Krone was the first to awaken. With the time already well into the evening, everyone in the castle was busily bustling about. She’d been out cold until now, but she was aware that she had somehow been spared. Not to mention that she was overjoyed to learn that Chris was also safe and sound. However, the advisor couldn’t understand a lick of what had happened. The one to enlighten her was Misty, who dropped by just before she left.
“I thought we could have a little chat too,” Misty said.
“I don’t mind—Lady Misty?!” Krone gasped. “You’re a bit too close!”
The Elder Lich had sat right next to Krone, who sat up in bed.
“This will allow me to take a better look at you,” Misty explained.
“I see. In any case, how are Princess Katima and Chris?”
“The Cait-Sìth is in her underground laboratory. And the elf is in her room, it seems. She’ll wake up with plenty of rest, so you don’t need to worry.”
“I’m so glad to hear it.” Krone breathed a sigh of relief before recalling the facts Misty had shared with her. “Is it true that the Wernsteins share the first king’s blood?”
“It is.”
Misty’s reply was simple and easy to understand, making Krone’s life easier. The advisor sighed and looked up at the ceiling. She’d learned too many things in quick succession: the Ishtarican royal family’s secret, the Demon Lord’s revival, and the Wernsteins’s true lineage.
“I’m shocked, but for some odd reason, a part of me can easily believe it,” Krone confessed. “It doesn’t feel too odd to assume that Chris is a part of the royal family.”
She truly had no clue why, but it was the only response she could provide. But despite everything that had occurred, Ein was always her priority.
“May I ask one more thing? Has the situation changed?” Krone asked.
She recalled Misty implying that the situation would be dire at this rate. Krone had traveled to Ist, hoping to use a device from the tower to increase the cannon’s power in a bid to stop Ein. Arshay’s revival, however, had changed their plans quite a bit.
“Arshay’s return has been quite fortuitous,” Misty replied. “Thanks to that, we have another option available to us.”
“You mean...” Krone started.
“Needless to say, it’s far more beneficial for us to actually have Arshay back, not just her magic stone.” Upon witnessing the young advisor’s eyes brim with vigor and joy, Misty giggled. “Hee hee, you really do like Ein, I see.”
“I don’t like him.”
“O-Oh?” As Misty looked a touch troubled, Krone was more relaxed and at ease.
“I love him. The word ‘like’ can’t even begin to describe my affection for him, and I’m only fixated on Ein. There’s no one else for me.”
Krone made her straightforward confession of love, revealing emotions that she’d built up throughout the years. She spoke boldly to the first king’s mother.
“I knew it. I think you’re...” Misty murmured.
Krone had no idea what the Elder Lich was referring to, looking only more puzzled as Misty removed another leather pouch from her robe.
“Here’s a new good luck charm for you,” Misty said. “I was in Ein’s room before I came here and— Whoops. Forget what I said.”
“I heard you mention Ein’s room,” Krone replied.
“Oh, it’s nothing, really. Don’t you worry about it.”
The Elder Lich had no intention of answering her, and Krone decided to give in. She stared at the leather pouch that was apparently a good luck charm. Since the advisor had received Arshay’s magic stone before she left for Ist, perhaps another stone was inside this bag.
“I find it odd that I wasn’t affected by Lady Arshay’s magic stone when I touched it,” Krone said.
“Ah, well that’s because I made this bag,” Misty replied. “And I used my magic, ensuring that you’d be safe even if you touched the stone.”
Normally, powerful magic stones required seals or enclosures of similar power.
“But if you personally made it, it all makes sense to me, Lady Misty,” Krone said.
“That’s how it is. Now, will you close your eyes, Krone?”
The advisor predicted that the Elder Lich would reveal a magic stone and do something to her, making Krone feel a touch anxious.
“I just want to check something,” Misty assured her. “Could you close your eyes and make a cup with your hands? All I need now is a little bit of your time.”
Krone was curious, but there was no benefit in angering the woman who was about to save Ein. The advisor concluded that she truly had nothing to fear and obediently followed the instructions.
“Just stay still,” Misty said.
Krone had her eyes closed and couldn’t see a thing, but as she’d predicted, Misty had taken out a magic stone. She placed it in Krone’s hands and watched intently. The orange light that spilled in from the window bounced off the pale, blue magic stone.
“It feels like a magic stone,” Krone said. “But why did you place it in my hands?”
“That’s a secret,” Misty replied. “You mustn’t open your eyes, all right?”
Misty closely observed Krone’s hands and face. She occasionally furrowed her brow, but the advisor would never know that. The girl simply kept her eyes shut.
“How do you feel?” Misty asked.
“Well, I am feeling curious about the magic stone you placed in my hands,” Krone replied.
“Do you feel nauseous? Does your body feel heavy?”
“Not at all.”
Krone had no idea what the intent was behind these questions, but she answered them earnestly.
“Thank you,” Misty said. “You can open your eyes now.”
Her words alone were dull, but the Elder Lich sounded happier than ever and a broad smile stretched across her face. She took the stone out of Krone’s hands and placed it back in the leather pouch before handing it to the advisor.
“This is a stone that you should be holding on to, Krone. No one else,” Misty said. “But you must never take it out recklessly. It’s a good luck charm, so keep it close and store it away carefully.”
“W-Wait!” Krone called. “What does that mean?!”
“Hee hee. That’s also a secret.”
The Elder Lich stood up and walked to the door. She didn’t look back as she gracefully placed her hand on the knob, answered Krone’s question, and exited the room.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” she said to Ramza, who was waiting outside. “I had her hold on to a magic stone that I hadn’t cast a spell upon. The stone had no seal, yet she was able to hold it without a care. Krone seemed completely fine.”
“I see,” Ramza replied.
Misty said not a word as she nodded in response.