It Wasn't All-Powerful

I understood Spira’s situation now, along with the fact that we’d have to gather a variety of materials to help her.

But wait—if we could just get our hands on the medicine from the start, wouldn't that solve everything?

Halfa shot me a wink, clearly thinking the same thing.

"Hey, Tort."

"Yeah. I was just about to try it myself."

Try what, you ask? The Pandora Gift, of course!

"H-hey! Wait! That’s a Pandora Gift!"

The moment I pulled it from my Storage Ring, Lowell lunged forward and grabbed my hand, his face pale with alarm.

"Uh, yeah. I know, but..."

"You knew, and you were still going to open it?!"

Lowell stared at me with an expression I couldn't quite place. Was he angry? Appalled? Or maybe just exhausted by my lack of common sense?

"Wait, didn't I tell you what happened back in Cygnil, Lowell?"

"I heard about the Black Wolf, but what does that have to do with a Pandora Gift?"

Lowell furrowed his brow, looking utterly lost.

"I might have glossed over a few things, so maybe I didn't mention it?" Spira added, tilting her head curiously.

Now that she mentioned it... that was probably the case.

It would have taken far too long to relay every single detail, so I’d naturally stuck to the highlights. I’d mentioned getting the Rune Breaker, for instance, but I’d skipped over the exact method of how I’d acquired it.

Searching through my memory, I couldn't recall ever bringing up the fact that I'd been opening these gifts. Which meant that, from Lowell’s perspective, I was currently a lunatic trying to crack open a hazardous explosive in the middle of his living room.

"No, no, it’s not like that! Calm down. The Pandora Gift is actually a wonderful item."

"Wh-what’s gotten into you, Tort?! Get a grip!"

Ah, oops. I’d definitely messed up the order of operations here. Lowell was only getting more agitated. I decided to stash the Pandora Gift back in my ring for the moment. I needed to calm him down first.

"Sorry. Let me explain everything from the beginning—properly this time."

"If you say so..."

Despite his bewilderment, Lowell settled in to listen.

I took care to lay out the facts in the right order. First, I told him about [Destiny God’s Smile]. Then, I explained how I’d used its effect to secure vital items on multiple occasions.

Lowell’s expression shifted as the story unfolded. He spent a lot of time groaning, so I wasn't sure if he was fully convinced, but he seemed to accept that he couldn't just dismiss it as impossible. Showing him the Rune Breaker as physical proof had likely been the clincher.

"Essentially, whenever I open a Pandora Gift, there’s a very high chance it’ll produce exactly what I need in that moment."

"And you think Spira’s medicine will come out now?"

"It’s not guaranteed, but I think it’s a gamble worth taking. Even if what comes out isn't what we’re looking for, it shouldn’t be anything dangerous."

"I see..." Lowell muttered, ruminating on the idea. After a long silence to collect his thoughts, he bowed his head deeply. "I apologize for doubting my benefactor. Please, I leave it in your hands."

Honestly, there was no need for him to apologize. From any sane perspective, I was the one being eccentric. Regardless, with Lowell’s permission secured, I prepared for a second attempt. Focusing my mind on a cure for Spira’s condition, I opened the Pandora Gift—

"Huh?"

A small vial appeared. If it were truly a remedy for her half-spirit state, it should have been something entirely new to me, yet I recognized it immediately. This was definitely...

"It's an Elixir Soma."

"What?!"

Lowell’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as he stared at the vial. I suppose it was incredibly rare, even if this was already my second time seeing one.

I checked it with my Appraisal Loupe just to be sure, but the results were the same: Elixir Soma.

"Will this do the trick?"

"No... I'm afraid not."

Lowell, having finally thawed from his shock, shook his head sadly.

"It’s a miracle cure for wounds and illnesses, but it won’t help her. It doesn't have the properties needed to stabilize her spiritification."

"I see..."

So it was a no-go. I guess the Pandora Gift wasn't quite the wish-granting machine I'd hoped.

Thinking back, the miracle in Cygnil had involved a global crisis—an incident directly tied to the Destiny God. It felt like the stage had been specifically set for me then. Spira’s situation, however, was a private matter. Maybe it simply wasn't the kind of thing the gods would go out of their way to intervene in.

To make matters worse, Shiroru chimed in with a telepathic comment.

『Pandora Gifts typically only contain items found within dungeons. A specialized Forestfolk medicine might not even be in the loot table.』

I really wish she’d mentioned that sooner!

"I'm sorry, Lowell. I didn't mean to get your hopes up."

Lowell shook his head. "Don't be. You acted purely for our sake. I could never hold that against you."

I appreciated the sentiment.

Alright! Even without a shortcut from the Pandora Gift, I’m going to make myself useful!