◇36　The Treasure of the Hidden Room
"So? Where’s this hidden room supposed to be?"
"Wait, why are you tagging along too?"
I had planned to go with Estelle, Elliot, and Tanya, but somehow Bianca and Gean ended up joining us. Bianca’s fine—she’s my attendant, after all—but Gean has absolutely nothing to do with this.
"W-Well, it’s not a big deal, right? Gean’s my attendant, too," Elliot said, defending him.
Sure, that’s true, but this kid’s so loud he’s bound to draw attention.
"You’re too noisy, Gean. If an adult catches us, things could get messy. Got that?" Bianca chimed in, echoing my exact thoughts.
Exactly! If an adult spots us, they might say, "We’ll handle this—kids, step back," and then we’d be stuck. That’d ruin everything.
"Um, we are adults, you know…" Tanya muttered awkwardly, standing nearby.
"You and the others don’t count," I replied.
Tanya, who’d come along as my guard, and Elliot’s guard knight—who was smirking wryly—were exceptions. They’re more like our chaperones. I just hope they’ll indulge us and treat this as a childish adventure.
"So we just need to find it without the adults noticing, right? But the treasure gets split, yeah?" Gean piped up.
No, the treasure belongs to the royal family. You’re not getting a single coin. Why does he think he’d get a share just for tagging along? I shot him an exasperated look, but Elliot interrupted.
"So, Sakuraile, where do we look?"
"Huh? Oh, uh, it’s at a staircase landing with a big full-length mirror…"
"A landing with a mirror? I can think of three spots that fit that description… Let’s check them one by one," Elliot suggested, starting to walk.
We followed behind him. We passed a few people in the castle, but in this setup, it probably just looked like Elliot was giving us a tour.
The first spot wasn’t it—different from my memory.
The second spot was off too.
"Here! This is the place!" I exclaimed at the third location.
This was it—no doubt about it. The mirror’s position and its ornate frame matched perfectly. It was a secluded landing between the second and third floors, tucked away where few people ventured. The mirror itself was new, but the wooden frame around it was old, carved with various flowers.
"This is it? Do we break the mirror or something?" Gean asked, saying something predictably dumb.
Breaking it would just reveal a wall. The trick’s in the frame.
"You press the flowers carved into the frame in the order of the seasons," I explained.
"How do you even know that?" Elliot asked, understandably curious.
"‘When the flowers follow the cycle of seasons, the path of darkness shall open.’ It’s a line from an old text supposedly left by the First Emperor. I read a copy in the territorial capital’s archives, but I think the original’s in the castle library here. Back then, no one knew what it meant, and it became a rumor among the townsfolk."
The book part’s true—Elliot found it in the game, so the original should be in this castle’s library. The bit about reading a copy is a lie, though. No such thing exists—I’ve never even been to the capital. Tanya, who knows my circumstances, gave me a complicated look but stayed quiet.
Later, I’ll just say I heard it from a traveling elf I met in the slums. I’ll tell Father that too. Elves live long lives, so it wouldn’t be strange for one to know. I’d realized the frame had flower carvings at the last party and thought, "Maybe…"—or so I’ll claim.
"Uh, let’s see…" I muttered.
The Symphonia Empire has four seasons too. If you press the flowers for spring, summer, fall, and winter in order, the hidden door should… Wait, which flowers are which? I’m not exactly a flower expert. Low on feminine charm, you say? Leave me alone! I know plenty about edible wild plants or useful ones—just not the pretty, decorative kind.
"…Estelle, do you know?"
"Huh? Um… Sakura, hibiscus, bush clover, and snowdrop, I think," she replied.
Oh, nice one. As expected.
The flower names here are mostly the same as on Earth… though I still don’t know which is which. Well, I can at least recognize sakura—it’s the origin of my name, after all. Following Estelle’s guidance, I pressed the flower-shaped switches one by one—click, click.
Then, with a loud gagon!, the wall next to the mirror slid open like an automatic door—zzzzz.
"There really was something…" Elliot murmured, stunned.
Ignoring him, I stepped into the hidden room, lighting the way with a flashlight I’d bought from the pawnshop. A staircase descended downward. Technically, since we’re between the second and third floors, it’s not really "underground," but still.
I handed flashlights to Estelle and the others, and we headed down. The air was dark, damp, and downright unpleasant.
"H-Hey, are we sure about this? What if the entrance closes the second we step in?" Gean fretted.
"What’s wrong, Gean? Scared already?" Bianca teased.
"I-I’m not scared or anything!" he shot back.
Their bickering echoed from the back. So noisy.
It’s pitch black down here. In the game, Elliot had a torch-like light, but this flashlight might be better. Anyway, I know this staircase ends soon, so I’m not as panicked as Gean.
Sure enough, the stairs ended quickly, and a large metal door blocked our path. Two lion heads faced each other on the door, their eyes set with red and blue gemstones—the keys to opening it. Only someone with the First Emperor’s blood can unlock it by touching them.
"Elliot, touch those gems. Both at the same time. That’ll open the door," I instructed.
"Huh? But…" Elliot hesitated, frowning as he looked up at the door.
The gems were at adult shoulder height, about a meter apart. Oh no! In the game, an adult Elliot could reach them, but with a kid’s height, doing it simultaneously might be impossible! Wait—if Tanya holds him horizontally and he stretches his arms and legs, maybe…!
"Um, why does it have to be His Highness?" Estelle interjected.
"This door can only be opened by someone with the First Emperor’s blood. That’s why Elliot—"
"Then wouldn’t that apply to you too, Lady Sakuraile?"
"Oh."
Estelle’s comment made me realize it. Right—I’m one of them too… In the game, Sakuraile wasn’t there, so it never crossed my mind. Ugh, embarrassing…
"…Elliot, you take that one. I’ll touch this one," I said.
"You’re kinda scatterbrained, huh?" Gean remarked.
"Shut up!"
Leave it alone! I snapped at Gean for his lack of tact. Insensitive guys don’t get the girls! Since even stretching didn’t work for me, I jumped to touch my gem at the same time as Elliot. The moment we did, the gems glowed red and blue, a clank sounded like something unlocking, and the door rumbled open—gogogo…
"This is…!" Elliot gasped.
"Whoa! A mountain of treasure!" Gean exclaimed.
The room wasn’t huge, but it was packed to the brim with gold, silver, magical artifacts, weapons like swords and spears, rare documents, and monster materials—all perfectly preserved by preservation magic.
Ignoring it all, I grabbed a crystal orb the size of a baseball from a table in the back. The [Sealing Jewel]. In the game, it was a magical tool used to seal the Dark Dragon. Since we’ve already defeated it, it’s not exactly necessary anymore.
This was an "Elliot Route event" to obtain the jewel. With it, the good ending in Elliot’s route—sealing the Dark Dragon—is pretty much guaranteed. Though, if Elliot’s affection is high enough, you can skip this event entirely since beating the dragon renders it useless.
If my theory’s right, this should level up my [Shop Summoning]. …I think. We’ll find out tomorrow, I guess.
◇　◇　◇
"Unbelievable…! To think a hidden room like this existed in the castle…!"
"Your Majesty! This is undoubtedly the Founding Emperor’s treasure! A historic discovery!"
The Emperor and the Prime Minister gazed at the treasures crammed into the room, their excited voices rising in unison.
His Majesty slapped Elliot’s shoulder with a satisfied nod.
"Well done, Elliot. You’ve fulfilled a generations-long dream of our family. I’m proud of you."
"No, it wasn’t me who—"
"Ahem!
Cough!"
I cut Elliot off with an exaggerated cough as he started to say something unnecessary. We went over this already! Just quietly take the credit as the first discoverer!
"Uh, well… it was just luck. A coincidence. And I didn’t find it alone," Elliot stammered.
"No need for modesty. Whether by chance or not, the discovery of the First Emperor’s treasure is a joyous occasion," the Emperor replied.
Elliot managed a strained smile.
We’d all agreed to say Elliot found the hidden room by accident. He’d resisted at first, but while I was the one who suggested it, we all discovered it together—so it’s not exactly a lie to say Elliot found it. Plus, for our parents, who are part of the "Emperor’s faction," it’s more convenient if Elliot gets the credit.
Lately, some shady characters have been spreading rumors that "Perhaps the ‘Princess of the Holy Sword,’ Lady Sakuraile, ascending to the throne is an option worth considering." It’s probably a ploy—a "divide and conquer" scheme to sow suspicion between the Emperor and my father, driving a wedge between them. Not on my watch.
That’s why Elliot has to be the discoverer. Besides, I owe him this much… I’ve already twisted his life route quite a bit. In the original story, Elliot and Estelle were the ones meant to find this treasure anyway, so this works out fine.
"But it was really Lady Sakuraile who found it…" Estelle muttered beside me, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction.
No, no—it was supposed to be you and Elliot who found it!
That very day, news of "The First Emperor’s Treasure Discovered!" spread like wildfire through the imperial capital. Something once considered half-legend had been unearthed—and by the Crown Prince himself, no less. As people hailed him as the worthy successor to the Symphonia throne, Elliot looked distinctly uncomfortable.
He doesn’t need to feel bad about it. A king should have the capacity to embrace both the pure and the impure.
◇　◇　◇
That night, Crown Prince Elliot visited the Emperor’s chambers, his face heavy with resolve.
"Father, the truth is—"
"Enough. It was Sakuraile who actually found the treasure, wasn’t it?"
Elliot’s eyes widened in shock. Seeing his expression, the Emperor gave a wry chuckle.
"I could tell from your demeanor. That won’t do, Elliot. A good king must never let his inner thoughts show, no matter the situation. A flustered ruler makes the people anxious."
The Emperor spoke not to scold, but to impart a lesson. This boy is just too earnest—sometimes I wish he’d take a page out of Gean or Sakuraile’s book and be a bit more flexible.
"Sakauraile decided it’d be better for the kingdom if you were credited with the discovery. Does that upset you? Does it mean your pride matters more to you than this country?"
"No! That’s not it at all! I’d play any role for the sake of the kingdom! It’s just… is Sakuraile really okay with this?"
"That girl probably doesn’t care a whit about being called the treasure’s discoverer. Think of it like she’s been handed a piece of candy."
According to my brother, she even dislikes the enviable title of "Princess of the Holy Sword." The Emperor couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret—his eccentric niece would’ve made a fine bride for Elliot. But some things just aren’t meant to be.
"If you feel indebted to Sakuraile, then you must grow into a splendid Crown Prince to repay her. Prove to her that her decision wasn’t a mistake," the Emperor advised.
"…Yes. I’ll succeed you and ensure this kingdom prospers. I won’t let Sakuraile’s feelings go to waste," Elliot vowed.
As Elliot left with that declaration, the Emperor took a sip of wine from his glass. It was a cherry-colored rosé, a beautiful gift from his brother, the Duke of Philharmonie.
Sakuraile’s presence is a good influence on Elliot. He’s still a bit rigid, but in time, he’ll learn to think more flexibly. Pleased with his son’s growth, the Emperor raised his glass slightly.
"To the ‘Princess of the Holy Sword,’ my thanks."
Imagining Sakuraile’s grimace if she heard that, a faint smile tugged at the corner of the Emperor’s lips.
—