"Don't try to fool me with fake tears. Your personality is arrogance and pride incarnate."
Shendu shook her head and stepped forward, then asked thoughtfully, "I heard you possess a manuscript left behind by the Great Sage, recording the manufacturing method of the replica Amaterasu Sword?"
"Indeed. One of my merchants went through tremendous hardship to retrieve it from a tomb. They say the book was even glowing with golden light when it was brought out."
Priscilla explained with a smile, recalling how the merchant had described it that day.
Though there had certainly been some exaggeration, it was likely that very manuscript. For Shendu, the timing was simply too perfect.
"Where is it?"
Shendu extended her hand, ready to claim it. If she could produce a replica of that weapon, she would gain another trump card for the chaos to come.
"Hehe, it's in my territory. I've already sent people to fetch it. There should be news soon."
"By tomorrow at the latest, I will personally deliver it to you."
Priscilla smiled confidently. Though her territory lay some distance away, with a full day and night of travel, it should still reach the royal capital in time.
"No. That item is important to me. I can open a spatial gate and send you back to your territory. Retrieve it for me immediately."
As Shendu spoke, she snapped her fingers lightly. A spatial gate appeared before them, directly connecting to Priscilla's domain.
Shendu had already investigated the information of the Royal Selection candidates beforehand, so knowing the location of Priscilla's territory was hardly strange.
"Hehe, if I retrieve something so important for you, how will you repay me?"
Priscilla lifted her folding fan to cover half her face, smiling ambiguously as she began negotiating terms, hoping to draw closer to Shendu.
They had met three times in total. Each time, Shendu's attitude toward her had been indifferent, yet she had also helped her.
Whether it was when she had been surrounded by thugs, or the matter of the apple's color, each encounter had brought Priscilla a sense of novelty. Even Shendu's faintly disdainful attitude felt amusing to her.
"I'll become your friend. No—perhaps even your confidante."
After careful consideration, Shendu's crimson eyes settled on a compromise.
Though she could easily eliminate Priscilla, having connections was far better. One more friend meant one more path forward. That was not an empty saying.
"Hehe, you've finally agreed. That is my only condition!"
Priscilla was overjoyed, her favorability soaring instantly.
Shendu cast her a strange look. Why did this woman constantly speak only about herself? Was she perhaps into women?
Half an hour passed after Priscilla stepped through the spatial gate. Soon, the proud and arrogant woman returned, confidently striding back through the portal with a book in one hand.
However, upon reentering, there was a smudge of dust on her face, likely picked up while searching for the item.
"Hehe, I finally found it. Remember your promise."
Priscilla spoke in a tsundere tone. In response, Shendu took out a silk handkerchief and, under Priscilla's surprised gaze, gently wiped the dust from her face.
"You look like a little stray kitten. Still, thank you for helping me retrieve it."
As Shendu wiped her face, Priscilla's cheeks flushed red at a visible speed.
Truthfully, although Priscilla was arrogant, she was not malicious by nature and valued keeping her word.
...
After finishing, Shendu casually took the Sage's manuscript. The moment her fingers touched it, she could sense the lingering spiritual imprint left by the Sage centuries ago.
A spiritual imprint was like a recording disc, storing the thinker's theories and insights. Beyond mere text, such an imprint made weapon forging far more comprehensive.
While Shendu reviewed the manuscript and took notes, Priscilla carefully folded the handkerchief Shendu had used to wipe her face and tucked it away on her person.
When she first met Shendu, Priscilla had never imagined someone could rival her in arrogance—treating her without the slightest courtesy. Even Reinhard had shown her a respectful attitude.
After spending time together, she increasingly wanted this silver-haired girl to become her friend—perhaps even her closest confidante.
That way, she could experience something new every day and feel ever more delighted.
"Miss Shendu, may I ask why you are so fixated on ancient weapons?"
Priscilla watched as Shendu wrote with a feathered pen, admiration evident in her eyes.
"Nothing special. It's merely my hobby."
Shendu lifted her head slightly, her crimson eyes sweeping over Priscilla before answering casually.
Afterward, right in front of Priscilla, Shendu used alchemy to produce mithril. She then instructed Akane to purchase orichalcum from the royal capital, intending to forge the legendary replica of the Amaterasu Sword.
"Master, with my ability, I can only inscribe three hundred spells onto this sword. The remaining seven hundred will have to be handled by you."
Hearing Shendu's instructions, Akane felt the pressure immediately.
"That's fine. We still have time. We'll proceed step by step."
Shendu was in no hurry and had already formed a plan in her mind.
"Understood."
Strictly speaking, they could not fully replicate a divine artifact like the Amaterasu Sword. However, they could compensate with quantity—layering countless spells from another world and integrating their power to mimic its functions.
The crafting process would be complex, and the final result would only reach the level of a pseudo-divine artifact.
Yet combined with her own strength, severing the Authorities of those Sin Archbishops should not pose much of a problem.
After giving the necessary instructions, Shendu turned to Priscilla and smiled.
"Priscilla, since we are friends, just call me Shendu."
"Hehe, Shendu, you truly keep your word. I admire you greatly."
Priscilla's smile deepened as she gazed at the girl before her.
"Why not accompany me to the Royal Selection tomorrow?"
"Attend the Royal Selection? Are you certain?"
Shendu's expression grew calm as she looked at Priscilla and replied lightly.
"Naturally. I have made a new friend. I must introduce her to the entire kingdom."
Priscilla declared confidently. She glanced at Akane behind Shendu, then thought of the silver-haired half-elf, her expression turning playful.
"However, you may not bring your attendant, nor that silver-haired half-elf. As the first request between friends, you must agree to this."
Priscilla's gaze was serious, entirely fixed upon Shendu.
"Very well. As you wish. The sequence may change, but the outcome remains the same."
Priscilla's appearance had been unexpected, but Shendu would not easily alter her established plans.
With that thought, she turned to Akane and issued an order.
"Akane, when attending the Royal Selection tomorrow, bring Elsa with you—along with her kukri blades."