Flynn approached Infori from behind, still observing from a distance, from atop the hill. He saw that the Knightley Queen had tied up the bandits and was about to leave, while Lilith and Iris were chatting.
"Looks like this is going to be a long journey."
Infori gaze fell on Lilith and Iris, who were chatting. He didn't know what they were talking about, but he didn't want to know.
Infori then looked back and saw Flynn standing behind him, carrying a bag containing the Gauntlet of Rebirth.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Flynn."
"Yes. So, is this the gauntlet you were talking about?" Flynn then handed Infori the bag, and Infori accepted it calmly. After receiving it, Infori immediately opened the bag and checked its contents—he didn't take out the gauntlet.
"Yes," Infori replied curtly.
Then, he closed the bag again. This confused Flynn, who immediately questioned Infori's intentions in wanting the artifact.
"I'm curious."
"Curious about what?"
"You seem interested in this artifact. For some reason, I feel like you're hiding something for your own personal gain."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Infori asked, not quite grasping where their conversation was headed.
"You have a lot of artifacts in your shop, and they possess extraordinary powers and abilities. However, from what I've seen in my life, you've never been particularly interested in artifacts," Flynn said, making Infori think for a moment. "And the question is… Why?"
Infori seemed to be rethinking his answer to Flynn, then answered honestly.
"If the question is why, then the answer is yes."
"Really?" Flynn asked curtly.
"The statement that I wasn't particularly interested in artifacts is certainly true. However, over the past few days—especially the incident where the rare artifact emitted an aura that enveloped the entire city of Awania Sudo—it's been enough to change my perspective."
However, Infori didn't speak again immediately. He left Flynn confused after hearing that the rare artifact emitted an aura that enveloped the entire city.
This also shocked Flynn greatly.
"The incident...?"
"Yes. It was quite brief, but it changed my perspective enough," Infori then turned his gaze to Lilith, immediately causing Flynn to turn in the same direction.
"...?"
"The girl you saved earlier was a customer who purchased a rare artifact, a dagger called the Blades of Mirage."
"!? Then, is there something wrong with her?"
"Of course there is. It might be rude to say so, but… She paid for the artifact with fake platinum."
Infori's answer startled Flynn, causing him to turn back to him. However, as he spoke, Flynn tried to calm down and think clearly.
"!? Fake platinum, huh… Well, this isn't just happening now."
"Yes. But, unfortunately. This time is different."
"Different?" Flynn asked.
"More like, quite different. Those who come to my shop and buy artifacts with counterfeit money usually have false motives and no real reason behind it."
Infori's words reminded Flynn of all the incidents that always happened at AtzilutH ArtifactS, Infori's artifact shop.
Flynn already knew all this, but he still felt something was odd. Especially the difference between what happened to the girl and what happened to her usually.
"I remember it perfectly, so what?"
"I believe this incident is quite different," Infori said, still staring at Lilith as he recalled the events of the previous days. "That girl... is a Seraphim."
Flynn was immediately stunned by this.
"...!? Seraphim...?!" Flynn then took a deep breath. He was now intently listening to Infori's every word. "So, what happened? Why would a Seraphim steal from the Nephilim?"
"...Normally, I wouldn't believe that my client had a sacred duty. But hearing from her that she was a Seraphim was enough to shock me. You must know, right? The sacred duty that the Seraphim have always carried out since ancient times."
"Yes," Flynn answered briefly, swallowing his own saliva. Then he spoke again. "The Seraphim are the second race created after the Nephilim. They were given the sacred duty of maintaining the balance of the world tree—Everness."
"..."
"...There must be some explanation for this. You must know the reason, right, Infori?"
"I only heard it vaguely, but maybe this will help."
Flynn's eyes were fixed on the infori, his mouth tightly shut. He didn't want to interrupt the infori, or miss any crucial information.
"..."