"…The funny smell is coming from here."
Slowly, she raised her hand and reached for the lid.
Her fingers brushed against the rough wood, and she decided to open it and check it.
Creak…
Aria's fingers slowly lifted the lid, opening a small gap.
Just as her eyes began to peer into the darkness inside—
"Aria!!"
A shout suddenly rang out from outside the storage room.
One of the other maids was calling for her.
"Where are you! We need your help! We found a strange sword!"
At the mention of a strange sword, Aria's serious expression instantly shifted.
Her blue eyes lit up with clear excitement.
Without another word, she released the crate lid and rushed outside.
Jake watched through the gap as Aria's figure disappeared out of the storage room.
Only then did he finally let out a long, shaky breath.
"…Fuck."
His heart was still pounding violently against his ribs.
The tension that had been holding his entire body rigid slowly began to drain away.
