Quite like the Second Layer of the Hatcher, where the higher value items were set at a higher altitude, the artefacts within the Warmoth's Treasury were organized in a similar manner. Spears, capes, cloaks, hammers, swords, bracelets, necklaces, bracers, braces, scrolls, pots, cauldrons, vases, chest plates, helms, whips, and on and on. Any form of tool or weapon could be seen on either side of the path leading to a distinguished spot at the end of the storage space, where a mighty suit of armour had once sat – the Warmoth's masterpiece.

Skullius was still furious with Future Skullius for taking it without telling him. That had almost cost him terribly in his fight against Fulgardt and the Deities. But no matter. What was done was done. Now, it was time for what lay ahead.

The Stark Troops eyed all the artefacts. It wasn't their first time being in this place (as they had used the Timemould Mirror Box back then as well), but they could never get used to the sight of them. The monstrous powers whispering from the items were daunting. Most of them seemed alive – vivacious. Some were furious, poised to strike, and some – perhaps older and wiser – waited with tamed anticipation.

"The Colossus Warmoth, the creature that created this place, was capable of extending its reach outside the Null Verse – even though it couldn't leave," Skullius began, and at once, the Stark Troops, Pherdanta, and Elita paid him rapt attention. "Despite the fact that the Null Verse has no Common Reality Leagues, many of the items you see before you are from the wider Reality – Treasures."

Skullius drew one of the items on the wall with a thought. An instant later, he had it in his hand: a helm with the face of a ferocious demon.

"Immortal Physiques, Andori, Treasures… aspects of the Common Reality Leagues, were created by the Primeval Deities. Treasures, in particular, are produced by an organization founded by one of these beings. They consider themselves a clan and make Treasures as a trade unique to them, branding each item they make with a seal."

…But there was no seal on the helm he was holding.

It was Elita who had first taught him the origin of Treasures when they were headed for the Purity Headquarters on Aigas, but Skullius' knowledge on the subject had grown since he absorbed Boron's memories. It finally made sense to him why the Treasures in this Treasury didn't have seals, despite them being taken from the wider Reality.

(A/N: Refer to Ch.1306.)

It was a matter of timelines. The Warmoth had passed on a long time ago, before the Primeval Deity who introduced Treasures delegated the task to the individuals who would later become the clan that took on the trade. They were the ones who cared to mark each of their creations.

Skullius frowned slightly. It sickened him.

"Frankly, I would rather not have you all use these at all," he said. "But for now, you will need them."

Right then, Skullius unleashed his overwhelming presence while simultaneously cloaking each and every one of his subordinates with his Null Life Essence.

The abrupt onslaught of his malice would have stunned or killed some of the Troops, hence why he shielded them from it. His target was all the items in the Treasury. As most of them had consciousnesses, he wanted them docile so that his subordinates would subdue them and take them for themselves. This was an effective tactic – another thing Skullius had learned from Elita. The Void User's Broodweiler had been tamed for her by Void.

A moment later, Skullius' pressure vanished.

"Take your pick. The items themselves will reveal their abilities to you," he said to the Troops. "But don't be greedy. Don't aim too high." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The Troops, bleeding excitement, did as they were bidden. They rushed over to the walls and began trying out different weapons, armours, and tools. Just like Skullius had said, the items revealed their properties upon being touched. The deep-set consciousness within them told their stories.

"Are you sure they should be reaching for anything higher than World rank Treasures? Even if you've tamed them with your presence now, they might rebel later," Elita said to Skullius, a worried look on her face.

"Don't worry. They'll know to avoid Void rank Treasures, and I've isolated the dangerous ones among the Realm rank Treasures."

Even as he reassured Elita, Skullius was processing something else.

It would have been handy if all of his subordinates could have the guidance field so that they could take their appraisal and discernment abilities to the next level, but as it stood, he couldn't make any more <Attachments>. Of his subordinates, only Kenno, Yuyui, Kintar, and Sila had guidance fields.

Skullius had hoped his recent immense stride in power would elevate his Patronage Rank, allotting him more slots for <Attachments>, but it seemed becoming the Null Devil King didn't count.

'Oh, well. I'll have Kenno and Yuyui make a few <Attachments> for themselves, and as for the rest… I bet what I'll give them in the guidance field's place will be much better anyway,' Skullius thought.

As the Troops were selecting their items, he addressed them:

"The enemies you are going to be facing from here on out have advantages that you didn't get a chance to experience in your battles with the Cavern and the masked necromancer, who was only freshly ascended as a Divine. As an added measure of natural defense, they will have Immortal Physiques, unique bodily qualities that fortify both their body and soul from damage." He scanned each of the Troops, scolding some and praising others for their choices in Treasures with looks alone. "You need more finesse to your strengths to damage these enemies, and more unfair cards."

That was how the system for ascending through Divinity was designed. It wasn't a linear path. AKHASHA loathed that. There was a critical balance, as long as one had the right mind. Treasures, in particular, happened to be the strongest aspect of the Common Reality Leagues when matched with the others per equivalent rank.

"Memorize the Absolute Property of the Treasures you choose," Skullius said. "In a contest between Treasures, its grade matters second. The most significant part is its property, and when using it, be the one to strike first. Between a Prime and a Wicked Treasure, the first to use its Absolute Property against the other wins, regardless of rank. Remember that. It may very well be the reason you, as a mortal, kill your first Divine."