<Episode 37>
Awhin’s eyes widened a little.
No matter what she offered, the temple would never willingly give her Blue Quartz. Their attitude toward magic tools made that clear. That’s why Melody had decided to use an unorthodox method.
She would steal it.
The Blue Quartz was stored in the same warehouse used by the magic tool department. The temple had tossed the stones near monster remains, considering them useless. To people without holy power, they were just rocks—not worth guarding at all.
Melody planned to take advantage of that blind spot.
“You’re saying… you want to commit a crime against the temple?” Awhin asked, staring at her in disbelief.
“I’m helping people,” she said calmly. “Think of it as being a righteous thief.”
“…Even if you say that, it’s still a crime. It cannot be allowed.”
There was disappointment in his eyes. Melody expected that. Of all people, Awhin was the kind to never bend the rules.
“Of course, I don’t plan to take it for free,” she added. “I’ll offer something in return. If you think it’s fair, just pretend you didn’t see anything.”
“I would never—”
“People will die.”
“…What do you mean? People dying?”
His face twisted sharply. Melody stayed calm and explained.
“Soon, a sacred barrier will collapse. Entire regions will be attacked.”
“That’s impossible.”
The destruction of a barrier—this was part of the future written in the novel. It was the event that brought the three main characters together. Awhin’s brows slowly furrowed.
“It won’t just crack—it will completely shatter. Monsters will flood through. A lot of people will die.”
“How could you possibly know that? Did the Duke—?”
“I’m just a magic tool maker.”
She pulled out a small round device from her cloak. Faint lights flickered across its surface.
“This tracks the movement of monsters. It’s limited, but I noticed a change recently. Look here.”
She pointed to a location on the glowing map. After checking it, Awhin looked at her seriously.
“Does the Duke know about this?”
“No.”
In the novel, Deonis went on an expedition and discovered the broken barrier. But there were too many monsters. Even elite knights couldn’t stop them. Most died or were seriously injured—and Deonis didn’t escape unharmed either.
The temple didn’t send help until it was far too late.
‘I remember… he had to return and be treated at the temple afterward.’
Melody had no intention of letting that happen.
“His knights are skilled at hunting, but they’ll be overwhelmed. Monsters will keep pouring through the gap.”
“!”
“And unless someone with holy power rebuilds the barrier, even more people will suffer.”
“…Do you really think I’ll believe such nonsense? That the sacred barrier could break?”
“I know it’s hard to believe. But isn’t it worth checking before it’s too late?”
Awhin rubbed his forehead. He stayed silent for a long time, thinking. Finally, he spoke.
“…I see.”
But she could tell he was still uneasy.
“I didn’t expect you to ask for something in return for saving people,” he said. “Why make this deal?”
“Because I want to save even more people,” she replied. “The temple doesn’t use Blue Quartz for that anymore.”
“…!”
He couldn’t argue. He silently lowered his head.
“I’ll need to verify your claim,” he said.
“Of course. But if it’s true, will you at least look the other way while I take the quartz?”
“No. I can’t allow theft.”
Melody frowned.
“Then…”
“I’ll give it to you myself.”
He slowly raised his head and met her eyes.
“As a reward for helping save lives.”
“You’ll give it to me and then… punish yourself for it?”
“If I must ask the goddess for forgiveness… then yes.”
“I don’t like that.”
Awhin paused.
Melody didn’t want to owe the holy knights anything.
“I believe the goddess wants people to be happy, not in pain,” she said.
His purple eyes wavered slightly as he stared at her.
“…Even for those who don’t deserve happiness?”
“No one is undeserving of happiness.”
“…I see.”
With a faint, self-mocking smile, he handed her the box of Blue Quartz.
“The goddess would want people to be saved.”
Melody accepted it.
“Thank you.”
That was all they needed to say. As she left the room, she looked back.
“Sir Awhin, promise me you won’t punish yourself over this. Use your strength to protect people during the expedition instead.”
“……”
She didn’t want to feel guilty. She didn’t want to worry about him either.
“…Yes. I promise.”
His voice came out at last—quiet and tight, as if something was pressing down on it.
“I think clothes are fine as long as they cover what they need to,”
The knight who had been rude earlier said to Melody as they stepped out of Awhin’s room.
“That’s not the point,” Melody replied flatly.
“Ahem. What I meant is, practicality is most important. And above all, among all tools, magic tools are the best. I really mean that. Ah—except swords. But swords are tools too, right?”
It seemed something had happened while Melody was inside the room. The knight kept glancing at Anna while speaking, clearly nervous.
“That’s why Captain Awhin made us run around for ten days straight, looking for the magic tool maker—”
“Sir Dering,”
A calm voice called out, and Melody turned to see Awhin standing right behind her. He had already come out of the room.
“C-Captain! When did you come out?”
“From the beginning.”
“Did you… hear everything?”
“Yes.”
“Ahem. I didn’t lie. I might have exaggerated… just a little.”
Ignoring Dering completely, Awhin looked at Melody and said,
“I’ll escort you to the front of the temple.”
He reached out to take the bag full of blue quartz—but Anna moved quicker.
“I’ll carry it,” she said, grabbing the bag with ease.
Melody looked at the bag that Anna picked up so lightly and said,
“I’m familiar with the temple. We can find our way.”
“It’s better to take this path than going back the way you came.”
He was clearly telling her not to break the rules again by sneaking through the underground passage while pretending to be a magic tool maker.
“Then I’ll leave it to you,” Melody said with a sigh, giving in.
As they began to walk, she turned back to Dering and added,
“And Sir Dering, I’m glad you’ve finally recognized the value of my outfit. You’re late, but I’ll forgive you.”
“Thank you, oh generous genius of magic tools!”
“Did my knight offend you somehow?” Awhin asked, his tone suddenly sharp.
Dering flinched hard. Melody thought it was strange. Sure, Awhin was strict, but it wasn’t like he punished people physically.
She shook her head lightly.
“No, we just had… differing opinions on fashion.”
“That’s right! I merely realized how brilliant the designer’s vision is. Ha ha. So, please, just don’t—don’t banish me from the training field—!”
“Sir Dering,” Awhin said coolly, “continue your training. Until I return.”
