I JUST WANT A PEACEFUL LIFE

"What would happen if I could use all of them?" asked Angus.

"Hm.. good question. Though it could never happen. Have you ever thought why only strong people could use an artifact, and that's also limited too?" asked Draught back.

"Umm… Isn't it because artifacts are rare?" replied Angus.

"That's one of the reasons. Even though they are rare, there are countless artifacts in this world if you count them since ancient times. Some of them may deteriorate, disappear, or break along with the first owner."

"However, there are still a lot of artifacts enough to supply everyone. In most cases, they still have not been found yet. But, even if they are being found, most of them could only become decorations or stored in somebody's vault."

Hearing this, Angus begins to realize something. "Old man, did you mean they.. I mean, the artifact rejects the user?" asked Angus.

"Precisely. Besides a few fortunate people who find resonance and use the artifact like their sentient weapon, the artifact will always reject everyone." said Draught.

"Then, it is actually wrong to say you need to be strong to use an artifact. You actually need to be chosen to use them fully. This must be the reason why only strong people could use artifacts. Only strong people could force the will of artifacts and subdue them." said Angus.

"Exactly. Well, this is actually not a secret since when you reach seventh grade or become strong enough, you will find these truths. But, you miss one thing to subdue an artifact that is not compatible with the user. The user needs to bear a certain burden."

"At first, this burden is not shown, but this burden will be apparent during subduing multiple artifacts. You will feel your will or spirit weaker each time you subdue an artifact. The only way to recover is by becoming stronger or to let go of the artifact."

"That's why I said it is almost impossible for you to get all of these artifacts. But, if you somehow could, you could have them. Since it is better than gathering dust in this place. Now, which one will you choose?" said Draught.

Looking at all the weapons, "What's the story behind these weapons?" asked Angus.

"Good question. First, the twin-blade is…" as Draught begins to explain each one of them.

After hearing another explanation from Draught for a while, "Let me try the twin blade first." said Angus as he went towards the two thin twin blades embedded in the stone.

Taking a deep breath, Angus begins to grab the twin blades handle with both of his hands. The moment he holds the handle, he feels like his entire body is boiled. Unending wild fire mana coming from the twin-blade trying to roast Angus alive.

At this split second, Angus releases an invisible aura fighting the artifact. *Whoosh* Suddenly, Angus pulls the twin sword from the stone. *Srringg.*

"Haa.. Haa.." as Angus tried to calm his ragged breath.

"Hahahaha… Wonderful, you really managed to hold the artifact. So, will you try to subdue the others?" asked Draught.

"No. I just happen to be lucky this time since I have ancient powers related to fire. I don't know if I could subdue the others." replied Angus.

"Excellent choice. Now, let's go back to others." said Draught as he walked towards the center of the room.

Angus looked at the remaining artifact in the room silently.

'I will get all of you later.' thought Angus inwardly while smiling before following Draught.

On the way, he also stored the twin blade artifact in his space storage. According to Draught, Angus found all of these artifacts are still in a sealed state. So, he didn't need to worry about facing the blade's sentient spirit for now.

Although it was still in a sealed state, it didn't mean the artifact could not harm Angus. During the time Angus grabbed the sword, he could feel the sword trying to roast him to death. If he does not have good proficiency in [Hellfire], he may be dead already.

Angus also felt a weird sensation during the time he managed to pull up the sword. He feels like he could easily wield the twin sword more than usual.

'Well, let's find out what it is capable of later.' thought Angus.

Standing in the center of the room, old man Draught once again releases a strong aura before saying [Open] in an unknown language.

Then, bright light envelopes both of them. Before Angus realized he was already back outside. Outside, there are already a few people waiting for them beside Jade and the others.

During this moment, "Warton, what do you mean they are off-limits? We just want to ask them a few questions." said one of the elderly.

"I am sorry, master Jarred. But, master Draught told me to take care of them." said Warton without moving back from the elderly in front of him.

"Warton, do you know who you are speaking to?" replied master Jarred.

"An old coot?!" said Draught as he walked towards Jarred.

"Draught!! Y-You…" as Jarred fuming in anger.

"What is it? Hurry, tell me." said Draught.

"Y-You…" said Jarred.

Before he finished his sentence, "That's enough!! Master Draught, I hear from master Brogy. You bring an outsider to the treasury." said another old man.

"Really? I don't remember doing that." said Draught playfully.

"You are lying!!" rebuked Jarred.

"No, I am not." replied Draught.

"Y-You.. Then, why are you here in front of the treasury?" said Jarred.

"To retrieve something, of course. You don't even know about this. Are you stupid or going senile already, Jarred?" said Draught.

"You… Fine, look, master Tadus. He actually brought an outsider into the treasure room." said Jarred, ignoring Draught's taunt.

"No, I am not." denied Draught again.

"You… Master Tadus, this clearly a serious offense. We need to apprehend him now." said Jarred, trying to keep his calm.

"Master Draught, I asked you once again. Are you bringing someone to the treasury without permission?" asked Tadus.

"Of course, I am not. You said it is the treasury, right? I have never been there. What I entered just now is my treasury. Is there a problem with that?" said Draught, changing his playful tone to a serious one.

"Your treasury? Bullshit!! There is no such a thing as your treasu..." said Jarred.

Before Jarred ends his sentence, *BAAM* Draught already punched Jarred in the face and sent him embedded into the nearby wall.

"Weird, did I just hear there is no such thing as my treasury? Say Tadus, as one of the oldest elders, Did I have a personal treasury or not?" asked Draught to Tadus who was sweating under Draught's glare.

"Y-Yes, you have master Draught." said Tadus.

"Then, since when is there a prohibition to retrieve something from my treasury? Did you think my treasury was yours, huh?" said Draught.

"N-No, master Draught. It's just a little bit of misunderstanding." said Tadus.

'Damn, you Jarred. I never want to meddle with this crazy old man.' thought Tadus inwardly.

"I see a little misunderstanding, huh? Then, how about the accusation before? Is it also a misunderstanding?" said Draught.

"Yes.. I mean.." said Tadus.

Before Tadus could explain further, "Do you think I am a fool?? You just try to claim my treasury like your own, and I will just stay silent, huh?!!" said Draught as the whole castle trembled. *BRRRRTT*

"You know what, up till now, I never disturb Porros and all of you old coot business. However, before I know it, you suddenly claim my treasury to be yours."

"Did you think any master craftsman out there would be silent having their personal treasure plundered and claimed by strangers? It seems you old coot really forgot my wrath. ALL OF YOU GET OVER HERE!!" shouted Draught.

Suddenly, six old men appeared in front of Draught.

"You must already get the gist, right? Now, what will you do? Will you have war with me, or will you show me your sincerity? Ahh… also I will not let Jarred go this time. So, take your time and make your decision." said Draught.

Then, all the elders begin to meet on the spot while under a strong isolation spell.

"Damn it. I don't care if you want to provoke someone. But, why should you provoke the Draught of all people? Don't you know that he is untouchable?" said one of the elders.

"Master Tadus, I thought you were better than this? Did you already forget the incident from a hundred years ago?" said one of the elders.

"Alright, that's enough. Now, what should we do about this situation?" said another elder.

"I think we should dismiss Jarred from the elder position along with giving some compensation to Master Draught." said another elder.

"You must be joking, right? Why should we compensate him?" said another elder.

"Well, unless you want to have war with him and get yourself killed, which I don't want, you could not participate in compensating him." said another elder with a lazy tone.

"Tch.. Fine. How troublesome. Next time, why don't we just make a rule never to bother Master Draught." said another elder.

"Alright, now let's have a vote. Who agrees to dismiss Jarred and give compensation to master Draught?" said the oldest elder.