"… All right."
Although Annan was a little concerned about what the "afterimage" was, he still nodded without asking further questions.
He knew that Kafni had extraordinary perception. It is perfectly normal for her to see the world that ordinary people cannot see.
... Speaking of which, he still doesn't know much about Cafney.
But at this moment, an idea suddenly flashed in Annan's mind.
He asked, "Caffney...do you have anything you want or like?"
Annan asked about Cafney's preferences, which had nothing to do with his plan.
This is Annan's plan to take advantage of Kafni's young age and low wariness... to inquire about information that can be used outside of the nightmare. After all, this is just a nightmare, and when the nightmare is over, Cafney will not remember anything that happened in it.
In that case, even if Nightmare's final strategy failed... Annan won the key information, it wouldn't look too bad.
Cafney was taken aback when she heard this.
She was silent for a while, then whispered, "I want...a present."
"… what gift?"
"birthday present."
she replied softly.
Those transparent glazed pupils made her always look like an emotionless doll. But only at this time, Kafni seems to have a little more "humanity".
Cafney turned her head slightly, and her doll-like delicate and immature face showed a somewhat complicated expression: "Today is August 8th... It's His Majesty's birthday, and it's also my birthday. It's my birthday and His Majesty the King's." It's the same day.
"But no one remembers my birthday. They only remember His Majesty's birthday...
"I think, maybe only becoming a king... the birthday will have the meaning of being remembered."
But before Cafney finished speaking.
Annan began to grope for himself.
Seeing his behavior, Kafni was a little dazed.
… Is he, really going to give himself a gift
But then a little urgency and expectation were born in her heart.
Her father has been busy with His Majesty's birthday since he got up in the morning.
He hasn't even said happy birthday to Cafney yet.
And her mother didn't care about Cafney's birthday.
Also before Cafney got up, her mother disappeared—it was as if the world had evaporated.
And it is precisely because Cafney feels lonely on her birthday that she goes to the garden to paint through the secret room when there are foreign guests.
"I do have a gift for you..."
Annan replied in the affirmative.
He had already checked it before—Annan didn't have any weapons that could be used for self-defense, but he was wearing a blue ring, a badge and a marble.
After this badge is activated, it can immediately call the Hand of Winter in the nearby range; while the ring is a curse made with the craftsmanship of the Duke of Winter, the effect is that it can detect hostility, actively use it, and make all nearby hostile units , was forced to freeze for a period of time - it contains the element of frost, it can only be used once and must be recharged.
Obviously, neither of these two things can be given to Cafney.
But that jewel marble does.
[Eye of Frost]
[Type: Material/Orb/Gem (Blue)]
[Description: A special product of the Duchy of Winter, an orb that keeps cold even in boiling water]
[Effect: Actively use to try to dispel mind control and hallucinations.]
[Effect: When equipped, keep your mind awake at all times, making the mental state of the holder stable.]
[Price: Every time the active effect is used, the body temperature of the holder will drop by one degree, which lasts for one day. This cost stacks.]
Blue materials are not considered precious... Annan's own spell objects and materials basically start from dark blue, mixed with purple and gold. For example, the ring and the badge are both purple-level spells.
It would not seem too strange to give such a gift.
And it's beautiful... like an ice blue glass marble, which is nice to look at. Just right for a little girl.
It is usually placed in Annan's inner pocket, and Dmitry will not ask where it went for a short time—Annan can leave after fighting the nightmare anyway.
And according to Annan's memory...
After about a year or two, Cafney became a transcendent.
She will be aware of the existence of "Dream Stealer" Denton.
At that time, Kafni directly overloaded the curse on her body, allowing herself to be highly eroded by the curse... Only then was she able to resist the dream stealer's mind control ability.
... If Kafni could have such a treasure in real history. Presumably there is no need to make such a dangerous act.
"for you."
With this in mind, Annan handed the marbles in his arms to Kafni.
He explained in a low voice: "This marble can remove mind control. If you carry it, it can also refresh your mind and keep you awake... It doesn't do much for me, but it's a good thing for you.
"Remember not to use too much, or you may catch a cold and get sick. You can usually put it in a gem box and use it once a day at a set time is the best."
"... is it a curse?"
Kafni, who was just asking for a gift tentatively, widened her eyes in astonishment.
She originally wanted to ask for a copy of Annan's gloves, or some accessories as souvenirs.
After all, based on Kafni's perception of her status, she felt sadly... After Annan returned to China, they might never see each other again.
After she was born, Annan was the first person of her age who didn't think she was a monster, and was afraid and disgusted by her... and the only one, including her parents, who thought her paintings were beautiful from the bottom of her heart.
He is Cafney's only friend.
But unexpectedly, Annan gave her directly... something not so ordinary.
Just the coolness she felt when touching this "marble" told Cafney that it was extraordinary.
Although Annan was able to hold multiple spell objects, it was because the blood of the Lindong family was scarce. But at this time, Noah's royal family has not died so that there are only three heirs left...they have a lot of heirs. And because the old king was so alive, almost every heir had many heirs.
Only the eldest princess Elizabeth, who is still single, and the fourth prince, who has only one daughter, are exceptions.
For Cafney, who has not yet become a superhuman and has a low status in the royal family, this is indeed a precious gift.
It was so precious that she didn't even dare to accept it.
Annan realized Kafni's entanglement and vague inferiority complex, and couldn't help but secretly sighed.
You are obviously a princess... Is this really okay
"You accept it," Annan replied forcefully, "At worst, when you see me again, just give me a gift of the same value.
"Without wasting time, I'll go first—you have to remember to draw. The sound can be clearer."
"… good."
Kafni agreed softly.
She clenched the orb in her hand, feeling something touched in her heart.