"...Ah."
Rose, startled, looked back at the lamp.
"Mana absorption? Does this lamp do that...?"
At Rose's question, Matthias looked at me as if asking for permission. He was asking if it was alright to explain.
*Nod.*
As I nodded, Matthias began to explain with an 'I knew it' look on his face.
"Monsters are drawn to the mana of magic stones. Did you know that?"
"Yes."
"Therefore, to mine the magic stones of the Kalmar Mine, solving the monster problem was our top priority."
Matthias picked up a lamp and handed it to Rose.
"First, we cultivate Velvet Wisps using scrap magic stones and monster bone powder. The moss, having fed on mana and grown well, emits a blue glow like this..."
Rose stared at the shimmering blue light inside the lamp, her mouth slightly open.
"And monsters absolutely hate this Velvet Wisp."
When a new mining site was discovered, the knight order first secured the surrounding area, and then used the Velvet Wisps to block the monsters' approach.
Afterward, they quickly mined the magic stones and closed Gallery 13. This was the basic operating method of the Kalmar Mine.
"Other mines don't need this. They don't produce magic stones large enough to attract monsters."
"So it's a method used only in Schmaichel, only in the Kalmar Mine."
"That's right."
Matthias shrugged and added.
"However, this isn't a cure-all either. Weak monsters avoid the Velvet Wisps, but ferocious ones don't."
"Then...?"
"They think there are delicious magic stones where the Velvet Wisps are. So, some deliberately approach them."
Matthias thumped his chest.
"That is why we are stationed here."
"Wow..."
Rose's eyes sparkled.
"You're doing a really important job. It's no wonder His Grace trusts you with this task."
"Ahem, yes. Well."
I could see Matthias's shoulders subtly rising. He then glanced behind Rose and smacked his lips.
'Is there something behind her?'
There was no one behind Rose. I took my eyes off that spot and looked at Rose, who had her nose practically buried in the lamp.
"Are you fascinated?"
"Yes, that too. And I think this... umm."
Rose, who was about to say something, trailed off. It seemed she stopped speaking because she was conscious of her surroundings.
"Your Grace, by any chance..."
Rose approached me and whispered in my ear.
"Have you tried eating this?"
Seeing her ask with such a serious face, I almost burst out laughing. Knowing Rose's intentions, I held it in and answered solemnly.
"This is not a monster. Schmaichel has developed monster cuisine, not bizarre cuisine."
"...R-right."
"But Fabri is the type of person who isn't satisfied until he puts everything in his mouth."
*Heh.* I chuckled and resolved Rose's curiosity.
"He said it tastes terribly awful. He recommended giving it as a gift if you want to prank someone."
"Is it that bad?"
"It is. Above all, consuming this drains your mana. You'll feel something is wrong the moment you eat it."
"Right. Normally, people wouldn't eat it."
Rose stepped back and stared intently at the lamp.
"What Mr. Andersen mentioned..."
I could clearly see what she was worrying about and what she was thinking. All the puzzle pieces had been provided. Now, all I had to do was give Rose time to piece them together.
"Take it if you want. There's a Velvet Wisp cultivation room in the basement of my office, so you can take a look around."
"Yes...!"
Rose's face brightened. She practically bounced, as if she wanted to run to the office right that instant.
"But first, this."
When I took out the Magical Device and cube I had brought, Rose quickly followed me.
"Gallery 13 Foreman, a moment."
"Yes, sir!"
This Gallery 13 Foreman was the person who had worked in the mine the longest.
When Rose stepped up and explained the installation and purpose of the Magical Device,
"Is that really true?"
He immediately showed a favorable reaction.
"Are ya sayin' that if I just hold this little cube, it'll find where I am?"
The Gallery 13 Foreman fiddled with the cube. Interest and welcome spread across his wrinkled, scarred face.
"I only ever thought it'd be nice to have somethin' like this, but I never in my wildest dreams thought anyone could actually make it like this."
Perhaps because his thick dialect was hard to understand, Rose listened to his words with a highly concentrated face.
"It's truly amazin'. How on earth did such a tiny little miss do all this grand work?"
The Gallery 13 Foreman smiled broadly at Rose.
"Oh my, from what I've seen, you two match incredibly well. It's so bright I can't even look at ya. It's truly a lovely sight!"
Rose smiled brightly, perhaps having barely understood his words. A pleased smile blossomed on the Gallery 13 Foreman's face as he looked back and forth between Rose and me.
"I best be off now! I gotta go receive His Grace's orders, so I shouldn't delay and must hurry right now!"
He vigorously rolled up his sleeves and ran back.
Rose watched his retreating figure, and then...
"Phew..."
She secretly swallowed a sigh. It was a sigh of relief, as if she had finished a big task and laid it down.
'She finally looks relieved.'
Whether before or after Rose's regression, the accident where Gallery 13 collapsed and caused a cave-in always happened.
To prevent it, I had taken precautions in advance and had them reinforce the props and beams. But this wasn't the kind of accident that could be completely prevented.
Perhaps because of that,
'When are you going to the mine?'
Rose said this the moment she was able to move around a little.
Even when I told her it was fine and to rest, she insisted on bustling about and eventually followed me all the way here.
To help me.
'...The madam's contributions are significant.'
This was the reason the original Dane coveted Rose.
After seeing her contributions in the mine, he thought he could never let go of a woman who produced highly efficient Magical Devices without compensation.
'Absolutely not.'
But I was different.
I was doing my best to win Rose's heart, so that she would want to stay here of her own accord.
One of those ways was bringing her to this mine.
*Rumble, rumble.*
The magic stones of overwhelming quality were being loaded onto the cart.
Wouldn't this alone be a reason for her to stay in Schmaichel? Because Rose was a Magical Scholar.
Whether she knew my intentions or not, Rose just stood quietly.
"Rose."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"How is it here?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this place."
Rose blinked, trying hard to grasp the meaning behind my words. She glanced around the area and slowly opened her mouth.
"For one, the miners look very energetic... and the knights seem to have a sense of pride. Coming here in person, a place I had only heard rumors of, brings up new feelings."
"..."
"The monster defense line is well established. It seems Your Grace worked very hard to make it this way."
With those beautiful lips, she really knew how to pick only the words people wanted to hear.
But this wasn't the answer I wanted.
I wanted to say, 'I want to give all of this that I have built to you. If you stay here, all of this can be yours.'
I was going to say it like that.
"It all belongs to Schmaichel."
Only a highly compressed sentence popped out.
"Yes, that's right. It all belongs to Your Grace."
Rose answered with a small smile, as if my posturing was natural.
...Damn it. I ended up showing off in front of the madam.
This wasn't how I meant to say it. Why did it turn out like this?
"Hmm..."
Rose, seemingly unbothered by my posturing (?), began looking at the lamp. She seemed to want to study it quickly.
"...I'll be going in now. I should finish my inspection duties."
"Yes, Your Grace. See you later!"
Rose bowed her head and trotted away.
"Phew..."
I, sighing as I pinched the bridge of my nose, did not see it.
The moment Rose turned her back to me,
*Hehe.*
Her swallowing a laugh all by herself.
**
*Crackle, crack.*
The campfire blazed vigorously,
*Sizzle—*
A mouthwatering sound came from the wide iron plate placed over it.
"Is it not done yet?"
"Ah, don't rush me and just wait! Jeez!"
The knights were gathered around it.
What was roasting on the iron plate was the foot of a bird-type monster frequently found in the Kalmar Mine, a Pikkebal's foot.
"Ugh, I'm getting tired of doing this."
"This is happening because you only eat it boneless."
The knights skillfully sliced the Pikkebal's foot with a knife, then deftly picked out the small bones inside.
Stir-frying this boneless foot with seasoning made for an unparalleled delicacy.
"Shouldn't we add a bit more seasoning?"
"If you make it any spicier than this, you'll breathe fire from your mouth. Are you a dragon?"
The knights gathered here called themselves 'Mabeol Explorers'.
People who explored monster cuisine.
People who pondered where to start eating when they caught a new monster, and how to try eating existing monsters in different ways.
In other words, everyone here was a master and enthusiast of monster cuisine.
Just then, as everyone was salivating and staring at the reddened Pikkebal.
"What is this?"
Rose's innocent voice slipped right in.
"Madam!"
"Welcome!"
Everyone hurriedly stood up to greet Rose, and Helena standing behind her.
Rose's eyes were still fixed on the Pikkebal roasting on the iron plate.
"By any chance, is this a monster?"
When Rose asked, the knights exchanged glances. Their eyes darted quickly, and then...
"No way!"
"It's chicken!"
The monster had been upgraded to chicken.
They couldn't bear to tell the innocent and delicate-looking madam the truth.
"Yes! It's chicken, but it pecks magic stones... *cough.*"
One tactless person among them was quietly punished.
And Rose didn't miss that very moment.
"It's a monster, isn't it?"
Everyone glared at the knight who had said something unnecessary.
"...That is correct. But please don't worry. This one is among the weakest of monsters."
"Yes. Its beak is its only threatening part, but once it gets dark, it can't move, so you just beat it up... *Ahem*, sorry."
"A-Anyway, there's no problem at all. It has no poison and is safe. It's just a slightly unusual ingredient, yes."
Everyone started speaking incoherently to reassure Rose.
I thought Rose would back down at this point. Because ordinary noblewomen didn't prefer this kind of food (?).
However...
"Could I try some as well?"
Rose asked with a shy face.