Chapter 75

Lamp of Brilliant Night.

Taking the form of an elegant ring, its appearance was exactly the same as the one I knew.

‘…So it was here at this point in time.’

The Lamp of Brilliant Night first appears in Series 3 as the possession of Beatrice, the Blood-Drinking Princess, one of the story’s bosses.

A Special-Rank Cursed Tool that strengthens bonds with familiars and further amplifies their power.

Beatrice, using it, demonstrated potential worthy of being called a calamity.

‘Because it’s plastered with effects exclusive to Shikigami Sorcerers, I used it a lot too.’

To put it simply, the Lamp of Brilliant Night was what people commonly call a ‘conditional cheat item.’

And I know how to meet those conditions.

For me now, it was an object I coveted more than any other treasure.

‘I never thought I’d see it here.’

The host was revealing the item to the crowd, introducing it as a top-tier Cursed Tool, but I paid no attention, staring intently at the Lamp of Brilliant Night decorating the back row.

Judging roughly, the atmosphere didn’t suggest its true value was properly recognized.

As if to make the main items stand out more, it was placed in a somewhat lesser spot alongside other items.

“Junior. Your expression is weird.”

“……”

I must have been staring too intently without realizing it. I hurriedly calmed my mind and first shifted my gaze to the other items.

Indeed, the expression ‘national treasure level’ didn’t seem to be an exaggeration; the three Cursed Tools introduced by the host were all of considerable quality.

“These items were all bestowed upon knights by the previous generation’s king, but currently, having lost their owners, they are under our national custody. Surely, a day will come when they will be used for the country once again,”

Well, many Cursed Tools above a certain level require specific users or special conditions. Perhaps the host’s words stirred a sense of romance, as small exclamations of awe were already erupting among the audience.

After finishing the viewing, we neatly left the venue.

“Ugh, it was good indeed. That subtly permeating, antiquated Spiritual Power. Those who haven’t seen it wouldn’t understand.”

“…Only you feel that, Sophia. Others wouldn’t sense it even if they looked.”

Certainly, I didn’t really feel that sensation either. It might be a difference in Spiritual Sense, or perhaps it was simply Sophia’s personal appreciation.

“What about you, Kangyoon? Was it okay?”

“…It wasn’t a bad experience.”

Above all, discovering the Lamp of Brilliant Night was an unexpected achievement.

Truthfully, I hadn’t been concerned because I didn’t know its location, but it was one of the items I would definitely want to obtain if possible.

I had even considered hiring people to search for it privately later.

‘Of all things, it’s state-owned.’

It didn’t seem to be treated that specially, but it was obvious that simple purchase or transfer would be impossible.

To obtain the Lamp of Brilliant Night, a completely different approach would be needed.

Seeing my completely preoccupied face, Arietta muttered with a suspicious expression.

“Junior, let me say this in advance: stealing is bad.”

“…What are you talking about again? It’s not like that.”

After returning to the hotel, I holed up in my room and pondered deeply, over and over.

‘If I back down now, who knows when I’ll get another chance.’

No matter how much I tried to rationalize, it was too precious an item to just give up like this. Thinking that, the conversation with Arietta earlier suddenly came to mind.

‘…Should I just close my eyes and snatch it?’

It’s a Cursed Tool that will eventually fall into the hands of villains and disrupt the world anyway; wouldn’t it be better if I stole it and put it to good use?

It was a thought close to self-justification, but honestly, it wasn’t exactly wrong.

I can confidently say, there probably isn’t anyone who can utilize the Lamp of Brilliant Night better than me, or use it in a more righteous place.

It was an item that compatible with me to that degree.

‘……’

I pondered for a while longer after that, but no matter how much I thought, the conclusion was the same.

‘I should take it after all.’

I decided, ultimately, to steal the Lamp of Brilliant Night.

The exhibition period was a total of 3 days. One day had already passed, so I had to settle things within the remaining two days.

‘Obviously, a frontal assault is out of the question.’

As I confirmed yesterday, even the guards present at the exhibition hall at the time were numerous, all formidable individuals in the late Level 40s.

Among them were even a few rare ones who had surpassed Level 50, so if I encountered them, I wouldn’t come out looking good.

‘To be honest, simply taking the item itself isn’t difficult.’

Just like when I summoned Cheong Soha from the Cheong Family’s territory, the Cursed Technique system of this era is quite antiquated to me.

Of course, that doesn’t mean the level is low. However, it’s undeniable that its structure is relatively simple.

‘Compared to newer Cursed Techniques, it seems to have many vulnerabilities.’

State-managed, ironclad security?

Sorry, but ironclad security is ironclad security in its own way.

Even if it’s a place where a nation’s representative resides, can the security level of a Joseon-era palace be the same as that of the modern-day Blue House?

It literally meant my opponent was unlucky.

“Come forth.”

Swoosh.

Poof!

I summoned Black Yin, suitable for covert actions, and then used my Intracranial Spell Repository Trait to sequentially deploy two Art Formulas.

Whoosh.

A concealment Art Formula to block my own presence, and a special concealment Art Formula to avoid detection by CCTV and other technological means.

Both were Art Formulas used by a Named character called the Phantom Thief Nazar, who appeared in Series 3.

Since there was a side-story event episode where I acted as Nazar’s assistant in phantom thief activities, naturally, the Art Formulas I used then were also recorded in my Intracranial Spell Repository Trait.

‘Of course, if someone visually confirms me at close range, I’ll be caught immediately…’

That part would be somewhat covered by Black Yin’s traits, which are adept at covert activities.

First, I moved Black Yin during the pre-dawn hours to scout the exhibition hall.

Since Jeong Hansol was in the room, I had come out under the pretext of taking a short walk.

‘……’

While simple messenger roles might be one thing, precisely controlling a Shikigami from such a distance isn’t normally easy.

However, with the Phantom Body Trait, I am relatively free from such limitations.

Even if discovered, I could simply recall Black Yin and keep my mouth shut.

‘…It was definitely around here.’

The special exhibition hall where the Lamp of Brilliant Night was located had its passage completely blocked by a barrier wall, likely due to the influence of the national treasure-level Cursed Tools stored in the same place.

‘The security doesn’t seem to have any obvious gaps either.’

Individuals exuding quite powerful auras were patrolling the interior of the exhibition hall according to set times and routes.

But as long as they were human, there were places they couldn’t visually confirm.

Namely, external passages including ventilation ducts.

‘Of course, there are probably detection sensors and CCTV plastered all over…’

For me, possessing the Art Formulas of the Great Phantom Thief Nazar, modern detection technology posed no threat.

After finishing my reconnaissance, I stealthily recalled Black Yin.

Then, using the Art Formula of Holland the Forger, who also appeared as Nazar’s assistant in that event, I created a replica that looked exactly like the Lamp of Brilliant Night.

‘…It looks perfectly convincing on the outside.’

The plan was set. Execution would be sufficient even tomorrow night.

Closing my eyes, weary with fatigue, I returned to the hotel and went to sleep.

The two days of free time ended, and finally, the main event began.

Since the execution time was at night anyway, I decided to first set aside my thoughts and participate in the event with the Academy cadets.

‘…There are many people I didn’t see the other day.’

Being an international event of sorts, there were Academy cadets from various countries here now, besides us.

Accordingly, there were schedules where representatives from each Academy would showcase their skills, but since representatives like Sophia or Hwang Jihak would handle that, I didn’t have much to do.

Clash!

Zzzzzzzzzzong─!

Watching the friendly sparring match between our Sophia and the representative of the Spanish Royal Academy, I subtly spoke to Arietta beside me.

“Who do you think will win?”

“…It’s obvious. Sophia.”

“Why?”

“Just, the difference in skill is visible.”

Arietta was also a combat genius. As if proving her decisive answer, the sparring match didn’t last long before concluding.

It was Sophia’s victory.

“…Sophia isn’t at a cadet level to begin with. I was surprised when I first saw her too.”

“You’re saying that, Senior?”

“Sophia is amazing. She’ll definitely have her name on the Special-Rank Exorcist list in just a few years.”

It was certainly a valid statement.

While her pure growth potential itself might be inferior to Yoo Haon’s, ultimately, the one who becomes a Special-Rank Exorcist first among the current Academy cadets is none other than Sophia.

Her talent was that special.

Anyway, as such exchanges continued, the first day of the event finally drew to a close.

The finale was a greeting from Laura de los Lucia, the Second Princess of Spain, currently enrolled in the Royal Academy.

“It was a great honor to share this meaningful time with you all today. I hope the remaining day will also be meaningful for each other…”

It was a conventional greeting, but even just listening, one could sense the royal-like refinement and decorum. She must have practiced this speech countless times.

As the princess appeared on the podium, Jeong Hansol beside me literally lit up her eyes and spoke.

“See! I told you we’d get a chance to see her. It’s the real princess. Ah, damn. Can’t see well from here…”

Jeong Hansol tried to push through the crowd to get a better look at her.

I sighed, summoned Black Yin, sent it into the sky, and connected Jeong Hansol’s vision to it.

“Whoa, what’s this! This is awesome! I can see perfectly even from this distance.”

Jeong Hansol spent a long time like that, exclaiming about how pretty the princess was, how noble, making a fuss.

Since it seemed good to familiarize myself with her actual appearance, I also briefly shared Black Yin’s vision.

But.

‘…Huh?’

For some reason, her face seemed quite familiar.

Platinum blonde hair that also looked light brown, snow-white skin. And jewel-like eyes.

The appearance of Laura, the Second Princess of Spain, was completely identical to the girl I had encountered on the side path of the Academy walkway two days ago.