Since I couldn't take the Fairy's Flower right away, I decided to leave it for now. It won't wither anytime soon, so I'll pick it up someday.
After settling the Original Sin, I came out and found Amy waiting outside the door. As soon as she saw me, she spoke.
"The guest has arrived, Oppa. I told you to wait for a moment, right?"
"Who?"
"Lama Welton Jajak."
A guest came as soon as I visited the mansion. I had some doubts.
"Is he the Emperor's observer?"
Perhaps the Emperor is currently searching for the whereabouts of the Original Sin with great excitement. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to think that he constantly monitors the area.
I told Amy that I knew and headed to the reception room.
"Oh my, it's been a while. Your Excellency Cromwell."
Lama Welton Jajak's appearance, who greeted me warmly, remained unchanged. Even when my father was alive, I occasionally visited here, and he still had a youthful appearance, as if he had escaped the passage of time.
"It's been a while indeed, Lord Welton."
"Haha, I came to ask about your well-being, as it has been a while since your visit. I apologize for the sudden visit."
"No need for apologies. Please make yourself comfortable."
I replied and observed his demeanor while sitting on the main seat. Was he really here as the Emperor's loyalist, or did he come just to convey his regards, as he claimed?
"I heard that your life in the Academy has been exceptional. Recently, I heard that you've been remarkable."
"It's nothing special. I was just lucky."
After exchanging a few casual conversations, Lama finally asked a somewhat suspicious question.
"I'm glad Your Excellency has returned. I deliberately ordered not to move the furniture or belongings in the mansion. Have you lost anything by any chance?"
"I haven't. Thank you for your consideration."
"It's nothing. I was just worried that I might accidentally touch something of Your Excellency's that belonged to the previous generation. I heard that the previous generation didn't leave behind a testament?"
"That's correct."
"Well... That's quite an unusual matter. Did you happen to find anything after returning home?"
He asked quite explicitly. Judging by his gaze and the habit of flicking his finger, I had a hunch that he was the Emperor's observer.
"I'm also frustrated. He should have left something behind. Without anything, it's killing me. He should have left at least money behind."
"Oh dear, I see. Ahem, well, I understand."
As I spoke with a tone that reminded me of my father's ominous presence, Lama Welton couldn't help but cough awkwardly without being able to sympathize. After a somewhat lengthy conversation, he said he had something to attend to and stood up from his seat.
"I will do my best to ensure that Your Excellency's family doesn't face any inconvenience."
"Your words alone are appreciated."
"Yes. Then, I will see you again next time, Your Excellency."
"Take care."
As he left, I sat in my seat for a while and then called Amy. Oblivious to everything, she entered the reception room with a bright expression.
"Did you have a good conversation?"
"Um, Amy, I have something to tell you."
With my words, she raised a question mark above her head but soon understood.
"Is it about the study?"
"Well, don't go in there from now on."
"Why?"
I pondered about how much I should tell her. Since she's family, she should know at least a little.
"There were artifacts left by my father."
"Artifacts? What are they?"
"Amy."
"Why are you making it so serious? What were the artifacts?"
"My father and mother were murdered. And our family as well."
It was a sudden story. Amy listened to my words with a bewildered expression.
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
I sat her down and briefly explained to her. She reacted with disbelief and soon went to her room, saying that she needed to think.
It would be difficult for her to accept. But I believed it was better to tell her the truth than to lie.
"By the way, the Emperor..."
Not only the Emperor but also Bahat Alven existed. Perhaps other nobles who didn't appear in the game were also involved. My thoughts became complicated, and I quietly drank the cold tea.
"Did you find anything?"
"As far as I could see, I didn't sense anything. Although there was a slight change in personality, our conversation felt the same."
"That's not what I'm asking."
Lama Welton could only scratch his head at the voice coming from the communication artifact. There really wasn't any indication, so what was the problem?
"He really didn't show any signs. If Cain Cromwell had left something, we would have discovered it immediately."
"Understood. I didn't intentionally prevent the purchase of the mansion, so there shouldn't be any clues even if they visit."
"Even if there are no clues in the mansion, they will eventually find them if they keep searching, right? It's not like the tree has grown legs."
"The fact that Cain didn't leave anything and hid the tree itself is the problem. Well, there's no need to rush. Just continue monitoring without unnecessary intervention. That's all for now."
Lama ended the call and let out a sigh. Although he was currently acting as Lord Welton in the Welton Territory, his true identity was the deputy director of the Information Bureau.
He wanted to bid farewell to this tiresome territory.
"It has been two years since Cain's death. He hid it so well."
Despite numerous searches conducted by those who knew about the information regarding the Original Sin, nothing came out. There were rumors circulating within the Information Bureau that they even failed to find the great Bahat Alven.
"He didn't leave a testament either. There's speculation within the Information Bureau that it was to protect his children, but..."
If it were him, he would have left a testament no matter what. Honestly, it was unfair, and he couldn't live with it. At the very least, he would have made it public as an act of revelation.
"I don't know. I just don't know."
Lama Welton was truly frustrated.
Fortunately, Amy easily accepted the truth. She couldn't be a girl with a weak heart. Anyway, after she understood my words, she promised not to touch the magic circles even if she visits the study.
With the incident roughly settled, we wandered around the village here and there, enjoying some rest after a long time.
Although my mind was complicated due to the note left by my father, I tried not to show it and let my face be reflected in the village.
Most of the villagers knew me. However, unlike before, they were wary of me.
"Now you're leaving already?"
I wandered around the village once and packed my things again.
Amy seemed reluctant for me to leave so soon, but it was dangerous for me to stay here for various reasons.
"Amy could get involved in the incidents because of me."
Just imagining that made me furious.
That's why I had no choice but to leave in just one day.
"Oppa."
"Yes?"
"Take care of yourself."
"Sure. If you're tired of work, take a break."
"Okay."
She seemed like she wanted to say something more, but I walked out without waiting for her to speak.
Listening to her faint farewell from behind, I turned back and headed in the opposite direction.
Returning to the academy felt the same as before.
Of course, it had only been two days since I was last here, so it was natural that everything remained the same.
"I've changed a little, though."
I learned magic from Salem and obtained the Original Sin.
With just these two things, I felt much stronger.
"In a few days, the terror will happen."
Since I found out, I should do my best to prevent it.
I had confidence now that I had become stronger over the past few days.
Moreover, even if I didn't know, Carlos Alven was involved with Bahat Alven. But I didn't want to burden Carlos and Dienne with the responsibility.
"They wouldn't know either."
Besides, I could repay the debt to the Alven family through Alven Estate.
In the first place, Bahat Alven's attitude was strange.
He acted like a fool, but he always moved in a direction that benefited me.
Perhaps he felt guilty. But since he was the other party, speculation was prohibited.
With these thoughts in mind, I returned to the dormitory and prepared for sword training.
"You've stiffened up from not practicing for a few days."
Despite that, my skills had improved significantly, perhaps due to experiencing a few real battles.
Soon, the mana of the Dangjeon Sword would be able to catch up to the mana of my heart.
Stretching my body, I summoned Nickel from the pocket dimension.
As soon as Nickel, who hadn't been outside for a long time, appeared, he immediately started swinging his sword in the air.
"You're getting rusty, too."
At that moment, an unexpected change occurred.
["Codex Apocalypse: Chapter 0 - Pure Original Sin" has detected "Diligent Sloth."]
["Codex Apocalypse: Chapter 0 - Pure Original Sin" has started evolving.]
"What is this...?"
Was that nonsense?
I was taken aback by the sudden message.
Diligent Sloth? Detected? Here?
My thoughts wandered to the point where I turned my head and looked at Nickel.
Swish!
Nickel, who noticed my gaze, swung his sword and stared at me with a Dan mask.
"This can't be real. Go back in for a moment."
I immediately recalled Nickel to the pocket dimension.
Then...
["Codex Apocalypse: Chapter 0 - Pure Original Sin" evolution has stopped.]
"Ha! Haha."
Is this some kind of prank? Really?
But my rationality was strongly telling me that it was the truth.
I summoned Nickel again.
As expected, a message appeared, stating that evolution had started.
"Nickel, what are you?"
Whether I said it or not, he held his sword, indicating that I should focus on training.
Could it be that he absorbed the page of Sloth? Or something else?
The explanation, fortunately, appeared in Nickel's status window.
[Sloth Phantom (Legendary)]
Nickel Life Heal
Undead
Tier 5
Mana: 2113
Abilities: Ego/Extreme: Swordsmanship, Fluidity, Sloth
Currently sharing the effects of "Pure Original Sin."
He must have judged that the Original Sin was also Nickel's page of Sloth.
If I didn't have the evolution trait, this wouldn't have happened.
If I couldn't evolve, Nickel would still be a Skeleton Soldier.
["Codex Apocalypse: Chapter 0 - Pure Original Sin" evolution has completed.]
["Codex Apocalypse: Chapter 0 - Pure Original Sin" is linked with "Diligent Sloth."]
[Additional functions created.]
[Additional abilities created.]
[Basic abilities enhanced.]
And the changes didn't end there.
Nickel, who had been swinging his sword, suddenly stopped.
Then he approached me and started writing something in the air.
A sudden strange feeling.
Could it be a buff?
Fortunately, the explanation was shown in Nickel's status window.
[Sloth Phantom (Legendary)]
Nickel Life Heal
Undead
Tier 5
Mana: 2113
Abilities: Ego/Extreme: Swordsmanship, Fluidity, Sloth
Currently sharing the effects of "Pure Original Sin."
No doubt, this was an insane effect.
Because the effects of the Original Sin had also improved.
[Codex Apocalypse: Chapter 0 - Pure Original Sin]
[Mana recovery increased by 188% - Sloth]
[Mana sensitivity increased by 66% - Sloth]
[Special skill usable once every 6 days (currently stored skill: Sloth)]
[Mana quality improves over time.]
[Mana nature darkens over time.]