Synthia held the wooden box and recited a spell.
"I believe in the existence of the Father who created the heavens and the earth. In the name of the Almighty Heaven, I bless this box-"
Ssshhhh-
White light gathered in her hands and enveloped the box.
Clink.
A metallic sound came from the keyhole, and the lid opened.
A strong dark energy seeped out from the slightly opened box, filling the tavern. The oppressive aura was so intense that some adventurers left their seats, feeling an inexplicable sense of dread.
Synthia, startled, withdrew her hands from the box.
"What is this?"
I opened the lid wider and answered her.
"A hidden piece."
"A hidden piece?"
"Yes, an item left by the former master of the tower for the apostles."
No one knows when they left such items or why they intended to pass them to adventurers.
All that's known is that these 'artifacts' can be found by adventurers who discover hidden paths in the tower. No one had uncovered these secrets until my previous life, so it's likely no one knows about them in this era either.
"An item left for the apostles?"
"Yes, specifically said to be passed on to adventurers."
"How did you find out about this?"
"About what?"
"The hidden paths in the tower... or the information about this item."
"That's a secret."
"A secret?"
"Yes."
She didn't press further.
She knew I wouldn't tell her and probably guessed that asking more wouldn't yield any good answers.
"So, what's this hidden piece inside? Show me."
I took out the items from the box.
One was a talisman called 'Dark Star' by someone.
'What is this?'
The other was a ring adorned with a red ruby, something I hadn't seen even in my past life.
I paused momentarily at the appearance of the mysterious item.
Despite examining it from various angles, I didn't sense any special energy. Even wearing it on my finger elicited no reaction.
'Is this something I can't use?'
As I silently inspected the items, Synthia cautiously leaned in and asked.
"Which one is ours?"
"Ours?"
"Yes, we agreed to split it seventy-thirty. But since there are only two items, we'll each have to take one, right?"
'Since I don't know the ring's function, I'll have to test it through her.'
I hung the Dark Star talisman around my neck and placed the ring on her hand.
Slip.
"Here it is."
"...Huh?"
"It's your share."
Synthia quickly removed the ring from her hand, startled.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you putting the ring on my hand?"
"Because it's yours."
"Mine?"
"You asked for your share, didn't you?"
"No! That's not what I meant. I was asking why you put the ring on my hand."
Verdin didn't understand her reaction. He gave her what she asked for, so why was she making a fuss?
But there was a reason for this. In Synthia's hometown, the act of a man placing a ring on a woman's hand signified marriage.
Of course, in both his past and present life, Verdin had no interest in such matters, so he didn't understand why Synthia was getting so upset.
"If you don't want it, give it back."
"No, that's not it! How old are you?"
"Eight."
"Eight? Do you know how old I am?"
"No."
"I'm fifteen, seven years older than you."
Verdin frowned.
His expression clearly showed his inner thoughts: 'So what?'
The conversation halted, and silence fell between them.
Synthia, after a moment of frustration, put the ring back on her finger and stood up abruptly.
Thud.
"I'm leaving first."
"Where to?"
"Where else? Your mansion. We have to move early to find a place to stay since we're from another country."
"Stay at the mansion. I'll inform the butler."
"Stay over?"
"Yes, the next tower climb is in three days. Stay within Legion until then."
* * *
The artifact left by the tower's master, the 'Dark Star.'
I didn't know its power since it wasn't mine in my past life, but using it now, I realized it had tremendous power.
Just wearing it around my neck made me feel an overwhelming surge of energy throughout my body.
I had heard it increased the user's maximum stamina.
'To this extent.'
Siegfried,
swinging his sword through the air, spoke to me.
Vwoom-
"It seems like a dangerous item to use carelessly."
"Why?"
"Strong power always comes with a price. Misusing it could shatter your mind."
He had said something similar when teaching me the Aura Blade.
And his words had proven true.
I had personally experienced the corresponding aftereffects.
'Indeed.'
The increase in maximum stamina would require proportional recovery abilities as well.
Even now, after a big battle, it takes me two days to move properly.
'Just like when I faced the Goblin Champion this time.'
The fight was intense, but once it was over, my legs wouldn't move properly. I had focused so much on the battle that I didn't even notice my fatigue. Thankfully, I had packed some recovery potions; without them, I would have had to rely on Rox to carry me out of the tower.
'Yes, that's right.'
This battle taught me a valuable lesson.
I am different from my past life.
It's not that I'm lacking compared to then. I started climbing the tower earlier, so my body hasn't fully matured, and I can't precisely gauge how it will react to external shocks.
Just like how I only realized my bones were fractured after arriving back at the mansion, having blocked the Goblin Champion's attack.
"It ached, but..."
I didn't know my bones had been damaged.
I bowed my head to Siegfried, giving him the respect a master deserves.
"You were right, Master."
"Of course. I don't speak without reason. By the way, I noticed you wielded your sword in a rather unique manner this time."
"Are you referring to my grip?"
"Yes, a greatsword technique I never taught you."
His insight was remarkable.
The sword techniques I used against the Goblin Champion were all ones I had developed in my past life.
Mistilteinn was too long, so I had no choice but to swing it in that manner, and he had noticed every moment.
"The sword was too long, so I just swung it in the way that felt most comfortable."
"...You swung it in the way that felt comfortable? So you're saying it's not a technique you learned from anyone?"
"Yes."
"The way the tip of the sword drew its lines was too beautiful for that. The trajectory of the blade also effectively blocked the enemy's movements."
"Isn't it because I have an excellent master? There's a saying that a good teacher can impart twice as much knowledge even with just one lesson."
Siegfried had told me this exact thing in my past life.
"Hmm... That does sound familiar."
Brunhilde climbed up my chest and stared intently at the Dark Star.
With a meaningful expression, she seemed to know something about the talisman.
"Dean."
"Yes."
"Be honest. You know what this is, don't you?"
How should I answer?
Brunhilde had the ability to discern lies. If I lost her trust here, I wouldn't be able to learn magic, so I needed to answer carefully.
"I do."
"How?"
"I can't explain now. I'll tell you when the time comes."
"Not when, but... Well, I'll wait. But make sure you know one thing for sure."
"What?"
Shwaa—
Brunhilde transformed into her human form and gripped the talisman tightly, smiling.
"I made this talisman. A long time ago, I gave it to someone with the surname 'Strange.' It's an item that can defy the gods."
My mouth dropped open without realizing it.
I was too shocked to speak.
Brunhilde made this artifact?
And she gave it to someone named Strange?
'Then why was it with an apostle now?'
In my past life, Amon had told me that all the hidden pieces the apostles possessed were items made by the gods.
One of them had to be lying, but it couldn't possibly be Brunhilde.
Hmm—
"Really?"
"Yes! Didn't I tell you before? I once went to just before the top of the tower. I gave this talisman to a knight who was in my party back then."
"A knight?"
"Yes, though he was called a hero at the time. But to me, he was just like any other knight. Without me, he wouldn't have made it that far."
Today, I learned something new that isn't recorded anywhere on the continent.
I never thought I'd hear such forgotten fragments of the past so easily.
"What was that person's name?"
"Siegfried."
"Siegfried?"
"Yes, he was an incredibly arrogant guy who thought he was immensely powerful. He often ignored the party's opinions and moved alone, nearly dying countless times."
Siegfried burst out in anger.
"What nonsense! It's because you wiggled your hips and arrived late that I was already fighting!"
"Do you not understand the word 'wait'? Well, that's why you died first and became a spirit."
"What are you rambling on about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"You crazy woman!"
"What's your problem, you madman?"
They started bickering.
I organized my thoughts as they made a fuss.
'Siegfried and Brunhilde clearly lived in different eras. How could they have climbed the tower together?'
One answer came to mind.
Siegfried had said that his guardian spirit was Brunhilde.
And she had helped Siegfried reach the top of the tower.
But she also said they fought together just a moment ago, so Brunhilde must have either possessed someone or intervened in this world from the spirit realm.
"Master."
Both Siegfried and Brunhilde looked at me simultaneously.
"What?"
"Yes?"
I shook my head and pointed at Brunhilde with my finger.
"No, Master Brunhilde."
"Yes, speak. Our little Dean."
"Out of curiosity, how can you, as a guardian spirit, directly interfere in this world from the spirit realm?"
"..."
"To my knowledge, it's impossible unless you're a god."
Brunhilde smiled broadly.
Of course, I didn't expect her to answer.
I had asked this question several times before.
But there was a reason I asked again.
'This time, I can set conditions.'
I'll tell her my secret in exchange for her telling me hers.
"If you tell me, will you also tell me how you knew about that talisman?"
'Got her.'
As expected, she couldn't contain her curiosity and asked me.
I pretended to think for a moment, looking off into the distance, then nodded.
"In exchange, I'll answer your question first."