I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 68

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 68
Artifacts—mysterious objects capable of containing Ability Users’ powers.
Though revolutionary in allowing even those without Abilities to wield them, three reasons prevented their widespread adoption.
First, the number of alchemists capable of containing Abilities was extremely limited, and the stronger the original ability, the more difficult the crafting became.
Second, unless the Ability was exceptionally potent, it could not be fully contained; even when successful, the power would weaken or the number of uses would be restricted in most cases.
Third, because the Empire’s citizens revered Abilities as sacred, those with powerful Abilities rarely sold or provided them.
Consequently, artifacts were regarded in society as even more luxurious than gold.
‘The artifact that tracked Claire at the harbor before will likely exhaust its power after one more use.’
Had artifacts been producible in abundance, Iris’s position would be vastly different now. Wielding Abilities was truly a difficult endeavor.
“This way.”
Victor guided them to a private chamber within the workshop. Three items lay upon a stone table.
“Quite a collection.”
“Indeed.”
Though artifacts lacked practical utility, they were not unpopular. The wealthy without Abilities sought them. Nouveau riche eager to flaunt their wealth. Elderly nobles with collecting obsessions.
The mere novelty of containing an Ability drew countless seekers to artifacts.
“I heard most are auctioned off immediately upon completion.”
“That is typically the case. However, since Her Majesty the Empress personally requested them, I gathered as many as possible.”
Iris gave Claire’s back a light push, as if encouraging her to choose freely. She clearly understood that Claire’s role at the hunting grounds that day had been far more than mere support.
“This bottle-shaped object grants pleasant dreams. Sprinkle it near the head of a sleeping person, and they may see their beloved in their dreams—though regrettably, it is single-use.”
But dreams were not reality; they only deepened longing. Claire turned her attention to the next item.
“This is a defensive artifact. Wearing this brooch will shield you from most impacts. However, it can withstand a maximum of two strikes.”
Theodore found the second item appealing. Claire was naturally formidable, yet tragedy could strike in an instant.
“Finally, this one affects the skin—”
After hearing all the explanations, Claire remained motionless.
“Nothing appeals to you?”
At Theodore’s question, Claire shook her head. It was the opposite. It was not that nothing appealed to her.
“May I choose something outside this table?”
“I beg your pardon? But these are the only artifacts available.”
“I wish to have that one.”
Claire pointed to a box on the floor overflowing with miscellaneous items and approached it. Atop the pile lay a single necklace adorned with a teardrop-shaped blue artificial gemstone.
“I wish to have this.”
As Claire lifted it and spoke, Victor responded with evident discomfort.
“Ah, that is already a used item. Its power has been completely exhausted, leaving only the shell—an antique I’ve been collecting as future material.”
Yet Claire showed no sign of changing her mind, meeting his gaze as she spoke once more.
“That is fine. I wish to have this.”
“Claire?”
It was rare for Claire to openly express desire for something. Theodore regarded her with undisguised curiosity.
“Take it.”
“Your Majesty!”
Watching Claire cradle the necklace tenderly, Iris spoke with maternal affection.
“It’s useless now anyway. Take that, and please take this as well.”
She retrieved the defensive brooch that Theodore had been eyeing and placed it into his arms.
Theodore accepted it with a bewildered expression, then his face hardened. No matter how grateful he felt toward Claire, the reward was far too generous.
‘If I’m not careful, House Voltier might be suspected of siding with Prince Elliot’s Faction.’
But Iris, as if understanding Theodore’s anxiety, continued speaking calmly.
“Our meeting was conducted in secret, so you need not worry. Furthermore, accepting these items does not place me in your debt. Please consider it merely a mother’s gratitude for protecting her child.”
Unlike in the Imperial Palace where she had always lived under Bianca’s shadow, her gaze was now resolute and direct. Reading sincerity in those eyes, both Theodore and Claire bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude once more.
“Are you truly certain about giving us the Forest Brooch?”
After the two departed, Victor spoke with concern as he and Iris remained alone in the Workshop.
“That artifact was specially crafted by the previous generation for Her Majesty’s safety—it is a supreme-grade artifact. How could you part with it, regardless of the merits accrued?”
“Hush now. Say no more. I have simply given a proper recompense.”
She spoke thus while gazing at the place where the necklace had been.
‘How did they recognize that object and take it with them?’
“Fate is always remarkable.”
With that quiet reflection, she turned her steps to return to the Imperial Palace where Elliot awaited.
‘Ian, since you saved my child, I hope this brooch will now protect yours.’
* * *
“Claire, what is that thing? Is it a keepsake from your parents?”
At his words, Claire, who had been carefully cradling the necklace in both hands even as they rode in the carriage, nodded.
“Yes, it could certainly be considered a keepsake.”
Claire carefully opened her hands to reveal a bluish necklace.
“The ability contained within this object resembles my father’s ability.”
“What?”
Claire cautiously channeled her enhancement ability into the necklace.
The necklace, which had appeared to be completely depleted and lifeless, suddenly gleamed, and a soft luminescence rippled across it like the reflection of moonlight on a pond.
“It appears nearly exhausted, but some remains. Now that I’ve amplified it, I can tell for certain. This is unmistakably my father’s essence.”
A deep longing washed across Claire’s face as she spoke.
I could not fathom why Ian had cooperated in creating this artifact. Before leaving the Workshop, I had asked Victor about it in passing, but received only a vague answer that he wasn’t certain since he hadn’t made it himself.
‘But that’s enough. I found a trace of Father.’
The gentle presence I thought I would never feel again lingered faintly. That alone was enough to warm Claire’s heart.
‘An absurd ability.’
Meanwhile, Theodore’s expression darkened.
‘An ability that works not just on people, but on artifacts as well.’
It was not merely an attractive ability for Ability Users who pursued greater power. Even a worthless, low-grade artifact could be reborn as a dangerous lethal weapon upon encountering her ability.
If such versatility became known to the world, it was easy to predict what dangers would befall her.
‘I must become stronger and wiser. Strong enough to protect everyone.’
A fierce determination kindled in his eyes.
“Now that I think about it, something is strange.”
“Hmm?”
“Artifacts can barely hold a single ability, and even that exhausts itself after one or two uses, or so you said. Yet Gregory…”
She was no alchemist. She had never possessed an ability in the first place.
How could someone without such gifts have drawn forth the ability of the dead and wielded it as her own?
‘An accomplice. Or perhaps someone far greater than Gregory stands behind all of this. Umbra is not merely Gregory—it cannot be.’
Ludwig’s resolute voice echoed in my memory, spoken before I departed for the Convent.
“You’re right. Capturing Gregory won’t be the end of this. There must be someone orchestrating events within Umbra. Finding that person comes first.”
I glanced down at the necklace bearing Ian’s traces, then met Theodore’s gaze once more. Gregory had already known of Ian and Bianca.
‘They must have met before.’
Umbra was far more than merely House Voltier’s adversary. A far greater thread of fate was woven between us and them.
As I carefully wiped the necklace, Rozina’s face flickered through my mind.
‘Gregory knew my father. If that’s true… the Lloyd Family. Do they know of Gregory?’
I could delay no longer. The time had come to confront Lloyd.
“The head of the Lloyd Family will attend the ball in a few days, won’t he?”
Theodore fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
“He will.”
I wrapped the necklace carefully in a handkerchief and tucked it into my bodice. The day was set—the first time since birth I would meet a blood relative beyond my parents.
I felt no joy about it.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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