Chương 46: 046

Rubbing a hand over my face, I sighed and spoke inwardly. Yeah. Stay incorporeal as long as you can. I'll find us some armor. Time hummed in agreement, his presence quieter now. Castles of this scale typically contain armories, as well as a personal vault. We will search for them once our business here is concluded. Relief sparked as I remembered the artifacts I'd seen earlier. I actually know where the armory is. Mostly frontline gear, but it's better than nothing.

My gaze drifted to the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lining the room, and a sharp pang of longing hit. What I wouldn't give for a magic sack. The king had been a complete bastard, so I felt exactly zero guilt about the idea of stripping his library bare. These books likely held vital information about Nexus—knowledge I desperately needed. And it wasn't like he'd be needing them anymore. Time chuckled softly. If you find such a bag, take as many as you wish. In Nexus, trial by combat entitles the victor to a boon.

Land, titles, possessions. Even entire libraries. The king had no known heirs. By law, his belongings are unclaimed. I blinked. You're… seriously okay with me stealing? He scoffed. From the innocent, or those who have done you no wrong? Never. From a man who built his power on suffering and death? Take everything. Put it to better use than he ever did. Oh. Oh fuck yes. A guilt-free shopping spree funded by a tyrant? Don't mind if I do. Time's tone sharpened. Focus, Nikolas. We have a task to complete first.

Your thirst for knowledge is admirable, my wife and I share it, but now is the time for clues. The rest can wait. Right. Drool over the armory and library later. Tear apart the king's plans now. I turned to the desk. Papers were strewn across its surface, many marked by Silas's lazy, slanted scrawl. Others appeared to be reports or correspondence. An overturned inkwell had bled across several pages, staining them black. With a sigh, I righted it. Slob, I thought, flipping through the papers.

Hopefully none of the ruined ones mattered. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. The first documents were mundane: supply inventories, a denial of aid to a town called Dawnmoor, a report praising a military victory-. I stopped and flipped back to one of the ink-stained letters, squinting as I read what remained legible. Our mission was a success, and loyal soldiers have been stationed to oversee your new town, my King. Soon, we will have the forces necessary to take Latica.

The rest was unreadable. Time laughed, sharp and mocking. Let them try. Latica is protected by two spirits, Nature and Inspiration. Nature alone would send those mongrels fleeing. She does not tolerate harm to her people. A petty part of me almost wanted to see them attempt it. I shoved the thought aside. So Latica's safe. But what about the other city? What happens when the soldiers realize their king's dead? If they turned on the townspeople, people who'd already suffered enough, it would be a bloodbath.

Time hummed in agreement. Once your ally informs the resistance leader, we should investigate the occupied city. There will be many in need of healing. It may also lead us to one of Silas's generals. It wasn't ideal, but it was the only lead we had. Unfortunately, the rest of the papers offered nothing useful. Half were written in a cipher I didn't recognize; the rest were too damaged to salvage. Frustrated, I dumped them into a nearby bin. This will suffice for now, Time urged.

Search the remainder of the room so we can depart. I nodded and moved to the desk drawers. The first contained jeweled inkwells, colorful quills, and stationery that shimmered faintly in the candlelight. I lifted one sheet, tilting it back and forth. That paper is enchanted, Time explained. Either through magic or rare materials.

"I'll take it," I murmured, setting it aside.

"We can figure out what it does later." The next two drawers held rolled scrolls with the same subtle glow. I stacked them with the paper before opening the final drawer. Empty. I leaned back with a groan.

"Of course. A secret journal explaining everything would've been too easy." Look closer, Time said sharply. There is a disturbance in the air here. Frowning, I leaned in and ran my hands along the inside of the drawer. At first, nothing, then a faint pulse. Subtle, but there. My fingers traced the wood until my nail caught on a seam. Carefully prying it loose, I grinned as the false back slid away, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside was a plain brown sack, no larger than a basketball. My smile faltered.

"That's it? For something this well-hidden, I expected more." I turned the bag over in my hands, searching for markings. Be careful, Time warned. It could-. He didn't finish before something heavy and square tumbled out. And landed directly on my balls.