Yes, I’ll surely find something this year. I repeated that to myself with determination, though admittedly it felt closer to resignation.
However, the next day, Butler Squawk delivered news that was difficult to classify as either good or bad.
“Briel, unfortunately, I won’t be able to accompany you today. I’m sorry for not keeping our promise.”
“Oh, it’s fine with me, but is something wrong?”
“Something urgent has come up.”
Butler Squawk unusually avoided meeting my eyes, appearing oddly anxious. Come to think of it, this morning Elizabeth had been muttering something suspiciously while staring at Butler Squawk’s feathers scattered around the pantry floor.
“Then it can’t be helped. Let’s just go another time.”
“No, it’s better if you check as soon as possible. That way, we can finally put the pantry back in order.”
So it really was about Elizabeth, after all.
“However, Briel, it would be troublesome for you to go alone. Why don’t you take the Master with you this time?”
“With Kalz…?”
Honestly, the idea didn’t exactly appeal to me. I swear by the heavens that I wasn’t planning to sneak anything out, but going with Kalz would certainly make me feel awkward. If I stared at anything just a bit too long, he’d probably ask suspiciously if I planned to steal it next.
Perhaps sensing my hesitation, Butler Squawk quickly started listing the advantages of taking Kalz along.
“The Master knows the treasury items as well as I do. He’ll easily help you find whatever you’re searching for.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true, but…”
“And he’ll also be useful for handling heavier items. Unlike me, the Master is quite strong. If you finish your search today, it will be much easier to get started on reorganizing the pantry.”
Listening to him, Kalz was beginning to sound less like a master and more like a hired laborer. Had Butler Squawk always treated Kalz like this? Still, the idea was undeniably tempting—especially the last point. Clearing away all those pantry supplies blocking the entrance by myself would be exhausting.
“But do you think Kalz would even agree to come?”
“No need to worry about that. In fact, I’ve already spoken to him. He’s probably waiting in the study right now.”
“Waiting? You mean at this moment?”
“Why delay the inevitable? I’ll cancel all your other tasks for today, so don’t worry and get going. I’d truly appreciate it if you could wrap it up today.”
Seeing Butler Squawk’s sudden shift from yesterday’s calm demeanor, I actually began to feel sorry for him. Just what had Elizabeth said to him?
Still, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for me. At least Kalz wouldn’t give detailed history lessons on each artifact like Butler Squawk always did. The quicker I could finish searching, the better. Plus, I genuinely appreciated Butler Squawk making such an effort to help.
On the other hand, Kalz was clearly irritated when I found him in the study.
“So, it’s come to this—dragging me into your mess.”
“Come on, why the sour face? You’ve already agreed to help, so you might as well enjoy it.”
“Whatever the case, today will be the last day I waste on this treasury nonsense. If there’s something you need, you’d better find it today.”
If someone overheard, they’d think I’d put him under some kind of spell. He was acting so high-and-mighty, even though this was entirely for his own benefit. But after dealing with Kalz long enough, I responded easily with my most diplomatic smile.
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Fine, let’s go.”
Unlike yesterday, Elizabeth—who had been guarding the kitchen—clicked her tongue disapprovingly when she saw me arrive with Kalz, then promptly disappeared. Sorry, Elizabeth, but I was genuinely glad Butler Squawk wasn’t with me today.
“So, what exactly are you looking for?”
“Hmm… Do you know if there’s magic to restore damaged items?”
“You’re hoping to repair that copper plate? Unfortunately, no artifact here can do that. There is one that repairs torn clothing, though.”
“Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Pitt would really find that useful. Can we take it?”
“It’s single-use.”
“Ugh, that’s too bad. What about this?”
“That’s Arin’s ear cuff. If two people each wear one, they can summon each other instantly, no matter how far apart they are.”
“Oh, that would be incredibly convenient! If we had this, we wouldn’t have to climb the mountain every time we went down to the village.”
“Single-use.”
“Come on, why are so many of these items single-use?”
“Yet their prices keep climbing, because no one alive today can make replacements.”
Unlike yesterday, today’s inspection progressed rapidly. Much as I hated to admit it, working alongside Kalz was undoubtedly more efficient. We were carefully selecting useful artifacts one by one when—
Creak…
“Huh?”
“What is it?”
“Did you just hear something?”
“Hear what?”
“It sounded like something moved…”
“We’re the only ones here. There shouldn’t be anything moving.”
“Wait, don’t talk for a second.”
We’d already figured out the mystery behind the midnight ghost, so I wasn’t exactly thrilled at the idea of another creepy atmosphere building. I stepped out of the artifact room and cautiously looked around. Nothing appeared different from when we’d first entered…
“Wait, did we close the storeroom door behind us?”
“Of course not. That door locks automatically when closed, so it always stays open if someone’s inside.”
“Well… it’s shut now.”
“What?”
Hearing my words, Kalz swiftly followed me out, strode toward the closed door, and grabbed the handle.
“…It’s locked.”
“Are you sure? Did you try pushing it? Maybe twist the handle the other way?”
“It’s pointless. The latch has already caught.”
“But we have a key, don’t we? Couldn’t we—”
“The keyhole’s only on the outside.”
“Wait…so we’re trapped in here?”
Seriously? What kind of cliché scenario is this? It better not turn into some horror or mystery story now.
“Technically, yes, but there’s no need to panic. Almond knows exactly where we are. If we don’t return soon, he’ll come looking.”
“Right, that makes sense.”
For a brief moment, I’d imagined myself turning into one of those mummified bodies sometimes discovered in ancient treasure rooms. Shaking off that morbid thought, I tried to focus again.
“Let’s finish our inspection while we wait.”
“Good idea. From now on, just briefly explain each artifact’s function. Maybe that’ll help me spot something useful faster. Let’s start with these potions.”
“Fine. Those are healing, sleeping, and invisibility potions. Their uses are obvious enough from the names.”
“And these gemstones?”
“Those…”
After going through every artifact and carefully examining the magical items stored nearby, there was still no sign of rescue from beyond the locked door.
“What time do you think it is now?”
“No idea. If I had to guess, the sun’s already set.”
“No wonder it’s getting colder.”
When was Butler Squawk going to show up? He wouldn’t forget us, would he? I cast a longing glance at the closed door, but outside remained stubbornly silent. Unlike me, who grew more anxious by the minute, Kalz simply sat down and calmly leaned against the wall.
“If you’ve finished everything, you should rest for now.”
Was he inviting me to sit next to him? I cautiously took a seat beside him.
Close enough to sense his warmth, yet still not touching. That awkward gap was oddly uncomfortable. Maybe it was the tension of being trapped together, alone. Before my anxiety could escalate further, Kalz broke the silence with a casual question.
“So, did you manage to find anything useful?”
“You know the answer already, so why even ask?”
How could there possibly be nothing helpful among all these artifacts? There had been countless amazing items with fascinating powers, yet somehow, not a single one was useful for breaking his curse.
Even the other valuables had turned out similarly disappointing. Sure, it had been interesting to see them, but that was it.
Realizing that two whole days of effort had been wasted, I sighed deeply.
“Weren’t you the one who said even confirming that nothing was here would be useful? Was that a lie?”
“It wasn’t. But you seem oddly pleased about it. What’s with that little smirk?”
“Me? You must be mistaken—it’s probably just the darkness playing tricks on you. Or maybe you’re just looking for an excuse to vent.”
Mistaken? Please. I’d clearly seen that smug look on his face. But he’d quickly returned to his usual indifferent expression. Since I’d already voiced my frustration, I decided to ask about something else that had been bothering me.
“Just to confirm—did you already know there was nothing useful here before we started searching?”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because it’s strange. You’ve spent a hundred years trapped in this castle. Wouldn’t you have already thoroughly searched every corner? You, more than anyone, must have desperately wanted to become human again.”
“More than anyone, huh?”
“Am I wrong?”
He fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words. Just as the silence was about to grow awkward, he finally spoke again.
“No, I didn’t know. I’m not twisted enough to put you through something pointless.”
“Maybe not in this instance, but you’re definitely twisted enough when it comes to bossing around your employees.”
I muttered under my breath, recalling all those miserable chores he’d forced me into whenever we argued, leaving me sore for days. Kalz must have remembered as well, judging by how he rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by my accusation.
