Chapter 187 – Something That Should Never Have Existed
Chapter 187
Something That Should Never Have Existed
Date : Day 2 of Frostfall 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren presented the two weapons they had obtained as loot during their latest dungeon expedition.
Borin's eyes immediately lit up.
"Hoo..."
He leaned closer to the counter, his gaze moving back and forth between the two weapons.
"These two are quite the pieces of work..."
The dwarf gently rested a rough hand on each weapon, carefully feeling the craftsmanship instead of carelessly handling them. His experienced eyes narrowed.
"By Gravok's Beard..."
He slowly shook his head.
"How could a newly opened dungeon produce drops like these?"
He looked toward Hyoren in disbelief.
"That dungeon should only be Bronze-tier. These weapons shouldn't be appearing there."
Elise smiled knowingly. Her fingers unconsciously touched the pendant hanging around her neck. The Sylvana's Lavalier. It too had come from one of the Monster Room's gold chests.
"That's true… I don't think the normal dungeon classification can be applied to that place anymore."
She recalled the ten exhausting days they had spent inside.
"It was harder… Weirder… And the loot was far better than any ordinary Bronze-tier dungeon should have."
Borin nodded in agreement.
"I suppose that's not a bad thing."
A broad grin spread across his bearded face.
"If word gets out… Adventurers from all over will flock to Akela."
He chuckled.
"And who knows? Maybe this city will rival Harvengald in scale someday! Hahaha!"
Hyoren and Elise exchanged amused smiles. That certainly wasn't impossible. Considering the quality of the dungeon. Akela's future looked brighter than ever.
Hyoren lightly tapped the counter.
"Okay, Borin. We'd like to know what these weapons actually are. Are they really that good?"
Borin answered by firmly patting the enormous green greatsword.
"Pah. This one's excellent."
He nodded confidently.
"Not an Artifact. Definitely not a National Treasure. But… It absolutely feels like something you'd normally find in a Silver-tier dungeon. Not a Bronze-tier one."
A grin spread across his face.
"Give me a moment."
His expression immediately became serious. He slowly ran his thick fingers along the flat of the blade.
"Hmm..."
He quietly muttered to himself while continuing the inspection.
A satisfied smile slowly appeared beneath his beard.
"Alright. This is an excellent weapon."
He lightly tapped the flat of the blade.
"Any Silver-ranked… or even Gold-ranked greatsword users would happily wield this."
He smiled.
"This beauty is called… Winding Gale Greatsword. It was made from Mithril-alloy.”
Borin lightly ran his rough fingers along the blade before giving an approving nod.
“This weapon has two effects."
He held the greatsword upright.
"The first allows the user to infuse every strike with Wind Magic. The second effect reduces the weapon's weight while the runic array is active."
Borin carefully placed the greatsword back onto the velvet counter.
He looked toward Hyoren.
"10 Mil Kres... That's what I'll pay if you want to sell it."
His gaze shifted between Hyoren and Elise.
"Your party doesn't have a greatsword user anyway, right?"
Hyoren tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Yeah. I think it's better to sell it..."
He glanced at Elise.
"Right, Elise?"
Elise gave a small nod.
"Yeah. 10 Mil will be a good addition to our party fund."
She smiled softly.
"Our manor upkeep and party supplies keep increasing. Fufufu."
Hyoren nodded in agreement.
"Okay then, Borin. We're going to sell it."
The dwarf grinned.
"Good choice, lad."
His attention then shifted to the second weapon resting on the counter. The pure white mace.
"So… You want to know about this one?"
Without waiting, Borin carefully picked it up.
Unlike the massive greatsword, the mace sat comfortably in one hand.
He began examining it from every angle. His experienced eyes studied the runic inscriptions engraved directly into the mithril-alloy surface.
He inspected the metal. The balance. The craftsmanship.
Occasionally, he reached for a few small appraisal tools resting beneath the counter, checking several parts of the weapon with practiced precision.
After a few moments, Borin slowly poured Aethell into the mace. The intricate inscriptions immediately responded. A soft white radiance flowed across the weapon.
Unlike the emerald glow of the greatsword, this light was gentle. Pure. Almost soothing. It quietly illuminated the entire mace without overwhelming the eyes.
Borin's expression immediately changed.
His eyes widened ever so slightly.
"Hoo… This..."
He continued his inspection in silence.
He slowly raised the mace closer to eye level. Turned it. Examined every engraved line. Then rotated it once more, studying the crown-shaped head with far greater attention than before.
After several more moments of careful inspection, Borin finally lowered the mace onto the velvet counter.
His expression had become noticeably more serious. He slowly stroked his majestic beard while keeping his eyes fixed on the pure white weapon.
"This is on a completely different level than that greatsword..."
Hyoren instinctively leaned forward.
"What is it, Borin? Please don't keep us in suspense."
Beside him, Elise nodded in agreement, her emerald eyes filled with curiosity.
Borin let out a hearty chuckle.
"Hahaha. Easy, lad."
He lightly tapped the white mace with a thick finger.
"This is called Luminescent Cudgel. It was forged entirely from pure mithril."
He nodded approvingly.
"Mithril naturally conducts Aethell exceptionally well. That alone already makes it a superb material for magic weapon."
His finger traced one of the runic inscriptions engraved along the shaft.
"It only has two runic inscriptions… but both of them are absurdly powerful.”
He paused.
"The first inscription increases the effectiveness of Light Magic by 50%. And at the same time… It reduces the Aethell consumption of the same magic by 30%."
Hyoren's eyebrows rose. That combination alone was already incredible.
Borin smiled.
"It's essentially a conduit designed specifically for Light Magic. Just..."
He lifted the mace slightly.
"In the form of a mace instead of a staff."
He then pointed toward another section of the engraved runic array.
"As for the second inscription… It's a durability runic inscription. It dramatically strengthens the weapon itself. So despite being an outstanding magical conduit, it's still durable enough to withstand repeated heavy strikes in close combat."
He gently returned the mace to the counter before shrugging.
"As for its value..."
The dwarf scratched his beard again.
"I honestly can't give you an accurate estimate."
He shook his head.
"This is already approaching the level of a national treasure. It is incredibly rare for a mace to possess magical conduction comparable to a proper staff."
Borin looked between Hyoren and Elise before giving an impressed smile.
"If a high-ranking priest or holy knight learned this weapon existed… They'd probably be willing to pay almost any price to obtain it.”
Hyoren tapped his chin.
"So what should we do with it? We don't have a priest in our party..."
He turned toward Elise, silently asking for her opinion.
Elise gently shook her head, causing her long silver hair to sway softly behind her.
"No idea either, Hyoren."
Borin crossed his arms as he pondered for a moment.
"I can think of two options."
He raised a thick finger.
"First… You leave it here. If I manage to find a buyer, then no matter how much it sells for, every single Kres goes to you."
He shrugged.
"But I can't promise how long that'll take. It could be tomorrow… Next month… Or even years if no suitable buyer ever shows up."
He then raised a second finger.
"Second… You sell it directly to Luminara's Church. They're far more likely to have someone capable of bringing out this weapon's true potential. High-ranking priests, bishops, or even Templar Knights would probably be interested."
Hyoren rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Keeping it would just be a waste… And I don't really like uncertainty."
He nodded to himself.
"I guess I'll bring it to Archbishop Sherine. Maybe one of her Templar Knights will want it."
Elise smiled and nodded.
"I agree. That might be the best choice."
Borin nodded in approval.
"Good choice, lad."
He then picked up the massive green greatsword with both hands before carrying it toward one of the sturdy weapon shelves lining the workshop.
After carefully storing it away, he returned to the counter and looked back at Hyoren.
"So… Anything else?"
Hyoren retrieved the Luminescent Cudgel and returned it to his storage bag.
A moment later, he pulled out another weapon. A pure white spear.
He carefully laid it across the velvet-covered counter where the mace had rested only moments before.
"This one. It dropped from the Floor 2 Guardian. The Goblin Ruler."
Borin's eyes gleamed with renewed interest.
Without another word, he carefully picked up the spear. His experienced hands immediately tested its balance. He gave it a few controlled swings before finishing with a precise thrust through the air.
The weapon moved smoothly, almost effortlessly.
"Hmm..."
His fingers slowly traced the length of the shaft.
From the section where a banner or flag could be attached. To the pristine 25 cm spearhead. Then to the short, pointed counterweight at the butt of the weapon.
Finally, he examined the intricate runic inscriptions engraved along nearly the entire shaft. Every line had been carved with astonishing precision. Rather than looking excessive, the engravings blended perfectly into the spear's elegant design.
It looked less like a mass-produced weapon—And more like a masterpiece crafted by a legendary artisan.
Borin quietly poured Aethell into it.
The runic inscriptions awakened. A gentle white radiance spread across the spear, softly illuminating the workshop. Its glow resembled the Luminescent Cudgel from moments earlier. Pure. Clean. Sacred.
The faint holy aura surrounding the weapon lingered for several breaths before gradually fading.
Borin slowly placed the spear back onto the counter.
His expression grew solemn once again.He let out a slow breath.
"This… is on the same level as that mace."
He shook his head, his majestic beard swaying with the motion.
"I honestly can't put a proper price on it. It's simply too extraordinary…”
Hyoren slowly shook his head.
"Two extraordinary weapons… The Akela Dungeon really is..."
He trailed off, unable to find the right words.
Even after everything they had discovered inside the dungeon, it continued to exceed his expectations.
Beside him, Elise quietly nodded. She then looked at the white spear resting on the counter.
"So what exactly is this, Borin? A spear? Or a flag bearer?"
Borin let out a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha. To be honest… I'm not even sure what this weapon's true purpose is."
He scratched his beard.
"Even my Item Appraisal identified its name… But I couldn't understand what that name actually meant."
Elise narrowed her emerald eyes.
"What do you mean, Borin? Is it written in runes or something?"
The dwarf slowly shook his head.
"No. If they were runes, I'd recognize them even if I couldn't read their meaning."
He folded his arms.
"The strange part is… My Item Appraisal skill displayed it in Kresneger Common Tongue. But the words themselves are completely unfamiliar to me. I've never seen them before."
Hyoren's curiosity was immediately piqued. Unknown words. What exactly did Borin mean by that?
"So… What's the weapon called?"
Borin reached for a sheet of white paper and a pen. After carefully writing several words, he slid the paper across the counter toward Hyoren and Elise.
"My appraisal says this is its name."
Elise leaned closer. Her brows gradually knitted together.
"What is this even… I've never seen words like these before."
Unlike Elise—Hyoren froze. His eyes widened ever so slightly. He recognized it.
Not just the pronunciation. But the meaning as well. It wasn't English. It wasn't even Japanese. And it certainly wasn't Kresneger Common Tongue.
He quietly read the words aloud.
"Étendard Sacré du Lys."
The unfamiliar syllables rolled naturally off his tongue.
Both Borin and Elise blinked in surprise.
"You can read it, lad?"
Hyoren gave a slow nod, his gaze never leaving the paper.
It's French…
He wasn't fluent in the language like he was with English or Japanese. But, he immediately recognized those words. Years of playing games and consuming historical fantasy media had etched the phrase into his memory.
"It means..."
He looked up.
"Sacred Standard of the Lily."
Silence fell over the workshop.
Hyoren's thoughts began racing.
A sacred standard… A banner...
A certain figure immediately surfaced in his mind. A legendary saint from French history. A woman often depicted carrying a sacred banner adorned with lilies. One of the most recognizable holy figures to appear in countless games he had played.
His eyes slowly returned to the pure white spear resting on the counter.
It wasn't merely a spear. It was—the standard carried by that saint.
What French historical figure is being referenced in this world…
Hyoren stared silently at the elegant words written across the paper.
Étendard Sacré du Lys.
It even dropped from a Floor Guardian inside a dungeon...
His brows slowly furrowed.
Did Gidol truly...
He couldn't finish the thought.
Ever since entering the dungeon, he had found the dungeon system strangely familiar. Instanced Floor Guardians. Monster spawns. Loot. Everything resembled the mechanics of a game.
And now, something that should never have existed in this world had appeared before him. French. Not merely the language. But a direct reference to a holy figure from Earth.
His mind raced.
Could Gidol have come from Earth...?
It was certainly possible. Otherwise, how could words like these exist in Kresneger?
But almost immediately, Hyoren dismissed the thought.
He slowly shook his head.
No… As far as I know... there were never demons on Earth.
Let alone a Demon God commanding vampires, werebeasts, succubi, and countless other demonic races.
His curiosity only deepened.
Borin's voice pulled him back to reality.
"I don't know how you managed to read those words, lad..."
The dwarf looked down at the white spear once more.
"'Sacred Standard of the Lily,' huh..."
He slowly repeated the foreign words with an awkward accent.
"Étendard... Sacré... du Lys..."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"It certainly fits the weapon's effects."
Unlike Borin, however, Elise already had her own guess. She had long known that Hyoren possessed knowledge that came from the world he once lived in. She chose not to question it.
Instead, she looked toward the dwarf.
"So… What does it do?"
Borin folded his muscular arms.
"My Item Appraisal classifies it as a spear. Made by pure Mithril. So anyone with Spear Mastery can use it normally."
He lightly tapped the shaft.
"As a spear, it's already an excellent weapon. It also possesses a durability runic inscription. The same kind as the mace from earlier. So by itself… It's already a high-quality spear."
He paused before resting one hand on the section where a banner could be attached.
"But… Its true strength isn't as a spear. It's as a Flag Bearer."
His eyes shifted toward Hyoren.
"When this Sacred Standard is fitted with a flag… everyone who acknowledges the wielder as their leader… will receive an enhancement."
Silence settled over the workshop.
"Everyone."
Borin continued.
"It doesn't matter whether they see the wielder as a leader… A captain… Or a commander. As long as they genuinely recognize that person as someone they follow… They'll receive the blessing."
He gave a wry smile.
"The enhancement itself isn't overwhelming. Roughly 10 to 15 percent. But… It strengthens nearly everything. Speed. Defense. Attack. Accuracy. Even spell power."
He folded his arms once more.
"This… is a weapon made to strengthen an army."
Hyoren's eyes widened.
"What..."
He stared at the white spear in disbelief.
"That's broken... isn't it?"
He immediately understood the implications. A mere 10 to 15 percent increase didn't sound extraordinary. Not for a single person. But, for an entire army, it was different altogether.
Elise slowly nodded.
"Yes… The effect sounds subtle. But if an entire army recognizes the wielder as their commander… It doesn't matter how many soldiers there are. They'll all receive the enhancement."
Borin nodded firmly.
"Exactly. There is one limitation, though. The soldiers have to be able to see the wielder. So the enhancement only affects those fighting on the same battlefield."
He looked down at the white spear once again before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"But even with that restriction… it's still absurdly broken.”
***
Borin slowly shook his head.
"I definitely can't put a price on this."
He looked at the white spear with undisguised admiration.
"This is even more extraordinary than that mace. The commander of the Kingdom Army… Or the captain of the Royal Knights… They'd both want a weapon like this."
He let out a slow breath.
"So my advice is simple. Keep it. If you ever decide to sell it, bring it to the capital."
He scratched his beard thoughtfully.
"Other than a major auction house in the capital… I honestly don't know anywhere else capable of finding a buyer."
A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Or… You could simply use it yourself."
He pointed toward Hyoren.
"You used to fight with a spear, didn't you? You should still have your Spear Mastery."
He lightly tapped the section where a banner would be fastened.
"Tie your party's banner to it. Carry it into battle. Your entire party will become stronger."
He grinned.
"It's also shorter than a conventional spear. And because it's forged from pure mithril, it's surprisingly light. You can comfortably wield it with one hand… while keeping a shield in the other."
Hyoren picked up the spear.
Instead of gripping it with both hands as he normally would wield a spear, he held it only in his right hand.
He gave it a few experimental swings. Then a quick thrust. The movements flowed naturally. His Level 3 Spear Mastery instinctively adjusted his posture and grip.
The weapon felt remarkably balanced. Almost, like an extension of his own arm.
"You're right. I can wield this with one hand."
He looked at the gleaming spear before falling into thought.
"But… I already have Dawn Breaker. I need my sword to cast magic."
Elise gently rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Just keep it, Hyoren. You can continue using your sword. And when the situation calls for it… You can simply switch between the two."
Hyoren considered her words for a moment.
He then planted the butt of the spear onto the wooden floor.
"I see. I'll mainly use my sword since it also serves as a conduit for my magic. But if I need to strengthen the party… And I don't need to cast much magic… I can switch to this instead."
Elise smiled.
"Exactly."
Borin folded his arms and nodded approvingly.
"That's right. Having multiple weapons makes you flexible."
Hyoren smiled wryly and scratched his cheek.
"But… I might end up becoming a jack of all trades… and a master of none if I keep switching weapons."
For a brief moment, the workshop fell silent.
Then—Borin burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha!"
Elise covered her mouth with a soft giggle.
"Fufu..."
Even Hyoren couldn't help but laugh along.
The tense atmosphere created by the discovery of two priceless treasures gradually melted away, replaced by the familiar warmth of Borin's workshop ever since they had become friends.
***
They stepped out of Borin's blacksmith shop after finishing their business.
In the end, they had sold the mithril-alloy greatsword for 10 million Kres, while deciding to keep both the Luminescent Cudgel and the mysterious spear, Étendard Sacré du Lys.
Hyoren also left behind his Mithril-Alloy Chain Mail and Steel Kite Shield for repairs. Borin had confidently promised that both would be ready by tomorrow.
After exchanging their farewells with the hearty dwarf, the pair stepped back onto the street.
A sharp winter breeze immediately greeted them. After spending nearly an hour inside the blazing heat of the forge, the cold air bit into their skin far more intensely than before.
Hyoren instinctively pulled his jacket tighter around his body. Beside him, Elise also wrapped her cardigan closer, her shoulders shrinking slightly against the chill.
Soft white breaths escaped from both of their mouths.
Elise glanced toward Hyoren.
"So, what should we do now, Hyoren?"
She lifted her gaze toward the sky.
High above Akela City, Silver Luna had climbed a little higher, its pale radiance washing the city in its cold, silvery light. There was still plenty of time left in the day.
Hyoren reached inside his tunic and retrieved his pocket watch. The silver chain gave a soft clink as he opened the lid.
09:51.
He closed the watch.
"Hmm… Let's finish our errands first. We'll head to the church. After that..."
He smiled faintly.
"We can spend the rest of the day relaxing."
Elise tucked a loose strand of silver hair behind one of her pointed ears.
"That's a good idea. Let's go, then."
With that, the two resumed their walk through Akela City.
The lively streets of the Adventurer's District gradually faded behind them. The constant chatter of adventurers, merchants, and blacksmiths slowly gave way to a calmer atmosphere.
As they entered the Administrative’s District, the roads became noticeably wider and cleaner. Government buildings, noble residences, and public institutions lined both sides of the streets, replacing the taverns and workshops of the commercial quarter.
Even the number of pedestrians had noticeably decreased. The district carried an air of quiet dignity. It wasn't long before a magnificent structure came into view.
Luminara's Church.
The grand cathedral stood proudly amidst the surrounding stone buildings.
Constructed entirely from pristine white marble, it formed a striking contrast against the city's predominantly gray stone and dark ironwood architecture. The church seemed to possess a radiance of its own.
Its elegant decorations were crafted from polished gold. Window frames. Door hinges. Decorative trims. Every detail reflected reverence.
Dominating the tallest stained-glass window was the sacred emblem of Luminara—Two suns balanced upon the scales of justice. The golden symbol shimmered beneath Silver Luna's cold rays, appearing both solemn and majestic.
Without slowing their pace, Hyoren and Elise passed beneath the grand marble archway that marked the entrance to the church grounds.
The bustling sounds of the city faded behind them, replaced by an atmosphere of tranquility befitting the domain of the Goddess of Light.
***
The church grounds were peaceful.
Worshippers quietly entered and exited the grand cathedral, their footsteps softened by the carefully laid white stone paths.
Members of the clergy moved about with practiced efficiency. Some carried tomes. Some just walked briskly.
A pair of Templar Knights stood guard before the cathedral's massive entrance, their polished armor gleaming beneath Silver Luna's pale light.
Their disciplined eyes calmly observed everyone who entered the sacred grounds.
Then, Hyoren and Elise noticed a familiar figure.
She was speaking with two young clergymen.
Her long, wavy blonde hair shimmered like spun gold. It flowed gracefully to her hips, cascading over elegant white robes adorned with intricate golden embroidery. The sacred emblem of Luminara had been embroidered across her robe in brilliant gold thread.
Her features were refined and dignified. High cheekbones. Gentle sapphire eyes that seemed to carry the wisdom accumulated over countless years.
Although she looked young, the serenity surrounding her made her feel almost timeless. She radiated the warmth of a caring mother. Kind. Protective. Someone who naturally made others feel at ease.
She was the highest-ranking member of Luminara's Church in Akela City—Archbishop Sherine Conti.
As if sensing their presence, Sherine turned toward the entrance. The moment her eyes met theirs, a bright smile blossomed across her face.
She offered a few final words to the two clergymen before smoothing the folds of her robes and walking toward them with graceful steps.
"If it isn't Hyoren and Elise. It's been quite some time."
Hyoren offered a respectful bow.
"Archbishop Sherine. It truly has been a while. Long time no see."
Elise also smiled politely before giving a graceful bow of her own.
"Long time no see, Archbishop."
The moment the title left their lips—Sherine puffed out her cheeks. She folded her arms across her chest and pouted exactly like a child who had just been denied a piece of candy. The expression was so adorably childish that it completely clashed with the dignified image expected of an Archbishop.
"Mou… I already told you. Don't call me 'Archbishop!' Don't be strangers!"
Hyoren could only smile wryly.
For some reason, despite being the highest-ranking figure of Luminara's Church in Akela City. Sherine always acted like this whenever they met. It was a side of her that very few people ever had the chance to witness.
Hyoren knew from experience that arguing with Sherine was a losing battle.
So he simply gave up.
The sooner they moved somewhere private, the better. The last thing he wanted was to become the center of attention in the middle of the church grounds.
He cleared his throat.
"We actually have something we'd like to discuss. Are you busy?"
Sherine's smile softened even further.
"I'll always make time for you, Hyoren."
Her answer came so naturally that Hyoren could only smile awkwardly.
Sherine then turned toward the two clergymen she had been instructing.
"I have some important guests. We'll continue this later."
The two clergy bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Archbishop."
They then quietly excused themselves, leaving the three of them alone.
Sherine turned back toward Hyoren and Elise. Her warm smile never once left her face.
"Come. Follow me to my office. We can speak there in private."
Hyoren gave a small nod before bowing slightly.
"Thank you for understanding."
Sherine nodded in return.
"Of course."
Without another word, she gracefully turned around and began walking toward the cathedral. Her elegant white-and-gold robes fluttered gently with each step, while her long golden hair swayed behind her like flowing silk.
Hyoren and Elise exchanged a brief glance before following after her.
The three quietly made their way deeper into Luminara's Church, leaving the peaceful courtyard behind as they headed toward the Archbishop's office.
***
Not long afterward, they arrived inside the familiar Archbishop's office.
Nothing had changed since their previous visit. It was the very room where they had first met Archbishop Sherine after receiving Luminara's guidance.
The memory resurfaced naturally.
Back then, Elise's left arm had been left paralyzed after Hyoren's hasty attempt to reconnect it following the injury inflicted by the Hifoppe. Fortunately, Sherine had successfully treated it. Thinking back on it now—it felt strangely nostalgic.
The office itself was simple and elegant.
There were no paintings or elaborate tapestries adorning the walls. Nothing unnecessary distracted from the room's purpose.
A wide glass window occupied one side of the office, allowing the pale radiance of silver sun to illuminate the room with its gentle glow.
A sturdy oak office desk stood near the window. Tall bookshelves lined the walls behind the desk. On the opposite side sat a comfortable white sofa embroidered with elegant golden patterns. A small table beside it had already been prepared with pastries and a steaming kettle releasing a faint herbal aroma.
The three of them settled onto the sofa.
Sherine looked at Hyoren and Elise with the same warm smile she had worn ever since greeting them outside.
"So… What brings the two of you here today? Hyoren. Elise."
Hyoren nodded.
"Actually… We have something we'd like to discuss."
He hesitated briefly before continuing.
"We need your help."
Sherine inclined her head. Her long golden hair gently swayed with the movement.
"I'd be more than happy if I could help. What kind of problem are you facing?"
Without another word, Hyoren reached into his storage bag. A moment later, he carefully took out the pure white mace and laid it gently upon the table between them.
"We obtained this during our last dungeon expedition. But… We're not entirely sure what we should do with it."
Sherine's sapphire eyes shifted toward the weapon.
She studied it for a brief moment. Even without touching it, she could tell it was no ordinary mace. Everything about the weapon radiated exceptional craftsmanship.
"I see… It certainly looks both beautiful and powerful."
She looked back toward Hyoren.
"So what exactly is the problem?"
Hyoren smiled awkwardly.
"Actually..."
He began explaining everything from the beginning.
He told her about Borin's appraisal. The weapon's name—Luminescent Cudgel. Its construction was from pure mithril. Its ability to increase the power of Light Magic by fifty percent while reducing its Aethell consumption by thirty percent. Its remarkable durability rune.
Finally, he explained Borin's conclusion.
"The best blacksmith in Akela couldn't even estimate its value."
Hyoren glanced at the mace before continuing.
"He also suggested that we bring it here. He thought someone within Luminara's Church… might have use for a weapon like this.”
Hearing Hyoren's explanation, Sherine fell silent.
Her sapphire eyes drifted toward the Luminescent Cudgel resting upon the small table between them.
For several long moments, she simply observed it. The pure mithril construction. The immaculate craftsmanship.
Hyoren remained seated patiently. Beside him, Elise also stayed silent, her emerald eyes alternating between the Archbishop and the holy mace.
Sherine briefly lifted her gaze from the weapon. She slowly looked back toward Hyoren.
Then—Sherine slowly parted her lips.