Chapter 64: The Key

“How did you get this?!”

Vivilian gripped Vellandelle’s shoulders tightly, her eyes unable to hide her excitement.

“A guy who looked like a cultist gave it to me…”

Although she didn’t understand why the teacher was so agitated, Vellandelle still explained again.

“Location.”

“What?”

“I said, where did you get the key?”

So that’s what she was asking.

Back then, it was the first time she met Gloria, and at that time she was sitting in Seleste’s carriage during a break.

It was in a small town in the Fireo Kingdom, after leaving the Kerrit Kingdom.

“On a small town at the Fireo border.”

“The west?”

“Yes, the west.”

Vivilian took a deep breath.

What a coincidence, really too much of a coincidence.

Vellandelle picked up the key and just happened to become her student.

This year was her first time as a teacher, the Academy discovered the Remnants, and this dungeon just happened to be assigned to her.

It was as if something was destined.

On this continent, coincidences were the most taboo.

Although Vivilian was pure-hearted, as a teacher of Aurora Academy, she deeply understood this principle.

The more coincidental something seemed, the more careful one had to be.

Because everything destined might just be part of a carefully crafted plan.

“Student Vellandelle, I will ask carefully from here on, please do not hide anything.”

Vivilian’s expression suddenly became solemn, making Vellandelle momentarily confused.

“Okay, please ask.”

“First, I need to know, have you ever come into contact with matters related to Ancient Faran before?”

“I’ve read some ancient books. Does that count?”

“That doesn’t count. Then I’ll ask the next question. Please describe the exact process of how you obtained the key, and the person who gave it to you.”

“No problem.”

Vellandelle nodded and spoke without hiding anything, though she naturally omitted her male identity at that time.

As Vellandelle recalled, even she herself felt the strangeness of the scene back then.

A black-robed man with blood-red pupils, his entire body exuding a bizarre aura, his eyes filled with something off.

Would a person like that just casually throw her a key with no hidden agenda?

“Teacher, is there a problem with this key?”

“Sigh.”

With a sigh, Vivilian shook her head.

“There’s nothing wrong with the key itself, but its origin is a big problem.”

“Because it is very likely the key needed to open the Remnants.”

“Huh?”

Vellandelle was stunned too.

A key to open the Remnants? This key? Such a coincidence?

“Forget it. Since things have come to this, there’s no reason to give up a key in hand. I’ll go back and prepare thoroughly. Of course, it’s not one hundred percent certain that this is a Relic Key, but based on its unique shape, structure, and the location where it was obtained, that’s the inference.”

“If it really is the key to the Remnants, we might have to be prepared to stay there for a few days.”

“Understood.”

Vellandelle nodded.

She was also thinking in her heart.

In the game, she had never heard of this Remnant.

Could it be that it was simply because there was no way to open it?

Then how did she get the key now?

She and Rosasys were sitting in the tavern together, but why did she end up with it?

The more she thought about it, the more Vellandelle felt something was off.

“Hopefully, I’m just overthinking.”

She whispered softly and stopped thinking about it.

***

Not long after, Vellandelle walked out from the teacher’s office.

A familiar figure caught her eye from a distance.

“We meet again, Miss Vellandelle~.”

“Yes, hello, Miss Gloria.”

That’s right, the person in front of her was Gloria.

Come to think of it, besides Rosasys and Kelosha, Gloria was probably the person she saw most often.

It had become common for her to deliberately wait in the teaching area like this.

“Did you meet Rosasys and the others?”

“Yes, they still have class. Rosasys said you don’t need to wait for her. She’s going to work after class.”

Gloria wasn’t the type to wait here without reason.

She must have met with Rosasys and Kelosha beforehand and knew Vellandelle was here too.

As for her words? Not waiting for Rosasys…

Foolish. How could she not wait?

Not to mention waiting for her, there was also Kelosha.

Although more reliable now, she was still a fool at heart and needed to be led.

“Of course, given Miss Vellandelle’s level of thoughtfulness, I didn’t think you wouldn’t wait for them. Am I right?”

“I will wait, but Miss Gloria, you don’t need to praise me so much. I’m just an ordinary person.”

“You are anything but ordinary.”

“Then tell me what’s so extraordinary about me?”

Vellandelle couldn’t help but smile. She was curious about how Gloria would praise her.

“You are the Crown Princess Consort of Cret.”

Crown Princess Consort?

Vellandelle didn’t react at first, hesitated for a moment, then realized what Gloria meant.

Wasn’t Gloria the Princess of Crete Kingdom?

A designated consort meant she was the one who designated her.

Good grief, this sickly woman is flirting with her again?

“Miss Gloria is joking. I’m just a country girl.”

“Miss Vellandelle, I don’t mind. Actually, you don’t have to tire yourself out working every day. I can support you.”

This wasn’t the first time Gloria had brought up her desire to support her, and as always, Vellandelle firmly refused.

“No need, Miss Gloria. Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll earn my own way.”

So said Miss Vellandelle.

It was well known that people liked being supported by rich women, but Vellandelle had two dislikes.

One was being supported by Seleste—don’t ask why, she just didn’t like it.

The other was being supported by Gloria. As for this?

Perhaps it was necessary to consider the fate of the Banshees who were captured by Gloria to become blood servants.

In the later stages of the game, after the Banshees became wanderers, many were captured by the Blood God Cultists for bloodsucking.

Gloria was definitely among the most notorious, pathological among the pathological—not only sucking, but also playing with ball gags, wax, whips…

Even the places she bit weren’t proper…

It could be said that the main reason Seleste didn’t suffer after conquering Gloria was that the Banshees were left for Gloria to vent on.

“Hmph, your warm-up is so long today. If you have something to say, say it.”

“Miss Vellandelle, you truly understand me. It’s like this—my Bloodthirst for Vellandelle is acting up. Could you please satisfy me?”

A sickly blush appeared on Gloria’s face.

Such wolfish words left Vellandelle stunned.

No, what the heck is a Bloodthirst for Vellandelle? What does it mean to satisfy you?

“What are you saying? Can you explain what Bloodthirst for Vellandelle means?”

Vellandelle’s lips twitched.

“Ah, sorry, Miss Vellandelle. It’s a condition I named myself—Bloodthirst for Vellandelle is the craving for Vellandelle’s blood.”

“Can I take a sip? It’s been a week, I really can’t endure it anymore.”

Gloria’s smile was tinged with desperation.

She truly couldn’t bear it any longer, so she was bold.

If she could endure, she definitely would have.

“Fine, have a sip. Anyway, you won’t see me for a few days…”

Rolling up her sleeve, Vellandelle extended her pale arm, signaling her to bite.

“Awoo…”

Blood gleamed in Gloria’s eyes.

Without another word, she bit down fiercely on Vellandelle’s arm.

The pain made Vellandelle cry out.

“Hiss… It hurts, be gentle.”