Time Healer Ceres - Chapter 55

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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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Even that much was the fruit of Grace’s effort, pressing him to practice his penmanship diligently since childhood.
In the beginning, no one could read the characters he’d written.
“…….”
The letter, spanning many pages, held countless stories within it.
Events that had unfolded after her death.
And…….
“…Was it you?”
It would have been a lie to say she wasn’t curious.
How could she not want to know why she, who had faced death, had awakened through this child’s body—and why she had skipped over three hundred years to do so?
“Now I understand.”
It was through Artia’s magic.
「I don’t know how long it will take, but it will definitely happen.」
Artia had used Forbidden Ancient Magic to imprison Grace’s soul within her dead body.
And when a body that perfectly matched the soul appeared, she had woven magic that would allow the soul to find its vessel on its own.
「Even when it comes time for me to die, it hasn’t appeared yet, so it seems it will take longer…….
But still, it’s fortunate, right? Even without me, at least one person will be by your side.」
…You must be talking about Kainel.
「I didn’t tell that fool about this because I found it hilarious how he acted when you died.
He’s even keeping your corpse, so when he sees your lifeless body crumble to dust the moment your soul departs—he’ll be absolutely terrified, won’t he?」
…Artia, you really are something.
“Sigh.”
Imagining Artia giggling to herself as she wrote this letter, Seres released a short breath.
How have you all remained unchanged even as ages have passed?
「But I’m grateful.」
“…….”
「Because that fool will be there for you.」
…That much hadn’t changed either.
Even as they fought frantically every other day, in crucial moments they were the two who trusted each other more than anyone else.
「Of course, you will never reveal that you are Grace.」
The problem with these two was that they knew me far too well.
Look at this—they know everything as if they were right beside me.
「But don’t worry. That fool will definitely find you.」
“What?”
…Where does this confidence come from? What are you basing this on?
Seres responded with a slightly strained voice.
“I’m sorry, Artia, but you’re wrong about that one thing.”
Kainel never recognized me.
It was only natural—not only had my appearance changed completely, but I had jumped across three hundred years.
Yet Artia seemed to think differently.
「I’m sure of it. So don’t be too lonely without me.」
Reading Artia’s confident words, Seres let out a quiet laugh.
Come to think of it, this fool seems to trust Kainel more than I do.
「Take care. Grace… or rather, my friend now living a new life.」
“…….”
「Live true to yourself in this life as you always have.」
The letter ended there.
Having finished reading the lengthy message, Seres exhaled deeply.
“Now I can’t even resent her.”
When she first awoke in this body, she had hurled every curse she could think of toward the heavens.
Why had she been brought back to life?
Why had someone who had steeled herself and died gracefully been brought back again?
‘But…….’
It had all been Artia’s doing.
How could she resent him when he had used even Forbidden Magic for her sake?
Seres carefully folded the letter in her hands and tucked it into her bosom.
The final letter Artia had left behind.
As the Lunaria Flowers danced with each breeze, she remained there in silence for a long while.
* * *
‘How many hours has it been now?’
The clock struck three in the morning.
High up in a sprawling tree that overlooked a small, pristine white building, a figure lay hidden in the dense shadows, their presence carefully concealed.
The man, dressed entirely in black from head to toe, had been waiting endless hours for Seres—who had slipped inside two hours ago—to emerge.
“What’s taking so long in there? She said she wasn’t even a mage, so why’d she go in?”
The man let out a silent sigh of frustration, then suppressed his aura further and fixed his attention on the building below.
‘Ah.’
Twenty minutes more crept by before the woman finally stepped outside.
‘What’s that?’
A flower?
The man, who had been watching Seres, caught sight of a single pristine white blossom held in her hand and tilted his head in confusion.
She hadn’t been carrying anything when she went in—did she pick it up from inside the tower?
Whoosh.
“……!”
Abruptly, Seres stopped in her tracks, and her gaze swept directly toward his hiding place, causing the man to flinch and compress his presence even further.
‘Damn…….’
He’d lost count of how many times this had happened now.
He’d been tailing her for over two weeks on orders from above.
Yet moments like this kept happening—she’d suddenly look directly toward him as if she could sense his aura.
Each time, his heart would clench involuntarily.
Could she actually be reading his presence?
‘No, that’s impossible…….’
She was an ordinary person. There was no way someone with her skill level could detect his presence—not when he’d managed to slip past the Arcane Tower’s barriers undetected.
‘She’s moving on again.’
This persistent uncertainty stemmed from the way she’d simply turn and walk away each time, as if she’d seen nothing at all.
The man, Ben, felt a dull ache behind his eyes.
He couldn’t get a read on her at all.
“Just what kind of woman is she?”
According to the intelligence, she was nothing more than an ordinary young noblewoman from a family that was already nearly ruined.
‘Where in the world did that come from?’
Sky—the intelligence organization.
A pompous name, supposedly meaning that all information beneath the heavens could be obtained, or some such nonsense.
Personally, he found the name rather juvenile, but what mattered was that Sky was the continent’s—no, the empire’s—foremost information network.
Not everyone with money could submit a request, and those in power weren’t automatically granted commissions either.
Yet that very organization had been thrown into chaos not long ago when this woman had placed a request.
Or rather, it wasn’t the request itself—it was the Black Key she’d brought with her.
‘Whoever holds that key has their requests granted unconditionally.’
‘Why would that be?’
‘It’s our organization’s first rule.’
‘But you didn’t even accept a fee. Are you sure that’s allowed?’
‘It’s our organization’s first rule.’
…Such a frustratingly identical answer. The person asking had gotten on his nerves.
In any case, the request she’d made upon presenting the key had turned out simpler than expected.
‘Spread one rumor for me.’
Her commission was merely to circulate a rumor—one concerning the head of House Elrsia—as quickly as possible.
‘And soon after, the house head of Elrsia changed.’
Following that incident, the organization had issued an order.
Investigate everything about the woman who held the Black Key—Seres Drough.
‘I must not be discovered under any circumstances.’
‘If she were to notice something about you…….’
‘How could she? Do you not know my skill level? I’m the organization’s best operative.’
‘Still, there’s a possibility of——’
‘No chance of discovery.’
‘Listen, kid. I’m only saying this because——’
‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘…I don’t know about this one. If you do get caught, you follow her every word without question. Don’t even think about resisting.’
‘Don’t worry, don’t worry. I absolutely won’t be discovered.’
‘…You’re sure you haven’t been found out?’
He’d boasted so confidently before setting out…….
Yet here he was, still dogging her steps.
How much longer would this assignment last?
“Sigh.”
Ben watched Seres disappear into the distance, then quietly fell back into step behind her.
Chapter 16. The Training Ground
“Sister, what is this?”
“A key.”
“What kind of key? What does it open?”
“Information.”
“Information?”
After being away for so long, Seres had returned home to find Yulia glued to her side, inseparable. She stroked the girl’s hair absently while sipping her tea.
Yulia rummaged through her bag like a child on a treasure hunt, and Seres found the sight amusing.
The doll Chaien had given her hadn’t warranted even a glance, yet here she was, fascinated by the Black Key.
“It’s a key I use when I need certain information.”
Seres took the key back from Yulia’s hand and smiled faintly.
A memory surfaced—the time not long ago when she’d carried this key to the information organization Sky.
‘Is this real?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is this actually real?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is this actually re—’
‘Ask one more time.’
‘If… I ask again, what happens?’
‘If you’re curious what happens, ask.’
……
It had taken exactly ten minutes from showing the Black Key to meeting the head of Sky.
Fortunately, the Black Key was still valid.

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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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