Warm spring sunlight was seeping through the arched windows in the long corridor of the Duke’s mansion.

‘A place with childhood memories… I wonder where he means?’

A few days ago, Biare had obtained information about the Key of God’s Absence from Fabian.

According to him, the key was in a place filled with Gaizen’s childhood memories.

She speculated where exactly the Key of God’s Absence might be kept.

It was certain that the place was not the Duke’s mansion, the merchant guild, or 34 Burnwood Street.

‘When he was young…’

That must refer to the period after their mother passed away and before Gaizen began his sword training.

Although Biare herself had held her young brother’s hand and taken him various places back then, she couldn’t think of any suitable location.

‘I must remember where that place is.’

Just then, a certain place flashed through Biare’s mind.

“Could it be…”

Biare closed her eyes gently and recalled memories with her younger brother from childhood.

‘Why am I only remembering this now?’

When they were young, she had prepared a small gift for her brother who was struggling after losing their mother.

It was a small box filled with toys and snacks that Gaizen would like.

Hoping it would make her brother less sad, Biare had dug a small hole under a tree and buried the box.

As Gaizen gradually returned to his originally cheerful personality, Biare’s memory of that box slowly faded.

But it seemed he still remembered that place.

Feeling caught off guard, Biare pushed aside her heavy heart and headed to the small hill behind the Duke’s mansion.

There, she came to a tree they often visited as children, and soon discovered traces of the grassy ground having been disturbed and covered again.

“This is the right place…”

As she had expected, this seemed to be the place of memories Gaizen had mentioned.

‘Have you been coming here all this time?’

Seeing signs that someone had recently touched the grass, Biare’s heart grew heavy wondering if her brother had been missing their mother all along.

Carefully digging up the grass with her bare hands, she found a faded wooden box inside.

Given that it had maintained its shape until now, it seemed he had been regularly casting preservation magic on it.

With trembling hands, Biare lifted the lid of the box and found items her young brother had cherished along with the Key of God’s Absence.

“The key really was here…”

Finally obtaining the Key of God’s Absence, Biare felt both joyful and fearful.

She was glad to be one step closer to the truth, but also afraid of actually learning that truth. Now she couldn’t tell which feeling was stronger.

‘Still, I must proceed with the plan.’

She had already made plans to approach Reymon soon, so she closed the box again.

‘Surely more facts I don’t know will come to light.’

That’s why Biare felt she must get closer to that truth.

From there, she finished up her scheduled work at the Cultural Foundation and visited Reymon’s workshop.

He was in the middle of creating sculptural artworks and seemed quite surprised by her unexpected visit.

Among those receiving support from the Cultural Foundation, there was no one who didn’t know her.

“I greet you, Lady Ruschef.”

As he quickly bowed his head in courtesy, Biare also gave a light bow in return.

Reymon, gauging Biare’s intentions, asked about the reason for her visit.

“What brings such an esteemed person here…”

To this, Biare smiled softly as she slowly looked around at the sculptural artworks he had made and said,

“I saw your work when I visited here last time.”

“…”

“So I was thinking of sponsoring you.”

She knew well how desperately artists cling to such opportunities.

Reymon appeared surprised at first, but soon composed himself and kept his mouth firmly shut.

Of course, even without going this far, Reymon would have become a masterpiece of the century by early winter.

Biare, with a coy smile, made him a proposal.

“Before that, I’d like you to give me a demonstration.”

Thinking he shouldn’t miss this opportunity, he answered with an even more serious look in his eyes.

“Whatever it may be, I will certainly accomplish it.”

Seeing Reymon’s firm resolve, a gentle curve formed at the corners of Biare’s lips.

Surely Reymon would be able to create a replica very similar to the original, as she desired.

Biare intended to become a more valuable backer than any other reward if he followed her request.

“Bring your most confident artworks here to the Duke’s mansion.”

Along with the parting words that he would then know what demonstration she had prepared, Biare gracefully left the workshop.

On an early spring morning with a gentle breeze, dewdrops clinging to blades of grass fell in droplets.

Using her physical condition as an excuse, Biare even skipped breakfast and watched the Duke and Gaizen through the corridor window.

After confirming they had left by carriage, she hurried to the back hill, avoiding the eyes of the servants.

Fortunately, Gaizen didn’t seem to notice that she had found the key’s location, as it was still in the box.

‘Finally, I can approach the truth.’

Biare put the key in the pouch she had brought, and hurried back to the Duke’s mansion lest she encounter someone else.

Soon after, acting as if nothing was amiss, Biare received greetings from the servants and waited for someone until the afternoon.

She had called Reymon to the Duke’s mansion under the pretext of overseeing family affairs.

As she was worrying that he hadn’t arrived even though it was already afternoon, the head butler announced Reymon’s visit.

“My lady, a man named Reymon from the Cultural Foundation has come.”

“Alright, tell him to come in.”

She had already told the head butler and head maid that someone she would sponsor would be visiting the mansion.

Sponsoring an artist also meant believing in and purchasing their work.

This became possible as Biare started to practically oversee the family’s internal affairs.

Thus, the servants would only think that Biare was trying to change the mansion’s atmosphere to her own taste.

The retainers who were hovering around in case Biare needed help returned to their posts at her nod.

Reymon, who entered the mansion guided by a servant, bowed his head to Biare in courtesy.

“I greet you, Lady Ruschef.”

“Yes, did you bring the artworks?”

“Yes, my lady.”

At his signal, porters from the Cultural Foundation brought in the artworks one by one, and Biare carefully examined his works.

All the artworks were of the highest quality, and his unique soul added to their value, making them shine even more.

“Each and every one is more satisfactory than I expected.”

As she had anticipated, he was no less than a masterpiece of the century, so she said she would purchase all of his artworks and sent the porters back.

When she additionally requested a catalog of his works, Reymon hesitated for a moment before handing it over with an incredulous expression.

Biare pretended to examine the catalog while glancing around, and soon, confirming that there were no servants, she smiled at him and said,

“If you accept my request, I’ll buy all the works in this catalog.”

“…”

Thinking it was time to get to the point, she added in an authoritative tone.

“However, you must never tell anyone about this.”

To this, he swallowed hard, and when Biare said he could leave if he didn’t want to, he shook his head and said,

“I will keep it a secret for life, my lady.”

“Good. I thought you wouldn’t disappoint me.”

Biare, with a satisfied smile, then opened the pouch she was carrying and showed him the Key of God’s Absence.

“From now on, you will focus on making this key.”

She intended to support him financially while he was making the key.

It was her own consideration and measure, decided out of concern for his livelihood which would need sponsorship.

Reymon, looking at the key he would have to make, seemed to be hesitating.

He was someone who could reproduce anything after just one look, but not having gained fame yet, he might not trust his own skills.

“What’s wrong, not confident?”

“It’s not that. May I just examine it once?”

“Sure, here it is.”

When Biare readily handed over the key, he carefully took it and began to examine it in detail.

At first, he observed it closely with his eyes, then closed them tightly and relied on his sense of touch to feel the key.

After some time had passed, Reymon opened his eyes and looked at her with a confident tone, saying,

“I think I can make it.”

To this, Biare tilted her head, raised the corner of her mouth crookedly, and said,

“I prefer certainty over predictions.”

To this, Reymon cleared his throat a couple of times and said in a composed voice,

“…I will definitely make it for you.”

Although he looked visibly nervous, there was strong conviction in his eyes, so Biare nodded.

“Alright, then I’ll wait and trust you.”

Receiving the key back from Reymon, she looked at the key before her with a satisfied smile.