The-Chrysanthemum-Codex：Ash's-Ascension

Chapter 6:The Hidden Key

As Karn Bloodfury stood oblivious, Ash discreetly slipped the stolen Artifact into the wide sleeve of his robe, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Karn Bloodfury, you did well today," Ash said, his tone dripping with mock praise. "Tonight, you’ll have two whole roasted veal to feast on!"

"Two whole roasted veal!" Karn Bloodfury’s bruised and battered body seemed to light up with joy. Despite the fresh cuts and bruises from the battle, he leapt into the air like an overgrown child, his excitement palpable.

Meanwhile, Ash’s attention was drawn to the familiar itch on his backside. The first chrysanthemum bud on the Chrysanthemum Codex had begun to stir, its petals quivering and gradually unfurling until, with a final shudder, the flower fully bloomed. It was a delicate, intricate blossom, one that signified the next step in his reluctant journey of redemption.

This bloom was his reward for saving the elderly couple—a sign that his good deeds had not gone unnoticed by the Codex. The first chrysanthemum was now in full bloom, the petals spreading out like rays of a golden sun, while the flower’s core glowed softly, promising the slow but inevitable progress toward mastering the Chrysanthemum Codex.

Ash felt the power of the Codex humming through him, a subtle yet undeniable energy that seeped into his very bones. He couldn’t help but feel a thrill of triumph—he was one step closer to his ultimate goal, one step closer to freedom from the curse that bound him.

With a satisfied smile, Ash approached the elderly couple, who were now struggling to their feet. He extended his hand, offering them assistance with a warm, almost saintly smile. "There’s no need to be afraid, my dear elders. I’ve taken care of those ruffians. You’re safe now."

The elderly couple, their hands trembling, grasped Ash’s hand and rose shakily to their feet. Tears streamed down their wrinkled faces as they bowed repeatedly, their voices quivering with gratitude. "Oh, noble descendant of the Holy Dou Saint, we praise you! Your kindness is as radiant as your ancestor, Saint Rollin!"

Ash’s eyes glinted as he listened to their words of thanks, but beneath his warm exterior, his mind was already racing, thinking of the Artifact tucked away in his sleeve. He didn’t have time to waste on pleasantries—there was work to be done, secrets to uncover, and power to be seized.

But still, he maintained his facade, smiling graciously as he handed them a small trinket from his belt. "Take this, and if you ever find yourselves in trouble again, bring it to the Rudolf estate. I promise, I will protect you."

The couple’s eyes widened in surprise and joy as they accepted the gift, bowing even lower. "Oh, young master Paru, you are a true blessing! May the Holy Dou Saint watch over you always!"

Ash nodded, the same saintly smile plastered on his face, though his thoughts were already far from the alley. "Karn Bloodfury, let’s go," he commanded, turning away from the grateful couple. The sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting long shadows across the alley as Ash and Karn Bloodfury made their way back to the Rudolf estate.

As they moved through the fading light, Ash’s thoughts turned inward, focusing on the weight in his sleeve. He couldn’t wait to examine the Artifact, to uncover its secrets and harness its power. Whatever it took, he would find a way to make it his.

Upon returning to the estate, Ash wasted no time. He found Lumian just as his elder brother was about to leave for yet another noble’s banquet. Ash blocked his path, a determined look in his eyes. "Lumian, I need to talk to you."

Lumian blinked, momentarily surprised by Ash’s seriousness. "What is it, Paru?" he asked, sensing the urgency in his brother’s tone.

Ash led Lumian to a secluded corner of the garden, where the evening’s quiet was disturbed only by the rustle of leaves. "I want to know more about Dou Saint Artifacts. I need to understand them."

"Artifacts?" Lumian’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why the sudden interest, Paru?"

Ash smiled, a mixture of curiosity and something darker flickering in his eyes. "Let’s just say I’ve had an enlightening day. Tell me everything you know."

Lumian studied Ash for a moment, then nodded, his expression softening. He sat down on a stone bench, gesturing for Ash to do the same. "Artifacts are ancient, older than the oldest of legends. No one knows exactly where they came from, only that they hold immense power—power that can amplify a Dou Saint’s abilities far beyond their natural limits."

He paused, pulling a small metal orb from beneath his collar. The orb was similar to the one Ash had stolen, though this one glowed with a faint red hue, its surface etched with intricate patterns. "This is my Artifact, the Gauntlet of Rollin," Lumian explained, holding the orb up for Ash to see. "It was passed down from our ancestor, Saint Rollin himself. An Artifact isn’t just a weapon or a tool; it’s a living thing, with a will of its own. It chooses its master, and once it does, the bond is unbreakable."

Ash watched intently as Lumian’s hand began to glow with a soft, warm light. The orb responded, its surface shifting, the intricate patterns coming to life as the metal reshaped itself into a pair of gauntlets, encasing Lumian’s hands in a fiery red armor. "This is the power of a Dou Saint’s Artifact," Lumian continued, his voice tinged with pride. "It’s an extension of my Dou Qi, a part of me."

With a flick of his wrist, Lumian unleashed a burst of flame from his gauntlet, the fire arcing through the air before dissipating harmlessly into the night. "But remember this, Paru—an Artifact’s power is limited by its wielder. I’m a Third Level Magic Warrior, but my Gauntlet of Rollin is a Fifth Level Artifact. That means I can only use a fraction of its true power."

Lumian allowed the gauntlet to retract, the metal folding back into the orb, which he tucked safely away under his collar once more. "No matter how powerful the Artifact, it will always be restrained by the user’s level of Dou Qi. But a stronger Dou Saint with a lower-level Artifact can still unleash their full potential—though the benefits may be limited."

Ash’s mind buzzed with the possibilities, his thoughts turning to the stolen Artifact in his sleeve. If Lumian could wield such power with ease, then what was stopping him? But even as he entertained these thoughts, a new question arose, one that gnawed at him with increasing intensity.

"What if someone wanted to sever the bond between an Artifact and its master?" Ash asked, trying to keep his voice casual, though his heart pounded with anticipation.

Lumian’s expression darkened slightly, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Ash with a hint of suspicion. "That’s not something easily done, Paru. An Artifact’s bond with its master is strong—almost unbreakable. But it’s not impossible. The most direct method is to have the Artifact accept a new master, but that requires immense Dou Qi, far beyond what most Dou Saints possess."

Ash’s pulse quickened, his thoughts racing. He was already plotting, already considering the next step. "And how does one make an Artifact accept a new master?"

Lumian let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You’re a curious one today, aren’t you? But I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. Forcibly claiming an Artifact is a bit like trying to woo a stubborn maiden. You can’t win her heart, but you can take her body by force—if your Dou Qi is strong enough."

Ash swallowed hard, his mind spinning with the implications. "But what if… what if your Dou Qi isn’t strong enough?"

Lumian’s chuckle turned into a full laugh as he stood up, ruffling Ash’s hair in a rare show of affection. "Then you’d best forget about it, little brother. Even our father, with his Eighth Level Dou Qi, can only force a Second Level Artifact to yield. Anything higher, and you’d be wasting your time. But don’t fret—there are plenty of ways to grow stronger."

With that, Lumian turned to leave, casting one final glance over his shoulder. "And Paru, a word of advice: don’t get too obsessed with things beyond your reach. There’s a lot more to being a Dou Saint than power alone."

As Lumian’s figure disappeared into the distance, Ash quickly pulled the stolen Artifact from his sleeve, holding it up to the dim light of the garden. The orb was cold to the touch, its dark metal surface glinting ominously.

"Damn it, Chalman," Ash muttered under his breath, turning the orb over in his hands. "You’ve really given me a headache with this one."

Returning the Artifact wasn’t an option—no self-respecting thief would ever return stolen goods. But keeping it presented its own set of challenges. The bond between Chalman and the Artifact was likely still intact, and if Chalman discovered it missing, he’d be able to track it back to Ash.

For a fleeting moment, Ash considered trying to force the Artifact to accept him as its new master. But Lumian’s words echoed in his mind, dampening the temptation. If even an Eighth Level Dou Saint like his father struggled with higher-level Artifacts, what chance did he have?

But then, as he continued to examine the orb, his fingers traced over the tiny holes and intricate designs on its surface. A familiar itch started to spread through his hands—the same itch he’d felt when picking locks, the itch that told him there was a puzzle to be solved, a challenge to be overcome.

"Damn it," Ash muttered to himself, his curiosity getting the better of him. He couldn’t resist. He needed to know more about this Artifact, needed to understand its inner workings, even if it meant playing with fire.

He quickly scanned the garden, ensuring that no one was watching, before darting over to a row of flower trellises. Hidden beneath the wooden beams was a small ironwork shelf, lined with various tools and wires—likely left behind by the estate’s gardeners.

A grin spread across Ash’s face as he pocketed a handful of thin wires, his fingers already moving with practiced ease. "No lock stays closed for long when Ash is around," he murmured to himself, excitement bubbling in his chest.

With the wires in hand, he found a secluded spot in the garden, kneeling down and placing the Artifact in front of him. He inspected the orb closely, noting the four tiny holes on its surface, each one perfectly round and spaced evenly apart.

"Let’s see what secrets you’re hiding," Ash whispered, slipping the wires into the holes one by one.

As he began to work, his mind raced with possibilities. What lay within this mysterious Artifact? What power did it hold, and more importantly, how could he make it his?

The wires slid into place with a satisfying click, and Ash felt a surge of adrenaline. This was what he lived for—the thrill of discovery, the challenge of unlocking something forbidden.

He twisted the wires gently, feeling the internal mechanisms of the Artifact shift and respond. The orb began to hum softly, its surface glowing with a faint, eerie light.

Ash’s heart pounded in his chest as he continued to manipulate the wires, his hands moving with a precision born from years of practice. The glow intensified, the hum growing louder until, with a final twist, the orb clicked open.

A triumphant grin spread across Ash’s face as he peered inside the Artifact, his eyes widening with awe and excitement. "Well, well, what do we have here…?"

The inner workings of the Artifact were a marvel of ancient craftsmanship, intricate gears and glowing crystals interwoven in a delicate dance of power and precision. It was like nothing Ash had ever seen before, and the potential it held was immense.

But even as he admired the Artifact’s design, a thought nagged at the back of his mind—a reminder of the risks he was taking, the dangers that lay ahead if he continued down this path.

"Just a little longer," Ash whispered to himself, his fingers brushing against the Artifact’s core. "Just a little more, and I’ll have you all figured out…"

For now, the thrill of the challenge outweighed the fear of the consequences. But Ash knew that in the world of Dou Saints and Artifacts, every victory came at a price. And he was determined to make sure that, whatever the cost, he would come out on top.