"Open it right here in public?" Roland glanced around. A crowd of curious onlookers had already gathered.

"No worries," Miles said with a chuckle. "My dad’s an earl and connected to the royal court. No one would dare lay a finger on me." He gestured to Martin, ready to open the chest.

Just then, Silva tugged Roland’s sleeve and extended her slender hand toward him.

"Huh? Aren’t I already holding one of your hands?" Roland blinked in confusion.

"I want you to see my Spatial Bracelet." Silva shook her wrist. Only then did Roland notice the silver bracelet circling it.

The Spatial Bracelet—an expensive Arcane Gear—looked like an ordinary bracelet but held a private storage space within.

"I know you're a wealthy, beautiful girl," Roland said, "but what's so special about it?"

A silver flash shimmered from the bracelet. In an instant, a coat materialized in her palm.

"Here. Your coat." Silva smiled sweetly.

Roland’s heart skipped. *She stored it in her Spatial Bracelet all along—that’s why I couldn’t find it for a month.*

He reached for it, then froze at the playful glint in her eyes. "You’re just giving it back? No strings attached?"

"Of course there are conditions," Silva said, her smile turning mischievous. "First: never use anything inside the coat to escape. Second: no running during our capital tour. Third… you must call me ‘wife’ every single day."

Roland snatched his hand back. "Keep it. I don’t want it."

"W-what if we drop the last one?" Silva feigned hesitation.

"Deal." Roland didn’t hesitate. *I can break the seal with any magical item—no need for the coat. Once we return to the palace after the tour, escaping will be easy.*

Proud of his flawless plan, Roland failed to notice he’d already stepped into her trap.

"Very well. I trust you won’t break your word." Silva handed him the coat with a triumphant smirk.

Roland slipped it on, a faint unease prickling his skin—but before he could pinpoint why, Miles and Martin heaved open their chest.

Golden light spilled out, gilding the entire street. The radiant beam shot skyward, dazzling onlookers blind. People blocks away saw the glow; from afar, it looked like a pillar of light piercing the clouds.

"A golden legendary? This guy’s a total luck god!" Roland shielded his eyes, squinting through his fingers—only blinding gold met his gaze.

When the light finally faded, the crowd murmured in awe, convinced unimaginable riches lay within. Some eyes gleamed with greed—but Miles was the earl’s son, and his guards looked anything but harmless. Most quickly buried their thoughts.

"What *is* in there?" Roland asked, genuinely curious. Silva mirrored his expression. "I’ve never seen a treasure make such a flashy entrance. Could that light really be a divine artifact’s birth effect?"

"Oh, *that* light?" Miles rubbed his neck awkwardly. "I pre-set a light magic spell… to highlight our wealth’s prestige."

The crowd fell into stunned silence.

"...Well, it *does* make it seem more impressive," Roland admitted reluctantly.

"Right?" Miles beamed. He carefully lifted a small statue from the chest.

It depicted a woman with arms outstretched, face solemn. A faint sacred glow haloed the figure. The moment it emerged, a serene warmth washed over everyone—like standing beside a roaring hearth on a freezing winter night.

"T-this is a statue of the Goddess of Creation!" Miles announced proudly.

Gasps erupted. Many dropped to their knees, trembling as they chanted prayers.

The Goddess of Creation—the sole deity who forged the world. Legends claimed the Holy Maiden of the Creation Temple could commune with her, wield fragments of divine power, even summon her presence. To most, she was no myth, but truth. Faith flowed through the kneeling crowd.

Miles held the statue high, satisfaction glowing on his face. "Its value speaks for itself. But the true treasure is its story—a father who abandoned power and status to save his daughter…"

He opened his mouth to continue—

—and froze.

Roland reached into his coat pocket, rummaged briefly, and pulled out an identical statue of the Goddess of Creation.

Slightly larger. Perfectly detailed.

The crowd: "..."