Chapter 29: Treasury

Please be careful not to break anything inside. Your companion will wait for you here.”

“Oh, all right. Galatea, there’s no danger inside right?”

I check with Galatea to make sure I’m safe, partly because I have to be alone. It’s also possible that my asshole brother George, is doing something extra.

If there’s an assassin, I’ll be in a bit of trouble on my own.

“Yes, there is no sign of anyone inside and the man in front of me is feeling, ‘The fallen prince has risen to prominence. That’s awesome.’ That’s about the only emotion he has and he doesn’t have any ill will. But it kind of pisses me off, so how about burning off his hair with a heat ray and making him bald?”

“No, what’s a heat ray? I mean, sure, it’s disgusting, but I know how this guy feels, so don’t do anything.”

“Ummm… it’s a robo-joke. Have a good day, Master.”

Then Galatea giggled and sent me on my way. I give a bow to the guard, who is looking at me suspiciously and go into the treasury. He should be thankful, his hair is protected thanks to me.

I open the heavy door and peek inside, letting out an unintentional exhale of admiration. There were not only gold and silver treasures, but also weapons and armor made with superior technology.

I had seen Bowman making them since I was a child, so I knew the amount of effort and skill that went into making them.

“Wow, they’re putting crushed mithril on them to make them more compatible with magic…..”

I am impressed by the variety of ingenious weapons. Well, I guess this one was taken from somewhere else…. and as I was looking at it, I saw something familiar and unexpected.

“This is a …… gun…..”

Could it be a relic of Souzi? Or did someone make it….?　Just as I was about to touch it, I heard the sound of cloth shifting, as well as a noise.

There was someone …… but Galatea said there was no one……

“It’s just a pathetic knockoff made by the dwarves in imitation of… Souzi’s technology. It’s not really worth putting in a place like this……”

“Who are you? You’re not supposed to enter here without the king’s permission.”

I turned around to see a robed figure walking toward me. His face was in shadow, obscured by the hood.

Wow, I was absurdly suspicious, but……

“Yes….. I am the ‘keeper’ of the treasury. Of course, I have permission from the king. Rest assured. So …… what are you looking for? Grace-Vermilion.”

Is that a woman in the robe? She chuckled. This woman…. knows me and she seems to know a thing or two about guns.

Who is she? I continue the conversation with my hand in my pocket, ready to retrieve my gun at any moment.

“I’m interested in the relics of Souzi and if you’re a …… caretaker, you know where they’re kept, don’t you? Would you be willing to show me around?”

“Yeah, okay, come here.”

Then she walks away without any hesitation. I thought she was playing coy, but was she really a janitor?

And this was where the strange thing with the chain of giant wheels was placed.

“Look, here it is. These are parts of something that was once under development in Asgard. If this really had been developed, the logistics of the world might have changed….”

She said this somewhat sadly. I wondered if she was a fan of Souzi or something. No, I wonder what that is about. I feel like she’s getting too emotionally involved……

As I stare, she pulls her hood even deeper.

“Sorry, my countenance is …… never mind. I’m a little too sick to show it.”

“Oh, excuse me. Would you mind if I touch this for a moment?”

“Yeah, it’s not like it’s something that can be broken.”

I get her permission and touch it. As soon as I touch the relic of Souzi, knowledge comes to me.

“You have touched an object from the other world. Some of the knowledge will be released.”

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Wheels of a steam locomotive

These wheels are used to move steam locomotives and their construction is more complex than that of horse-drawn carriages and other vehicles.

———————————————————————————————–

Another steam system…… and now a steam locomotive……What in the world is that? They are using such huge wheels. It must be quite a big vehicle?

I’m not getting any answers from the world library. So that means I still don’t have enough understanding of the other world…..

“Is this what you want to see? I’ll carry it if you want to bring it back…..”

“Eh? Can you carry this?”

It looks absurdly heavy….. Is she also a golem? She didn’t answer any of my questions.

“Come back here when you get more credit. I’ll look for any other Souzi artifacts you might need.”

“No, I’m not asking you to give me the others, I’d be happy if you could show me…..”

“No. That would make you not work for this country.”

My proposal was turned down with a snap.

I wanted to see the other artifacts, but she didn’t seem interested in giving me any more tours. I headed for the exit, feeling disappointed. And that’s when I opened the door.

“I see…… your “World Library” is triggered by seeing or touching the thing…… Interesting power. I wish you well in your Asgardian endeavors.”

“Eh?”

The door closes before I can ask anything. I rushed to open the door again, but it was locked.

What in the world was going on? And how does she know my skills?

I tried everything, but the door wouldn’t open. When I gave up and went outside, Galatea was waiting for me.

“Welcome back, Master. How can I help you?”

“Hey, Galatea….. there’s no one inside, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct…..”

So who was that woman I just saw? …… By the way, when I asked the man on watch, he only gave me a similar answer.

It seems I’m the only one who has been in and out of this treasury in recent times.

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