Minori walked down the stairs, adjusted the tilted sofa from the earlier impact, and sat down. His gaze briefly flicked to Leinas' waist.
A magic item pouch?
He'd seen her draw her spear directly from the small leather pouch at her hip—clearly a spatial item, and not a cheap one either.
Given her noble background, it wasn't surprising she possessed something so valuable.
"I'm just offering practical solutions," Minori said with a shrug. "Both methods can potentially remove your curse."
"Do you have another one?" Leinas asked, eyes narrowing.
"Take me to the place where the curse originated," Minori replied, smiling faintly. "If we find the source, there's a chance we can resolve it entirely."
"…But I can't guarantee success."
Leinas gripped her black spear tightly. Her expression twisted with conflicted emotions.
She had once believed herself a protector of her family's lands, proud of purging the monsters that crept in. But in the end—the family she fought for had cast her aside.
Returning there could only mean one thing: revenge.
"…Fine."
A flicker of torment passed through her deep-blue eyes.
"Then let's go," Minori stood up without hesitation.
"Eh?" Leinas blinked, momentarily stunned. It almost felt like this had been his plan all along.
Nearby, Imina, who'd just been listening in, suddenly stepped forward.
"Wait, what about the regeneration potion?" she asked. "Do you know how wild people are going over that right now? If you disappear—" She paused mid-sentence, then sighed. "Forget it, you're the employer."
Minori glanced back at her. "Leaving the capital wasn't part of your job," he said flatly. "Stay here. If anyone comes asking, tell them I'm developing a new alchemical potion. After what happened earlier, no one's likely to break in again soon."
He turned toward the little skeletal dog at his side. "Kuro keep an eye on the place. Patrol the entrance."
"Ouuugh…" The bone-hound let out a soft, sulky whine, chains clinking slightly.
Leinas raised an eyebrow. So this was his real aim. Even if she figured that out, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Middle Fire Month, August 24.
Minori and Leinas quietly left the Imperial Capital and began their journey to the Rockbols domain—Leinas' former family territory.
The Baharuth Empire's terrain was far more rugged than the Kingdom of Re-Estize. It lacked the vast fertile plains and instead offered mountains, swamps, and harsh environments. Despite that, Emperor Jircniv had raised its strength to rival the Kingdom's, making him a ruler worthy of fear and respect.
Three days later—
A vast, violet-tinged expanse stretched before them, shimmering under the morning sun like a living, breathing creature. A stench of decay and mud filled the air. Wind from deeper within carried a sharp, fishy tang.
Minori stood at the edge of the marsh, eyes scanning the massive bog before him. Puddles of all sizes dotted the ground, interspersed with tall grasses and scrub brush.
If Leinas hadn't warned him, he might have mistaken it for open meadowland.
Farther in, mist-shrouded forests and mountains loomed, giving the whole place an eerie, dangerous feel.
This was the land of the Rockbols family—now abandoned—deep in the eastern Baharuth Empire, not far from the Angelicia Mountains. The mountains and swamp formed a natural barrier, isolating the domain completely.
Leinas stood beside him, her golden hair fluttering in the wind. Her expression was cold and distant.
"It came from beyond the swamp," she murmured. "Not native. From the jungle—or mountains deeper in."
Minori nodded, his voice steady. "Then we'll need to head deeper."
"Are you serious?"
"Crossing this swamp alone is already risky," she warned. "Even we locals never ventured far in. It devours everything."
She bit her lip. "That curse—it's not just power. Touching it might make you regret it."
Minori gave a soft chuckle. "You know what matters most to an alchemist?" he asked, stretching slightly.
"Not power. It's mystery—and the unknown."
He paused. "As for the power itself? I already have it."
Leinas blinked.
"You can stay here," Minori added calmly.
"I don't need protection." She raised her chin defiantly and readied her spear. "What you should be asking is—how are we getting across this?"
"Simple," Minori replied.
He reached into his robe sleeves and crushed two magic scrolls.
Fwoosh!
Twin bursts of radiant flame burst into the air, coalescing into majestic Fire Archangels. One by one, the glowing angels flapped into place.
Without hesitation, Minori jumped into the arms of the first angel.
"See? Easy."
Leinas stared, eyes widening. He can summon two at once?
A scholar. An alchemist. And now a high-tier divine caster.
As the second angel hovered near her, she leapt nimbly onto its back, gripping the shoulder plate.
"I'm not a caster," she muttered. "If something attacks, I'll need to move freely."
The archangels' wings beat again, lifting both into the air. Below, the swamp churned silently.
Gurgle…
Something moved beneath the water.
Bang!
A brown-skinned monster erupted from the swamp like a torpedo—sharklike, but twisted and alien.
"Swamp shark!" Leinas shouted.
The nearest Fire Archangel raised its sword and slashed downward.
Shhhk!
The beast was cleaved in two mid-air, its blood raining down into the mire below.
The surface instantly writhed as other creatures tore into the remains, devouring everything.
[EXP Gained: 172]
[Progress: 4,123 / 10,000]
"So this is what hides in your swamp," Minori muttered, expression calm.