Chapter : 42
Of course, this could only remain as a mere speculation.
Every time a hypothesis about the mana core was mentioned, the stance of the Duke’s family remained unwavering.
“We cannot sacrifice the noble bloodline of the Saind in a place where safety is not guaranteed.”
The Saind Dukes already valued their members highly. Among them, those immune to magic were only born in the main line, and most of them became the heirs of the family.
Yet, sending an heir into such a dangerous place? That was absolutely unthinkable.
“Besides, the Saind Dukes don’t desperately need a mana core.”
They were already a family that had achieved unrivaled power and wealth even without magic.
Furthermore, as founding contributors to the empire, even the emperor could not issue orders lightly.
So unless there was absolute certainty of safety…
“There’s no need to risk it based solely on speculation.”
Knowing this, no one dared to push the Dukes into action. Pressuring a family that had already made their refusal clear to go after the mana core would be, quite literally, audacious.
Audacious, meaning wanting to exploit the Saind main line for one’s own greed.
“But I’m already included in that ‘audacious’ category, right~?”
The Duke and his wife often said things to me casually:
“Daring little you, thinking you can—”
“Daring little you, thinking you can—” and so on.
“Well, if I’m already included, might as well make good use of it~”
I was certain of one thing.
Hartn would be completely unaffected by the traps surrounding the mana core.
“This is information guaranteed by the original story.”
Moreover, this mana core was slightly different in nature from others. Therefore, the surrounding traps were weaker compared to usual.
“Though if Hartn is unaffected by traps in the first place, the difficulty level hardly matters.”
Knowing this from reading the story, I was sending Hartn there. Otherwise, even I wouldn’t send him into such a dangerous place.
“This person trusts me blindly, following me without a shred of doubt.”
I whispered as I entrusted myself entirely to him.
“Honestly, I didn’t know what to give Hartn as an engagement gift.”
“Eh? You being by my side is already an invaluable gift.”
Even if I suddenly suggested going to the Roctavia Canyon, even if there was a hidden mana core there, and even if it was absolutely necessary—Hartn didn’t question anything. He nodded without the slightest hesitation.
I liked that devoted attitude, so I hugged him even tighter.
“I’m really glad Hartn’s feelings for me are due to the curse.”
It wasn’t the fickle emotions of an unpredictable person.
Then it would never change.
“Never…….”
Late at night.
Hartn and I left the lodging and rode toward the canyon.
There were soldiers stationed along the way, but they weren’t likely to protect the vast wilderness that had nothing to steal.
Thanks to that, we could easily scout the canyon.
“Hartn, this way.”
I guided him toward where I sensed the mana, and soon we reached the innermost part of the canyon.
“Here…”
Hartn dismounted first, then helped me down and surveyed the surroundings.
In front of us was the entrance to a large cave.
“The mana feels strongest inside there.”
“Then it must be inside the cave.”
I shivered slightly at the cold wind, and he naturally took off his robe and draped it over me.
“I’ll be back soon. Wait here. I honestly don’t like leaving you alone in an unfamiliar place…”
“I’m a mage. Don’t worry.”
Honestly, the number of spells I could use was limited…
But I had studied magic mostly for practical uses when creating the resort.
“Still, psychokinesis can be applied in many ways.”
I could handle most emergencies.
And there was little chance anything would happen in a place where no presence could be sensed.
“Most importantly……”
“Standing here will tire your legs. Sit on this folding chair. It’s dark, so I’ll light this magic lantern. If you get thirsty, drink this water. Warm water and tea leaves are here. If you get hungry, I brought snacks. The night wind is chilly, so use this blanket. And here’s a book for when you get bored.”
Click, click, click—.
Hartn kept taking things out of a bag on the saddle.
“No wonder he packed so much before we left.”
It was almost like he was setting up camp here.
After seating me, he handed me a mug filled with warm water.
He looked satisfied, as if reassured, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Thanks to you, I can wait here for hours comfortably.”
“I won’t let you wait here for hours. I’ll be quick.”
Firmly, he picked up only a small magic lantern from all that luggage and headed into the cave.
Of course, he glanced back at me a few times on the way in.
I waved lightly to reassure him.
Gradually, he disappeared into the darkness.
“He trusts my word alone and goes in without hesitation.”
Hartn surely knew how dangerous the mana core’s traps could be.
I drank a sip of the water he brought, watching the cave entrance with a slightly strange feeling.
“I wonder if he’ll be out soon?”
One thing was certain—Hartn would come back without any trouble.
While pondering briefly, I opened the book he had brought.
“Since he brought it, I might as well read.”
He said he’d be back soon, so I just had to wait, right?
And thus, an oddly timed reading session began.
“He’s late.”
Thud—.
Having finished all the common adventure novels Hartn had brought, I slammed the book shut and stared at the cave entrance.
The book wasn’t thick, but it wasn’t exactly thin either.
He hadn’t emerged from the cave by the time I finished reading.
“At least two hours must have passed…”
In the original story, the cave wasn’t that large.
So if traps didn’t work on him, he would have found the core and come out quickly.
“Something must have gone wrong.”
Frowning, I stood and stared intently at the entrance.
Being on Tadibna Island and having witnessed Hartn’s monstrous physical abilities, I wasn’t too worried.
He would handle most dangers on his own.
“…Could he have gotten lost?”
Just then, something unusual caught my eye in the sky.
“Huh?”
It was a small canary with yellow feathers.
I tilted my head, puzzled by a bird that didn’t belong in this canyon.
“Why is there a canary here?”
Then I remembered the massive forest beyond the canyon.
Could it have flown here from there?
“Even so, it’s quite a distance.”
The interesting part came next.
The canary, flying above, noticed me and flew straight to me.
It landed softly on the book I was holding and looked up at me.
“…….”
The moment our eyes met, I felt a strange sensation—indescribable, very peculiar.
Something like… attraction.
“What is this bird?”
I frowned slightly and cautiously reached out to stroke its head.
The bird flinched briefly, then calmly accepted my touch.
A gut feeling stirred within me.
“This is no ordinary bird.”
Something… something about this bird.
Was there a part in the original story with a canary like this?
As I traced my memory, the bird suddenly fluttered up and, to my surprise, headed straight toward the cave entrance!
“Wait, that’s dangerous!”
I hurried after the canary but had to stop at the cave entrance.
Going in myself wasn’t part of the plan.
