Damn Reincarnation

of the Patriarch.”

“Oh…,” came Eugen’s disappointed murmur.

Gilead continued, “But that’s not the only reason.
Ever since the Great Vermouth, no one has been able to receive the recognition of the Holy Sword.”

“Recognition?”

“Mm… rather than trying to explain it, it would be better for you to have a go at it yourself.
Then you’ll be able to understand what I’m talking about right away.”

At the bottom of the stairs stood an ornately decorated, massive door.
Gilead held his hand up to the door after cutting his fingertips with his fingernails, causing red drops of blood to form on all his fingers.

“This will take a moment.”

With his blood-tipped fingers, Gilead reached for the doorknob.
The doorknob had been sculpted in the shape of a lion’s head with its mouth opened wide.
The lion absorbed the drops of blood on Gilead’s fingertips and closed its mouth, just as the engravings adorning the door began to wriggle.
All of this was part of a rite to unlock the powerful barrier that had been set on the treasure vault using magic.
Eugene took a few steps back and watched as the door began to move.

“Will you be entering with me, Patriarch?” he asked.

“There’s no need for that.
I’ll wait here, so just go in and choose whatever you want.”

The door opened fully.

“You won’t be able to open this door from the inside.
So once you’ve finished making your choice, knock loudly on the door.
That will let me know when to open it,” Gilead explained.

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better for you to come in with me?” Eugene asked.

“While I believe that it might be fun to watch as you pick something….
If I go in with you, I may end up unconsciously influencing what item you pick, and I would rather respect your freedom of choice.
Also, If I do go in with you, I feel that I might distract you.”

By saying all this, Gilead was showing his consideration for Eugene.
Eugene smiled brightly and nodded his head.
Although he had brought it up first, Eugene felt greatly excited that Gilead had decided not to go in with him.
He wanted to get a close look at everything and have a poke at this and that.
Truthfully speaking, if Gilead were to go in with him, Eugene would have to pay attention to his manners and avoid such conduct.

“But Patriarch, what’s stopping me from hiding something on my person and attempting to come out with multiple items?”

This type of daring and impolite question was something that only a thirteen-year-old like Eugene would be allowed to ask.
So Eugene made sure to look up at Gilead to show off his innocent eyes that were free of malice.
Although he wasn’t sure if his face truly managed to reflect his intentions, for now, he at least tried to contort his features into such an expression.

“That isn’t something that is likely to happen, now is it?” Gilead replied to his question with a smile that showed no displeasure.
“If that were to happen, I would be forced to scold you.
And as these treasures are strictly guarded by magic, you would be caught as soon as you attempted to come out with something you shouldn’t.”

“Haha,” Eugene laughed awkwardly.

‘As expected,’ Eugene exclaimed inwardly, without feeling any disappointment.

Gilead offered, “Still, allow me to give you a piece of advice.
Don’t be in a rush, and slowly take your time to choose a weapon that you’ll be able to use for the rest of your life.
In your case, rather than focussing on its performance… I believe that it would be better for you to choose something that catches your eye and suits you.”

“Yes sir.”

Gilead stepped out of the way, clearing the door to the treasure vault.
Eugene nodded his head and approached the door with hesitant steps.

“Thank you very much for this opportunity,” before entering, Eugene turned and politely expressed his gratitude.

Gilead smiled and patted Eugene on the shoulder.
The thought of adopting Eugene was running through his mind.
However, there was no need to bring up such a topic right now, as it wasn’t a matter that should be rushed into hastily.

As Eugene entered, the door to the treasure vault closed behind him.
Once it did so, Eugen could finally take a deep breath and loosen his polite expression.
Smiling too much had numbed his cheeks, so he patted them a few times before taking a long look around the treasure vault.

Immediately after he had done so, a smile inadvertently spread across his face as he exclaimed, “…Wow.”

Vermouth’s Holy Sword, the splendid golden sword from his memories, stood in the center of the treasure vault.
With a grin, Eugene walked towards the center of the room.

1. The deliberate exaggeration of one aspect of a fictional character to the point where that one trait grows to encompass most of that character's personality. ☜