Chapter 14: Saint Mikael Tristi  

The color of one’s eyes wasn’t something easily concealed.  

Especially in the Seviess Sanctuary, where strict inspections made it impossible to wear face-covering clothing.  

Combined with the boy’s dazzling appearance, Rita had to endure the burdensome gazes of passersby as she walked the streets.  

“Found it.”  

Despite the overwhelming attention, Rita stopped at a corner of the shopping district.

If her memory was correct, this was a blacksmith’s shop with a highly skilled weapon artisan. 

Grabbing the fidgety boy, Rita entered the forge.  

***

Smilky, the weapon artisan of the Seviess Sanctuary.  

It was a break time, and Smilky, lounging on a wooden chair, tilted his head at the unannounced visitors.  

Like most blacksmiths, Smilky had a burly build and a sharp demeanor.  

And, true to his reputation, he was unfriendly.  

“What? I’m done with customers for today. Make an appointment and come back—”  

Smilky’s gesture to shoo them away paused as his eyes landed on Rita.  

More precisely, on her eyes.  

“Huh? That’s odd. Was there a young woman among the supreme ranks? Could it be a disguise… No, wait, that’s impossible.”  

Given the high caliber of his clientele and his status as an exceptional blacksmith, Smilky instantly recognized Rita’s mana.  

But since he was familiar with the traits of supreme-rank individuals, he couldn’t help but be flustered by this unfamiliar golden-eyed visitor.  

“May I sit?”  

At her calm and bold voice, Smilky nodded absentmindedly. 

He then stole cautious glances at her, wary.  

She looked young and frail, but those golden eyes marked her as a “monster.”  

The world might revere them as transcendent beings, but every supreme-rank individual Smilky had met was, without exception, a monster.  

In other words, not someone he wanted as an enemy.  

“I have some quality materials to sell. Could you take a look?”  

Rita placed a white cloth bundle on the table.  

Smilky, who had been tense, blinked in surprise.  

Normally, he’d brusquely turn away such offers, as he dealt with established suppliers for weapon materials.  

But this was a mysterious supreme-rank individual.  

Swallowing hard, Smilky cautiously reached for the heavy bundle. 

Unwrapping it, black bones spilled out.  

***

‘I did well to collect those bones.’

Rita felt proud of gathering fragments from Mamon’s corpse.  

She had almost forgotten them in her rush to tend to the unconscious boy.  

Of course, now that she was supreme-rank, she’d have plenty of ways to make money…  

But most of those methods were unethical.  

Ill-gotten gains went against Rita’s principles.  

And since the kingdom wouldn’t instantly recognize her as supreme-rank and grant her a salary, this was her fastest source of income for now.  

***

Meanwhile, Smilky was startled again upon seeing the black bones.  

Had he not noticed their extraordinary durability, he might’ve mistaken them for charred bones.  

He drew a dagger from his belt and scraped at the bones.  

“Good heavens. Not a scratch, even from a top-grade mana sword… This could withstand high-level magic. What kind of bones are these?”  

His excited tone turned notably polite.  

It was only natural—no one would want to earn the ire or enmity of a supreme-rank individual.  

Smilky flushed at his own obsequiousness, but Rita ignored it.  

“I’m sorry, but I can’t disclose their origin right now. I’d appreciate it if you could just offer a fair price.”  

Smilky’s mind raced.  

An undisclosed source, exceptional value, and the seller’s identity.  

He could haggle and buy them cheap, but considering her “power” and the “status” she’d likely gain, he opted for compromise.  

“Since the source is unclear, it’s hard for me to buy recklessly, but I hope you understand. However, given their appearance as bones from a massive beast, it must’ve taken considerable time to acquire them… As a weapon artisan, I judge their value to be excellent, so I’ll buy them to test their potential. Especially since you’re a special client…”  

Trailing off his lengthy justification, Smilky glanced at Rita.  

Understanding his intent, she nodded.  

She hadn’t intended to demand a high price from Smilky anyway.  

Soon, with Iskis, the fragments, and beasts becoming known, beast bones would become common materials. 

Plus, as a supreme-rank mage, she’d receive substantial kingdom support.  

Her current predicament was merely a lack of immediate funds; Rita was no longer in dire need of money.  

“Then, let’s settle on this price.”  

Smilky hurriedly rummaged through his safe and offered a pouch brimming with gold coins.  

Rita’s eyes widened.  

The amount was far too generous.  

As she opened her mouth to protest, the boy, who had been quiet, suddenly lunged forward.  

Just like when he coveted the necklace on the cart, he snatched the pouch of gold coins with a beaming smile.  

Smilky, instantly recognizing the boy’s unstable state, didn’t react much.  

But the embarrassment fell on Rita.  

“Sorry, the kid’s not in his right mind… But this amount seems too much.”  

“No, no! I think it’s just right!”  

Smilky rubbed his hands, still wary of Rita’s eyes. 

She realized he was conscious of her golden eyes.  

His intentions were obvious.  

This wasn’t ideal for Rita, who had planned to pass through casually, but as a trading partner, she needed to introduce herself.  

“My introduction’s late. I’m Rita. Until recently, I was with the Mage Tower.”  

“Oh! I’m Smilky. A mage from the Tower… Archmage Rita, I hope to see you often.”  

Catching his underlying motive, Rita gave a dry smile.  

Smilky was the epitome of a profiteer, fond of money and connections. 

The thought of him clinging to her already gave her a headache.  

Maybe I should’ve gone to another blacksmith.  

Rita briefly regretted her choice.  

But Smilky’s skill was undeniable, and unfortunately, few blacksmiths could process mana-infused bones.  

For now, Smilky was her best option.  

“Oh! Why don’t you come inside? Since we’ve met like this, let’s have some tea and talk…”  

Having paid generously, he was asking for some courtesy in return. 

Though such dealings were burdensome, Rita pondered and came up with a decent solution.  

After calmly declining, she offered an explanation that brightened Smilky’s face. 

Thanks to that, Rita escaped the forge without further hassle.  

***

“There’s one double room left, the best one. Will that do?”  

At the Blue Dawn Inn in the Seviess Sanctuary, the young innkeeper asked. 

Rita glanced at the boy.  

It’ll be fine, right?  

He looked like a boy, acted like a child, but his body was practically adult.  

If he tried anything foolish, Rita could knock him out cold…  

But I can’t leave a kid like this alone, can I? 

If it feels off, I’ll tie him up and sleep.  

With that, Rita took the key to the double room.  

There was a reason for staying at an inn so close to the Rihanes Temple.  

The temple was a holy place, and visitors were obliged to keep themselves pure.  

Having secured funds, it was only natural for Rita and the boy, stained with the impure blood of beasts, to stay at an inn.  

“You wash first. I’ll be back in an hour.”  

Rita pushed the boy toward the bath prepared by the innkeeper—a wooden tub filled with steaming hot water.  

But the boy just stood there, blinking.  

Rita’s face twisted in disbelief. 

And that disbelief became reality.  

Some time later, after a staring contest, Rita was washing the boy.  

“Waa…”  

Soaked in the tub, the boy giggled every time water splashed.  

Rita, gritting her teeth, looked upward and scrubbed him vigorously.  

She had initially planned to ask a male inn worker to help, but the boy stubbornly refused, for reasons unknown.  

Is he doing this on purpose?  

Grumbling at the plausible suspicion, Rita diligently washed him.  

Not a single scratch?  

Her brow furrowed.  

How could he be unscathed after that chaos? 

She puzzled over it for a while.  

After the somewhat hellish ordeal, the boy was cleaner than ever.  

Dressed in a white shirt and brown pants she had bought, he looked like a different person.  

His flawless white skin, beautiful features, and tidy clothes made him look like a noble’s heir.  

Chuckling, Rita toyed with his fine silver hair.  

Is he really a tribesman?  

Her uneasy muttering made the boy turn his head. 

His deep purple eyes sparkled innocently.  

As if to say there was no way, he smiled naively again.  

“I’m Rita, a mage formerly of the Mage Tower. This is my companion.”  

They stood before the majestic white palace of the Lagos Kingdom, its grandeur overshadowing even royal authority.  

Rita lowered her head, gazing at the emblem of the Rihanes Order.  

“I seek the wisdom of His Holiness regarding matters in the north. I also wish to borrow the temple’s knowledge about these golden eyes I’ve gained under divine protection.”  

Though not close to the temple, Rita used the most courteous words to show respect.  

The stern paladins, standing like statues, scrutinized the unfamiliar visitors.  

But the moment they met Rita’s face as she raised her head, they sensed the boundless mana emanating from her radiant golden eyes.  

They wondered why she was no longer with the Mage Tower, but it wasn’t the time for such questions.  

A supreme-rank individual was a national treasure and someone the temple must welcome. 

The paladins quickly lowered their lances, matching her courtesy.  

“Welcome to the Rihanes Temple. To the Sage of Knowledge, the Fifth Blessed. Your companion is also welcome.”  

The subsequent process was straightforward.  

Normally, one might only meet bishops at best, but Rita was different.  

As one of the rare supreme-rank mana wielders, the paladins welcomed her visit with reverence.  

“His Holiness and the cardinals are currently away, and the bishops entered the prayer chamber at dawn. Thus, we will guide you to Lord Mikael, the Saint.”  

At the cautious paladin’s response, Rita inwardly cheered.  

The Saint Mikael, rather than stiff-necked popes or cardinals, was far less daunting.  

Should I ask Mikael about the oracle? 

He’s easygoing, so he might not mind…  

After some deliberation, Rita shook her head.  

An oracle for a mage, not a priest?  

On second thought, the prideful temple wouldn’t take kindly to that.  

“Fifth Blessed…”  

Everyone she passed bowed to her.  

But as it was her first time receiving such treatment, Rita felt awkward.  

This feels strange. 

And this power was supposed to be Talos’s.  

Strictly speaking, she had taken what belonged to another. 

From honest Rita’s perspective, it wasn’t pleasant.  

But the guilt was fleeting. 

Recalling Talos’s true nature, she shook her head.  

If I use this power more justly than Talos, that’s enough.  

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder about Talos’s reaction. 

How would he respond upon hearing this news?  

He hoarded all the mana stones from the fragments. 

He didn’t want his disciples to surpass him. 

For such a petty reason, he killed them. 

A man like that will surely be furious hearing about me.  

The thought of Talos, unable to show it outwardly but seething inside, was quite thrilling.  

Moreover, Rita’s lips curled slightly as she grew curious about how Talos would treat her going forward.  

“Are you Lady Rita of the Mage Tower?”  

As she crossed the corridor, a clear, melodic voice rang from the right passage.  

Knowing the voice’s owner, Rita calmly turned her head.  

Saint Mikael Tristi.  

Soft blonde hair neatly tied, fair skin with gentle contours, and features boasting ethereal proportions, as if sculpted. 

Lips as moist and red as a woman’s, lush eyelashes, and even a small tear-shaped mole.  

Mikael, beloved by the Rihanes God, was undeniably the most beautiful figure in Lagos.