"This is..."
Seeing this, Roland's expression became solemn. He stopped and gave a slight nod to the skeleton leaning against the wall, a gesture of basic respect for the unknown deceased.
Then, he carefully bent down. With movements both gentle and firm, he pried apart the long-calcified and stiffened finger bones, removing the object clutched within. He then held it under the sphere of light to examine it closely.
It was a small metal ring strung with seven or eight old keys of various shapes and sizes. Judging by their styles, it was clearly a master key ring for opening different types of locks.
But what was more eye-catching was a thin, rectangular slip of metal attached to the key ring, about the length of a finger and the width of a fingernail.
It was cool to the touch. Its material wasn't quite iron, but seemed to be mixed with a small amount of Mithril, giving it a unique, pale silver luster.
