"The Decoy Skull's primary effect is actually exerted through mental means. Language is merely an auxiliary tool."
Shade recalled the information provided by the elder:
"It can easily say the things most likely to make someone angry, which shows that it possesses a certain degree of mind-reading ability. Moreover, the 'voice' it emits is itself part of the Relic's properties. Haven't you noticed that your current displeasure is actually somewhat different from your own thoughts?"
But Sivie felt that she was upset precisely because of that remark.
Of course, to further confirm the Relic's nature, Shade completely lifted the now-silent skull out of the box. After comparing it against the identifying information given by Elder Harald, he confirmed that this was the main body of the missing Relic.
"Look, someone even carved a sentence inside the skull—'I died of my own honesty.' That's actually not wrong."
At least that sentence made Sivie, who was still somewhat unhappy, laugh helplessly. Though the Relic was only Document Level, it truly was quite a good Relic and could play a major role under specific circumstances.
Shade continued searching the box, but found no clue as to why the skull had been left here. Searching the underwater cave once more also failed to uncover anything else that had been hidden away.
Finally, Sivie radiated light and used Thaumaturgy, turning every substance touched by the light in the cave transparent, but still found nothing.
"It seemed there were no clues left. So, is this skull alive or dead?"
She suddenly asked Shade, and he understood what she meant:
"This skull might know about the young priest, right? The information provided by the elder didn't say whether this thing actually had consciousness."
After thinking for a moment, Shade held the skull up in one hand, aimed