HSRD 04

Chapter 4

“……What is this?”

Inside the small box I had opened with anticipation were exactly two items.

A necklace and a stone.

I took out the necklace, gave it a cursory glance, and then put it back in the box.

“Mom… really. Where did you even find a necklace with such a tacky design?”

Then I turned my attention to the stone.

It was just an ordinary stone, the kind you might trip over on the street.

‘Why on earth is this here?’

As I reached to pick it up, the info window I had hidden earlier reappeared.

First Sub-Quest Completed!

Reward: <Appraisal of Ancient Relics>

“Appraisal of ancient relics…?”

Ancient relics are magical tools capable of using ancient magic.

I had heard from Mom that normally only great beings, like dragons, could create them.

‘But… appraisal?’

…Wait.

Looking back at the stone and necklace, I noticed a small button on each that hadn’t been there before.

‘Could these be the ancient relics? No, wait. The quest gives you the reward instantly when you complete it?’

Wow, that’s amazing!

So that’s what they meant by “a gift from the messenger of God.”

Humming happily, I picked up the stone and pressed its button.

A new window floated in the air.

Lethe Stone

A stone collected by the god from the River Lethe.

Effect: Automatically stores a person’s memories. If conditions are met, the stored memories can be viewed.

Time Limit: None

Recharge: Single-use

Usage conditions met. Replaying stored memories.

Wow, this really feels like a game item.

So that’s how the appraisal of ancient relics works.

Grasping the concept, my eyes sparkled.

Both the quests and the rewards were impressive.

‘I don’t know who this messenger of God is, but it seems like they’ve studied game systems a bit~’

With that thought, I fainted again.

Flash!

When I opened my eyes, I was in a dark space.

I lifted myself up and calmly nodded.

“They said they’d replay the memory, right?”

I hadn’t expected it to be this dynamic.

Who suddenly knocks someone out just to show them something?

Anyway, I straightened myself fully.

Taking a step forward, a small screen appeared before me.

It resembled an info window, like the futuristic displays seen in sci-fi films.

“Wow, this is amazing. Could this be showing memories?”

I tapped the screen lightly, and words appeared.

Usage conditions met. Replaying stored memories.

Soon, the text disappeared, revealing a scene.

A village was ablaze.

[Elder! At this rate, everyone will die!]
[Elder, please escape!]

Orange-haired villagers shouted inside the burning town.

[Don’t say such nonsense! How could I abandon all of you!]

“Eh?”

The voice sounded familiar. The elder with orange hair and orange eyes…

It was my mom.

[The only elder left in this village is outside! I’ll calm Radon, so everyone evacuate!]
[No! Other elders failed and died, we can’t let you die too!]
[If the succession of power is broken, it’s over! We’re fine, please go!]

It was a desperate situation. The flames were so intense they would leave no ash behind, consuming everything in the village.

Behind them, something enormous moved violently—too large to fit entirely on the small screen.

I could only see part of its body, but I knew immediately what it was.

Scales burning like the sun, razor-sharp claws, a thrashing tail, and a terrifying roar beyond description.

“That… is Radon?”

Then this must be the village of the Evening Glow Nymphs.

The dragon roared again.

The villagers with orange hair pushed my mom forward roughly.

Even through the screen, the urgency of their hands was palpable.

[Please! Elder! No, Nyx!]

The woman pushing my mom’s back filled the screen.

[Remember the prophecy Radon left just before losing his mind! You must pass the orange eyes to the next generation!]
[Sis! I can’t! I’m an elder of our village!]
[Not anymore! Everything’s already destroyed, what good is being an elder!]

The woman shouted sharply.

Meanwhile, nymphs appearing on the screen were gradually disappearing.

Once again, flames descended from above.

“My goodness.”

Why is this memory like a disaster movie?

My mom and the woman barely dodged the fire and started running.

[Then I’ll go with you!]

While running, Mom shouted.

[No! I must protect this ring!]

The woman gripped the ring on her hand tightly, refusing.

The screen zoomed in on the ring.

A fascinating ring with a crimson gem and purple flames burning within.

[Just as you have a prophecy, I have one too! I must wait here until the true owner of this ring arrives!]

The woman’s determined expression made my mom bite her lip.

The same expression Mom often wore when holding back tears.

[Nyx! Forget being an elder, our village, Radon—just focus on surviving!]
[…Okay.]

Mom nodded firmly, having made a decision.

The two women running together reached a fork. They split in different directions.

Mom went left, away from the village. The sister went right, deeper inside.

A necklace swung from Mom’s neck—it was the one from the relic box.

Once again, Radon roared.

The world called Radon an “Evil Dragon.”

But Mom described Radon as a “Mad Dragon,” driven insane by cruel fate.

“Hmm… that’s just a monster.”

Even on screen, my first impression of Radon was that.

After that thought, I fainted once again.

Flash!

When I opened my eyes, I was back in Mom’s room.

‘The memory replay is over…’

I shook my dizzy head and looked at my palms.

The stone I had been holding was gone.

“Oh, right. It said single-use.”

I hadn’t expected to view the past through Mom’s relic, and so immediately.

‘Now I understand why she said to open the relic when the time came.’

I was only twelve when Mom passed.

The memory was probably too harsh for a child.

‘Mom… when did you store this memory?’

Still, it felt good to see Mom’s face again after so long.

By the way, Mom mentioned a sister… but I thought she had no siblings.

‘Hmm, since she seems close to Mom, let’s just call her aunt.’

All of Mom’s friends were “aunts” to me anyway.

I wondered if that aunt was safe.

She had to wait in that burning village until the owner of the ring arrived—surviving a disaster didn’t sound easy.

I stared at the still-open info window.

Main Quest!

~Meet Duke Lafmen before the day ends and stop the reset!~

Completing this main quest would presumably stop the resets.

‘Then… maybe I should try to find my aunt?’

I also worried about the prophecy left with Mom and the aunt.

Why did the prophecy command Mom to pass the orange eyes specifically?

Why was I the one chosen?

If it was Radon’s prophecy… maybe the monster needs me too?

‘Why am I so popular?’

But I heard Radon was sealed 25 years ago by the Duchess of Mayville, “Protector of the Empire.”

“Hm, I don’t care! If he needs me, he’ll come find me!”

Radon or Duke Lafmen—both have a frustrating lack of explanation.

‘Those who are thirsty dig wells themselves.’

I, not thirsty at all, picked up Mom’s other relic, the necklace, and pressed its button without hesitation.

Altruistic Luck

A toy made by the Sun Dragon for amusement.

Effect: Grants the wearer random luck.

Time Limit: Once per day.

Recharge: None

So this one isn’t single-use—I can keep using it.

Nice, I like it.

I don’t know how the luck works, but I put the necklace around my neck.

Looking at the situation so far…

‘Seems like I’m not possessed.’

No matter how long it’s been, I wouldn’t forget a novel with such detailed settings.

‘Nymphs, a mad dragon, ancient relics, a messenger of God, even quests.’

I made a vow.

People of the world! I will no longer be confused about my identity!

Now I can say with certainty!

I, Aigle Atlas, have not been possessed!

I have been reincarnated!

…As I was doing my usual one-person-show, a new info window appeared.

Second Sub-Quest

~Immediately go meet the cute snow leopard!~

“Eh? Snow leopard?”

They probably mean a snow leopard beastman, not the animal itself.

As far as I knew, there were only two snow leopard beastmen in this world.

Asil Sein and his son, Lishian Sein.

The quest probably refers to the son, Lishian.

‘Asil Sein is currently not in the Empire.’

Neither had a personal connection with me.

But Lishian was quite famous in the Empire.

In a romance fantasy, he’d easily be considered a male lead candidate.

‘He’s really handsome.’

While Duke Lafmen was a cold, intimidating type, Lishian Sein had a sparkling, idol-like charm.

Moreover, Duke Lafmen and Lishian were distant relatives.

“Alright, let’s go.”

I returned the box to the bedside drawer and left the room.

Rushing to my room, I instructed the waiting maids.

“You two, get my outfit ready and prepare the carriage!”

“Where are you going, Miss?”
“Something came up. I’m going alone, so hurry!”

The maids nodded in understanding.

After changing into simple outing clothes, I stepped outside. A carriage awaited.

I climbed in and shouted,

“To the casino!”

“Yes, Miss!”

The coachman responded energetically and drove off.

A casino? Why suddenly?

Besides being a snow leopard, Lishian had one more major trait: he practically lived in casinos—a complete gambling addict.