Chapter 271
It seems the Voice-Spirit truly doesn’t want to see me regress.
Knowing that this stemmed from affection for me, I felt a warmth spread through me, despite my predicament.
“Phew, alright.”
Since it’s come to this, there’s no other choice.
Without hesitation, I placed the luxury Regressor’s Wristwatch and the three 50,000-point artifacts I had just chosen into the Mystery Box.
[
After confirming the updated status, I carefully stored the Mystery Box in my inventory.
“When I go back, I’ll have to figure out how to take artifacts from both Tesillids. I wonder if it’ll work out.”
“Hoho, give it your best shot.”
“Yes, I don’t know what kind of amazing result is going to come out of this, but I’ll try.”
“You can look forward to it, you know? Artifacts synthesized from the Mystery Box are on a different level from ordinary ones. Who knows if they might make the impossible possible?”
My eyes sparkled.
“Ooh, so it’ll cause a Deus Ex Machina-level miracle?”
“Ah, not that much. We still need to consider plausibility.”
“Tsk.”
It was then, when I deliberately revealed my disappointment without hiding it.
“Even so, it’s enough to change the ending.”
“……”
“So don’t give up prematurely. Hohoho.”
The Sublime General Store sometimes casually throws out profound remarks. I straightened my posture, becoming serious.
“Yes, thank you for your words.”
“Alright, alright. Now, it’s time, so prepare to go back.”
“What?”
Go back? The penalty period should still have more than a day left, shouldn’t it?
No way, are they trying to kick me out already?! I, I didn’t make a fuss! Why!
The Sublime General Store grinned at my stunned face.
“I’ve adjusted the flow of time, you see. Dreams are naturally erratic with time, aren’t they?”
“You mean……”
“More than a day has passed in your real world. The penalty period should be almost over, so you can go.”
“Wow! Thank you so much!”
I shot up from the stool.
But just as I was about to bow in thanks, a thought flashed through my mind, and I sat back down.
“What? Why are you sitting down again?”
“Something to do just occurred to me.”
“What is it?”
“That fortune-telling you said you’d do for me, is it still valid?”
“Ooh? Of course. But as you know, I can only read love fortunes.”
“Yes. That’s what I want to see.”
As if waiting, the Sublime General Store took out a scrying orb. Then, deliberately exaggerating the movement of all ten fingers, they spoke.
“Alright, good. Then, whether you and your ‘flame’ will live happily ever after for a hundred years……”
I cut them off.
“17th iteration Tesillid Argent.”
“……”
“Please read it with the 17th iteration.”
Instantly, the Sublime General Store’s expression changed. The mischievousness faded, replaced by a deep smile of approval on their lips.
“You haven’t forgotten the advice I gave you last time, clever Possessor.”
-If you understand, then next time, use your head a bit more smartly when asking questions. So you don’t incur a penalty. Hoho.
“Of course.”
Though I smiled outwardly, I was so nervous my mouth felt bone dry.
Because I was about to hear a pronouncement from a god.
“You can’t read a love fortune with a dead person.”
“……”
A death sentence.
I inhaled. Until my chest cavity expanded to its limit.
Even though I had clearly crammed as much air as possible into my lungs, I didn’t know why I felt like I was suffocating now.
A faint holy aura suddenly swept over me. I barely regained my breath from the god’s exhalation, but I couldn’t utter a single word.
Then, the Sublime General Store’s voice rang out again.
“Alright, now, which iteration will you have your fortune read with?”
“……”
“How many digits should we start with? Hmm?”
“……”
The omniscient god’s eyes saw through my intentions. At that moment, my mind changed.
To hear it directly, or to see it directly.
“There’s one more artifact I need to buy.”
“What is it?”
It seemed I had taken a long way around.
“Please give me the Eye of Sin Replica.”
✠My consciousness, which had been adrift in a lucid dream, seeped back into my original body. Feeling my senses return, I slowly lifted my eyelids.
Thankfully, there was someone to welcome me immediately.
<Aillet?>
Agnes’s voice, as if disbelieving. I turned my head and smiled.
“Hel-lo.”
I wanted to greet them kindly, but my vocal cords, unused for so long, produced a pathetic sound. I felt a little disheartened.
Of course, Agnes didn’t mind.
<Really… really awake? I, I’m not dreaming right now, am I…? >
“Yes… I’m a-wake……”
<Aillet! You fool! What took you so long to wake up!>
“I’m sor-ry. For worry-ing you.”
Just then, I met the eyes of a maid standing behind Agnes’s spirit form. She was frozen, holding a vase, before finally coming to her senses after a long moment.
“My goodness! Her Grace the Holy Saint! Her Grace has opened her eyes!”
Then, a crowd of people from the hallway poked their faces into the room. Among them was Aide Edgar.
“What?! Her Grace has opened her eyes?!”
“Oh, it’s true! Her Grace has finally woken up!”
“Thank God! Thank you!”
“This is no time for this! Quickly inform His Grace the Duke! And the Silver Citadel Knights!”
“Your Grace, are you uncomfortable anywhere? You’ve been lying down for 12 days… Water? Yes, yes. I’ll bring you water!”
The Duke’s Castle servants carefully helped me up as if I were a fragile piece of art, even holding a water glass to my lips.
“Your Grace, are you hungry? I will tell them to prepare a meal soon.”
“How is your body? A doctor will arrive soon.”
“How are you feeling? Please tell us if there’s anything uncomfortable.”
“Does the water taste alright?”
“……”
The servants had always been kind to me, but as a patient, their kindness was on a completely different level. Everyone’s gentle, considerate touches and bright, attentive gazes…
Aide Edgar, in particular, was looking at me with eyes that seemed about to burst into tears.
“Your Grace… I’m glad you’ve opened your eyes again.”
“It’s thanks to your worries. Thank you, everyone.”
Then, the servants suddenly burst out, overcome with emotion.
“Your, Your Grace…!”
“We are the ones who can never thank Your Grace enough!”
“Please don’t say such things, you who stopped the calamity!”
“Everyone in this world owes their lives to Your Grace. We will never forget this grace.”
Without anyone instructing them, the servants simultaneously knelt on one knee on the carpeted floor and paid their respects.
“Thank you, Your Grace!”
“Everyone…”
It was then that the tip of my nose tingled slightly.
[
‘What? N-now?’
Immediately after the unilateral notification, unlike usual, holy light poured down from above my head.
Amidst the servants’ bewilderment, unknown objects descended from the air into my hands.
[
[
One bottle of a doping potion that seemed useful for the life-or-death battles to come.
[
One bottle of alcohol that looked good for a celebratory toast.
On the pristine white sheets, the potion bottle and wine bottle glowed with dazzling holy light, asserting their presence.
But it wasn’t just the items in front of me that were sparkling. I felt a strange prickling sensation at the back of my head, turned, and was startled.
“Gasp?”
Because a beautiful circular pattern made of light was floating behind me.
[
At this rate, I’d become a walking light fixture.
‘No, Voice-Spirit. I’m grateful, but isn’t this a bit much?! And why do you insist on giving the rewards in front of others?!’
I immediately understood the reason by observing the servants’ reactions.
“Good heavens, how can this be?!”
“It’s a miracle! This is like the miracle that happened at the founding ceremony!”
“Look at that holy ring of light! It’s more splendid than an angel’s!”
“God must be blessing Her Grace the Holy Saint’s recovery. It’s clear.”
“……”
Amidst the fervor, faith was inspired. Yes, sometimes, things like this are good.
[The ‘Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World’ puffs up proudly, lifting its chin.]
[The ‘Scales that Judge Souls’ clicks its tongue at the attention-seeking display.]
[The ‘Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World’ chuckles, asking if it’s jealous.]
[The ‘Scales that Judge Souls’ is exasperated.]
Fortunately, I could deploy and retract the halo at will. It was then that I quickly lowered the room’s illumination.
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
Around that time, I felt someone with a massive presence approaching in the hallway.
None of the servants panicked; they simply moved aside to the left and right.
The person who flew straight through the open path was, of course…
“My child! You’ve woken up!”
“Grandfather…!”
Discarding even his dignity as the Duke, my grandfather rushed forward and embraced me powerfully.
“Your Grace the Duke, Her Grace the Holy Saint has just woken up.”
<This old man really likes physical contact, doesn’t he? >
Enjoying the emotional embrace on his broad pectorals, I peeked my eyes over his middle trapezius.
I could see my precious people, who seemed to have just entered the room, following my grandfather.
“Aillet…!”
“My daughter…”
Mom, Dad.
“Sister, it’s been a long time.”
“Sister, Sisterrr……”
Ash and Hilde.
“…Did you sleep well?”
Bianca.
After I released my grandfather from the embrace, I met each of their eyes one by one. I smiled brightly, then opened my mouth.
“I’m sorry for making you worry. I was tired and overslept.”
I said it bashfully, as if it were just a light oversleep.
My expression and voice seemed fine, but for some reason, everyone suddenly looked overcome with emotion. Especially…
“Idiot.”
“……”
“Moron.”
“……”
Our Bianca suddenly unleashed a torrent of abuse at me that she’d never uttered in her life!
I tried to retort, but the moment I saw Bianca’s flickering red eyes, my mind went blank.
Instead, my body dutifully moved.
“Bia.”
I pulled Bianca close and embraced her.
“I missed you so, so much even while I was sleeping.”
“……”
“I don’t like it when you’re angry. I’m back, so please forgive me.”
“……Just this once.”
“Thank you.”
After a while, someone beside me commented.
<Just like her grandpa, she goes straight for the embrace.>
“Sister, please hug Ash too.”
“H-Hilde too…”
Don’t talk in the third person, you guys.
Privilege for Possessors