Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 157
Michael finished reporting on the events that took place in the distortion dungeon on behalf of Irene.
Immediately after, the contents of his report were compiled in detail and sent to the document archive.
As usual, the archive distributed copies of the report to those who eagerly crowded in to read it first.
Naturally, one of those copies reached Irene as well.
âHmmâŚâ
The report, based on Michaelâs account, was extremely detailed.
HoweverâŚ
âThere are things he didnât mention.â
The first thing that stood out was the monster that had mimicked Michaelâs appearance.
In this dungeon, they encountered unrecorded types of monsters that had never been reported before.
These included the floating eye with endlessly long tentacles, creatures that had slaughtered countless people, and whose main bodies couldnât be located.
Since others had witnessed these creatures too, there were relatively detailed records of them.
But the gray version of Michael, which only Irene and Michael had seen, was nowhere to be found in the report.
âAlright, he doesnât want it mentioned.â
Irene didnât know why Michael chose not to report the monsterâs existence to the fortress, but if this was how he wished to proceed, she felt no need to bring it up either.
As she continued reading, Ireneâs gaze halted on one line.
âMoved to a lake within the dungeon, secured fresh water, and took rest and purificationâŚâ
Not a false statement, certainly. But to condense everything that happened there into such a single, bland line?
âNot that I wanted a detailed accountâŚâ
Realizing that Michael was far more adept at being bold and evasive than sheâd thought, Irene stood up from her seat.
She had been resting in her room for a while, but now that Michaelâs report was finished, it seemed like a good time to venture out.
âThere are things I want to check.â
She picked up the dagger Michael had used in the dungeon, examining it closely. As they left the dungeon, Michael had returned the dagger to her.
âItâs definitely⌠reduced.â
When she had first bought it at auction, the scabbard had been covered in numerous scratches. Now, compared to when she first acquired it, the number of scratches had noticeably decreased.
Her gaze moved from the dagger to the ring she wore.
The items that had persistently sought each other out as if they were paired together.
If the ring and the dagger were made from similar materials and shared similar propertiesâŚ
âThe ringâs scratches decreased each time my purification level rose, too.â
Perhaps the daggerâs scratches had faded due to some change as well.
Irene pulled out the old appraisal document given to her by the assessor and tucked it into her belongings, thinking,
âAn outside appraisal⌠letâs do this one more time.â
* * *
As Irene entered one of the fortressâs buildings, everyone inside stopped what they were doing and looked at her.
It was similar to the attention sheâd received when she had obtained the Infinite Healing Ring.
This time, she felt a bit more poised to handle it, thoughâŚ
âLady Irene, youâve arrived.â
âPardon?â
Usually, people didnât address her so formally, but even a high-ranking member of the fortress now kept bowing and greeting her respectfully.
Even the staff at the appraisal room, whose faces had become somewhat familiar to her, treated her with much greater courtesy than before. And thenâŚ
âSo, you wish to have this appraised again? Please, hand it over. Weâll conduct the appraisal right away.â
In the past, they would have told her it was a waste of time and money to get the same item appraised again, even urging her not to bother.
But now, they treated her as if she were the most valued guest in the fortress.
And the surprises didnât end there.
âAlso, please donât worry about the cost. Since youâve used our services frequently, we can waive the fee this time.â
A free service in this fortress?
Irene was genuinely shocked, having never heard such a thing in either her past or present life.
The staff took the dagger from her and, bypassing other items awaiting appraisal, allowed her item to be examined first by the Hand of Appraisal.
The Hand of Appraisal, upon receiving the dagger, almost danced its way over, wriggling with what seemed to be joy at their reunion.
It even performed a sort of dance with its seven fingers.
After that, it returned to the writing table, picked up a pen, and began to jot down something on paper.
The staff watching expectantly, hoping for a different result this time, soon wore disappointed expressions.
Once again, the Hand of Appraisal had written in an indecipherable script.
