Amber Tears

Can a forbidden artifact really be given away just like that?

Olivia Melianne hesitated, her expression shifting through a kaleidoscope of emotions.

Julia Elliott smiled. "I know that for many, forbidden artifacts are associated with terrible words like danger, horror, and bloodshed. But Olivia, you must believe me. I specialize in the study of forbidden artifacts, and I can assure you that some of them aren't that terrifying."

"A sealed-grade forbidden artifact?" Olivia asked.

Julia nodded. "Exactly. A sealed-grade forbidden artifact isn't that scary. Many church personnel even carry them to increase their combat effectiveness."

This made Olivia think of Melanie Mills, who carried a sealed-grade forbidden artifact, the Dream Pendant.

Even so, hearing that someone wanted to give her a forbidden artifact still made a chill run down her spine.

Julia raised her left hand and removed a ring, causing Olivia's gaze to instinctively fall upon it.

Was this the forbidden artifact Julia was talking about?

The ring's band was silver-white, set with an amber gemstone that looked like a crystal teardrop, shimmering with a faint luster in the morning light.

Julia began to explain, "This is Amber Tears. It is undoubtedly a sealed-grade forbidden artifact. If left alone, these Amber Tears would automatically devour everything around them, regardless of what it is. As for what happens to the devoured things, no one knows what form they take; at least, nothing has ever been recovered in the past. However, as long as it is sealed, the situation I just described can be avoided. In that state, Amber Tears serves another purpose."

At this point, Julia paused.

She held out Amber Tears and said, "Amber Tears possesses spatial properties. While sealed, the wearer can perceive a space within it. It is a stable space where you can store various items, so you never have to worry about the burden of weight again. I have worn this ring for over twenty years, and the space has always remained stable. You don't need to worry about the possibility of losing items placed inside."

A space ring?

As soon as Julia said it, Olivia understood. As someone who loved reading novels in her past life, she was no stranger to such items and immediately made the connection.

She took Amber Tears and couldn't help but ask, "How do I seal this Amber Tears?"

"It's simple. You just have to put it on."

"Just put it on?"

Olivia instinctively slipped it onto the pinky finger of her left hand.

In her previous world, wearing a ring on the pinky symbolized being single and having no intention of marrying. In the Holy Kelidos Empire, it carried a different meaning, symbolizing a desire to cultivate one's career and focus on the self.

"Amber Tears is yours now, but there is one more thing you must keep in mind," Julia reminded her. "Amber Tears isn't sealed just by being worn; there is a requirement for the wearer. Only a pure maiden can wear it to complete the seal."

A pure maiden?

Olivia was naturally a pure maiden, and she understood what Julia's reminder implied.

However, she couldn't help but feel a bit odd... Was Julia a pure maiden too?

Amber Tears had just been taken off Julia's finger, and even though Julia looked young, her actual age was clearly not small...

As soon as the thought arose, Olivia immediately chided herself.

'Olivia, oh Olivia, someone just gave you a forbidden artifact; how can you think such rude things? Even if she isn't young anymore, what's wrong with still being a pure maiden? It only shows that she is dedicated to her career.'

Olivia quickly controlled herself, stopping her mind from wandering.

"Lady Julia, thank you for your generosity. I believe this forbidden artifact will be of great help to me in the future."

A portable storage space—one didn't even need to think to know it would have countless wonderful uses.

For example, spiritual materials; she wouldn't have to stuff them in her pockets anymore. Not only could she keep them in Amber Tears, but she could also carry even more. This would help her craft talismans on the spot or set up rituals—though she didn't know how to set up rituals yet, she was currently learning.

The two then chatted more about forbidden artifacts and some topics regarding Sylvan Runes.

The former was fine, but when they reached the latter, Olivia immediately felt immense pressure.

Because Julia had an excessively high opinion of her mastery of Sylvan Runes, many of the things she mentioned were completely incomprehensible to Olivia.

'Is it because I chanted that poem last night that Julia overestimated my Sylvan Rune proficiency? Hiss... I wonder if the Sylvan Rune content she's talking about now is related to last night's poem. Should I pretend to understand?'

Olivia felt that discussing this topic was a bit too dangerous for her. She promptly found an opportunity, using the excuse that she had other matters to attend to, to bid Julia farewell and leave.

Silence returned to the back garden.

Butterflies fluttered back and forth, flowers released their fragrance, and crystal-clear water splashed in the nearby fountain.

Julia sat on the bench and unhurriedly took a die out of her pocket.

This was a forbidden artifact!

As someone who specialized in the research of forbidden artifacts, she lacked for nothing when it came to them.

This die was called the Destiny Dice. One needed to ask a question before throwing it; the value of the roll represented the degree of affirmation or negation of the question.

"I should give Amber Tears to Olivia."

Julia whispered the question and then tossed the die.

The die landed on the ground, spinning several times before coming to a halt.

The number shown was six!

This represented extreme affirmation!

...

After leaving the back garden, Olivia walked through the cathedral's long corridor, still stroking Amber Tears on her finger. The more she looked at this forbidden artifact, the more she liked it.

She planned to put her spare nun uniforms, her laundered casual clothes, and some spiritual materials inside. This feeling of being able to carry a large number of items with her gave her an inexplicable sense of security.

Suddenly, Olivia's footsteps halted.

She looked up toward the front of the corridor and saw several familiar figures standing there. When she saw them, she couldn't help but look surprised.

She quickly picked up her pace and asked as she approached, "Why have you all come here?"