Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 48
âWhat? The more magic it absorbs, the stronger your purification is? Is that even possible?â
Irene was taken aback by what the attendant had just said. A personâs purification ability was constant and unchanging from the moment they were able to summon it. This was a commonly known fact for as long as purifiers have existed in this world.
Occasionally, there have been purifiers who changed their rank, but that was due to errors in their evaluation. And thus, it was common knowledge that a purifierâs power could never change.
But now, here was this artifact that shattered that most basic rule. The conditions werenât even that difficult to achieve. All it took was absorbing magic to increase their purification power. This meant that the more attempts the owner made at purification, the stronger they would become.
âWait, please,â the attendant exclaimed urgently. âUh, I need to report on this!â
He had seen numerous artifacts be appraised in this place. Some conjured fireballs the size of a house, while others could produce a poisonous acid that could melt bones on contact. There were even artifacts that had the power to manipulate time, although it was difficult triggering such items.
To the untrained eye, artifacts like that might be more impressive than this ring. But a longtime attendant in this fortress could tell otherwise. He knew that this newly identified item would have a more significant impact not only on the fortress, but throughout the entire continent.
* * *
âHaahâŚâ
Irene sat down in her chair and let out a long sigh.
Her gaze drifted to the silver band on the ring finger of her right hand. It had been three days since she received the ring from Michael, and in that time, the fortress had been turned upside down.
âWhen I heard about its ability, I thought it didnât make sense, but I didnât expect the ruckus it would cause.â
So far, many artifacts have appeared, but none that directly affected someone’s purification ability. As a result, the fortress’s staff and all the purifiers inside constantly stared at Irene whenever she passed by.
But of course, they didnât just stare.
“I can’t believe you have such an artifact!”
“Um, can I touch it even just this once?”
“A bound artifact? Are you lying because you don’t want it taken away?”
The artifact was met with a variety of reactions. Thankfully, despite them envying Irene, it wasnât all just ill will and jealousy.
âSir Michael goes to the dungeons more than anyone else, so of course heâll ask for purification more often. And if it absorbs a lot of magic in the processâŚâ
â…Is it possible that she could become a Grade 1 purifier? Maybe even stronger.â
As those words began to be exchanged, Irene noticed people starting to treat her more warmly.
Naturally, Irene wasnât very comfortable with all this attention.
âI was trying to lay low and leave, but with all this commotionâŚâ
Above all, what troubled Irene the most was that all these events hadn’t occurred in her previous life.
âI have no idea what else will be affected by this change.â
This unstable dungeon hadn’t appeared in her previous life either. That appeared randomly and even then, she couldnât imagine how obtaining this ring would change this timeline.
Another thing that bothered Irene was Michaelâs demeanor.
âI thought he would be embarrassed, but he seems so calm about it.â
Because of a silly custom, he had given the ring away without much thought. It turned out to be such a valuable item that Irene couldnât help but feel regretful.
If she hadnât worn it and instead auctioned it off, it would have been sold for an incredible amount of money. It would have greatly benefited the ever-strained coffers of the temple, and Irene wondered if Michael was the one who actually regretted it the most.
Because of this, Irene, feeling somewhat desperate, tried to find a way to resolve the situation.
âIs there any way to unbind this? Are there any artifacts like that in the temple orâŚâ
âNo, there arenât.â
âWe canât be too sure. If we search for a solution, thenâŚâ
âThere isnât one, so please stop worrying yourself over it, my lady. Besides, isnât this an artifact made for purifying? I believe that the item has found its proper place.â
As he said this, he gazed at the ring on Irene’s hand for a considerable amount of time. Irene couldn’t say more, overwhelmed by the look of satisfaction on his face.
It happened when she was closing her eyes, succumbing to the encroaching fatigue.
âIrene!â
A voice echoed from outside, causing her to furrow her brow without realizing it. It was Wilhelmina.
Rising from her seat, Irene checked the date after reviewing the morning dungeon report.
âToday is the day.â
It was the day Princess Cecilia had invited her to the gathering. Initially, Irene contemplated declining the invitation, but she decided otherwise.
âItâs something I have to go through eventually at least once.â
In that case, it’s better to finish it quickly and come back.
With that thought in mind, Irene got up from her seat.