Soon, he arrived at the store—Aetherion Vault.
The name was carved in obsidian above the archway, threaded with runes that pulsed faintly in daylight.
Known across the duchy as the place for rare magical items, it served nobles, court magi, and discreet warlords alike.
Kael stepped inside.
Immediately, eyes turned toward him.
He looked the part of a noble—fine black coat, high collar, silver-trimmed boots—but there were no slaves trailing behind, no guards at his heel.
No crest displayed.
Just presence.
The kind that made people glance once… then turn away.
A wealthy wanderer, perhaps.
Or a bastard son of some minor house.
Curious, but forgettable.
Perfect.
Kael walked with quiet precision toward the space ring section, where display cases shimmered beneath mana-crystal lighting.
A salesgirl in green robes approached, her tone polite and practiced.
"Welcome, my lord. May I assist you?"
Kael gave a simple nod.
"Space rings."
She smiled and opened the nearest case with a flick of her wand.
"These are our finest—bound by triple-warded enchantments, keyed for theft protection and maximum mana flow.
High nobles prefer these for secure storage."
He studied them.
Too ordinary.
Sleek, polished, functional.
Just like the one the Veiled Serpent handed him.
All storage, no substance.
He shook his head slowly. "No."
The salesgirl blinked. "No?"
"I want a space ring that allows artifact effects to remain active—even when stored inside."
Her breath caught.
"You mean… enchanted relay rings?"
He met her gaze.
"Yes."
The confidence in his voice wasn't loud—but it pressed on the air like a hidden blade.
She hesitated, then bowed slightly.
"I'll need to speak to the store owner.
Please wait."
She disappeared into the inner halls.
Kael remained still.
Then, with a flick of his fingers, he called up his system screen.
The translucent interface flared to life—cool, quiet, and undeniable.
###
[Conqueror's System]
[Name: Kaelion Drenlor.]
[Title: Certified Treacherous Bastard, Veiled Serpent Member]
[Race: Human]
[Affiliation: House Drenlor (Kingdom of Velmora)]
[Rank: Noble – 3rd Son of the Duke (Duchy of Velmora)]
[Talents : Horse Riding: (D), Swimming: (E), Swordsmanship: (C) Mana Control: (SSS)]
[Spell Slot Used: 2/7]
[Spells: Moon Blade (Rank 1), Amplification (Rank 2)]
[Relics: Dreamweaver (Soul-Bound ), Nerathis Mask (Rank 8)]
[Familiar Spirit: Yue]
[Familiar Beast: ####]
[Primary Objective: Claim the Duchy !!
Reward: Rank 4 Spell – 'Crimson Veil']
[Curse: Godbreaker's Mark]
###
There it was, pulsing like a silent scream.
[Curse: Godbreaker's Mark]
The brand of a heretic.
To any follower of the divine, it blazed like a beacon.
A mark that screamed enemy—a man to be destroyed on sight.
He still didn't know how they sensed it.
Maybe some divine relic sniffed it out.
Maybe the Night Goddess whispered his name directly into their dreams:
"My loyal hounds… find him. Kill him."
Kael wasn't interested in finding out how.
So far, the Nerathis Mask concealed it.
[Nerathis Mask: Conceals the user's identity completely—physically and metaphysically.
Shields against all forms of divination.]
But he couldn't wear that everywhere—not in shops, markets, auctions.
Not when he needed to play the diplomat, not the demon.
That was why he needed this ring.
Not just a luxury—a survival tool.
A ring that could carry the shielding effects of his artifacts even while hidden away.
Because Kael couldn't afford to walk these streets unarmed.
Not when the gods had already declared him prey.
...also, if he stored Dreamweaver in it, Yue could remain close—always with him...
Essential.
Kael had just finished inspecting the runic engravings when the saleswoman returned, breathless.
"The owner would like to speak with you, my lord.
Please follow me."
He gave a small nod.
She led him past velvet ropes and enchanted barriers, deeper into the heart of the Aetherion Vault.
Through polished stone halls, past guarded vault doors, until finally—
A lacquered door opened.
Kael stepped inside.
The office was lined with floating scrolls and shimmering sigils, but what caught his eye was the girl sitting behind the obsidian desk—lounging like a noble with no kingdom to fear.
She looked about his age.
Delicate features, sparkling pink eyes, and a dress spun from midnight velvet and starlight thread.
Expensive.
Precise.
Dangerous in its own way.
A beauty sculpted for luxury, not war.
She smiled.
She rose from her chair with a grace that was practiced, not natural—each motion precise, designed to impress.
"My name is Lysaria Velinth," she said with a polite incline of her head, pink eyes studying him like a puzzle yet unsolved.
"Daughter of Lord Velinth, Master Enchanter of the Aetherion Vault."
Her gaze lingered, expectant.
Waiting for a name in return.
Kael simply offered a short bow of courtesy.
"A pleasure."
No name.
No title.
Then, with the faintest smirk, he shifted the subject like slipping a blade between ribs.
"I'll admit… I was expecting someone older.
A round man with ink-stained robes and a fondness for sweets."
Lysaria blinked.
Then laughed—a light, silvery sound, amused rather than offended.
"What are you even saying, mister?
This store is my father's, but he's not fat!"
She leaned back, one brow raised with mock pride.
"He's currently in the Empire—handling some important work at the Royal Magic Academy."
That gave Kael pause.
He tilted his head, tone carefully neutral.
"Don't tell me you're a student there."
The Royal Magic Academy wasn't just prestigious—it was sacred.
Only the best of the best were admitted.
Far above the Magic Academy of his kingdom.
He remembered the looks on those arrogant "elite" students' faces—their pride curdling into panic as he threatened them, confiscated their scrolls, and left their academy in need of a serious rebuild… and new undergarments.
But this girl?
Lysaria laughed again, waving a hand dismissively.
"Oh, stars no. Not yet. The entrance test is in six months—I plan to qualify."
Kael nodded once.
"So. My ring."
The shift in Lysaria's expression was subtle but unmistakable—her elegant smile twisted slightly, sharpening into the glint of a seasoned merchant sensing blood in the water.
Kael almost smiled.
Amused.
"A space ring," she repeated lightly, pacing toward a secured vault behind her desk.
"One that allows artifact effects to remain active, even when stored?"
She cast him a sidelong glance, almost challenging.
"You're asking for the hardest enchantment known in spatial theory.
But... lucky for you—our Vault happens to have one."
She tapped a sigil.
The vault hissed open.
Lysaria returned with a small obsidian box, set it on the table, and opened it with reverence.
Inside rested a ring of immaculate white—simple in shape, but unmistakably regal.
Its surface shimmered faintly with layered enchantments, runes blooming and fading like breathing starlight.
"This," she began, voice measured,
"Is our highest-grade spatial artifact.
The internal capacity is immense—comparable to a small estate.
No living creatures, of course."
She gestured elegantly as she explained,
"But it does come with the relay enchantment you requested.
Artifact effects—barriers, stealth, even soul-bonded functions—can remain active while stored.
And yes..."
She leaned forward slightly, pink eyes locking onto his.
"It's theft-proof.
Not just keyed, but encoded with anti-divination arrays, soul-locked triggers, and mana-resistance failsafes.
You'd have to kill the wearer and erase their soul to even try accessing it."
Kael studied the ring with quiet intensity before sliding it onto his finger.
White against black—bone-pale purity wrapped around his hand, framed by his dark robes.
It glowed softly, like a secret moon tucked in shadows.
He nodded, satisfied.
Behind him, the salesgirl who had escorted him swayed and collapsed—fainting at the sound of Lysaria's next words:
"The price is 150,000 gold coins."
Kael chuckled—low, effortless.
"You really are a merchant."
Lysaria smiled like a knife in velvet.
"Guilty."
The negotiation that followed was silent war dressed in civility.
Numbers and smiles.
Feints and firm counters.
Her tone was honeyed steel.
His, patient fire.
Back and forth they danced—until Kael finally leaned back, expression unreadable.
"Final offer," he said. "One hundred thousand."
A pause.
Then, slowly, she extended her hand.
"Done."
Their handshake was brief, but the weight behind it undeniable.
Mutual respect.
Kael nodded.
"You're good."
Lysaria tilted her head.
"So are you. Most nobles fold when the price crosses six digits."
He offered no reply.
Just the faintest ghost of a smile.
With payment complete and the new ring humming faintly on his finger, Kael turned to leave.
Then, just as he reached the door, he paused—glancing back over his shoulder.
"Oh," he added casually, voice light, eyes gleaming beneath dark lashes.
"Study hard for that entrance test. I might show up too…"
A beat.
"…and defeat you there."
He didn't wait for a response.
Just walked out—shadow trailing like a whisper, presence lingering like thunder after lightning.
Lysaria stood frozen.
Then let out a breathless laugh, hand on her chest.
"What was that?"
She sat down, retrieving her spell scrolls, cheeks slightly flushed, expression faraway.
And then it hit her.
Eyes wide, mouth parted in disbelief.
"Wait—"
She slammed a palm on the desk.
"I forgot to ask his name?!"
***