Chapter 19: Banquet (2)

Phoenix Heart.

The first fateful encounter the protagonist Ephio of Reca Chronicles stumbles upon in the story.

Accidentally discovering the ancient ruins Phoenix Spirit Tomb, Ephio swallows the legendary elixir inside and gains near-immunity to flames and excellent fire attribute dominance.

Readers at the time dismissed it as protagonist convenience even after seeing it—I did too at first.

It’s a cliché in genre novels.

But after rereading Reca Chronicles countless times, this episode raised questions.

Aiden: All ancient ruins so far are packed with automatons, golems, deadly traps—but the Phoenix Spirit Tomb has nothing. Description says filled with doll remnants—is this foreshadowing? Or setting error?

Black Flame: Yeah, weird now that you mention. The novel maintains plausibility with tight settings despite slow pacing.

RageControlX: Don’t nitpick plausibility in fantasy you logic-less idiots shut up in comments

Ancient ruins in this world boast strict security.

The Phoenix Spirit Tomb described in the main story was the sole exception—turns out Estriel fully cleared it long before the story began.

In short, original history’s Ephio got the reward without effort.

Too many major MacGuffins in the latter half made me ignore the tomb, but the empty interior wasn’t a setting error.

Estriel just said he found nothing in the deepest part, but this isn’t butterfly effect from my possession.

Actually, a magically sealed secret door is in the tomb’s deepest ceiling—the Phoenix Heart hidden inside.

Protagonist Ephio found it via advice from ego sword Flebelziam.

I inwardly sighed in relief.

Reminded of right after possession, pondering what elixir to get.

If I’d greedily entered the tomb for the Phoenix Heart, I’d have died horribly clueless.

[Achievement Points + 100]

A message window popped up late.

10 times the points from recovering MacGuffin No.981 / Purple Spy related to Linia.

Natural—MacGuffins closely tied to the main story give more points upon recovery.

Curiosity about why Estriel wanted the Phoenix Heart grew.

I asked him.

“…But why search ruins for such an elixir? Doesn’t seem like Spiro moves for money.”

“Haha, acting like you know me well after just 3 weeks?”

“Um, that…”

“No intention to scold. Rather praise your observation. True, I’m not interested in wealth.”

“Then why?”

Estriel’s eyes sank deep.

Smile on his lips, but not really smiling.

“The master who initiated me into Alsigima Style is bedridden with grave illness.

Physicians say a elixir with immense fire energy might show improvement.

But struck out in the ruins too—seems his fate is sealed.

As a follower of the Circulation God, only accept the natural order.”

Estriel’s master is an elder named Pantilis Monel.

Deceased by main story, former archbishop of the Circulation Church in life.

Key is his political position and popularity in the Holy Kingdom.

Various churches in the Holy Kingdom couldn’t properly aid against part 2’s final boss faction Schnipfelt family for many reasons.

Most representative: absence of a central figure to unite church forces.

Saving Pantilis would easily solve that—incalculable future benefits.

But… using something like Phoenix Heart to save him changes things.

Coldly, cost-benefit doesn’t match.

But.

What if there’s a way to save him without the Phoenix Heart?

“Illness needing fire-infused elixir.

Does that master show symptoms of whole-body energy veins paralyzing?

Plus leaking energy particles carrying yin energy?”

“…How do you know that?”

Estriel genuinely widened eyes in surprise.

Of course I know.

One certainty from symptoms: Pantilis’s illness is definitely ‘Bahamutiria’.

And this is a core keyword in Reca Chronicles part 2.

Bahamutiria doesn’t occur naturally.

More curse than disease.

From curse spells usable only by some high priests of the Dragon Horse Cult, the faction committing atrocities across parts 1~2.

In other words, Pantilis was assassinated by the Dragon Horse Cult.

Marked as obstructing their upcoming grand plan.

“Spiro’s master… to me, a grandmaster—I’ve seen someone with the exact same illness.

Hearing fire elixir might treat it reminded me.”

“Even renowned physicians in Holy Kingdom and Wible Empire said they’ve never seen it.

You know such a thing?”

Estriel’s face showed clear bewilderment.

I continued before he could question.

“That’s not important now.

That disease—I can cure it.

Materials are rare, but if determined, I can make the remedy.

Based on 7 extreme yang herbs including sun herb, first get lizardman tail and luminous stone…”

“………!”

Bahamutiria has a very long incubation.

By symptom onset, it’s near terminal— even papal-level priests’ spells only halt worsening, no complete cure.

But the curse and disease become widely known publicly in part 2.

Alchemists at Alpanium Library sampled patients and succeeded in developing a cure.

Naturally, I memorized the recipe mentioned in the setting book.

Estriel, listening blankly, suddenly snapped awake.

And began diligently memorizing the Bahamutiria cure recipe spilling from my mouth.

As a top-tier assassin, he’s well-versed in self-study and herbology.

He easily recognized the recipe isn’t nonsense.

Soon hardening his expression, he warned me.

“…If this is a joke, even as Alsigima Style member, I can’t let it slide.

You know, right, Aiden?”

“Grandmaster’s life is at stake.

Do I look like I’d joke about that?”

“.”

Estriel stared at me intently.

After tens of seconds.

“Heartbeat, pupil shake, expression… surprisingly all normal.

Seems not a lie.”

“Just staring distinguishes truth from lie—do all Circulation Church assassins learn that?”

“Of course not.

Even for me, accuracy isn’t high without close careful observation.”

Soon Estriel took something from his bosom.

A pendant with an expensive-looking silver gem.

“Reward for the cure recipe.

Take it.”

“What is this?”

“Called Fortune Wheel Amulet, an important accessory in our church.

Despite looks, the most valuable I currently have.”

[Fortune Wheel Amulet (S)]

• Increases mana recovery speed when worn
• +1 Divinity when worn (non-stackable)
• ???
• ???

Holy crap?

Appraising it, I was inwardly shocked.

Grade alone shows it’s not just valuable jewelry but a Circulation Church ‘relic’.

Relics are equipment infused with the worshipped god’s authority, highly sacred.

Only core figures like Estriel can take them out.

Selling on black market would involve nation-level money; donating to a church branch would grant any request.

Except truly absurd like emperor assassination.

There was a setting where church followers entrust relics to those with immense grace—but just setting, never appeared in main story.

I asked dazedly.

“Not even sure if it’ll improve, is such a precious item okay?”

“Met a Reverse Veins possessor in the duchy seeking cure, and he holds the clue to master’s illness.

Feel a strange fate?

I think this meeting was guided by the Circulation God.”

Saying that, Estriel looked determinedly beyond the wall, then relaxed and said to me.

“Oh.

By the way, Spiro is an alias.

I’ll tell you my real name when we meet again.

See you.”

Flash!

Like when appearing, he vanished from sight in one blink.

Only the amulet in my hand proved he was here moments ago.

***

The day after victory over Julio, the second prince appeared in the training ground.

Aiden did stamina training as usual the past four months, repeatedly mastering Stroke sword forms.

“Excited after first life duel victory, yet doesn’t neglect training.

The Stroke second prince is a model for martial artists!”

“That’s what I say.”

Nobles not yet left the duchy and some knights chattered excitedly.

Thus Aiden’s external reputation completely reversed overnight.

Afterward, Aiden focused solely on training for hours without distraction.

As dusk fell, personal maid Linia approached him.

“Young master.

His Grace said to join dinner tonight.”

“Annoying.

Can’t I eat alone today too?”

“Ho… alone? What does that mean?

Anyway, His Grace said you must join today.

Above all, Lord Ebel Stroke and Duke Utland will attend…”

“Hm, then no choice.”

Here it comes.

Aiden thought.

With great-uncle Ebel attending, the grand duke likely plans to bring up Refilord border matters at the table.

But no great tension needed.

Having splendidly won against Julio, the grand duke has no proper pretext to demote him.

“Come to think, haven’t seen Litton’s face since yesterday’s duel.

Curious what expression he’s making now.”

Smirking, he put down the wooden sword and left the training ground.