The rumor reached the palace three weeks late.
Which, in royal terms, was practically lightning speed.
The rumor was simple.
In a small mountain temple on the edge of the kingdom, there existed a mirror that could grant enlightenment.
Knights became stronger.
Merchants became wiser.
Mages understood magic better.
And no one could explain why.
Naturally, this meant only one thing.
The king had to see it himself.
—
Inside the temple chamber, Lee Eunwoo was having a peaceful afternoon.
Which meant only three pilgrims had cried today.
A new personal record.
Eunwoo floated comfortably inside the mirror realm while reviewing his growing list of abilities.
[Mirror System Status]
Owner: Lee Eunwoo
Title: Watcher Beyond Reflection
Stored Abilities: 168
Recent Additions:
• Advanced Sword Mastery
• Mana Circuit Analysis
• Shield Formation Defense
• Goat Farming Management
Eunwoo rubbed his temples.
"I am becoming the ultimate medieval life coach."
Outside the mirror, the temple doors creaked open again.
But this time…
The footsteps were different.
Disciplined.
Organized.
Heavy armor.
Many of them.
Eunwoo immediately sat upright.
"Uh oh."
The chamber filled with soldiers.
Real soldiers.
Not wandering knights or temple guards.
These men wore polished black armor marked with a golden lion crest.
Royal soldiers.
They entered carefully, scanning every corner of the room.
Then one of them spoke.
"Secure the area."
Eunwoo blinked.
"…Why does that sound important?"
More soldiers spread across the chamber.
One stood near the altar.
Another inspected the shelves.
A third paused briefly in front of the frog statue.
Sir Frogbert stared back with his usual deeply questionable expression.
The soldier frowned.
"…Ugly frog."
Eunwoo nodded.
"Correct."
Then another figure entered the chamber.
He wore simple traveling clothes.
No crown.
No royal cloak.
But his posture was unmistakable.
Calm.
Confident.
Used to being obeyed.
The soldiers immediately bowed.
"Your Majesty."
Eunwoo blinked again.
"…Oh."
"That's the king."
The man waved his soldiers away casually.
"Relax."
His voice was calm.
"I came here to observe a mirror, not start a war."
This was King Edric III, ruler of the kingdom of Valtheria.
A man known for two things.
Being intelligent.
And being deeply suspicious of miracles.
He slowly walked toward the altar.
His eyes studied everything.
The pillars.
The shelves.
The benches.
The frog statue.
Then finally…
The mirror.
King Edric stopped in front of it.
He stared.
Eunwoo stared back.
Ten seconds passed.
Nothing happened.
The king tilted his head slightly.
"Hm."
Eunwoo waited for the system notification.
But nothing appeared.
"No ability detected."
Eunwoo frowned.
"That's new."
The king continued studying the mirror quietly.
Then he spoke.
"So this is the artifact everyone is talking about."
One of the soldiers nodded nervously.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Knights have reported sudden improvement in their abilities after viewing it."
The king crossed his arms.
"Curious."
He leaned slightly closer to the mirror.
Eunwoo leaned closer too.
It felt strangely like a staring contest.
The king suddenly spoke again.
"If this mirror truly grants wisdom…"
He paused.
"…then it must be observing those who observe it."
Eunwoo froze.
"Oh great."
"Another smart one."
King Edric studied his reflection carefully.
His expression didn't change.
Not even slightly.
Unlike the emotional knights or dramatic pilgrims, the king looked completely calm.
Almost analytical.
Eunwoo checked the system again.
Still nothing.
"No abilities?"
"Is the king secretly useless?"
The king finally stepped back.
"Hm."
A soldier asked carefully.
"Did the mirror grant enlightenment, Your Majesty?"
The king chuckled.
"No."
Then he glanced back at the mirror.
"But it is certainly… interesting."
Eunwoo sighed with relief.
"Thank you for not discovering me."
King Edric walked slowly around the chamber.
His gaze eventually landed on the corner bench.
Constance sat there quietly.
She had arrived earlier and remained in her usual place, listening to the conversation.
The king paused.
"And who is this?"
A priest quickly answered.
"Lady Constance, Your Majesty. She was offered as a servant to the sacred mirror."
The king raised an eyebrow.
"You offered a person to a mirror?"
The priest looked uncomfortable.
"…It seemed appropriate at the time."
King Edric rubbed his forehead.
"Of course it did."
He studied Constance for a moment.
She sat calmly, hands folded in her lap.
Not nervous.
Not afraid.
Just listening.
Then the king spoke again.
"You cannot see the mirror, can you?"
Constance smiled faintly.
"No, Your Majesty."
The king nodded.
"Interesting."
He looked back at the mirror one last time.
Eunwoo stared at him carefully.
Something about this man felt dangerous.
Not physically.
Mentally.
King Edric turned toward the exit.
"Well."
He clasped his hands behind his back.
"If this mirror truly grants enlightenment…"
He glanced over his shoulder.
"…then perhaps the kingdom could use it."
Eunwoo froze.
"Wait."
The king continued walking.
"But I suspect the truth is far more complicated."
Eunwoo felt a chill.
King Edric stopped briefly beside the frog statue.
He looked at it for a moment.
Then chuckled.
"Whoever carved this frog should never touch a chisel again."
Eunwoo nodded.
"Agreed."
The king left the chamber.
His soldiers followed.
The temple doors slowly closed behind them.
Silence returned.
Inside the mirror realm, Eunwoo leaned back.
"That man is definitely coming back."
From the corner of the room Constance spoke softly.
"He had very quiet footsteps."
Eunwoo looked at her.
"…Yes."
"Yes he did."
And for some reason…
That made Eunwoo slightly nervous.