A carriage stopped in front of the Duke's house, but no one came out to greet us.
Since the owner of the mansion was involved in such an unpleasant incident and even went missing, it is said that the servants took notice and submitted their resignations one by one.
I had no intention of leaving them behind anyway. Most of the Duke's servants were those who watched or participated in the Duke's abuse of me.
'Should I thank you for saving me the trouble of organizing?'
For now, we decided to just borrow a few people from the Grand Duke's family and focus on security.
"Looking at it this way, the atmosphere of the Duke's residence is peaceful and not bad."
I didn't know because I didn't have many good memories of staying at the Duke's house.
Looking at it this way, it was a pretty place. Just the kind my mother would like.
"Later, when things get easier, it would be a good idea to redecorate the Duke's residence. Since there were some negative events, the people of the territory might like it better that way."
"Whatever you wish."
"Raphael. If you keep asking me like that, I might become spoiled."
"I'd like to see you become a real spoiled brat someday. You'd be cute."
Receiving his unconditional love made my heart feel warm, but at the same time, I was filled with fear...
Because there were still a lot of uncertainties in our relationship.
Raphael still hasn't regained his memories, and I don't know why he turned back time for me.
I can't even tell him everything because of the black magic.
Now that everything is tied up, can I say that my heart will always be the same when faced with issues that are still unresolved?
In the end, we had no choice but to confront it ourselves. We quickly passed through the main gate and arrived at the Duke's office.
'Is it because the situation has changed so much? It feels awkward to be here with Raphael.'
I looked around the office with a strange feeling. I didn't see anything unusual.
It was then that the fireplace in the office suddenly began to burn brightly.
"What, what? Did Raphael light it?"
Raphael shook his head with a similarly surprised expression to mine.
If something catches fire without anyone touching it, is it magic?
Soon, the flames began to grow in size and sway, and eyes and a mouth appeared.
Because I had guessed, it wasn't as surprising as before.
"Hello, hello, hello! Ah, how long has it been! Finally, someone who can control magic has become the master of the Duke's House!"
The flames shouted in the voice of a middle-aged man, despite their dense and cute appearance.
"Hi?"
I answered in a confused voice.
"Yeah, hello! Hahaha! It's been a whole 100 years!"
Raphael and I exchanged a puzzled look. We had no idea what the hell this flame was.
As if he had noticed the curiosity, the flame immediately opened its mouth and spoke cheerfully.
"I am the guardian spirit of House Wintersoar! I have not been able to show myself because half-wits without magic have been taking the position of Duke one after another.
"A guardian spirit?"
I've never heard of such a thing... I guess not. I remembered the story of the first Duke of Wintersoar, where a spirit of fire appeared to look after the family and provide strength.
But as always, I thought it was just an exaggerated story, and even if it were true, I never imagined that the spirit would still be around today.
"The first Duke of Wintersoar, that is, Joseph Wintersoar... that?"
"Yeah, that's right! Hahaha!"
I checked just in case, and it seemed to be true. So, how many hundreds of years has it been staying here?
I really wanted to bring Vermont, who is showing off his age, here.
"I'm Enrica, the newly appointed 18th Duke of Wintersoar. It's nice to meet you."
"Yes, yes! I am Agon!"
You might be surprised or resentful that a young girl has become a Duke, but a spirit is a spirit, after all.
Rather than being surprised, he seemed simply glad that someone had finally appeared who could see him.
"Sorry, but I have to ask you something right away. I'm looking for a magic tool..."
"Oh, I have that scale! It might be a little rusty."
"You have a magic tool?"
Things were going so easily. I blinked my eyes wide.
Suddenly, I remembered the first time I learned of the existence of magic tools while talking to Vermont.
"About 100 years ago, I saw a man who was cursed to rot away his entire body after provoking a warlock."
The fact that you brought up an incident from 100 years ago as an example means that the story of the person who used the scale after that is unknown.
According to Agon, it has been 100 years since someone who can use magic became the master of the Duke's House.
In the end, it seems that those with magical powers didn't have a craftsman, so they couldn't use magical tools.
'They say that those who used it in the past gave up both their eyes in return...'
That was all I knew. It was impossible to hear the story of anyone who had used magic tools before.
"Is that your spouse standing behind you? He really doesn't have much time left!"
Agon shouted in surprise. As expected, the spirit's eyes seemed to be able to see Raphael's physical condition at a glance.
At those words, even the slightest hesitation disappeared. I nodded and said.
"That's right. So I'm going to use the magic tool right now."
"Is the price set? If the scales feel that the price is not fair, they may demand something harsh."
"Wait a minute, what do you mean by price?"
Raphael interjected and asked. He didn't know the exact identity of the magic tool. It was because I had kept it a secret from him and had deliberately kept it a secret.
The name of the magic tool is 'scale.'
There is a price to pay to get Raphael's heart back.
I was ready to give anything, but I thought that Raphael would not let me be like that.
Instead of answering, I took Raphael's hand.
"I'm ready, so please guide me to where the magic tools are."
"Hmm, if that's what the Duke says."
"Enri, I don't like it. Let's talk for a moment...!"
Before Raphael could finish speaking, the flames before his eyes flared up again.
I looked at the sight in astonishment.
"Come on in! Hahaha!"
As soon as the refreshing voice of the flame ended, my body was automatically swallowed up by it.
I thought that the magic tools would be in another room or storage room at most, but did I have to got his way?
Even though I knew it wouldn't be hot, my body flinched involuntarily.
When I looked back, Raphael was following me with a look of betrayal on his face.
'There's no choice. We don't have time, and you will never allow me to make a sacrifice.'
I took a few more steps, calming my pounding heart.
Then, immediately, there was a "Pick" sound and something went off, and my vision went dark.
Trapped in the darkness for a moment, I panicked and confirmed Raphael's existence.
"Ra... Raphael?"
"Here you go, Enri."
He answered calmly, reassuring me, but then he started to ask me in a slightly angry voice, as if he couldn't stand it anymore.
"What on earth were you thinking when you did something like this? Didn't you hear the warning that the flame gave you earlier?"
"I already knew that."
"And yet you made this decision without consulting me?"
"What should I do with you? You are the most precious thing I have right now!"
The atmosphere became awkward for a moment. I pursed my lips, and Raphael coughed.
"I understand your feelings, but..."
"And the price has already been set. I will give my heart."
"What did you say?"
It was something I had been thinking about for a long time. I had decided that if I were to find a magic tool, I would definitely do it this way.
"I am a magician. I already have overflowing magic power without anyone having to infuse it. If I give you my heart, I can replace it with magic power."
"What are you talking about? Absolutely not. I can't let you lose your warmth because of me."
"There's a saying. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. So, a heart for a tooth..."
It was a joke, but it didn't seem to get through to Raphael. We continued our conversation in the dark.
"Please stop talking nonsense, Enri. If you give me your heart, I will find another magic tool and do the same thing again."
"That's the most ridiculous thing to say. You should stop being so stubborn."
"Ah, I guess I'll have to check it out with Melua as soon as I get out of here."
"Then I should be with Sarah..!"
The argument gradually became childish and out of proportion to the seriousness of the situation.
'I've heard it time and time again, and it's truly amazing. You guys are the first ones to come and fight using magic tools.'
It was just then.
My vision brightened, and a voice that was not human rang in my ears.
'What, what the heck is this?'
In a room with nothing in it...
Before my eyes, a very large, golden scale appeared, the end of which I could not see even if I looked up.
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