Chapter 36: Treasure of the Hidden Room

“So? Where is this hidden room?” “No, wait, why did you come along too?”

I intended to go with Estelle, Elliott, and Tanya Celesta, but Bianca and Jean followed us. Bianca is fine. She’s technically my personal attendant. But Jean has absolutely nothing to do with this matter.

“W-Well, isn’t it fine? Jean is my personal attendant, after all.”

Elliott comes to Jean‘s defense. Well, that’s true, but… This kid is noisy, so he’s likely to attract attention from those around us.

“Because you’re noisy. If the adults find us, it’ll become troublesome. Do you understand?”

Bianca spoke my mind for me. Exactly! If adults find us, it could very well turn into, ‘We’ll handle this, so you children step back.’ If that happens, my objective won’t be achieved. That would be a problem.

“Umm, we are adults too, though…” “Tanya and the others are exceptions.”

Tanya Celesta, who came as my guard, murmured awkwardly. The guard knight of Elliott next to her was also smiling wryly. Tanya and the others are adults, but they’re in the position of chaperones. Well, please overlook it as children playing exploration.

“We just have to discover it secretly without getting caught by adults, right? But we’re splitting the treasure, okay?”

No, the treasure belongs to the Imperial Family. Not a single penny will go to you. Why do you think you can get a share just for tagging along? As I looked at him with exasperated, half-lidded eyes, Elliott called out to me.

“So, Sakuraile. Where should we search?” “Eh? Ah, umm, it’s a place on a staircase landing with a large full-length mirror, but…” “A full-length mirror on a landing? I can think of three places… let’s check them in order for now.”

Saying that, Elliott started walking. We followed him as he led the way. We passed people in the castle several times, but in this situation, it would only look like Elliott is showing us around the castle. The first location was different from my memory. The second location was also different.

“Here! This place!”

And the third one. This is it. No mistake. The position of the mirror and the decorated frame are the same. It’s a landing between the second and third floors in a secluded part of the castle, a place that doesn’t attract much attention. The mirror itself is new, but the wooden frame adorning it is old, carved with various flowers.

“Here? Are we going to break this mirror?”

Jean said something stupid. Even if you break it, there’s just a wall behind it. The mechanism is in this wooden frame.

“You press the flowers carved into this frame in the order of the seasons.” “How do you even know that?”

Elliott asked a natural question.

“‘When flowers cycle through the seasons, the path of darkness shall open.’ Words from an ancient book said to be left by the First Emperor. I read a copy in the archives of the territory capital, but I think the original is in the archives here in the Imperial Castle. At the time, no one understood what it meant, and apparently, it became a rumor among the people in the castle town.”

The story about the book is true. Though the one who found it was Elliott in the game… So the original should be in the archives here. Reading a copy is a lie. Such a thing doesn’t exist. I wasn’t in the territory capital either. Tanya, who knows the circumstances, is keeping quiet despite her difficult expression. Later, I’ll just say I heard it from a traveling elf I met in the slums. To Father and the others too. Elves live long lives, so it wouldn’t be strange for them to know. I learned that flowers were carved into the mirror frame at the party the other day, and thought, ‘could it be…’ …Let’s go with that.

“Umm, let’s see…”

The Sinfonia Imperial Kingdom also has four seasons. If I press the flowers of spring, summer, autumn, and winter in order, the hidden door will… Huh? Which flower belonged to which season again? I’m not very knowledgeable about flowers. Low femininity, you say? Leave me alone! I know quite a lot about edible wild plants or flowers that can be used for something. I just don’t know flowers that are merely pretty.

“…Estelle, do you know?” “Eh? Umm… Sakura (Cherry Blossom), Fuyo (Cotton Rose), Hagi (Bush Clover), and Snowdrop, I believe.”

Ooh, impressive. Many flower names here are the same as on Earth. …Well, I don’t know which is which, though. Ah, no, Sakura I can manage somehow. It’s the origin of my name, after all. While being taught by Estelle, I pressed the flower-shaped switches in order—click, click. Then, with a Gagon! sound, the wall next to the mirror moved sideways like an automatic door—Zuzuzuzu.

“It really existed…”

Leaving the dumbfounded Elliott behind, I entered the hidden room. Using the flashlights I bought at the pawn shop and had prepared properly, I illuminated the inside, revealing stairs leading underground. Strictly speaking, this is the landing between the second and third floors, so it’s not underground. I handed flashlights to Estelle and the others and descended the stairs. The dark, damp air was somehow unpleasant.

“H-Hey, is this safe? The entrance won’t close as soon as we enter, will it?” “What, Jean. Did you get cold feet?” “N-No way, I’m not scared or anything!”

I hear Jean and Bianca arguing behind me. So noisy. However, it really is pitch black. In the game, Elliott held a torch-like light, though. I guess this is better than that. Well, I know these stairs end quickly, so I’m not as panicked as Jean. Eventually, as I remembered, the stairs ended, and a large metal door blocked our way in front. Red and blue gems were embedded in the eyes of the lions facing each other on the left and right. Those are the keys to open this door. The mechanism opens the door when touched by someone with Imperial blood.

“Elliott, touch those jewels. Both at the same time. Then the door will open.” “Eh? But…”

Elliott looked up at the door and furrowed his brows. The jewels were placed about a meter apart, at the height of an adult’s shoulders. Shoot! In the game, adult Elliott could reach it, but with a child’s height, simultaneously is impossible!? No, if Tanya holds him sideways, and Elliott stretches his hands and feet, maybe somehow…!

“Umm, why must it be His Highness the Crown Prince?” “This door can only be opened by those who carry the blood of the First Emperor. That’s why Elliott must…” “In that case, wouldn’t Lady Sakuraile also qualify?” “Ah.”

I finally realized it when Estelle said that. Right, I’m one of them too… Naturally, since Sakuraile wasn’t there in the game, the thought didn’t even occur to me. Ugh, embarrassing…

“…Elliott, you take that one. I’ll touch this one.” “You’re quite ditzy, aren’t you?” “Shut up!”

Leave me alone! I yelled back at the insensitive Jean. Men without delicacy aren’t popular, you know! In my case, I couldn’t reach even by stretching fully, so I jumped and touched the jewel at the same time as Elliott. In that instant, the jewels emitted red and blue light, a sound like something unlocking—Gasha—rang out, and with a Gogogogo…, the door naturally opened to the left and right.

“This is…!” “Amazing! It’s a mountain of treasure!”

It wasn’t that spacious. However, the room was packed with gold and silver treasures, various items that seemed to be magic tools, weapons like swords and spears, valuable documents, and monster materials. Because preservation magic was applied, everything was in good condition. However, ignoring all that, I picked up a crystal ball about the size of a baseball placed on a table in the back. The ‘Jewel of Sealing’. In the game, it’s a magic tool used to seal the Dark Dragon. Well, since I already defeated the Dark Dragon, it’s not strictly necessary. This is the ‘Elliott Route Event’ to obtain this jewel. With this treasure, the Good End of the Elliott route, where the Dark Dragon is sealed, becomes almost certain. By the way, if Elliott‘s affection is high, this event can be skipped. Since you defeat the Dark Dragon, there’s no use for it. Now, if my theory is correct, this should level up [Store Summoning]. …I think it will. Well, I’ll know tomorrow.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Unbelievable…! To think such a hidden room existed in the castle…!” “Your Majesty! This is undoubtedly the treasure of the Founding King! It is a historical discovery!”

His Majesty the Emperor and the Chancellor raised their voices in excitement seeing the treasures lined up tightly in the room. His Majesty the Emperor patted the shoulder of Elliott who was beside him and nodded with satisfaction.

“Well done, Elliott. You have fulfilled the long-cherished wish of our clan spanning many generations. I am proud.” “No, this was not me…” “Vehhon! Ohon!“

Since Elliott was about to say something unnecessary, I forcefully coughed to interrupt him. We agreed on this earlier! Just stay silent and be the discoverer!

“U-Umm… It was by chance. Just a coincidence. Besides, I wasn’t the only one who found it.” “Do not be humble. Whether by chance or whatever, the discovery of the First Emperor’s treasure is a joyous occasion.”

Elliott returned a subtle smile. We coordinated our stories so that Elliott found this hidden room by chance. Elliott opposed it, but even though I brought it up, everyone discovered it together. Saying Elliott found it isn’t a lie. And as a parent in the ‘Royal Faction’, having Elliott be the discoverer is convenient in many ways. Recently, strange folks have been spreading rumors like, ‘Wouldn’t the option of Lady Sakuraile, the “Princess of the Holy Sword”, ascending to the throne be acceptable?’ This is likely a ‘stratagem of alienation’. Trying to make His Majesty the Emperor and Father suspicious of each other to cause a rift and divide them. Like I’d let that happen. Therefore, the discoverer should be Elliott. Besides, I have to concede at least this much… I’ve twisted Elliott‘s life route quite a bit, after all. Originally, this treasure was supposed to be found by Elliott and Estelle, so this is fine.

“Even though it was actually Lady Sakuraile who found it…”

Beside me, Estelle murmured quietly in dissatisfaction. No, no, actually it was supposed to be found by Elliott and you, okay!? Within the day, the news of ‘The Treasure of the First Emperor Discovered!’ spread through the Imperial Capital in a flash. Items that were considered half-legendary had been discovered. And by the hand of the current Crown Prince. While everyone praised him as expected of the next Emperor of Sinfonia, Elliott looked somewhat uncomfortable. He doesn’t need to worry about it. A King should have the magnanimity to accept both the pure and the impure.

◇ ◇ ◇

That night. Crown Prince Elliott came to the Emperor’s room with a brooding expression.

“Father, actually…” “It is fine. The one who located the treasure was actually Sakuraile, correct?”

Elliott‘s eyes widened in surprise. Seeing that expression, the Emperor laughed wryly.

“I can tell by looking at your attitude. This will not do, Elliott. If you cannot keep your inner thoughts from showing at all times, you cannot become a good King. A King who gets flustered makes everyone anxious.”

Rather than scolding, the Emperor spoke to his son as if reasoning with him. This child is too serious. I think he could imitate the flexibility of Jean or Sakuraile a little.

“Sakuraile judged that it would benefit the country if it was said that you found it. Does the fact that you are displeased with that mean your pride is more important than this country?” “No! That is not true! For the sake of the country, I will play any role! However, I wondered if Sakuraile was okay with that…” “That child probably thinks nothing of a title like ‘discoverer of treasure’. You can think of it as her receiving a piece of candy.”

According to his brother, she apparently dislikes even the title ‘Princess of the Holy Sword’ that anyone would envy. Towards his ever-eccentric niece, His Majesty the Emperor felt a rising regret that he really wanted her as Elliott‘s bride. Well, this cannot be helped.

“If you feel indebted to Sakuraile, you must show yourself growing splendidly as the Crown Prince. You must show that child that her judgment was not a mistake.” “…Yes. I will succeed Father and definitely make this country prosperous. I will not let Sakuraile‘s feelings go to waste.”

When Elliott, voicing such determination, left, His Majesty the Emperor took a small sip of the wine in his glass. The wine given by his brother, the Duke of le Philharmonie, was a Rosé wine with a beautiful cherry blossom color. Sakuraile‘s existence is having a positive influence on Elliott as well. He is still stubborn, but eventually, he will learn to think flexibly. Pleased with his son’s growth, the Emperor raised the glass containing the Rosé wine slightly.

“Gratitude to the ‘Princess of the Holy Sword’.”

Imagining that Sakuraile would make a disgusted face if she heard that, His Majesty the Emperor smiled at the corner of his mouth.