It was Aqum.
When I lowered my head, I could see Aqum peeking out of my pocket.
I had heard that it was full of energy in the Grand Temple, so it must have woken up from the stone again this time.
‘You’re not planning to run away again, are you?!’
Recalling what had happened last time, I reached for my pocket.
I intended to grab Aqum in advance, but before I could touch its, it had already hidden back inside.
[The wind is too rough-mouthed, I don’t like it. I’m going back to sleep, little Quartz!]
‘The wind?’
The only thing that came to mind was Wyndis.
Even when we were at Count Travel’s estate, Aqum avoided being in the same space as Wyndis. Whenever I was with my dad, it would either return to its stone form or leave, saying it had to tend to the land.
I shifted my gaze to my dad.
As expected, he was staring intently at Wyndis.
Just as Aqum had said, his eyes looked terrifyingly sharp.
Gasp. Were they going to fight?!
Startled, I glanced at the priests to see their reactions, only to realize that none of them seemed concerned.
Right, the priests had always avoided making eye contact with my dad in the first place. They were too scared to look at him properly.
“Theon didn’t come with you?”
We were walking along the white birch path that led to the Grand Temple when the Grand Priest spoke to me.
“Theon is with Mr. Damian right now!”
“Damian? Damian Knox?”
When I nodded, the Grand Priest’s face showed a hint of surprise.
“That man usually has no interest in training disciples… Theon must be quite popular among the Grand Masters.”
Well, it was actually because of the trading company, but…
This was a great chance to raise Theon’s reputation as the future crown prince in front of the Grand Priest.
“Right? Theon is really popular. He must be very talented.”
“Berry, are you worried because the boy you like is so popular?”
“Oh, no! Theon is just a friend!”
Hearing my answer, the Grand Priest chuckled.
It was the kind of reaction an adult gives when they find a child amusing.
So, it was just a joke, huh?
My dad gently touched my cheek. When our eyes met, he nodded approvingly, as if I had done well.
Had he made up with Wyndis? His gaze had returned to normal.
“The healing potion is stored within the Grand Temple. Only Master Reytan may enter.”
When we reached the entrance of the temple, the Grand Priest explained.
“Can Berry not go inside as well?”
“Haha, that would be nice, but only the Grand Master and the Grand Priest are allowed entry. Since the highest-grade healing potion is treated as a sacred relic, access is restricted to outsiders.”
I perked up my ears.
Wouldn’t this be a chance to explore the Grand Temple?
‘There might be more ancient texts…!’
Noticing the sparkle in my eyes, the Grand Priest made a suggestion.
“Berry, don’t you need to do a field study this time?”
“I want to!”
“Then go up to the Hill of Blessings above the waterfall plaza. It will look very different from last time.”
“Different?”
“There is an ancient spring that the god Aubawth gifted to humans, but it dried up a thousand years ago. Recently, the sacred spring has been refilled—perhaps because someone has earned the god’s favor.”
Thump!
My heart dropped.
That spring… could it be the one I restored to secure an income…?
‘Huh?’
For a brief moment, my eyes met the Grand Priest’s, and I felt as though I was being observed.
But the feeling passed quickly. The Grand Priest simply gave me a warm smile and said,
“Make sure to go and see it.”
***
Shhhhhh.
When the leader of the temple tells you to check something out, what choice do you have?
Feeling like a criminal returning to the scene of their crime, I climbed the Hill of Blessings.
The Aubawth Order was quite generous in fostering independence, even for children. Last time and this time, all they gave me were directions to the hill and a reminder to be careful.
Honestly, being alone suited me just fine.
“Aqum, are you just going to keep sleeping?”
[…….]
“The spring I restored last time… turns out it was really important…!”
[Hmmm…….]
The response was so vague that I couldn’t tell if it was actually answering or just mumbling in its sleep.
It seemed it wasn’t going to wake up. Oh well. I’d just have to go alone, even if it made me a little nervous.
“Wow.”
That worry didn’t last long.
As soon as I reached the top of the hill, I was struck speechless by the breathtaking sight before me.
When I first restored the spring, I had been too focused on the gold coins to pay attention to anything else.
But now, the once barren hill was overflowing with life.
‘So this is why Zikal was so confident that Brokia would thrive here?’
The Wild Dog Tribe’s mountains had also suffered because their springs had dried up, leading to dying plants. Maybe this spring served a similar purpose.
So far, I hadn’t heard any reports that the Brokia I had planted on the mountain was wilting. I had been worried about the Fort Kingdom’s strange climate, but if it was thriving this well…!
“Wow, look at the shine on those leaves! Will our Brokia grow like this too?!”
The lush green field before me felt like a vision of what our future Brokia farm could be.
High-quality healing herbs were everywhere, glistening—
Shrrrrrk!
“It’s so beautiful…!”
“It really is, isn’t it?”
“Ack!”
There should be a rule against sneaking up on people like that!
Startled, I jumped back and spun around.
“Wh-Who— Oh?!”
The silver-haired boy who had spoken looked familiar.
Pale skin, clear silver eyes, and an air of nobility.
If the word holiness could take human form, it would be him.
This was the same apprentice priest I had seen last time—the one who had trembled when Wyndis had gone berserk.
“Hello, we meet again.”
Even something as simple as a greeting felt holy, probably because of the aura he exuded.
Last time, he had worn a different robe from the other priests, but today, he was dressed in the same attire as the apprentice priests.
‘So, he really was an apprentice priest?’
Oh! I almost made the mistake of being too mesmerized by his divine presence to return his greeting.
I quickly performed the noble greeting I had learned from Madam Freya.
“Hello, I am—”
“You’re Quartz, right?”
“Huh?”
Hearing my name so unexpectedly, I froze mid-curtsy, my hands still gripping the hem of my dress.
The apprentice priest smiled warmly at me.
‘Ugh, so dazzling.’
Even though the sun was in the opposite direction, I found it hard to keep my eyes open.
Seeing my squinting expression, the apprentice priest burst into laughter.
“…Oh-ho.”
Realizing I had just become the subject of amusement, I let go of my dress and straightened up. The apprentice priest quickly apologized and introduced himself.
“I’m Yuraha. Keep this meeting a secret, okay? It would be troublesome if I were seen interacting with an outsider.”
“Troublesome? Would you get scolded?”
At my question, Yuraha chuckled. He was holy but also laughed a lot.
Then, he stepped toward me as if measuring my height with his hands before stepping back again.
“How old are you?”
“Seven.”
Oh. I had just answered without hesitation. His atmosphere made it impossible to even consider his question rude.
So, I asked him back.
“How old are you, Priest?”
“Twelve.”
That meant he was a year younger than Ciel, the daughter of Uncle Hevant.
Yuraha’s pale, delicate fingers lightly touched the ribbon that tied my hair in a braid. It was the one Theon had given me as a gift.
“You’re too young.”
What was that supposed to mean?
I blinked at him in confusion, but instead of explaining, Yuraha simply said his farewell.
“I should go. Others might come soon. See you again.”
His voice was as clear as pearls rolling on a silver tray.
***
That same day.
An inn near the Grand Temple.
“Oh… Ohhh…!”
Victor trembled with emotion as his vision became clear.
This wasn’t temporary. This clarity was his to keep from now on.
“Are you satisfied? The effect of the highest-grade potion?”
“Satisfied? You ask if I’m satisfied?”
Victor turned to look at Reytan.
Impatient even to wait for Reytan to return from the Grand Temple to Goldport, Victor had chosen to head to the temple just three hours after Reytan had departed.
That was how much this day meant to him.
A day he had waited for his entire life.
If Reytan Quartz Travel hadn’t been in the room—if he had been alone—Victor would have broken down in uncontrollable sobs.
But right now, they were in the middle of a business transaction.
His merchant instincts, ingrained in his very bones, kept his emotions in check.
“……No.”
“Master Reytan.”
“Stay back.”
That didn’t mean his joy had diminished.
It didn’t mean he no longer felt the urge to run through the streets, shouting at the top of his lungs that this man had saved him.
Victor stepped closer to Reytan.
But when he reached out his hand, the exquisitely crafted white sword hilt blocked his way.
Even as he met Reytan’s sharp blue eyes, filled with displeasure, Victor simply curved his lips into a crescent-moon smile.
Though, a cold sweat had begun to form on the back of his neck.
“Pardon me. I just need to retrieve something.”
“Go back and take it out. Don’t do it here.”
“I also had the urge to give you a hug.”
“……Get lost.”
Reytan tilted his head slightly, gesturing for him to move away.
Victor raised both hands in mock surrender, walked behind the sofa where Reytan was seated, and retrieved a rectangular bag from the table.
Inside were two copies of a contract they had finalized earlier.
“The terms have been drafted to ensure they are not disadvantageous to you, Master Reytan. I’ve already signed them, so if you wish to add or remove anything, let me know.”
“Understood. I’ll review them and get back to you.”
Reytan glanced through the contract before asking,
“Does it still matter whether I came here as a Grand Master or as the second son of Count Travel?”
“Of course, it matters.”
At that, Victor smirked slyly.
“I need to determine how to elevate the man who will be my right hand to the highest position possible.”
“I should tell you in advance—I have no intention of reaching the highest position.”
Now that the contract had been drafted, Reytan decided to reveal a bit of his true thoughts.
“I don’t need the Diamond House. What I need is a force that can act as my hands and feet, moving discreetly when necessary, away from the eyes of the beasts.”
Despite his words, Victor’s expression remained unchanged.
He was confident.
No matter how the client’s wishes changed, he would simply fulfill the original promise he had made.
To elevate this man to the highest position in Travel.
“The blue color of the Blue Trading Company represents hope and growth, while the hourglass symbolizes continuity and trust.”
“And?”
Victor bowed slightly to Reytan.
“I will do my utmost to ensure this is a deal you will never regret, my esteemed client.”
