While the summoned people entered the royal treasury with enchanted expressions to find treasures, I stepped back one pace.
"Yuren, what are you doing?"
"Just a moment."
Everyone's attention was focused on the treasures inside, so the only one paying attention to me was the Marquis, urging me to go in quickly.
Even Veil, who had remained cold until now, stretched his neck toward the treasury, completely focused on finding the item, unaware I was observing him.
From outside, Veil's gaze scanning the corners of the treasury stopped at the far left end. His hand trembled violently — he had found what he wanted.
Is that it?
Behind a large sword with gorgeous decorations was a red horn of unknown identity.
[Creator's Eye has activated.]
[God-Slaying Beast Gladio's Fang]
The fang of Gladio, the beast of the realm that fed on divine beasts, spiritual creatures, evil spirits, and spirits. The fang contains Gladio's killing intent. When made into a weapon, it gains the god-slaying property that deals fatal damage to divine beasts, spiritual creatures, evil spirits, and spirits.
God-slaying!
It was an absurd item that explained why Veil had stayed in the palace for over two years. If this fell into their hands, who knew what would happen.
I had to intercept it no matter what.
When Dar, who received Veil's signal, put down the bow he was examining, I walked the shortest path and picked up the fang they were staring at with eyes full of ecstasy.
"I'll go with this. I don't know what it is, but I like it."
I muttered loud enough for Dar to hear, then pretended to look around while observing Veil and Dar's reactions.
Kuk.
Both of them looked like their souls had left their bodies. Holding back laughter, I left the treasury and returned to the Marquis's side.
"Yuren, you crazy…"
"You really chose that?"
Before the Marquis could say anything with a dumbfounded face, the king approached me.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do you know what it is?"
"I don't know exactly what it is."
"Then why did you choose it?"
The king's face was full of curiosity. From his status, it seemed he didn't know the fang's identity.
"My main weapons are throwing weapons like daggers and short blades."
"I know."
"So when everyone entered the treasury, I scanned it from the back. I realized there was no weapon that suited me."
"Hoo…"
The king nodded as if telling me to continue.
"There were daggers and short blades in the treasury, but none for throwing."
"You can tell just by looking?"
"Yes. Throwing weapons have a different shape."
"I see. It was a foolish question. For you, a dagger is like a knight's sword."
The king smiled pleasantly, urging me to keep talking.
"So I wanted to make a weapon from this seemingly hard horn. The subtle red glow also perfectly matched my taste."
"It does look decent. But even I don't know what it is…"
"Is it not allowed?"
"Didn't I say you could choose anything? It's fine. That horn is now yours."
"I am deeply grateful."
After bowing to the king, I slightly glanced at Veil as I raised my head. Veil, who had looked stunned, had returned to his usual calm expression.
That calm look felt even more chilling. When I tried to check Veil's status, the king spoke again.
"Separate from that horn, I have something I want to ask you…"
"I will answer anything."
"Have you ever picked flowers in the royal garden?"
People who had been listening to our conversation with interest swallowed their breath. Everything in the royal palace belonged to the king, so even picking a flower was absolutely forbidden.
"I have committed a mortal sin, Your Majesty!"
The slight doubt in the king's mood was about the flower. Thinking "it finally came," I knelt and pressed my forehead to the ground. But inside, I calmly controlled my breathing and cooled my head.
"I've heard a lot about you lately. They say your skills and personality have changed completely from before. So I asked because I thought someone like you wouldn't pick flowers in the garden for no reason."
"That's…"
"Will you tell me honestly?"
When I pretended to hesitate, the king placed his hand on my shoulder and smiled gently.
"Then… may I call my attendant?"
"Is he necessary?"
"Yes."
"Bring him."
At the king's permission, Peru was summoned shortly after. He looked terrified, but since I had told him in advance this might happen, he knew exactly what the situation was.
"Good. Your attendant is here, so speak."
"Peru, take out the flower we picked that time."
"Y-yes."
Clang!
When Peru reached into his magic pouch, the knights beside the king pointed their swords at his neck.
"Ah, these people, it's fine. Lower your swords."
At the king's words, the knights sheathed their swords again. But their eyes carried the threat that they would cut his throat if he did anything suspicious.
"Ah…"
"They worry about me too much. Take it out again."
Whether acting or genuine, Peru's hands trembled as he took out the orange Cameron from his pouch.
"It's a beautiful flower. Why did you pick this?"
"This flower is called Cameron, Your Majesty."
"Cameron?"
The king muttered while looking at the flower. From his expression, he clearly didn't know it.
"Peru, take out the night Cameron."
"Yes."
This time, what came out of Peru's pouch was the red Cameron.
"It looks the same except for the color."
"It's dangerous!"
I lifted the flower so the king couldn't get closer to the red Cameron.
"What…"
"I'm sorry. This flower contains poison, so it's dangerous to approach."
"Poison?"
I bowed to the puzzled king and placed the Cameron on the table.
"Cameron is a strange flower that changes color between day and night. The orange Cameron that blooms during the day gives off a fragrance, but the red Cameron that blooms at night possesses terrible toxicity."
At the word "poison," people who had been looking at the flower stepped back in shock.
"I see. You picked it because it's poisonous? Then you could have just said so from the beginning. Why did you hesitate?"
"…"
I deliberately paused at the king's question, then slowly opened my mouth.
"It was because of the gardener."
"The gardener?"
"Yes. If I spoke up about a poisonous flower growing in the garden, I thought the gardener would receive severe punishment for not noticing it."
I paused briefly and observed the king and the people's reactions. The atmosphere wasn't bad.
"Not many people know about Cameron, and it's hard to recognize unless it's night. Moreover, these Cameron flowers were blooming in the most secluded corner of the garden. I didn't think it was strange the gardeners hadn't noticed, so I didn't want to cause them harm."
"So you didn't say anything and handled it yourself because you were worried about the gardener?"
"Yes."
"Ah."
"Mm."
Now that people understood my intention, exclamations erupted here and there.
"How did you recognize that hard-to-distinguish Cameron?"
"My attendant and I once witnessed the color of the Cameron changing at dawn. It was so fascinating that we looked into the flower in detail."
"Then why did you keep the flower?"
"I planned to show it to the gardeners before leaving to warn them. I'm truly sorry for overstepping."
"Kyahahaha!"
The king burst into refreshing laughter that felt pleasant to hear.
"As I said earlier, I've heard a lot about you lately. But I never imagined you would have such a kind heart as well."
"Ah, no. I just…"
"What do you all think? Isn't this young friend's heart truly admirable?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty!"
"He has the qualities to become an excellent leader."
Whether sincere or not, the nobles outwardly praised me. Looking at the Marquis and Duke Roper, they looked as happy as if they themselves had been praised.
"I'm really in a good mood today. Good. Choose one more."
"Huh?"
"I'm saying choose one more besides that strange horn."
My head went blank for a moment. I knew I would gain favor with the king, but I never imagined he would tell me to take one more from the treasury.
It wasn't a convenience store promotion, but it was 1+1.
"R-really, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. There have been people who took two from the royal treasury, but no one has taken two at once. You will be the first. Go quickly and choose."
Pretending to look around with a dazed expression, I checked Veil's status window.
[Name: Veil Fabien]
[Traits: Murderous Ghost, Pain Resistance lv4, Focus lv3, Steel Skin lv3, Herculean Strength lv4]
[Affinity: -97 (Murderous Impulse)]
[Current Mood: Wants to tear him limb from limb and kill him.]
As expected.
On the surface Veil looked calm, but inside he was filled with vicious killing intent. His previously neutral affinity had instantly dropped to -97, and he clearly wanted to chop me into pieces.
Inside the treasury, Dar wasn't touching anything. He bit his lip until it almost bled while staring at me. Unlike Veil, his hostility was blatant.
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's boundless grace."
"Good. Choose well."
Pretending to know nothing, I entered the treasury again.
About half the people had already chosen and left, but those still pondering looked at me with envious eyes since I could choose two.
[Kaix's Dagger]
[Raynon's Short Blade]
[Dagi's Trident]
As expected, none of the weapons seemed particularly useful to me.
"Young Master Yuren."
When I tried to head toward the armor section, I heard someone call my name from behind.
"Yes?"
The one calling me was Dar, his face distorted.
"About the… horn you chose earlier."
"Yes."
"Would you consider yielding it?"
"Yielding it?"
He spoke so quietly that others couldn't hear. In contrast, I deliberately raised my voice.
"Yes. It didn't seem like you chose it because you absolutely needed it."
"Yes, that's true, but then do you know what that horn is, Sir Dar?"
I pretended to know nothing and put on an innocent expression.
"Ah…"
Dar couldn't speak and hesitated. There was only one reason Dar was being so blatant.
He thought that if he failed to resolve this matter, Veil might dispose of him.
"I don't know it well either, but the color and shape are attractive."
"You're an archer, right? There seem to be many good bows in the treasury. Why not choose a bow?"
"Ah, I already have a good bow…"
Dar's face turned pale as his excuse became awkward. Seeing Dar flustered by the unexpected situation, a good idea came to me.
Since maintaining a good relationship with Veil or Dar was already hopeless, I instantly came up with a plan to suck Dar dry to the bone.
"I don't particularly need that horn either, so how about a bet?"
"A bet?"
"Yes. The horn is nice, but I want to see the archery of the 'Shattering Archer.' How about a duel between you and me where the winner takes everything?"
"What?"
Suddenly the king appeared behind us. His expression was blank, but I could see his mood — he was full of curiosity.
"It seems Sir Dar wants the horn I chose, so I suggested a bet…"
"A bet?"
"Yes. We duel, and the winner takes the other's choice right. I'm sorry."
"Hoo…"
The king laughed as if it was ridiculous. But he wasn't angry. Inside, he was delighted at the prospect of an interesting spectacle.
"You already have two choice rights, yet your greed seems a bit excessive."
"I'm sorry. Actually, more than the choice right, I wanted to witness the archery of the Shattering Archer, Sir Dar."
"As expected! I knew it!"
The king smiled gently and patted my shoulder.
"Good. This will be fun."
"Huh?"
"I will personally oversee this bet."
Just as I expected.
The king was a martial arts fanatic who still enjoyed swinging his sword every day. There was no way he wouldn't want to watch a duel between the archery master Dar and my hidden weapons.
"Everyone else has chosen, so I'll close the door for now."
We came out, and the king closed the royal treasury door, turning it back into the original entrance.
"Dar, do you accept Yuren's bet?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Dar answered immediately without needing to think. The king smiled at Dar's answer and looked at the nobles.
"Everyone listen. Yuren Rox and Dar Castein will duel, and the winner will take the horn here."
"What is that horn exactly…"
"Is it a good item?"
"A duel between bow and dagger?"
"Your Majesty."
While most people looked excited, Duke Roton stepped forward.
"These two are trying to ruin the great grace Your Majesty has given them with greed. They should be punished."
"It's fine. I rather like that greed. Young people should be greedy."
"But…"
"It's fine, Duke Roton. When else will we see such a duel?"
"…Understood."
At the king's firm words, Duke Roton stepped back but glared at me with cold eyes.
"To summarize, if Yuren wins, he takes Dar's choice right and can choose two more treasures from the treasury besides the horn, correct?"
"Yes."
"And if Dar wins, he takes the horn and uses his remaining choice right, correct?"
"Yes."
The king looked at me and Dar with a satisfied smile.
"Good. This will be very entertaining. The duel will take place in front of everyone in two days."
**
"Young master, it's time."
"Alright."
At Peru's words, I stood up. Two days had passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time for the duel with Dar.
"There are tons of nobles gathered outside. They seem to be really looking forward to this duel."
"Then they'll be disappointed."
"Huh?"
"It'll end as soon as it starts. Probably not much fun."
"Ah…"
Peru, who had been nervous, let out a sigh of relief at my words.
"Huh? Young master, you don't have the dagger you usually use? I'll go get it!"
Seeing Peru about to run out, I smirked and showed him the metal bead on my finger.
"Today this is enough. Count how many seconds it takes to finish."