The Lord's Treasure
Lufen and I made our way back to the study on the third floor.
Following the steps, I unlocked the hidden door.
As the massive bookshelf slid aside, Lufen peered inside with curious eyes.
"Huh... I'd heard rich people built secret rooms, but I didn't think it was true. Did you ask the house about this too?"
"Yeah. The way to open it is so complicated that I doubt anyone but me could get in. Anyway, lighting duty's all yours."
"Tch... it kind of annoys me how you're making such good use of me... 'Dim Light.'"
A faint orb of light floated around Lufen.
Yeah... having someone who could actually apply their skill like this was ridiculously useful.
The staircase spiraled downward, barely wide enough for one adult to pass.
I took the lead while Lufen followed behind me.
This went pretty deep. It probably reached all the way underground.
"Is... is this really okay...? We aren't going to find a skeleton or something down here, are we...?"
"That's definitely a possibility."
"Why would you say something so terrifying!?"
"You brought it up first."
Even I wasn't the kind of guy who got a kick out of scaring someone.
Her grip on my hand tightened.
I could feel her determination not to let go.
Well, it's not like there was anywhere to run down here anyway.
"... Oh? A door."
It was wooden, thick, and solidly built.
The lock... wasn't engaged. It should open just fine.
Still, since Lufen was scared, I'd better ask about the room first.
"Door-san. There aren't any dead bodies, skeletons, or other creepy things inside... right?"
(None at all. Only the things my master left behind.)
Good. That's a relief.
When I turned around and nodded, Lufen let out a relieved sigh.
Well then... open sesame!
I grabbed the doorknob and pulled.
It was a little heavy, but it opened without much resistance.
Lufen's light illuminated the pitch-black room beyond.
It was enormous, more like a warehouse than a room.
Shelves lined up at regular intervals, practically serving as pillars.
Various ores and ornaments filled the shelves.
Along the walls were expensive-looking weapons, armor, shields, vases, and paintings. It felt like a museum.
Lufen gave everything a quick glance before pouting.
"So this is the treasure? I mean, sure, it'd probably sell for a fortune..."
"Lufen, do you not like jewelry or accessories?"
"Not that I dislike them, they're just a nuisance. Having things jangling all over me while I'm working would be annoying."
Yeah, for someone who was always on the move, they'd just be dead weight.
Still... it didn't really feel like treasure. Maybe it did to some people.
"Hey. Are you guys really the treasure?"
(Are we?)
(What's treasure?)
(No idea.)
(Probably not, but our self-esteem appears to be very low.)
Figures. These guys had been made as decorations, after all.
"Then do you know what your master treasured most?"
(((Over there~!)))
All of them answered at once.
… Saying "over there" isn't very helpful when none of you have fingers.
Fortunately, the others chimed in with, "This way!" So there was something deeper inside the room.
I followed their voices.
This room might actually be as large as the mansion itself.
Just how wealthy had this lord been to fill a room this huge with so many valuables?
Just then, Lufen noticed me moving and hurried after me.
"Hey, Dyrel! Where are you going?"
"They said the thing the lord treasured most is farther in. I'm going to check."
"Don't leave me behind! What if a ghost shows up!?"
Sorry. Really sorry. So stop grabbing me by the collar.
I reluctantly took Lufen's hand, and we walked together.
… There were a lot more sinister-looking objects back here.
Uh... are these cursed or something?
(It’s fiiiine~)
(We're just old, so looking suspicious can't be helped.)
(I'm an imported item from overseas~)
Oh. Got it. That's a relief.
… Wait, he even collected things from overseas?
Who was the owner of this mansion?
"Oh, look, Dyrel. There's a treasure chest over there."
At the very back of the room, where Lufen pointed, there really was a treasure chest.
It sat on a raised platform. That spot was obviously special.
"It's locked."
"Yeah... hey guys, where's the key?"
(That's meee~)
Oh, that one.
Moments like this really made my skill convenient.
I inserted the rusty key into the chest's iron lock.
It was a little stiff, but I slowly turned it… clunk. It unlocked.
Lufen and I looked at each other and nodded at the same time.
I placed my hands on the lid and slowly opened the chest.
I didn't sense any poison or curse. It was just an ordinary treasure chest.
I couldn't help feeling a little nervous.
The lord of this mansion… just what had he treasured so dearly...?
Here goes. I threw the lid all the way open.
Inside was… nothing more than a dull gray ore that glimmered faintly.
"... What's this?"
"You're asking me?"
Lufen tilted her head too.
Apparently she'd never seen it before.
So... this was the treasure?
Guess I'll ask.
"Hey. Mind if I ask you something?"
(Oh my. You're not my master, are you~?)
"No... a lot happened. What kind of ore are you? You were being kept pretty carefully."
(Am I important?)
That's what I'm trying to find out.
Good grief… was this all just a wild goose chase?
Exhaustion washed over me all at once.
Well, I guess I'll just take some random ore back to that old guy and call it the treasure…
(They used to call me adamantite.)
………
"Ehh??"
What do you think about this chapter?
