Free Web NovelChapter 16: Meeting An Old Pal.
I exited my father’s office with a wide smile on my face because I had achieved exactly what I wanted. I didn’t return to my room immediately, however, because there was something I needed to pick up first.
The promised artifact.
So, I waited for the head butler, who was still inside with my father, while my mind couldn’t help but wander.
There were not many things I desired from that piece of trash. Wealth, power, authority, trustworthy subordinates and information were all things I had earned on my own in my previous life and I knew how to obtain them again without relying on him.
But there was one thing I had never gotten from that bastard, a genuine apology for ruining mine and Amyra’s lives.
I didn’t really carry many grudges into this life because I had already settled most of them in my previous one but even when I killed him, that man never bowed his head and that kinda left a bitter taste in my mouth in the last life.
So seeing him trying to apologize genuinely would be quite the sight and he had just promised me that sight. Not only that, but I had him seal the agreement with another soul contract.
The contract made it clear that the apology had to be genuine and unless it was, he would have no choice but to keep apologizing and knowing that emotionless bastard, an apology from the bottom of his heart would probably take hundreds of attempts.
So that was one melody I had secured for the few remaining months of my stay at the family estate.
Just then, the door to the office opened as the head butler walked out and closed it behind him before bowing toward me.
"Please follow me, Young Master. Master has granted you entry into the treasury to choose an artifact of your liking."
He spoke curtly before turning and walking away.
I followed after him with excitement because it was finally time to meet my partner once again.
My trusted sword.
Kosetsu.
In my previous life, I acquired it after destroying the Ruinbringers and taking control of the family. From that day onward, the sword never once left my side. Nor did it ever betray me unlike the many friends and family members I once trusted.
As we passed through the long hallways, the number of servants gradually decreased while the number of guards increased. We were entering the forbidden section of the manor, a place only those with permission from the head of the house or the Elder Council could access.
Soon enough, we arrived before a massive metallic door engraved with the symbol of a fragmented sword stabbed into the ground.
Beside it stood two guards clad in pitch-black armor, their spears crossed as they blocked the path ahead. The butler stepped forward immediately and presented the letter of approval the Duke had given him and only then did the guards lower their spears and pull open the iron door.
Beyond the door stood a massive glowing portal connected to the treasury, whose true location was known only to the patriarch of each generation.
Naturally, I knew where it was. freeweɓnøvel.com
Even so, I had to put in quite a bit of effort to find it in my previous life since that bastard Raymond hadn’t shared its location with me before dying.
Shrugging off the useless thought, I looked at the butler standing politely beside the doorway before giving him a nod and stepping into the portal leading to the treasury.
Immediately, my body was engulfed by bright light as I entered the spatial tunnel. Carried along by its pull, I soon saw the exit appear before me and a moment later, I found myself standing within a massive treasury that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction.
Of course, it was a scam.
An illusion array made it appear endless to impress whoever entered.
"You have arrived, Young Master!"
A voice greeted me as I looked down to see a snail floating in the air, it had a long white beard and wore a pair of small circular glasses.
"The patriarch informed me of your arrival. Before you proceed to choose an artifact, allow me to quickly explain the rules."
The snail wasted no time and immediately began.
"The treasury contains all kinds of artifacts, ranging from common to legendary and even demonic. However, you cannot determine their ranks beforehand. Artifacts at the epic rank and above choose and test their wielders themselves."
"So be careful what you pick. Some of the trials can prove fatal even for those stronger than you and you are only permitted to choose a single artifact. So please do not attempt to sneak out anything else. I would know immediately and would be forced to take action against you as the overseer of this treasury."
"Did you understand everything I said?"
The snail was quite rude for someone serving the family but he had every right to be. After all, he was the oldest living creature connected to the Ruinbringers, having once been the pet of the family’s founder.
"Yes, I understand, Elder."
I nodded.
He nodded back approvingly.
"You may begin now. If you wish, I can suggest an easy artifact to start with."
I smiled at him.
"There is no need for that, Elder. I already know what I want to choose."
The snail frowned but said nothing as I walked forward and barely a few steps later, I stopped before a lone sword resting upon a platform at the center of the treasury.
Its hilt was pure white, with a small purple gemstone embedded within it and its blade resembled snow. Not only in appearance but also in condition.
Just as snow was made of countless flakes, the blade had shattered into numerous fragments that lay motionless on the platform.
I slowly extended my hand toward the sword’s hilt.
It’s nice to meet you again, old pal!
As soon as I grabbed its hilt, the purple gem lit up as an incredible aura swallowed my vision completely.
***
