Sakrolish.
In the dragon tongue, “Sak” meant “the ultimate, the most exalted, the greatest,” and “Rolish” meant “a deeply hidden treasure, a secret, a key element.” Combined, it was commonly known to the world as the “Great Secret Treasure.” True to its name, it was the most precious treasure in the world, without equal.
Many valuable things existed in the world, and countless legendary treasures abounded, but none was universally acknowledged as the most precious. For example, an inexhaustible supply of gold coins was priceless to common folk, yet to monks detached from worldly desires, it was nothing but filthy metal. A divine bow that could shoot down stars was an exquisite artifact for archers, but to swordsmen, it was merely a pretty decoration. That was the truth: one person’s greatest treasure might be mere clutter or even trash to another.
But only one thing could absolutely fulfill anyone’s wish—the “Great Secret Treasure.”
It possessed a miraculous property no one could explain: when unclaimed, it remained amorphous; once obtained, it transformed into whatever its owner desired and solidified accordingly. A swordsman could turn it into an unparalleled divine blade; a pauper could make it the rarest jewel on earth; a plague-ridden soul could shape it into a cure-all elixir. It was truly omnipotent. Even more miraculously, the item it became held real power—a divine sword would not only gleam beautifully but wield godlike strength.
Thus, everyone in the world coveted it.
No one knew exactly how many Great Secret Treasures existed. Only this was certain: they were extremely rare. Once revealed, they sparked fierce struggles across all classes—from street thugs to royal kin—igniting endless bloodshed. Today’s few confirmed owners were either superpower royal families or supreme powerhouses like Sages and War Emperors at the pyramid’s peak. Ordinary folk who gained one invited only calamity.
Precisely because it was so precious, its existence was no secret. Every mage or Mystic Warrior had heard of it, and even magic-ignorant commoners learned through gossip, imperceptibly amplifying its worth.
“Yes, you heard correctly, and I’m not bluffing. A Great Secret Treasure lies within this mansion—and it’s unclaimed.”
York’s voice echoed through the hall. Everyone listened intently, creating an oppressive silence that made York uneasy.
Generally, once a Great Secret Treasure was claimed and solidified, it stayed that way for ages—even after the owner’s death, it took over a century to revert to amorphous form. Thus, an unclaimed one was far rarer, truly the world’s most precious thing. How precious? If its existence leaked, Arlen Kingdom—a small nation barely centuries old—would likely be annihilated soon. Not just neighbors; even reclusive world-class powerhouses might swarm here to seize it.
To those present, an unclaimed Great Secret Treasure was a legend they’d never glimpse. Yet now, they were told it was right here—
“Th-this… York… I’m confused… but why?”
“Stop stuttering, Lux. I said it’s true.”
“Why didn’t we know?”
“Only the heads of this land’s three great families knew.”
York glanced at Molly.
Molly Zane blinked rapidly, instantly flustered.
“Wait! I… I know nothing! When Father passed the headship to me, he never mentioned it!”
“I believe you. Count Zane probably thought you weren’t ready—he might’ve handed over the position early to train you.”
“Th-then, what about Anhans—”
“He likely doesn’t know either. Same reason.”
“I see… but York, why do you know?”
“I’m the heir. Father trusted my ability enough to share this secret… but don’t dwell on it. I only know it’s hidden here; he never revealed the exact spot, perhaps still hesitant.”
“Um…” Unexpectedly, Nia raised a hand. “…I’m curious. Could you… elaborate?”
“Actually, I’m interested too…” Liliana spoke up. She still looked terrified, but concern for the treasure overrode some fear.
All eyes burned on York. He hesitated, then sighed in surrender.
“These are extraordinary times—I had no choice but to reveal this. Fine, since we’re here, I’ll share more. Over three centuries ago, when Arlen Kingdom broke from a neighboring empire, my Zerah ancestor roamed to quell rebellions. By chance, he found the Great Secret Treasure in Moonfall Valley’s underground ruins. The ancestors of House Florian and House Zane discovered it with him. Thankfully, they were rational—they knew exposing it would bring ruin, yet refused to surrender it to the crown. So…”
“So… they hid the secret together?”
“They sealed the treasure deep in this estate with a barrier. To keep each other in check, the key was split into three parts, passed down by each family’s head… You must have wondered: why do the Zerah main line live in this remote place? Why is this suburban estate so vital? Why are even your birth mothers kept in the city—” (Author’s note: In Arlen Kingdom, high-status nobles may have multiple legal partners.) “—with only main-line children allowed here?”
“……”
“Normally, this knowledge passes only from head to heir. Revealing it breaks a grave taboo—but after what happened, I had no choice. Everything… is to stop the killer. To force him out.”
“Force him out… Brother York, you’re holding back the most crucial detail—the ‘key to the seal.’ What is it?”
“Nerlis… sharp as ever. Yes, the core truth. Molly, when Count Zane made you head, was there a ceremony?”
“Ah, yes! A traditional succession ritual—but just a formality…”
“During it, was there a step like ‘touching the left chest with an object’?”
“This… ah!” Molly paused, then recalled. “Father used the family heirloom staff to lightly touch my left chest—symbolizing engraving the duty to ‘prosper the family’ into my heart.”
“That’s the key: the heart.”
“……Huh?”
“The heart,” York tapped his chest. “The seal’s key exists as a magical engraving—branded on each generation’s family head heart, passed down through blood.”
“When Father died heartless, I suspected. Seeing Anhans also heartless, I’m certain… the killer’s goal is the Great Secret Treasure. He wants all three heads’ hearts—to kill us all and break the seal.”
York declared this.
“He” forced himself to feign ignorance, suppressing his inner turmoil.
Damn it!
Damn it all!
Right—he’d left Clapha’s corpse intact to set this trap and intimidate everyone. One corpse alone couldn’t confirm his true aim to York.
But… Anhans?
Yes—he hadn’t struck personally, but Anhans was his kill.
By plan, Anhans’ heart-ripped corpse should’ve been destroyed too!
Why did it lie untouched?
One corpse wasn’t enough—but with Anhans’ added… York would see everything.
(Damn it…)
