Months passed by Grizel pretending to be a sweet noble girl during the day and a merciless monster hunter at night.
5 years ago, she has awakened her power, as a Rogue Class awakener, her dexterity and sensitivity are on a whole new level. In these past years, she worked to level up and mastering her power.
She doesn't know how to measure her power among the awakeners yet, but according to the information she gathered from the servants of the mansion, awakener can be stronger to a certain limit by mastering their power, but there is no leveling system.
The odd thing is when she tried to confirm that and ask Athena about her level and growth ability, which is quite different from the other awakeners.
'Am I the only one who has this leveling system?'
'No, Master. Each of awakener is supposed to have this leveling system, but right now you are the only human who has no restrictions on this ability'
Athena's answer was vague,
she said 'each awakener is supposed to have' means that the leveling system should be normal among awakeners, but why it isn't?
And her second sentence is a little bit clear yet still hiding the most important part, she said 'right now' that is obvious enough to explain the present has a huge diversion from the past, Grizel though it may be related to the 'restrictions' which was mentioned.
'Different from the past, Right now, the leveling system is restricted to the other awakeners'
That was Grizel's assumption by hearing Athena's answer, and as for the reasons why it has become a constrained ability, she has no idea.
And the last is that worrisome words 'Only human'.
Grizel thought of the possibility of the growth in non-human creatures, as far as she knew that the living beings in this world excluding plants and animals are only humans and monsters.
There were mystical creatures like elves, dragons, dwarves, angels, demons, mermaid, etc. But it was a long time ago since their racial extinction. And it would be dangerous if the monsters have the growth ability while humans got a limitation.
Grizel tried to dig more information about this matter but was cut off by Athena.
'I am sorry, Master. Any further information is locked. You have to reach a certain level and acquire an item to unlock it'
Hence, Grizel put this matter aside for now and focus on gaining more power and information about the empire situation.
She is certain that the execution of the Von Belial family in the novel was orchestrated by someone from behind the stage, even though her family stands as a neutral faction in the power struggle within the empire, but being nonchalant and total blind to the political affairs is foolish.
'Master, tonight is the appearance of the long-awaited Artifact'
"Ha, hahaha"
Grizel's sudden laugh makes the nanny who stands behind her startled a little bit.
"Miss, are you okay?"
The old lady looks at Grizel in confusion, she can not hear Athena's voice and have no idea why her little Miss is laughing so happily out of the blue.
"Pardon me nanny but I am good. I just recall something amusing"
She said with her smooth lies, the nanny nodded as if agreed that sometimes we suddenly recall a piece of memory.
"Nanny, please tell the chefs that I wish to rest early this evening and no need to bother serving my dinner and the evening tea"
The nanny is quite hesitant to answer because skipping a meal is not good for a child's growth but still nods in the end.
"...Yes, Miss"
"It's alright, I am fully aware of the outcomes if I skipped the meal too often and become a bad habit, but for tonight please notify the chefs so they could rest a little bit"
Grizel smiles warmly, she purposely makes her smile looks divine perfectly matches her angelic face.
'Gasp, She is an Angel'
the nanny thought inwardly, she is so touched that almost cry looking at her little Miss, she is not only kind-hearted but also thoughtful and smart, the other nobles wouldn't bother to inform their chefs when they have no appetite, they didn't care for the food and efforts wasted on that luxurious meal they skipped.
The old lady who got tricked by the toddler nods vigorously with a bright face.
"Yes, Miss. I will notify the kitchen staff right now, please do excuse me"
She left hurriedly after saying those words, not even waiting for Grizel's answer, her excitement is overwhelming and makes her forget some manner.
'Our angel's kindness should be spread out'
That was the only thing filled in her mind, worshiping the Miss is a new hobby of the servants in the mansion, and now she has new and fresh material to be brag about.
'Master, I know you only wish to get rid of your servant right now, but how can your twisted words always end up being misunderstood as a kindness by other people?'
'Merchant plays with words and facial expressions'
'But that was in your past life'
'It's also my future'
Grizel answer nonchalantly while locking her door and begin to prepare her night hunting, but tonight instead of monsters, she aims for the mysterious artifact mentioned in the novel.
The illusion of her sleeping image is set in case of an intruder to her bedroom, wearing black from head to toe and activating her mastery of stealth, she vanishes to the thin air.
-â¢-
'Are you sure this cave is the place?'
'Yes, Master. According to coordinate in your memory of the novel and the map of the Azure empire, this cave should be the place'
Grizel is standing in front of a huge dark tunnel, she knew the first artifact will appear within the deepest part of the forest of the demise, but she didn't know the exact location is a cave.
Thanks to that on the way to this place she gained a few levels as she cut several strong monsters who were trying to attack her.
Even though she was using her stealth and rush straight towards the location, some of the powerful monsters were aware of her existence, hence, she has no choice but to flee and launch a surprise attack from behind, it will be troublesome if they chase her to the cave.
Grizel walks into the cave in caution, the moonlight is barely at the cave entrance, she has no choice but to use a stick-like magic item emitting the dim light enough to enlighten her surroundings.
The deeper she walked into the tunnel, the more suffocating the atmosphere is, Grizel certain that something awaits her at the end of this long tunnel is not something made by goodwill, the awful feeling flowed from the deepest part of the cave is not something a mere human can withstand, even the stoic Grizel wants to vomit.
She arrived at the coordinate, the deepest part of the forest of demise, in front of her a floating artifact is shining, but the light is not something beautiful to adore, the artifact itself is cover by a malignant dark aura makes the surrounding breathless place.
Huff, huff, ...
Grizel is trying to adjust her breathing, but then suddenly a deep chilling voice greets her echoed through the cave...
"Shan't thee ought to offer feasts to satisfy this boundless desire of mine?"
In contrary to her heavy breath, Grizel smirks and stares at the artifact. She expected this because the artifact in front of her is called The Artifact of Famine, who will eat every single thing ruthlessly including living beings, the Lord of Avarice.
To be continued...