Sacred Jewel

The Sacred Jewel, often called SJ, is a sentient artifact passed to Gustav by the Rirdhaggles. It grows by consuming compatible powers and develops into an independently acting reconnaissance, transport, storage, and combat partner rather than a passive possession.

History

The Rirdhaggles' gift and the first feeding

The Rirdhaggle leader passes the Jewel to Gustav as their savior, believing the transfer will end their wars. Once Gustav is home, the translucent stone leaves his storage space under its own power and communicates hunger through intent. With Gustav's permission, it consumes the Ulovonturian Gem and immediately demonstrates darkness and shadow effects derived from that core. The episode establishes the basis of their relationship: Gustav can direct or feed it, but the Jewel chooses to emerge and expresses its own needs. (Chapter 846)

As their bond develops, Gustav can sense that the Jewel is bound to him and understand its nonverbal answers. Its light grows as it consumes compatible crystals and energy, although feeding does not produce an identical upgrade every time. By chapter 1055 its sentience and comprehension have strengthened enough that Gustav treats it as a companion, praises it, and supplies spatial energy as food. (Chapters 853, 1055)

Reconnaissance, rescue, and combat partnership

The Jewel first broadens Gustav's reach by displaying live footage of specified locations, including building interiors, and by exchanging a hostage with itself across space. Its surveillance requires Gustav to know the place he wants to inspect; it cannot simply locate an unknown person such as Miss Aimee without a target location. It later replays stored footage and supports communication and concealment, making it a source of intelligence as well as force. (Chapters 853, 855, 1361, 1519)

SJ can form an artificial golden humanoid or robotic body around its core. It fights infected creatures, restrains enemies, reshapes terrain and attacks, and can discard a damaged artificial body without suffering the same injury because its continuing consciousness remains in the stone. At IYSOP, Gustav asks SJ to protect Falco; it rescues him from Captain Strum, administers aid, and repeatedly alters distance or attacks so Strum cannot reach them. That mission is protective work performed by an intelligent partner under Gustav's request, not the use of an owned person. (Chapters 999, 1200, 1302–1305)

Abilities and properties

• Consumes compatible cores, crystals, and energy, growing stronger and sometimes acquiring capabilities associated with the consumed source. Compatibility is selective rather than universal. (Chapters 846, 853, 1055)
• Exchanges its position with a target across space, enabling remote rescue or substitution. (Chapter 855)
• Displays and records specified remote locations, including interiors, but requires a known location and cannot freely discover an unknown target. (Chapter 853)
• Creates combat bodies and transformations around its enduring stone core; damage to an artificial body does not necessarily injure its consciousness. (Chapters 999, 1200, 1302–1305)
• Manipulates space, terrain, attacks, darkness, and acquired Ulovonturian-related effects, with its repertoire expanding through feeding. (Chapters 846, 1200)
• Develops stronger independent intent and communication over time, while remaining closely bonded to Gustav. (Chapter 1055)

Ownership and custody