Chapter 071

‘Was life very difficult before you started selling potions?’

As I was thinking this while watching Joy unconsciously talk about his past, he suddenly realized that he had added unnecessary details and quickly got back to the main point.

“……I got sidetracked. Anyway, my point is that if you use detection magic, you can immediately know if there’s ore, rocks, or anything buried underground, so it’s easier than digging directly.”

“It sounds incredibly easy when you say it, Joy.”

“Because it is.”

Joy placed her hands on her hips and let out a light scoff.

It could have seemed quite arrogant, but since it was Joy saying it, I couldn’t help but accept it.

Detection magic was one of the more complicated types of magic, comparable to protective magic, so even if you knew the incantation, it wasn’t easy to succeed.

To think he used such complex magic to find coins abandoned in the ground.

“Sometimes I wonder if you’re smart or stupid, Joy.”

With that ability, if he had gone to the capital, he could have earned enough money to last a lifetime.

“Geniuses tend to have many secrets.”

Joy, as if he had caught on to the meaning of my words, maintained his usual playful demeanor and smoothly transitioned the conversation.

‘Even if I learn the incantation from Joy, I’m not sure if I can use it properly, and even if I succeed, I won’t have the strength to maintain it. So, the remaining option is…’

As I continued my thoughts for a moment, I looked up and stared at Joy.

“Joy.”

“I think I know what you’re trying to say.”

Joy interrupted me, crossed his arms, and continued with what I was about to say.

“You want me to help investigate the territory, right? It would be even better if we could find land with something like ore buried in it.”

With a perfect answer, I nodded vigorously, and Joy, seemingly intrigued, cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“Hmm, if I actually find that mine, does that mean I get my share no matter what is buried there?”

“Of course. I’ll double the payment for the remaining protective barrier.”

“Really?”

Hearing my answer, Joy jumped up in place and shouted back excitedly.

It wasn’t even a condition of a valuable gemstone mine; I was offering double the original fee for simply finding whatever was buried. It was enough to make anyone faint.

‘As long as we find Tilke.’

Considering the enormous benefits Tilke would bring in the future, it was practically a bargain.

I looked at Joy, who was burning with enthusiasm to find the mine, and steadied my resolve.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

The next day. The day of the investigation.

“Can someone who limps after just a little walking really climb a mountain?”

A voice filled with complaints echoed low in the first-floor hall.

Having finished preparing to leave and standing by the door, I was now repeating the same words so many times that I had lost count.

“I really am fine! I was just feeling a bit unwell back then, but today I can climb well.”

When I said this firmly, Evan’s mouth, which seemed ready to argue, quickly closed into a straight line.

“Just don’t trip over a rock like last time.”

It was only after 30 minutes had passed since we decided to set off that I finally received a proper farewell, and I smiled brightly as I looked at Evan.

When I said I would join Roman for the territory exploration, Evan naturally rejected me, citing the dangers involved.

However, seeing me insistently wanting to go, it was Evan who first raised his hands in surrender.

He had said he would go with me, but due to unavoidable matters that arose at the castle, he couldn’t.

“If it gets too hard, just…”

“I know. You want me to tell Roman?”

This was already the third time I had heard this.

The faces of the attendants waiting nearby were filled with suppressed laughter, yet the person in question seemed completely oblivious.

It wasn’t like I was a child being left by the water, listening to repeated warnings for dozens of minutes.

“Ahem. Um, can we leave today?”

At that moment, Joy, who had been waiting nearby, could no longer hold back and whispered quietly so only Evan and I could hear.

“This isn’t separation anxiety; can you just send her off quickly? It’s not like we’re sleeping out; we’re coming back in the evening. What’s so worrisome?”

Evan shot a sharp glare at Joy, but he quickly feigned innocence and hid behind me.

“We’re really leaving now.”

As Joy said, if we delayed any longer, it could disrupt the schedule, so I hurriedly turned to Evan to say goodbye.

Evan still wore a stern expression but nodded quietly in response to my farewell.

After making eye contact with Evan, I turned and walked towards Aires, who was standing nearby.

“I’ll be back by evening. Until then, listen well to the older sisters here.”

Although the territory was considered safe, it would be difficult to bring a child along for the investigation, so I had entrusted Aires to the maids.

He seemed to want to come along, but the fact he didn’t insist was both admirable and pitiful. I patted his head and stood up.

Stepping outside, I could already see the knights waiting with the horses.

“Welcome, my lady.”

“Let’s set off now.”

After greeting the knights one by one, I mounted my horse and headed towards the castle gate.

How much longer did we ride through the cool fields?

“We have arrived. The area we will be investigating starts from the Sort Mountain range and extends to the banks of the Twellin River.”

Roman, the head of the exploration, unfolded the map and explained in detail the area we would be investigating today.

A total of 24 people were assigned to the exploration.

He said that three people would form a team to investigate the designated area.

“Report immediately if you discover anything unusual.”

“Yes. Understood!”

With a spirited shout, the knights quickly disappeared into their assigned areas.

Now, the only ones left at the starting point were Joy and Roman, who would be moving with me.

“We should head up too.”

“Yes. The entrance to the mountain is very steep, so please be careful. If you experience any discomfort, let me know right away.”

Nodding at Roman’s concerned advice, we began our ascent up the mountain.

About 30 minutes into our climb, it happened.

“Hah, hah.”

“My lady, are you alright? Here, have some water.”

“Thank you.”

I wiped the beads of sweat from my forehead and glanced around for a moment.

The mountain, thick with trees and underbrush, boasted lush greenery, proving that it had not seen human footsteps for a long time.

And in the midst of that picturesque scenery lay Joy, sprawled out like a white silhouette.

Blending with the rocks, he was barely managing to catch his breath, looking pitiful enough to evoke sympathy from anyone watching.

“How about training with me after this investigation, Assistant? Then you’ll be able to climb mountains like this much more easily!”

Roman, who had been looking at Joy with the same pity as I, began to comfort him with a determined expression.

“…Just the thought of it is dreadful.”

“Excuse me? Could you say that again? I didn’t catch that.”

It seemed Roman’s annoying chatter was getting on Joy’s nerves, as I could see his fists clenching, but he soon chose to turn his head away in silence.

It appeared he didn’t even have the strength to get angry.

“I think it would be best to start our first investigation here. Please let me know if you or the assistant notice anything unusual.”

As Roman assessed our condition, he took out a flag from his supplies and said this.

Then, he began to collect samples of the plants and rocks in the area and examined the geographical features, jotting down notes on paper.