinking that knowing more details might help when selling artifacts in the future, Mio focused on the booklet.

[A stone vomited by the gods! A medium connecting the celestial and human realms. If you make a wish on this stone, a god impressed by your sincerity might grant it…]

Hmm. As the name “Wishing Stone” suggested, it was indeed an item related to wishes. I want it. Mio closed the booklet and glanced at Marquis Duon, who was still in a heated state.

“This is the real thing. I can’t be wrong. Definitely, definitely…!”

At that moment, the marquis, who had been passionately arguing while clinging to Mio’s ankle, suddenly fell silent. Feeling a bad omen, Mio furrowed her brows and asked.

“What’s wrong? What is it?”

Marquis Duon wiped cold sweat from his brow and looked at Mio.

“Uh, this… it’s rechargeable?”

“…Rechargeable?”

Mio glanced down at her ankle.

“Let me try loosening it. I want to take a closer look.”

“The thing is… it won’t come off. I think it’s not working because it hasn’t been charged with power…”

“Good heavens, what kind of anklet does that?”

She couldn’t believe it. She tugged hard at the lock, but, just as the marquis said, it didn’t budge at all. He had already moved as far away from her as possible. He spoke again.

“B-but no problem! Once it’s charged, Tararia will definitely work!”

Mio let out a long sigh and muttered.

“Fine. Let’s assume that’s true. Then how do we charge it?”

“It’s simple! You just pray at the purest place!”

The vague explanation only made the ominous feeling stronger. Mio gritted her teeth.

“The purest place? Where is that exactly, Marquis? Be precise.”

“The purest place in this empire would, of course, be the temple directly under the palace…”

“What? How am I supposed to get in there!”

Not only was entering the palace an issue, but the palace temple was famously off-limits to commoners.

“You’re fully qualified to enter the palace, Mio, since you’re the prospective grand duchess! Besides, aren’t you visiting the palace soon anyway? You can just use the excuse of stopping by briefly to pray while you’re there. That’s all you need to charge it!”

She couldn’t deny it. Thanks to Aletheia, she could easily make an excuse to enter the palace.

‘But how does the marquis know I was invited to the palace?’

Mio narrowed her eyes and asked.

“By the way… how did you know I was invited to the palace?”

Had it already become public? She hadn’t even responded to the invitation yet. Then, unexpectedly, the marquis replied.

“Th-this morning, a palace servant came by our shop.”

“A palace servant… came to this shop?”

“It seems the rumor that your dress came from our shop reached them. They came this morning to ask about your size…”

“…So they were told.”

“What power could I possibly have?”

The marquis smiled brightly as he approached.

“It seems they intend to have the dress made and sent directly, so how could you refuse it, Mio? While you’re at it, you might as well charge Tararia—it’ll be perfect.”

Mio held her head for a moment, lost in thought.

‘Giving up Tararia now doesn’t make sense. It’s not some trivial trinket.’

If she just agreed to the palace invitation, the safe would immediately recognize her as its owner. How could she give that up? Eventually, giving in to temptation, Mio looked up at the marquis.

“This is really for sure this time, right?”

“Of course, of course. Just trust me.”

It was very suspicious, but she had no choice but to trust him.

According to Marquis Duon, Tararia’s effect wouldn’t last very long.

‘Maybe half a day to a day. Given that it’s completely out of power now, that seems about right. Its maximum capacity wasn’t very large to begin with. If it were in its original state, it’d be different… anyway, don’t worry if your body changes, it’ll return to normal once the power is gone…’

Clicking his tongue as if dissatisfied with its modified state, the marquis muttered. But for Mio, it was actually a relief.

‘I don’t want the body-change effect to last too long.’

The item’s duration was long enough just to open the safe.

‘Even if my body changes for a moment, Aletheia will probably understand.’

Since he lived with a unique ability like mind reading, a brief body swap could easily be passed off as a minor incident. If she just said she didn’t know what happened, Aletheia would accept it.

But another concern arose—entering the palace, an unknown space.

‘I’ve only seen the emperor a few times from afar…’

She had never been inside the palace. Strange. There had never been a party held at the palace before? Maybe the emperor dislikes noisy gatherings?

‘But then again, they sent an invitation first.’

There were many confusing points.

‘Hmm, anyway, since they’re sending the dress, I should probably inform Aletheia in advance.’

If she was dragged along forcefully, Aletheia might crumple the invitation in an instant like last time. It would be better to tell her beforehand that attending is a good idea.

After organizing her thoughts, she arrived at Moro Mansion, where Aletheia was waiting. Squinting slightly in the sunlight, he extended his hand.

“Lethe. Why are you out here? Haven’t you fully recovered yet? Why aren’t you resting?”

Mio grasped his hand and stepped down from the carriage, speaking worriedly. Aletheia hesitated before replying.

“Well… I felt uneasy being apart from you.”

Uneasy? What could have happened in the meantime? Mio tightened her grip and walked forward. Aletheia followed and said,

“Next time, go with me.”

“No. I was told I’m forbidden to go out.”

“I specifically said I’d do it if you stayed with me.”