Yuric finished his morning routine and visited the astrological study. Astrology, much like Curse Studies, was an unpopular field, so the study was located in one of the most remote corners of the floor. It was a place rarely visited by anyone, even by chance.
There were two mages in the study; one was an elderly woman as ancient as Elder Anton, while the other appeared to be a young man around Yuric’s age.
“I am Mage Yuric. I’ve come to ask about constellations.”
“Constellations?”
Experts in astrology had profound knowledge of celestial movements, and naturally, they would also be well-versed in constellations.
The young man first ushered Yuric inside and carefully examined the three points he had mapped.
“Is this all you have?”
“Yes, that’s all I know.”
If these three points were part of a larger constellation, further comparisons would be necessary to identify it. Given the vast number of constellations, the young man seemed hesitant to make any quick conclusions.
“There is a constellation made up of three points, but judging by the shape and distances, it seems unlikely. These points likely form part of a larger constellation.”
“I see.”
“Just a moment.”
The young man fetched a thick book on constellations and quickly narrowed down a few options. Through more precise comparisons, he identified a constellation whose partial pattern perfectly matched the three points.
“It precisely matches three out of the four stars in the Unicorn constellation.”
Ah.
Yuric had been slightly worried that he might have guessed wrong, but fortunately, his speculation seemed correct.
Yuric thanked the young man profusely with deep bows before leaving the study and rushing to the library in the southern hall to pull books related to constellations.
As the young man had said, three of the four stars in the Unicorn constellation matched exactly. Of course, this was undoubtedly a clue meticulously placed by Dural the treasure-seeking mage.
“So, does the remaining point signify the location of the treasure?”
It was highly probable, but still not definitive.
Yuric marked the location corresponding to the final star on the map and connected the dots sequentially with his finger.
Starting from the Magic City of Bemberg on the lake,
then through the city of Ronadium, known for its mage towers,
and passing by the city of Eulmash, home to the Holy-Mage Order,
to the final point.
His finger stopped near the region around the Western city [Chiazhand].
After finishing his research, Yuric returned to the study and sought out Gerbus. Since Gerbus had traveled extensively in the west, he would surely know where Yuric had indicated.
“Here?”
After a brief moment of deep thought, Gerbus mentioned a name.
“If it’s near Chiazhand… perhaps the Stormy Hills.”
“The Stormy Hills?”
“The locals call it that because of the constant fierce winds. I don’t know much beyond that.”
After learning the name, Yuric went to the history research room to inquire about the Stormy Hills but, unfortunately, no one knew much about the place.
Concluding that he would need to visit the area and speak directly with the locals of Chiazhand, Yuric decided to wrap up his investigation of the clues for now. He set aside thoughts of the treasure and returned to his daily life.
Thanks to living in the Curse Studies laboratory, Yuric managed to save significantly on accommodation expenses, though he couldn’t avoid spending on food, clothing, and other necessities. Despite managing carefully with the money he had accumulated so far, his purse was nearly empty.
While searching for work in the city, Yuric discovered that there were quite a few opportunities for artists in the western region, fitting for an area known for its arts.
Both skilled in sculpture and painting, Yuric was often called upon for various tasks. There was the carving of marble statues of heroes commissioned by the Council of Elders of the Holy-Mage Order, portrait commissions from vacationing nobles in the west, and bust-making jobs.
Though these commissions didn’t pay as much as being hired as a mercenary for expeditions, it was enough to comfortably cover his living expenses.
Yuric spent four days a week traveling between prominent families, painting portraits of esteemed individuals. Intelligent, courteous, and of excellent character, Yuric quickly earned people’s favor. As portraiture required detailed coloring, Yuric frequently visited the estates, where he was warmly welcomed each time.
Of course, there were occasionally rude individuals, but Yuric did not let their behavior dampen his spirits or kindness.
In particular, two people showed special favor towards Yuric: Mrs. Polo of the wealthy merchant family Polo, and Baron Altad.
Mrs. Polo loved Yuric’s paintings, praising them for their charm and romanticism. Yuric gifted her several paintings, though she tried to pay him for them, which he politely declined. In return, she paid double the agreed fee for his commissioned portraits.
Baron Altad, a noble who had come to the west for vacation from the central region, was deeply moved by Yuric’s attentiveness and kindness, qualities lacking in his own distant grandchildren. Feeling sympathy for Altad, who was alone in the west, Yuric often visited the estate outside of portrait sessions, sharing lunch or dinner with him.
The baron, too, was an art lover and never spared praise for Yuric’s work. Consequently, Yuric gifted the baron several paintings, again without charge. For Yuric, seeing the baron’s joy at receiving the gifts was reward enough.
As Yuric spent the hot summer engaged in both magical studies and artistic work, almost forgetting about the treasure, a reply finally arrived. The reply came in the form of Niruin Golden Hand’s personal visit. Though the distance between Niruin’s city and the west was considerable, his eagerness for the treasure likely prompted the journey.
Upon hearing that Lord Niruin Schlippen had arrived, Yuric immediately headed to the estate where he was staying. Though weary from the long journey, Niruin’s face lit up with joy upon seeing Yuric, despite signs of fatigue.
“Yuric! How long has it been!”
It had been nearly two years since their parting in the city of the Mage Tower when they reunited in a warm embrace. Though excited about the treasure, Niruin was genuinely pleased to see Yuric.
“How have you been?”
“Eating well and sleeping soundly keeps one healthy.”
“That is truly fortunate, Your Grace.”
The two clasped hands tightly and exchanged stories about how they had been.
“I received your letter promptly and departed immediately. One simply cannot resist such excitement!”
Treasure-hungry Niruin could hardly contain his excitement upon receiving a letter revealing a crucial clue to the treasure map!
“You said there might be clues here, so I sent several people to search already, but ultimately, it was you who found it.”
“Luck was on my side.”
At this, Golden Hand burst into hearty laughter.
“Now, now, my friend. Luck may strike once, but to discover it thrice and still call it luck? Come now!”
Niruin then leaned forward slightly and asked Yuric where he had found the third symbol.
As the sun was setting, Yuric led Niruin to the square to show him personally, accompanied by a Bodyguard Knight and Personal Mage.
With the long summer days, they conversed in the square until night fell.
Yuric held a violet magic orb and approached the angel statue by the fountain, placing the orb in its hand. The bright light emanating from the orb illuminated the statues of heroes at the edge of the square while casting deep shadows behind them. Then Yuric walked over to Jadlot Sevirus’ statue.
Niruin confirmed through the treasure map displayed by Mage Nero that a portion of the statue’s shadow matched the final third symbol. Upon seeing this, Niruin shivered with excitement.
“Finally, we’ve found them all…!”
Bemberg, Ronadium, and Eulmash.
Personal Mage Nero mentally connected the three cities and realized that the resulting shape did not match the equilateral triangle depicted on the treasure map.
Yuric, who had pondered this problem for a long time, nodded with a faint smile.
“Shall we return to the estate?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
The four returned to the estate. Niruin Golden Hand, invigorated by excitement, seemed to have forgotten his weariness entirely. His curiosity about Yuric’s findings was palpable.
“Well, tell me quickly. This old man is dying of suspense!”
Yuric pulled out a map of the continent and laid it on the table. Three points marking Bemberg, Ronadium, and Eulmash were visible.
“As you all know, we found clues in these three magic cities. However, the shape formed by the three symbols is an equilateral triangle. I was stumped by this discrepancy as well since connecting the three cities clearly doesn’t form an equilateral triangle.”
“Indeed, it’s completely different from what’s shown on the treasure map.”
“I thought about it for a long time until I stumbled upon a clue.”
“How?”
Yuric gestured toward the window.
“Could you take a look outside?”
Together, they approached the window. When Yuric opened it, the beautiful twinkling stars of the night sky were revealed.
Still, Niruin Golden Hand looked perplexed.
Then Yuric pointed upward with his finger.
“I began to wonder if these points might represent constellations.”
—!
Only then did the others understand Yuric’s intention.
Yuric pulled a piece of paper with a drawn constellation from a tube and placed it on the table.
“This is the Unicorn constellation, visible during winter.”
“…It really does resemble it!”
Niruin realized that three out of the four stars in the Unicorn constellation closely matched the points marked on the map. He marveled at Yuric’s ingenuity in discovering and deducing this.
“Whether it was Dural who created this or you who figured it out… I can’t even begin to imagine such brilliance. Anyway, does that point indicate the location of the treasure?”
“It’s highly probable, but we cannot confirm anything until we go and check. It might just be another clue leading to the actual site.”
“And where is that place?”
“It’s called the Stormy Hills, near the Western city of Chiazhand.”
“Chiazhand…”
Golden Hand’s eyes burned hotter than ever.
“We’re almost there.”
“Yes.”
“Yuric, it’s all thanks to you. Let us together seek out Dural’s treasure!”
Niruin extended his hand to Yuric like an adventurous child, smiling brightly.
Yuric firmly grasped his hand and replied.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
