Published: January 4, 2026
One clear afternoon, I took Shirley and came to Cobalt Street.
“Th-this place is...”
Among the bustling capital, Cobalt Street, known for dealing in antiques, especially attracted the wealthy and nobility.
Shirley, who had just come from a village without even a doctor, was stunned by the lively and colorful scene, her eyes wide with amazement.
“Don’t just stand there dazed, keep up.”
“Y-yes!”
Jumping down from the carriage at the entrance of Cobalt Street, I led the newly knighted Shirley inside.
I wandered around casually, searching for treasures.
There were many eye-catching items at first glance, but none really stood out.
I came here to find a gift for Brother Henry.
Though it was by Your Majesty’s order, in formality, he had subdued Almeria on my behalf.
I needed to show some appreciation.
So I was searching for the perfect treasure for that...
“Hm, over there...”
“What is it, Your Highness?”
“We’re going into that shop.”
“Yes.”
Though suspicious, Shirley followed closely behind me.
I brought her into a certain shop.
The same shop I had visited before with Brother Oscar.
“Oh! Prince thirteen, welcome, welcome!”
“Alan Barsley, right?”
“Yes, please, this way.”
As soon as we entered, the shopkeeper, Alan, who greeted us, lowered himself deeply and invited us to the back of the shop.
The room we were led into was a VIP room.
I was shown the seat of honor, and shortly after, a shop assistant brought drinks.
Just from the scent, I could tell it was tea made from very fine leaves.
Meanwhile, Shirley stood behind me with her hands clasped behind her back.
A knight has no seat when accompanying their lord. Alan, who dealt with nobility, knew this well and treated Shirley as if she were invisible.
“Are you looking for something today?”
“I want to give Brother Henry a gift to express my gratitude. Do you have anything good?”
“Eighth prince, is it?”
“No, Brother Henry.”
“The fourth prince, then! We just received some new stock recently. Please wait a moment.”
“Alright.”
I nodded, and Alan left the room briefly.
After a few minutes, he returned with several assistants.
Each assistant carried something — a jewelry box, paintings in frames, even large items on a wagon.
Probably, they brought all the treasures the shop had to offer.
Among them, my eyes were fixed on one particular item.
It was on a wagon, covered with cloth.
Curious, I pointed at it and asked Alan.
“What is that? The atmosphere is clearly different from the others.”
“Oh, as expected of Prince thirteen, you saw it immediately.”
Alan showed a mixed expression of surprise and business professionalism.
He signaled the assistants to remove the cloth.
Out came a transparent statue of a goddess.
“Is this... glass?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Not crystal, but glass... and a goddess statue? Can something like this be made?”
“Your surprise is understandable. This was made by master craftsman Lindsey. Lindsey was the only one capable of making goddess statues out of glass; it is now a lost art.”
“I see.”
I stared at the goddess statue.
As I suspected — there was a subtle glow.
Something similar to that Demonic Tome was faintly emanating.
Because I noticed that, I asked to be shown this first.
“Lindsey’s works are rare, and it is said only two of these goddess statues remain in the world.”
“Is that so? Alright, I’ll take this one.”
“That will be ten thousand Liens...”
“Here.”
I pulled a leather pouch from my pocket and handed it to Alan.
“There’s more than ten thousand inside. The extra is your reward for bringing the gift to Brother Henry.”
“Thank you very much!”
Alan’s face lit up with a broad smile as he accepted the pouch.
“About that goddess statue, later at my place—”
“Right here comes Noah.”
Just as I was about to speak, a man entered from outside.
With a gentle smile as his trademark, the eighth brother, Prince Oscar.
“Brother.”
I stood and gave him a light bow.
“I heard Noah was here when I entered the shop. Found any good treasures—?”