26.

Instead of replying, Serenity thrust the contract forward.

“Keeping the secret is essential.”

Dante pressed his temple to alleviate his headache. He knew hiding it wouldn’t solve anything. In the meantime, he felt pathetic. Serenity’s secret…

He didn’t expect it to be to this extent. Or rather, to confide in him, a mere scholar, was somewhat fortunate?

Dante earnestly asked with a grimace.

“Are you serious?”

“I don’t know what happened either. That’s why I’m asking for your help, Dante.”

“Other Heirs should naturally know. Is it right not to tell them? To use Julie for such information…”

“We need to see if it’s just the symbol appearing or if the abilities can be used. Why this symbol appeared on one person, the state of the other Heirs. I have a lot to consider. I haven’t hidden it from everyone either.”

Dante, who had been holding his head, let out a sigh. He could understand Serenity’s perspective, but… Regardless, he couldn’t help but feel dissatisfied with entering into the contract. Dante said in a gloomy voice.

“The reason you told me as a magician must be to hide the symbol.”

“Right, is there any magic that can conceal the mark?”

“There is magic that can cover something on the surface.”

“Then please use that.”

Thunk. Dante made a groaning sound as he waved his staff. The light emanating from the tip of his staff penetrated Serenity’s marked areas, causing them to shimmer.

Serenity’s skin returned to normal, but she could feel something overlaying it. It felt like something draped over her skin, like a cloth.

Next, Serenity asked what she was curious about.

“Is your power still the same, Dante?”

Dante clenched and unclenched his fist. A gentle breeze swirled around him. It was warm and light like a spring breeze. Serenity’s hair fluttered and returned to its original place. The subtle breeze that started gradually grew, filling the entire room. Hair swirled wildly, and the dress fluttered. However, Dante seemed unaffected by the situation, standing in silent tranquility. His clothes were pristine.

“As you can see, it’s all fine.”

“We need to check on the other Heirs.”

Dante understood that it was his duty. Serenity was in a position where she couldn’t confirm it herself.

It was indeed a cause for concern. With someone appearing who had all the symbols, Dante was fearful of what would happen to the current Heirs. Dante nodded first.

“…I understand.”

Of course, while Serenity’s words didn’t sit well with him, there was a brief moment of silence, but Dante didn’t interject.

Watching Dante exerting his power, Serenity felt that her current state was different from when she was Julie. Other Heirs would need to be checked as well.

“Now that all elemental Heirs are chosen, things may have to be different.”

However, if the symbol that appeared on Serenity was real, she might be able to use it too.

Before becoming an elemental successor, people honed their elemental powers. It could be seen as a combination of talent and effort.

Julie’s water power started from longing. Julie, who hadn’t properly drunk water for days, was thirsty. There had never been a time when she had wanted water so desperately. She was happy when water splashed out from her fingers and quenched her thirst.

Everyone had their moment of encountering their element. The catalyst for encountering the element differs.

Water was something Serenity could think about alone, but the other elements were different.

Since she was with Dante now, Serenity decided to inquire about wind.

“How did you start manipulating wind, Dante?”

“Wind began for me by sensing the air surrounding me. I’m the observant type.”

“Ah…”

“I eventually realized that everything surrounding me is part of the wind. Not only me, but all objects and entities around me possess wind.”

There were abstract parts that were hard to understand.

“…Everything surrounding me.”

“To master the wind, it’s best to go to a forest where the wind blows a lot or by a lake and close your eyes for a few hours. It’s easy to feel.”

While Serenity closed her eyes to feel the wind, Dante touched his chin, lost in thought. When Serenity opened her eyes after a while, Dante replied in a serious tone.

“To be honest, it would be best for you to get away from the capital. The magic I cast on you has a limited duration, and it will dissolve when it comes into contact with water or fire. It’s not perfect.”

“…”

“You said you wanted to hide. But it will be quite difficult to do so if you stay here. It could be quite troublesome if you were caught by mistake. It would be painful.”

‘Where I can go.’

As Serenity pondered, she thought of Artera. It was a territory she had to visit soon as it was soon to become her possession. If she could go there to avoid people’s eyes.

Certainly, if she stayed in the capital, people’s attention would be focused on her. Since she had only recently awakened, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to visit the convalescent spa either. She might be able to avoid people and learn more about the power of the elements.

But she couldn’t just go to Artera recklessly.

“Dante, please take me to the rooms of the Heirs.”

“If you’re not one of the four elemental Heirs, you can’t enter.”

“But I’m a bit of a special case, aren’t I? It would be good to check if I can enter. Since each person visits at different times, if I avoid those times, I won’t get caught.”

“…You want to know the visiting hours.”

It felt like being a messenger. Dante sighed deeply and nodded. Even though he didn’t like it, he was indeed in a position of obligation in the current situation. To hear information about Julie that Serenity possessed, he needed to cooperate as much as possible. That was part of the contract.

“…We should investigate this matter, that much is true. I understand.”

“Then I’ll be waiting.”

“Will you be leaving the capital? If you stay here, I’ll have to find a separate spell for you.”

“I’ll be away for a while.”

“Understood.”

Dante sorted out the tasks he needed to handle with his fingers. Glancing at Serenity, he spoke with a resentful tone.

“I’ll go to the estate once. I’ll hear all about Julie then. I have the right to hear it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

There’s a give and take. Serenity acknowledged obediently.

‘While talking about Julie, I’ll subtly mention the bracelet.’

Of course, everything was part of the plan.

* * *

When Serenity mentioned going to Artera, Cordelia agreed. Similar to Dante, the reason was that there were too many people here, which could easily lead to exposure and attract attention. And there was another reason why she agreed.

“I’ve also been assigned, Serenity.”

Cordelia, too, was leaving the mansion for a while.

Cordelia’s destination had been decided. It was Carpe, located about three hours away by carriage from Artera. Carpe was said to be in chaos due to the recent floods. It was a different area from Artera but closer than the capital.

“If anything happens, just let me know. I’ll rush over immediately.”

In preparation for unforeseen circumstances, the Order provides knights with scrolls that allow instant teleportation to desired locations.

“…Are we allowed to use those?”

“This is precisely for unforeseen circumstances.”

Cordelia spoke confidently. Serenity, who couldn’t stop her, reluctantly agreed.

After finishing her conversation with Cordelia about going to Artera, Serenity also brought up the topic with the Zeros couple.

“They say you’ll surely like it. It’s a beautiful city.”

“Artera is filled with artists, and just walking down the streets, you’ll see numerous artworks. And the lake there, how beautiful it is…! It’s a pity we can’t go together.”

After Cordelia’s persuasion and Serenity’s request, the Zeros couple reluctantly agreed. They wanted to go together, but there was too much work to do. With the recent natural disasters, there were more territories suffering losses. The Zeros’ estate was no exception.

“Artera has never experienced any natural disasters so far. They are also well-prepared.”

It was also a city where Serenity’s father, Yustian, would not worry too much about sending her.

Artera had never suffered from natural disasters. The surrounding areas of Artera were also relatively free from natural disasters.

So Serenity’s visit to Artera was decided.

There were many things to prepare before going there, so the departure was scheduled for two weeks later.

After the birthday celebration party, Serenity’s actions seemed unexpected to others. Letters asking about her well-being started arriving at the mansion.

Among them were letters from Clagen and Wyatt. There were many people trying to schedule meetings, but Serenity postponed all the appointments until after returning from Artera, using her health as an excuse.

A week later, Serenity received a message from Dante. It seemed like a visit to the space of the Heirs was scheduled, as he asked her to keep her schedule free for the meeting.

This time, Serenity went to Dante’s mansion. It had only been a week, but his face looked unusually tired. Dante handed Serenity a scroll.

“This is a scroll that allows you to visit the palace. I made it myself. Today is a good day to test it because no one else is there.”

Not just anyone can make a scroll to go to the palace. Dante was allowed to do so because everyone knew that he strictly adhered to such principles.

“I never thought you would break the rules like this…”

Dante, who prided himself on adhering to principles, felt disappointed that he was breaking them like this.

“The powers of the other Heirs…”

“Liv didn’t attend the last gathering, so I’m not sure. The other two are the same as usual. I didn’t ask about the elements because it would be suspicious.”

Asking about that itself would be suspicious, Dante added. Dante’s words made sense.

‘Yulia didn’t attend.’

Before going down to Artera, there was a reason to meet Yulia. In fact, she was most curious about whether Yulia’s power was still alive.

‘Since it was the power of water that I had.’

Dante asked casually.

“Have you ever tried to use your power?”

“No.”

Serenity thought it would be safest to try it when she was in Artera. Dante also agreed.

“Then I’ll go.”

As soon as she tore the scroll, her view changed.

Soon, a familiar landscape unfolded before her.

The space where she used to come and go as one of the four elemental Heirs. Just standing in the usual spot felt new and refreshing.

“Shall we go in first? I brought more scrolls in case of failure. You can return to the mansion immediately.”

Standing in front of the door leading to the space of the Heirs, Serenity took a deep breath. It looked like a simple door, but in fact, only a successor could touch it.

Serenity reached out her hand to grab the doorknob.

Creak. The door opened.