Sol and I continued our brisk pace through the palace, our senses heightened as we searched for any signs or clues that would lead us to the treasury. The absence of demons roaming the halls was a small relief, but it didn’t ease the urgency in our steps. With each passing room, we scanned the surroundings, hoping to stumble upon a hint that would point us in the right direction. We checked for any rooms that held a semblance of importance, such as ornate decorations or signs of heavy security. However, the palace seemed vast and labyrinthine, making it challenging to discern our exact location.
“We were able to keep the [Thought Transmission] mastery once we left the First Stage. The same rules could apply to items too.”
“While it is weird, the S.O. is a mystical entity that we may never understand. All we can do is accept that it’s powerful enough to do these we thought were impossible.”
Entering a new area, we were greeted by a speck of hope and the promise of something remarkable. The space was elevated with an air of grandeur from the luxurious red carpet gracefully extending across the floor. Above, an arched ceiling adorned with intricate designs sparkled with a mesmerizing golden glow, evoking a sense of awe and wonder. The room was filled with a soft, enchanting ambiance as a majestic chandelier suspended from the center casted light.
At the far end, commanding attention, stood a formidable door crafted from sturdy iron. Surprisingly, there were no guards or maids stationed in front of it, indicating their likely preoccupation with the forthcoming siege. Sol and I exchanged a knowing glance, realizing this was our chance to explore further. Our steps measured, we approached the door leisurely, contemplating what awaited us on the other side.
Usually, there were mechanisms in place to protect vaults or treasuries. In Athiens, Claude de Vusech's vault was designed with a safety measure to trigger an explosion if someone unauthorized entered the area. Warlord Rex could have implemented the same procedures to safeguard his treasures. I considered the possibility that the demon had laid a trap with mana or magical tools unknown to me. One would naturally take any measures necessary to safeguard invaluable knowledge and possessions that have been inherited over generations.
“I’m not feeling anything at all. Sol, can you use [Gluttony] just in case?”
I backed away just enough to give Sol some room. The dragon stood before the treasury, her mouth wide open. My view was consumed by the familiar orchid screen, and the sound of a vacuum echoed around me. Surely enough, faint tendrils of blue light appeared on the iron door, formed into some kind of circular rune. Slowly, the mana stream snaked its way towards Sol, who stood poised and receptive. Intriguingly, the rune dissolved into fragments of shimmering blue light, converging into a gentle current that effortlessly slipped into Sol’s awaiting maw. As the last traces of the rune disappeared, the dragon emitted a soft, unexpected burp, a lighthearted release of the magical energy she had absorbed.
I bent down and stroked her neck. “I knew I could count on yo-“
[Solgac’s Gluttony mastery is now Lvl 2!]
[Solgac acquired the Identifier mastery!]
My jaw dropped when Sol’s screen disappeared. Not only did she increase the level of [Gluttony], but she also gained a new mastery? With trembling fingers, I quickly navigated through her Status and tapped onto [Identifier].
Master: Laila Dragon: Solgac Skills Gluttony Lvl 2 Dragon Breath Lvl 1 Identifier Lvl 1
[Identifier: Those blessed with the Identifier mastery possess a unique ability to perceive and decipher the energy they have consumed. Only a handful of species possess the ability to sense and understand the intricate nature of energy within themselves without negative effects. It is worth noting that the activation of this mastery requires only a minute portion of the absorbed energy, showcasing the remarkable efficiency of those who possess it.]
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Once I finished reading the description, I turned to Sol. “Can you tell me what kind of magic you just ate?”
Sol took a moment to close her eyes.
“Woah, that’s quite frightening to hear.”
I nodded and walked past Sol, standing before the runeless door. At first, I hesitated to touch the surface, but I washed away the anxiety and gently pushed. The doors creaked metallically and opened slightly for someone to slip through. Making sure no one was watching, we entered the treasury.
As we stepped into the treasury, a warm and inviting glow emanated from braziers suspended delicately from a polished stone ceiling, casting a flickering light that danced across the room. The space revealed itself grandly, a stark contrast to the color scheme prevalent in the Aragon Palace. Instead of the dominant hues of black, the treasury’s walls were crafted from salmon-colored bricks, imparting an unexpected vibrancy and a sense of uniqueness.
The room unfolded before us, organized in a cubic layout that maximized the available space. Graceful stairs descended to a patchwork floor with meticulously designed carpets, each pattern telling a story through weaves and colors. At the center of the room, an impressive collection of stone podiums held a myriad of items that defied gravity, hovering effortlessly. Vials brimming with mysterious elixirs, scrolls bearing forgotten knowledge, and even swords radiating with ancient power were among the captivating assortment.
Embedded within the walls, strategically placed cavities housed closed chests. Coins and jewels were likely stashed away within those secure confines, waiting to be found. Additionally, pottery, gold bracelets, and rings were spotted, emphasizing the luxuriousness that was present, nestled among the treasures.
I walked forward with a strut, admiring the place. “Yep, this is definitely a royal treasury. I can feel the rich aura permeating through my body.”
In the corner of my eyes, I noticed Sol was already at one of the cavities. She had already propped open a chest, and a bunch of gold and silver coins spilled out. Her eyes revealed a clear sign of greed when I peered into them.
“Sol…”
The dragon flinched at my commanding voice and shook her head.
“We’re here to borrow some items,” I said matter-of-factly. “Sol use [Gluttony] again at these podiums. There might be traps on them too.”
Sol steered away from the spilled contents and activated [Gluttony] once more. This time, no specks of blue light had arisen. I assumed it was safe to grab the items if nothing happened, so I reached out and grabbed a bronze vial. As soon as my hand clasped the object, a notification I hadn’t seen in a while cropped up.
[Blue item acquired: Vial of Qi Pills]
I was quite shocked at the discovery I made. Looting an entire bottle of Qi pills? Now, I had no idea what exact properties they held, but I knew it had to do with Qi, as mentioned by the book I read earlier and the S.O. I could think of two scenarios that could happen if someone were to consume them; either it increased the potency of Qi or its reservoir. Both options sounded too good to be true, and I wanted to try one of them right this instance, but I held back. I had to save them for a better time, and until I was safe from harm.
The next podium I was interested in had a floating rolled-up scroll. The outer edges had a dark yellow color, as if someone had just taken a fat piss on them. Like the pills before, a message appeared once it was in my hands.
[Blue item acquired: Beginner stage teachings of the Disciples of War]
This time, it was the low-ranked teachings of the faction Warlord Rikar was a part of. It wouldn’t hurt to study this scroll and learn the techniques lurking on its page. Some of them might become useful in the future. I’m sure Isaac would love to learn them too.
With a sense of urgency, I swiftly placed the scroll and vial inside the secure confines of the dimensional pouch, ensuring their safekeeping. My actions then extended to seizing a few chests discovered within the wall cavities, my instincts guiding me to collect whatever additional treasures they may contain. As I carried out these actions, a twinge of guilt washed over me, reminiscent of a no-good thief scheming for personal gain.
Memories of the despicable burglar who violated our home and committed unspeakable acts stirred conflicting emotions within me. In that moment, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between my actions and those of that malevolent intruder. However, I swiftly reminded myself of the stark disparity between us. My pursuits were driven by a greater cause, unlike his. The fundamental distinction brought me comfort and reassurance, alleviating the guilt.
“Can’t take too many items now. The dimensional pouch isn’t infinite…”
Once happy with what I gained, I safely fastened the bag to my hip.
“Alright, let’s get out of here before someone sees us.”
We dashed out of the treasury and secured the iron doors as if they were never unlocked. Taking the lead, we sprinted away from the area and retreated into the hallways of Aragon Palace. When we were a good distance away from the area, I stopped myself in front of a window and opened it. Sol’s heavy body strapped itself on my body and I used [Mana Weapon Construction] to create a shield big enough for us to fit on. Without a moment too soon, we drifted away.
Instead of running through the halls like a freshman late to their first class, it was much better to just zip around the palace and look for Warlord Rex in the air. If I didn’t see him outside, then he was most likely inside the palace. If the latter was true, then I would’ve brought myself to the front and asked- if anyone was still there- where the hell that man was at. But, it turned out I didn't have to since I noticed Warlord Rex standing on the highest point of the northern wall. Next to him stood a line of archers, armed and ready, pointing their bows outward. Knowing where he was, I encouraged the flying shield to move ahead.