Super Righteous Player
Chapter 273 - 271: The Eye of Frost_1

Chapter 273: Chapter 271: The Eye of Frost_1

"...Alright."

Although Annan was somewhat curious about what "afterimage" was, he nodded without asking further questions.

He knew that Kafney possessed superhuman perception. The ability to see a world invisible to ordinary people was nothing new to him.

...Speaking of which, his understanding of Kafney was still limited.

But at that moment, a spark of inspiration flashed in Annan’s mind.

He asked, "Kafney... is there anything you want, or like?"

Asking Kafney about her preferences was actually unrelated to his plan.

This was Annan taking advantage of Kafney’s young age, shallow wariness of him... to probe for useful information beyond the nightmare. After all, this was just a nightmare; once it was over, Kafney would not remember anything that had happened here.

In that case, even if they ultimately failed to conquer the nightmare... if Annan obtained key information, it wouldn’t be too much of a loss.

Upon hearing this, Kafney paused.

After a moment of silence, she answered in a low voice, "I want... a gift."

"...What kind of gift?"

"A birthday gift," she replied softly.

Those clear, glass-like eyes made her look like an emotionless doll. But at that moment, there seemed to be a hint of "human warmth" in Kafney.

Kafney turned her head slightly, her doll-like delicate and youthful face displaying a complicated expression: "Today is the eighth of August... It’s His Majesty’s birthday, and also mine. The King and I share the same birthday.

"But no one remembers my birthday. They only remember His Majesty’s birthday...

"I think, maybe only when you become a King... does your birthday become significant enough to be remembered by others."

However, before Kafney could finish,

Annan began searching his person.

Seeing his actions, Kafney was somewhat startled.

...Was he really going to give her a gift?

But then a sense of urgency and anticipation arose within her.

Her father, since getting up in the morning, had been busy with the preparations for the King’s birthday.

He hadn’t even wished Kafney a happy birthday yet.

And her mother, too, was indifferent to Kafney’s birthday.

Similarly, her mother had disappeared before Kafney woke up—vanished as if she had evaporated into thin air.

And it was because she felt lonely on her own birthday that Kafney, despite the presence of foreign guests, went to the garden through the secret chamber to paint.

"I do have a gift that I can give to you..."

Annan answered affirmatively.

He had already checked—Annan had no weapons on him for self-defense, but he did carry a deep blue ring, a brooch, and a marble.

The brooch, once activated, could immediately summon the Hands of Winter within the vicinity; the ring was a cursed item crafted with the craftsmanship of the Winter Principality, able to detect hostility and when actively used, could force all nearby entities with hostile intent to be frozen for a duration—it contained the essence of frost and could only be used once before it needed recharging.

Obviously, neither of those items could be gifted to Kafney.

But the gem marble could be.

[Eye of Frost]

[Type: Material/Orb/Gemstone (Blue)]

[Description: A specialty of the Winter Principality — a gem that remains cold even when placed in boiling water.]

[Effect: Actively used to try and dispel mental control and illusions.]

[Effect: When equipped, it constantly keeps the mind clear, making the bearer’s mental state stable.]

[Cost: Each use of its active effect lowers the bearer’s body temperature by one degree for one day. This cost can stack.]

The material was blue, not particularly precious... Annan’s own cursed items and materials generally started with a deep blue, mingled with shades of purple and gold. For instance, that ring and badge were both purple-level cursed objects.

Giving such a gift wouldn’t seem too strange.

And it was pretty... It looked like a marble made of ice-blue glass, quite appealing. It was just the thing to give to a little girl.

He usually kept it in his inner pocket, and Denton wouldn’t notice its absence for a short while — after the nightmare was over, Annan could leave anyway.

And according to Annan’s memory...

About one or two years later, after Kafney became a Transcendent.

She would become aware of the existence of the "Dream Stealer" Denton.

At that time, Kafney directly overloaded herself with the curse she bore, letting it deeply corrode her... only by doing so could she resist the Dream Stealer’s psychic manipulation.

...If Kafney had such an artifact in the real history, she wouldn’t need to take such dangerous actions.

"Here you go."

With that thought, Annan handed the marble to Kafney.

He whispered in explanation, "This marble can lift mental control. If you carry it with you, it can also stimulate and awaken your mind, keeping you alert... It’s of no use to me, but it’s a good thing for you.

"Remember not to use it too much, or you might catch a cold and get sick. Normally, you can keep it in a jewel box and use it at a set time each day; that would be best."

"...Is it a cursed object?"

Kafney, who had been tentatively asking for a gift, was surprised and her eyes widened.

She had only intended to ask for a pair of Annan’s gloves or some personal ornament as a keepsake.

After all, given Kafney’s understanding of her own status, she sadly thought... that once Annan returned to his country, they might never meet again.

Annan was the first of her peers born after her who didn’t think of her as a monster, who didn’t feel fear and disgust toward her... and he was also the only one, including her parents, who genuinely admired her drawings.

He was Kafney’s only friend.

But she hadn’t expected Annan to give her... something quite out of the ordinary.

Just by touching this "marble" and feeling the chill it gave off, Kafney could tell it was no ordinary object.

Although Annan was able to possess several cursed objects, that was because the Winter bloodline was scarce. But at this time, the Noah royal family hadn’t dwindled to just three heirs... They had many heirs. And because the old King had lived particularly long, nearly every heir had many offspring.

Only Crown Princess Elizabeth, who remained single to this day, and the fourth Prince, who had just one daughter, were exceptions.

For Kafney, who had not yet become a Transcendent and had a low position in the royal family, this was indeed a precious gift.

So precious that she even hesitated to accept it.

Annan noticed Kafney’s internal struggle and faint self-doubt and couldn’t help but sigh softly to himself.

You’re a princess after all... Is this really okay?

"Take it," Annan insisted firmly, "The worst comes to worst, you can give me a gift of equivalent value the next time you see me.

"I won’t linger; I need to leave now — and remember to keep drawing. Your voice can be clearer."

"...Okay."

Kafney agreed softly.

She gripped the gem in her hand, feeling a stirring in her heart.