Chapter 72: Can I Trust You?
The chest was filled entirely with phylacteries.
Each was about the size of a palm, forged wholly from mithril, layered with powerful defensive enchantments, and saturated with dense necromantic aura. From the outside, they were indistinguishable from one another. Only by breaking the wards and opening a box could one confirm what lay within.
This chest alone had cost Ambrose an enormous sum of gold. In fact, among everything in the castle, nothing was more valuable than this collection of phylacteries.
He casually selected one, sent it to Black Rose through the Necromantic Codex, and followed up with a message. [Megaman Tiga: Lady Rose, I leave my life in your hands. This is a secret between us—please do not tell anyone.]
[Black Rose: Rest assured.]
Satisfied, Ambrose closed the Codex. Then he went and dragged Harvey out of the cell where the man had been quietly reading.
Harvey had been living far too comfortably these past days. He had free access to copious notes and ancient tomes lay open to him; he didn't have to worry about food or drink; he had no chores nor responsibilities. Even the skeleton guard assigned to watch him had begun to look positively pleasant.
Being hauled out so suddenly startled him. For a moment, he thought that Ambrose was preparing for another ritual.
Instead, Ambrose placed an exquisitely crafted small box in front of him and asked, "Harvey, can I trust you?"