Chapter 67
“…If you want to make a deal, you should start by stating your conditions.”
Vincente roughly let go of my neck. Pain surged through me, and I winced as I glared at him, but he only returned my look with his usual arrogant expression.
Meeting his gaze directly, I spoke.
“My conditions are twofold. First, create a magic item that lets me change my appearance. It has to be semi-permanent. Second… teach me magic.”
“Hah, I could maybe accept the magic item, but teaching you magic? Are you kidding me?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
Though Vincente spoke lightly, I was completely serious.
If I learn magic, I’ll be able to protect the children if something happens.
Even without fighting anyone, I could use healing magic if they got hurt. And if Jack’s magic suddenly broke again, I could recast it myself.
It would be best if I could cast it now too, but that would take a long time.
And if I had no talent, no matter how many years I trained, I wouldn’t even be able to revive a single blade of grass.
Still, I wanted to try everything I could.
“…Looks like you mean it. So, what will you give me in return?”
“The locations of three Aeternums, including the Cursed Aeternum. I don’t know where the last one is, but what you want is to break the curse, isn’t it?”
In the original story, Cloan personally found and obtained two of the three Aeternums, excluding the Cursed and the Nullifying ones.
Through the book, I knew where those Aeternums were located. I even knew which member of the organization possessed the Cursed Aeternum and where it was hidden.
But when I pieced things together from memory, the two locations Cloan discovered weren’t clearly tied to specific Aeternums.
So I deliberately didn’t mention that to Vincente, to give him the impression I had solid information.
My condition only required me to reveal the locations of three, after all.
“You mean to say you know the locations of three Aeternums, when I only barely tracked down the Nullifying one? Why should I believe you?”
“I also knew about Khan’s underground passage. That passage is a secret only you know of right now. Isn’t that proof enough of my credibility?”
“…Then tell me. Where’s the next Aeternum?”
Vincente stepped closer, his eyes locking onto me with unrelenting intensity.
“Go on.”
“…Not yet. You need to accept my conditions first. Otherwise you could take the information and kill me right after.”
“Ridiculous. By that logic, you could also just feed me false information.”
“Fine. Then let’s do this: first, make the magic item. Then I’ll give you one Aeternum’s location. If you confirm it’s true, you’ll teach me magic. After that, I’ll reveal the remaining ones.”
“…”
My refusal to back down clearly unsettled him.
While he deliberated, I silently held his gaze. Finally, he spoke.
“But I also want the Aeternum you already have. Will you hand that over too?”
“I can’t. But if you find the Aeternum that cursed you, you won’t need mine to break it.”
“Hmmm.”
I sensed him starting to accept my words.
After a long pause, he answered.
“Fine. I’ll accept the deal. But if you deceive me—if you so much as toy with me—I’ll kill you and everything you hold dear. Understood?”
The faces of the children and Duke Creyman flashed through my mind.
I swallowed hard and nodded.
“Do as you wish. But add one more condition: you can’t harm me without cause.”
“Thorough, aren’t you. Fine. We’ll seal this in a ‘Contract.’ Our souls will serve as the pact itself. Give me your hand.”
I held out my other hand—the one without Hoyun’s oath-mark.
Vincente grasped my fingertips and slowly lowered his head. Just before his lips touched, he lifted his eyes to mine.
“There’s no turning back. You won’t regret this?”
“If I would, I wouldn’t have started.”
“That, I like.”
At last, his lips touched. My hand burned as though seared with fire. It felt like flames spread from his lips into my skin.
When he finally pulled back, I glanced at the back of my hand. A violet sigil was etched there.
“A sign that the contract is sealed.”
He showed his own hand, marked with the same symbol.
“If either of us breaks the deal, the violator will die a horrific death.”
“…I see.”
It unsettled me to bear such a terrifying mark, but this was safer. At least now, Vincente couldn’t make reckless moves.
“Does this symbol show up to others too?”
I muttered while staring at it. Vincente replied:
“No. Only you and I, the contractors, can see it.”
Good. That meant I wouldn’t have to fool the Duke.
“Then tell me. Where’s the first Aeternum?”
“Make the magic item first. Like I said—long-lasting, and something I can deactivate at will.”
“Tch. You leave no gaps.”
Grumbling, Vincente reached out a hand.
“Fine. I don’t want to die either. Give me something you can wear.”
“Ah…”
His sudden demand caught me off guard. In my haste, I hadn’t brought anything suitable.
When I hesitated, he scoffed.
“Don’t tell me you came unprepared. If you’ve got nothing, I’m leaving.”
“…I have something.”
I pulled out a pendant from my clothing—the keepsake of the late Empress, given to me by Count Simor.
“Put the magic on this.”
“Hmmm.”
Vincente took the pendant. Then his brows furrowed.
“What’s this? It’s already enchanted.”
“Can you tell what kind of enchantment?”
“…Let me see. Ah, I see now. Memory Storage magic. Very simple.”
“Memory Storage?”
“Yes. It stores memories inside the object. Should I erase it?”
“…I can’t use it unless you erase it?”
“Of course not.”
With a sly grin, Vincente clutched the pendant. Purple light burst from between his fingers.
It reminded me of Count Simor’s healing magic, though the feel was entirely different.
Where the Count’s magic was gentle and embracing, Vincente’s was sharp, like blades waiting to pierce anything that drew near.
“All done.”
The enchantment was over quickly. He handed the pendant back.
I examined it closely. Outwardly, it looked unchanged.
“Think of the appearance you want, then wear it around your neck. The illusion will last as long as you keep it on. Remove it, and the spell breaks instantly. Got it?”
“I can really change to any appearance I want?”
Just to be sure, I asked. Vincente nodded like it was obvious.
“Of course.”
“Wow, you’re more amazing than I thought, Vincente.”
I couldn’t help but exclaim at how intricate the magic was. He smirked proudly.
“I’ve given you what you wanted. Now tell me what I want: where’s the Aeternum?”
As he asked, I quickly recalled what the book had said.
“The first Aeternum… is in the Chloris Merchant Guild’s vault.”
“Chloris Guild, huh… I know them. Nasty bunch. If it’s in their vault, this should be fun.”
“If it turns out true, you’ll honor the second condition too.”
“Of course. If it’s true.”
He grinned. His smile left me uneasy, but with a contract in place, there was nothing to worry about.
With business finished, I spoke.
“The deal’s done. I’ll take my leave. Hope you find what you’re after, Vincente.”
“Of course.”
He gave a curt reply. I turned my back on him.
After a few steps, I glanced back, just in case—but he was already gone.
When I returned to the orphanage, I ran straight to Jack. Hoyun was standing guard at his door.
“How’s Jack?”
“He’s still asleep, I believe. Did you manage to get the medicine?”
“Yeah, thanks to you. You’ve done well. Go rest. I’ll stay here.”
“Understood.”
After sending Hoyun away, I stepped inside. Contrary to his words, Jack was awake, sitting up in bed.
As soon as I entered, Jack looked at me and gave a faint smile.
“Jack…”
“You broke your promise. You said you’d stay by my side all night.”
His words made me feel a pang of guilt.
Did he not notice the spell broke?
He looked the same as usual, which made me wonder.
Then Jack turned his gaze to the window and spoke.
“But you don’t seem surprised.”
“…Surprised by what?”
“My appearance has changed, yet you don’t look shocked at all.”
Jack was staring at his reflection in the window.
Since there were no mirrors in the room, I hadn’t thought he’d notice. My eyes widened.
Jack looked back at me, stepped barefoot from the bed, and stopped right in front of me.
Looking up, he said:
“You already know, don’t you? My true identity.”
