Chapter 3: Rosaria Stone

On the way to the mine, Jerome happened to see what Liao was reading. The Royal Papers, it was named as such but it was actually a press out of the royal authorities' control.

The young man saw the headline saying, 'The Crown Prince Disappeared Again! Royal Knights Roamed Around Town in Search of Him!'.

Jerome could only sigh, of course Rowan was exploring the kingdom and was studying on his own. From what he remembered, the crown prince hated studying with the help of tutors provided by the elders since Rowan became aware of Rosarians' status. Compared to how he was being taught to ignore those in need and focus on — the ones that governs most of the kingdom — the nobles, Rowan learned more from the people.

"My... The crown prince is such a rebel..." Liao frowned, "will the kingdom be in good hands at this rate?"

"I think it is too soon to judge the prince, there are more than what a paper can say." Jerome defended, it was entirely because he knew the truth to Rowan's actions but also because it really was too early to assume anything.

"Oh... Wise indeed, my lord." The Eastern man smiled.

After a while, they arrived at the mine. Somehow, Jerome felt like it was drawing him in, "Is this..." He knew magic works in this world but as someone who was unaware of it, he can't explain it well.

"A magic composite mine? Of course." Liao chuckled, Jerome looked at him in shock.

He was more in shock that the older was offering to sell the mine to him than anyone else. This could possibly be better than the diamond mine that wasn't found yet if not better than any other mine.

From what he remembered, the Jerome from the novel was only able to buy a normal gem mine, it was strikingly different to his current situation.

"I don't think I'll be able to buy this, you knew of the amount I have." The younger frowned but Liao chuckled again.

"Oh, do not worry. I'm sure you'll be able to profit more than the price of the mine."

Jerome looked at him in disbelief, "Don't speak on behalf of the seller."

"But I'm telling the truth. The seller would approve of me. Since the seller is me."

The younger stared at him disappointedly? In disbelief? He don't know but sometimes when Liao speaks, he has the urge to punch him.

"Why didn't you tell me last night? Why hide the fact?" Jerome asked, crossing his arms.

"Well, I like the mystery." Of course Liao don't have a smart reason for it. He just likes being silly.

Jerome sighed and entered the mine, every sound he makes makes the stones light up as if it were alive.

The Eastern man followed, walking right by the younger's side.

"I heard that this mine was hiding a very powerful artifact. I can feel some magic here but I don't feel that draw that rumors say." He stated making Jerome think.

'Why am I drawn then?' He kept walking, as if he knew the mine like the back of his hand. As if something or someone was giving him the directions.

Liao, of course, noticed, smirking as he found it interesting that a magical artifact probably chose Jerome. He always wanted to see it first hand, special people that is, chosen by the universe.

At the end of the mine, a dead end, the younger stared at the wall before lending his hand out to touch it, only to feel it phase through his hand.

"An illusion..." He muttered, looking at Liao who nodded, an implication that they should proceed.

The two men proceeded and to their shock. They were suddenly in a domain, with blue sky and solid water to walk on, rippling at every step.

In the middle of it all was a small island, a stone in the middle of it, shaped like a rose.

"The Rosaria stone..." Liao muttered.

"The one that said to choose it's owner?" Jerome looked at him, the older nodded and gestured for him to proceed.

The younger looked at the stone and stared at it, he felt it. It was the one that was drawing him in.

Jerome took the stone, a rose like gem that glowed beautifully. Jerome remembered reading about the stone before. It was actually found by Rowan in the novel but how come he was the one who drew him in?

'Maybe I became the protagonist?' Jerome asked himself, the gem soon glowed a brightening glow before swallowing them in a void of white.

"He asked for two wishes... to meet you in the past and again in the future... for love is strong and how I long craves so... let me grant thy wish a lad sacrificed his life to..." The young man heard a woman's voice before he blacked out.

When Jerome woke up, he was being shaken by Liao, "My Lord! How could you leave me so soon?!" He dramatically exclaimed.

The younger held his head as he sat up noticing the new necklace on his neck with a rose gem pendant. Jerome found it strange but somehow he felt protected, safe and warm.

"Oh, you're alive." The Eastern man smiled.

"I wouldn't be sitting up if I was." Jerome sighed, "What happened?"

"You passed out before we could even get inside, my lord." The older stated, tilting his head, confused.

Jerome was confused, he remembered getting inside with Liao, "I need to confirm something." He said and got inside, he took the same path he did before and eventually reached the dead end.

The young man reached out to touch the wall and unlike before, he didn't phase into it. As if what he experienced were all a dream.

When Jerome got out of the mine, he was welcomed by a confused Liao, "Found anything interesting, my lord?"

"Gems." The younger just answered, deciding to just brush off what happened.

"Let's go, I think I've seen enough." He told the older, walking to the carriage first.

"It's my carriage, you know?"

As Jerome settled in and the carriage proceeded to take them back to the kingdom, Liao began to talk about the festival.

"The Rosaria Festival is coming soon! I am sure there would be numerous shops we could explore!"

"I have to attend?" The young man asked, he never went to those after his parents died and he doesn't really have any friends—maybe acquaintances but that's all that he has—since he was too busy earning money.

"Why, of course, my lord! Festivities are the key gather more connections!" The Eastern man exclaimed, smiling.

"I think you just wanted to enjoy yourself."

"Of course."

Liao immediately contradicted himself, "But that is not all! There are more investors such as I in festivals. I will be very much happy to introduce you to some."

"Even when I'm not yet a business man of some sort?"

"It's as if giving some hint to investors on what to come. Since you already saw the mine, what shop do you plan to manage?" The older asked, as if always anticipating Jerome's answer.

He always finds him interesting after all. Like a color to a bland world.

"Rosen Gems. A jewelry store of magical gems." The younger held his rose gem necklace.

Liao beamed at the idea, "Magnificent! Oh goodness! The innovation of magical gems and jewelries?! Oh I'm sure it would be a hit!" The Eastern man seemed to be more excited than he was.

"I'll have to look for the greatest jewelry maker then... and some mage... or a gem expert...?" Liao began to mutter to himself, already thinking about the things that Jerome might need.

Even though the younger felt like he became some sort of entertainment for the latter, he was still grateful to have found such a man with many connections.

Jerome looked out the carriage window, thinking about what happened in the mine once again. It was as if it was an answer and yet it left more riddles to be solved.

The Rosaria Stone. The young man looked at his necklace. From what he remembered based from the novel and from the history of this world, the Rosaria Stone was believed to be the one responsible for the foundation of the Rosaria Kingdom, hence the name.

Some of the history books even said that the Kingdom was actually governed by a powerful witch named Rosaria Bloodrose. Someone who could separate and collide different worlds.

She was also said to had the power to change the universe only for her selfish whims, which caused for her to be punished by gods who turned her blood into gems.

This was also the tale of how magical gems were made, her body slowly decomposed and her heart became the rose in which people believed to be because of her love for her lover.

Oh, so beautifully dangerous as it protected her beloved even after her death.

If the history was true, the Rosaria Stone might've been the one responsible for how he ended up in this world.

Jerome looked down at the rose gem pendant again, ignoring how Liao talked to himself like a lunatic.

'If that was the case, I have the way to get back home.'