I thought that was fairly good acting.
Was this her reaction to the fact that I talked about the existence of something that no one but herself should know?
I shook my head and continued.
"It's no use even if you act like that. How do you think I know the name of that ring?"
"No, I really do not know what you're talking about…"
"Asher, if she takes nothing out before I count to three, cut her throat."
Asher immediately drew her sword.
"One."
I crossed my arms and started counting.
And before the count of two, her mouth opened again. With a confused gaze, showing that she didn't understand what was happening.
"…What the hell is this? How do you even know about the artifact that I have?"
I shrugged.
"That's not really important, is it? Just take it out."
In the golden age of ancient magic, they said that all kinds of magic existed.
A stigma ring, an ancient artifact that could leave a magical mark on someone that any means couldn't erase.
And the owner of the ring could locate the branded target no matter how far away they were.
I remembered the Shadow used this artifact in the game before.
She hesitated with a more determined expression.
Aside from how I knew of the existence of the stigma ring, she couldn't have guessed why I asked her to take it out at this moment.
"I'm tired of warning you again and again. Are you really planning to die like this?"
"…"
In the end, she was almost in tears and had no choice but to take out the ring from the bosom of her robe.
I took the ring she took out and looked at it.
It was an old, dirty silver ring with a small hexagonal pattern engraved in the middle.
"Here."
When I handed it to Asher, she accepted it with a puzzled face.
I couldn't activate the ability of the artifact because I didn't have magic power.
If you inject magical power, you will activate the artifact's ability.
"Ah, yes."
Although Asher seemed puzzled why she had to do it herself, she did not ask further and just injected magic into the ring.
Then, a purple light radiated softly from the hexagonal pattern engraved on the ring.
I turned my gaze to the Shadow.
"Where would you like to be branded?"
"…Wrist."
She held out one arm weakly, looking extremely reluctant.
Asher took the ring that radiated with light and stamped it on her wrist. Then, according to the pattern of the ring, a purple hexagonal pattern was engraved.
I took the ring from Asher again and examined it.
A thin, faint beam of light emanated from the ring, pointing exactly where she was.
Good.
This result satisfied me.
Now I could locate her no matter where or how far away she was.
In short, she was in a position where she could not escape from me for the rest of her life.
That magical brand would stay with her forever until I used it on another target.
I said to her, who was staring blankly at the brand on her wrist.
"Don't feel too down. I swear I won't kill you if you do what I ask you to do. I would even give you your ring back."
She replied in a sharp voice.
"Do I have a choice? What do you want?"
"It's information gathering."
The first thing I ordered was related to the terrorism in the Santea Empire's capital.
The Mystery of Possession, which I had previously failed to get in Hallmenta. A terrible disaster caused by the villain who got that mystery.
First, the unit of damage was the biggest disaster among future events I knew, so I thought to investigate that first.
Anyway, after this, I got myself one very good informant.
***
At my request, she immediately left for Santea to investigate.
I suddenly felt like I was making threats here and there lately, just like the situation with the Thunder Lord.
But what could I do? I was just trying my best for a peaceful future.
Time continued to pass.
Reef was formally knighted, and Rigon continued his explosive growth and reached level 26. Asher continued to teach the two siblings diligently while not neglecting her training.
As usual, I was sitting in my room reading a book, and then I received news from the Overlord's castle.
Are we leaving in three days?
Now was the time for us to move to a neutral country for the conference.
After I finished my preparations, I got ready to fly to the Overlord's castle with Ti-Yong.
"You just have to remain in the castle and continue to focus on guiding the siblings."
Rigon's growth was unusual, so this time he didn't dare to take Asher and left er in the castle, but…
"I want to go with you, Sir Ron."
I looked back at her, a little surprised.
It was the first time she had asserted her will against my orders.
Is it because of Santea?
This meeting was a place to discuss the conflict between the two neutral countries and directly face the royal family of Santea.
I looked at her, saw her head lowered, and said.
"Okay. Then, I'll let you accompany me."
So, I took Asher and headed to the cage where Ti-Yong was.
I had already ordered the servants to ready the saddles.
Purr.
I stroked the neck of the guy who was still pushing its head in, and climbed on its back with Asher.
It seemed displeased with the fact that another person was riding its back, but after whining and shaking its body a few times, it didn't make a fuss any more.
"Safe travels, my lord."
"Yes."
After receiving the butler's farewell, I tapped Ti-Yong.
It flapped its wings with a mighty roar and soared into the sky.