Beatrice's Collection

They had brought a sacred relic with them?

At those words, the group tensed instinctively. Erwin was the first to react, turning to glance at an exquisite, long wooden case.

They had brought it with them as a gift to exchange for technology with the Mechanical Cathedral—a steam rifle.

Perhaps Hela possessed some means of seeing through the wooden case. That was hardly unusual; many Transcendence abilities could accomplish such a thing.

The steam rifle indeed counted as a sacred relic. The prince had once said that even the Mechanical Cathedral possessed only a few such weapons.

Yet compared to the Gear Sage, it seemed far too ordinary.

But the people of the Mechanical Cathedral clearly did not see it that way.

"This is a gift from Castel. Count Theus asked me to convey his greetings," Erwin said as he opened the lid of the wooden case.

The instant the steam rifle was revealed, Erwin could clearly hear the mechanical priests beside him breathing more heavily.

Their gazes upon the steam rifle were greedy and fanatical, even carrying a hint of shock.

Erwin remembered that these believers had not reacted so strongly even upon seeing the Gear Sage.

Hela, on the other hand, remained expressionless. She merely glanced at the steam rifle before looking away.

"What a precious gift."

"We were fortunate enough to come across this steam rifle by chance. Even our lord was astonished by its power—"

"What? You actually fired a sacred relic?" A mechanical priest beside them cried out. His shrill voice was filled with fury and disbelief. "How could such a holy creation be used!? And it is in such excellent condition! It ought to be enshrined in a sanctuary, with singers chanting hymns day and night and anointing it with holy oil! Your lord