RUMBLE!
Before we could continue, the trial had been completed.
Apparently, the chamber had a timer that detected the end of the original dramatization that was supposed to show the Emperor’s love life.
And once that timer was up, the magic creating the realistic illusion would instantly disperse, siphoning away all the excess divine power in the air, which, somehow, also ended up clearing our minds, despite my earlier concern.
Guess I still had much more to learn when it came to manipulating magic...
The abrupt return to the real chamber, however, was the final piece that made us fully snap out of it.
At least... for now.
"A-Ahem..."
Evelina backed away first, her face a burning red as she managed to regain her senses.
"Guess I lost control, huh?"
She laughed, trying to brush everything off, but even she couldn’t just forget something like that.
It was still her emotions after all.
But... with the scenery changing into something less suitable, there was definitely no point in... continuing where we left off.
It would be better if we just continued on the original date I had planned.
For better... or for worse.
"Both you and me."
I cleared my throat. I had a harder time trying to ignore what just happened, especially since we were so close.
But come on, I had to be stronger than that.
There would still be more opportunities in the future, right?
"Want to see our rewards...?"
I walked to the exit of the chamber, leaning against the narrow path.
"Y-Yeah, I suppose so, it would be a waste after... all this."
We both returned to the main chamber of the tomb, but... despite all the tomb’s shortcomings, I guess it really did help with our relationship.
Considering how the space between us was now thinner than usual, walking side by side, closer than usual.
Guess I had to give the emperor credit.
Even if I still found his tomb a bit stupid.
Back at the statue of Nyx, the emperor’s coffin was no longer being cradled by the statue; instead, it was now lying on the ground, half open.
Waiting to be claimed by the brave couple who passed its trials.
Evelina moved to it first, trying to lift and push it open, but considering it was made with pure stone.
She couldn’t budge it.
"How annoying..."
[Dark Manipulation]
She summoned tendrils to move it for her, but I stopped her before she could continue, instead pushing it easily for her.
"Right, I forgot how... strong you are."
Evelina stuttered briefly, starting to regret the way he touched me just minutes ago.
"Anyways, let’s reap our due rewards, shall we...?"
She awkwardly laughed, which I reciprocated as we both looked inside the emperor’s coffin.
Instead of what you would usually expect from a coffin, namely a skeleton and its most prized possessions.
The former, however, was completely not present, but that didn’t matter.
At least the latter was there, shining and in perfect condition, no less.
Two pristine condition relics.
First was a sword, runes engraved across the blade that further strengthened it, with the edges of the crossguard engraved with the heads of dragons, and on its eyes were pieces of darkyte.
Four in total.
As for the other, it was a pendant, and just like the sword, it had four pieces of darkyte, deeply embedded across the silver center piece.
And as always, it was still on theme, one meant for a fighter, one for a mage.
Even if I say that, technically, one can still wield both, considering the properties of darkyte to absorb magic.
Just a single one could make a talentless oaf wield magic, albeit in a very weak fashion.
"I heard it was customary to hand out gifts during dates, so here it is."
I chuckled, putting the amulet on for her.
"Thanks..."
But when I tried giving her the sword, she refused. Quite adamantly, I might add.
"You can have it, it’s much more suited to you after all."
But there was no way I could accept, even if it was effective in my hands, she could still use magic and use it as a flying sword of some sort.
"And I know what you’re thinking, I should, after... everything we’ve been through today." She sighed. "You won’t accept it since I can still find use for it."
"So... consider it as my gift instead, just like this amulet was from yours. Although it doesn’t really seem like a gift, considering I couldn’t have obtained it without you."
"Don’t worry about it, I’ll treasure it."
"Of course you would."
She smirked.
***
We left the cave as soon as possible—
Well, after spending a few more minutes wandering through the rest of the tomb for any other treasures that caught Evelina’s eye.
When we finally stepped outside, the moon was already waiting for us, shining down from above.
A full moon, to be precise.
We were there far longer than initially expected.
And that made us remember the events that happened during the third trial...
And surprisingly, Evelina made a move, this time without the succubus or collar’s influence on her emotions.
"Technically, our date still isn’t done, so..." Evelina hesitated for a second. "I can’t believe I’m saying this... what about you stay in my room for the night?"
...
...
She’s an angel...!