Chapter 91

The ether inside his body was gathered neatly, each bit trying not to mix with the others.

I remembered the moment when those ethers had blended together as if they were one. At that time, he had moved so freely.

Even now, I could still feel the vivid sensation of his ether mixing with mine, flowing without restraint.

I clenched and opened my hand, trying to shake off that memory.

“…Anyway, fine. Then for now, I’ll focus only on research.”

“Please do. And take care of your health too. There will be many things that need your help.”

“Don’t worry!”

Alright. For now, I’ll focus on developing the medicine.

There was a lot to do, but I didn’t feel bad.

Unlike the times when everything was dark and hopeless, now I could see the path ahead.

That alone was already a good start.

* * *

Time passed quickly. While spring flowers bloomed and filled the air with fragrance, each of us worked busily in our own place.

“Let’s see… how much have they grown?”

I had been tending a small field. Cedric had given me a part of the purified wasteland, so it finally felt like I was really farming.

Normal herbs grew in the outer wasteland, while improved herbs were cultivated inside the castle.

“Rita, should we plant more Shinta trees? They’re useful herbs.”

“Good idea. Tann, please take care of that side. Ah, and here—I want to plant some Lentisia.”

“Lentisia? Really?”

“Yes. I want to research it.”

Tann had become an excellent assistant. He used to dislike potion-making, but after the wasteland was purified, that reluctance was completely gone.

“Alright. But you’ll let me join the research too, right?”

“We’ll see—depends on how you do.”

He grumbled that I was stingy. That wasn’t the impression he gave at first, but lately he showed a different side.

While I was feeling that odd contrast, I saw a familiar figure in the distance.

Smiling brightly, I hurried over.

“Mr. Lucas!”

Lucas, now much healthier, waved back with a cheerful face.

Though he looked somewhat like Tinte, Lucas gave off a different impression. His slightly downturned eyes made him seem gentle. His soft voice and thoughtful behavior were part of his nature.

Seeing Lucas standing on his own two legs, smiling and living his daily life—it always lifted my spirits. I had saved him in time, after all.

And I was happy I could celebrate his recovery without regret.

“Lady Rita, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Of course. And you look great too, Mr. Lucas!”

“It’s all thanks to you. Oh, here—”

He shyly handed me a small wooden carving. It was a cat sitting like bread, eyes closed, looking very cute.

“Wow, did you carve this yourself?”

“Yes. Now I can handle delicate work like this. It’s still not perfect… but I’ve practiced a lot.”

“You’re doing wonderfully.”

Pride lit up his face. I smiled, satisfied, then tilted my head and asked:

“By the way, why did you come today?”

“Lord Cedric asked for me. Would you like to come along too?”

“Do I have to? I’m kind of busy.”

“Probably.”

He laughed awkwardly.

So Cedric wanted me to come too?

“Yes. He said it would be nice if Lady Rita came with you.”

“I see… though he didn’t mention it to me.”

Looking back at the field, Tann was already absorbed in his work. Since I’d given him the instructions, he’d report back after finishing.

“Alright then, I’ll come.”

Without much hesitation, I signaled Tann I was leaving and followed Lucas back to the castle.

“The castle is full of flowers too.”

“It’s such a fine day. The servants decorated everywhere.”

Spring had filled the castle as well. People brought flowers from the purified wasteland, their joy spreading everywhere.

The sight was heartwarming.

“Yes, it looks lovely.”

“Doesn’t it?”

Joy gathered together always looked beautiful. And knowing that joy could be shared with visitors made it even more precious.

After years of forgetting such small happiness, it felt strange—but also refreshing.

While I enjoyed the view, Lucas walked beside me with slow but steady steps.

Perhaps because of his walking difficulty, today’s meeting wasn’t in Cedric’s office upstairs, but in the first-floor parlor.

When we arrived, the door suddenly opened. Harun peeked out, smiling warmly when he saw Lucas.

“Ah, Lucas! I was just about to come greet you.”

“It’s been a while, Harun.”

Wow. Harun seemed like a completely different person. He was always grumpy with me, but with Lucas, he looked so friendly.

He chatted happily with Lucas for a while, barely acknowledging me.

Only after they finished their long greetings did Harun finally turn toward me.

“Lady Rita, you’re here too?”

“What’s with that reaction? Shouldn’t you treat an investor more politely?”

“Oh, such an unworthy person visiting such a grand place—what brings you here?”

“Strange. Maybe it’s time I take back my investment…”

He laughed lightly, showing he was joking, and I playfully shoved him before stepping inside.

Cedric was sitting by the window, reading a newspaper. He looked up when he heard us.

“Rita? Ah, you came with Lucas. Welcome, Lucas, it’s been a while.”

“I greet you, Your Grace.”

“You seem well. I’m glad.”

Cedric’s face also softened with joy.

The three of them had known each other since childhood, and whenever they were together, I could feel a subtle bond flowing between them.

I too once thought I had such a connection… or at least, I thought I did.

The hollow feeling brushed past me. I rubbed my left wrist and shook it off.

I couldn’t live under someone else’s shadow forever.

Just as the duchy had begun anew, I too would start fresh.

“So, what did you call me for? I brought Lady Rita as you asked.”

At that moment, the real conversation began.

Cedric glanced at Harun, who drew the curtains and cast a soundproofing spell. This was serious.

Then Cedric turned to Lucas with a firm look.

“Lucas, do you still do crafting?”

Crafting?

It was an odd question, but Lucas calmly answered:

“I’ve just begun again, with small wood carvings. Very fine work is still difficult for me…”

“That’s fine. In fact, I’m not looking for delicate pieces. I want to start with something rough, mass-produced.”

I tilted my head, confused, until Cedric explained further.

“A mine has been discovered in our duchy. It produces mana-stones.”

“…What?”

“We plan to use the lower-quality mana-stones to make accessories.”