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"Then, that's where I'm headed."
"Th-that's right."
Auditor Marcus, who prided himself on having seen all sorts of things while maintaining his position as an auditor for over a decade with a Rank 1 body, was seeing a Rank 8 this close for the first time.
This was especially true for a Rank 8 from the Empire, and even more so for the 'Surveyor,' who rarely left the Empire.
Except for the [Guardian Dragon] and the [Emperor of Honor], most of the Rank 8s in the Empire freely traveled within and outside the Empire. It was a point of pride for the Empire as a hegemonic power. The confidence that even if the Rank 8s traveled abroad, they wouldn't leave the Empire.
In fact, wasn't it thanks to that that the [Archmage] was able to attend the Grandis Academy charity ball? However, unlike the Guardian Dragon, who had to stay in the Imperial capital, and the Emperor of Honor, who didn't want to leave, there were those the Empire truly didn't want to let go of.
The Surveyor and the Sculptor.
The most unique and peculiar individuals among the twenty or so Rank 8s on the continent.
However, their abilities were unmatched, and no one else could compare, so they were individuals the Empire paid special attention to. And unlike the somewhat free-spirited Sculptor, the Surveyor didn't leave the Empire due to his personality.
"Although my skills are insignificant, I'll bring back results that will satisfy you, Master."
"There's no need to bow to me! Even Count Anton—"
"It's fine for other masters. I surveyed and found him in the castle, so I can't let you go there because of me. It won't take long anyway."
"I understand…"
He was a Rank 8, and despite being almost 100 years old, he kept bowing and calling himself a servant.
It wasn't that he didn't know his worth or status. It was just a habit, a lifelong practice, for the Surveyor to call everyone "master" and act subserviently.
Due to his personality, the Surveyor was famous for rarely leaving the western gate of the Empire. Then why was he in the kingdom now?
Marcus, who worked as an auditor and knew a bit about the royal family's affairs, quickly figured out the reason.
'They're finally intervening in the Delphia Kingdom.'
His Majesty wanted to take advantage of the civil war brewing in the Delphia Kingdom to expand the kingdom's territory and gain various benefits. And the Empire also wanted the same, so they must have sent the Surveyor, a valuable asset, to grasp the internal situation of the Delphia Kingdom.
Although it was the kingdom that would be deploying troops, the Empire would also gain considerable benefits. As a hegemonic power, it wasn't appropriate for them to directly intervene in the civil war, so they were using the kingdom.
But political reasons aside, wasn't it thanks to that that the Surveyor came to help with this unexpected situation?
Auditor Marcus, putting aside his worries about the war for now, headed towards the collapsed rock salt mine with the Surveyor.
"Hmm, this is…"
"The Finance Director of Grandis Academy and a student fell down there."
"Please wait a moment, Master."
Tap.
The Surveyor picked up a nearby twig and stuck it into the ground.
He then started drawing lines. It looked like he was drawing randomly, but Auditor Marcus, standing next to him, couldn't stop the cold sweat.
'The mine's blueprints…!!'
The rock salt mine was a complex network of Tunnel 1, Tunnel 2, Tunnel 3, and various other tunnels. To think that he could grasp the structure of the underground mine just by sticking a twig in the ground…
The auditor couldn't help but acknowledge King Akendelminos's foresight in bringing the Surveyor into the kingdom. He could grasp the complex structure of the mine just by glancing at it, so how much must he have learned while coming to the capital?
The locations of mountains and rivers, the existence of shortcuts, the presence of underground spaces, the layout of the capital's roads and sewers, and even the structure of the royal palace.
The Surveyor must have learned all of that just by passing through. Akendelminos wanted the Surveyor's help even at the risk of that information being leaked.
Because if he focused, he could even 'survey' the military situation and battles in the distant Delphia Kingdom.
A Rank 8 who boasted almost godlike abilities within the seemingly ambiguous realm of surveying.
That was the Surveyor.
"I found them."
"Already…? What's their status?"
"The two masters are safe. However, they seem to be resting since they're not moving. Other than that… hmm?"
"Is there a problem?"
The Surveyor, who had been drawing the blueprint on the ground and marking the points presumed to be the Finance Director and Ruth,
Suddenly widened his eyes and stared at a spot right next to them, deep inside Tunnel 2.
"This is… something is moving with a regular pulse."
"Excuse me? You mean there's another living being?"
"Judging from the size and shape I surveyed, it's not human. Rather… a heart?"
"What?"
Just as Auditor Marcus asked back in surprise at the unexpected answer, the Surveyor, who had been peering into Tunnel 2, suddenly raised his head.
He then looked up at the clear, bright sky.
But the Surveyor's expression was changing rapidly.
"Hmm, could it be…!?"
"Surveyor?"
"Master, be careful. The Great One is coming."
"Great One… you say?"
"My master, His Majesty the Emperor, has commanded me. To be wary of the Great One. She may not be as great as my master, but she is truly worthy of being called the Great One."
Rumbleeeee
A sound was heard.
Only then did Marcus notice the change in the sky.
The sky, the vast sky without a single cloud…
…was being torn apart.
Ziiiiing!!!
"Ugh!?"
It was only after the ear-splitting ringing forced Marcus to his knees that he realized it was an illusion caused by an immense amount of aura.
The aura, so dense that it was collapsing in on itself, was shattering the surrounding space.
A realm beyond Sword Qi and aura, something that only the Margrave displayed when fighting monsters Rank 7 or higher.
Not all Rank 8s were capable of this. Only a few, those who had reached the limits as living beings, could perform such extraordinary feats.
She seemed far away, but her arrival with a sonic boom was instantaneous.
BOOOOOM!!!
"Ugh!?"
"It's been a while, Great One."
"…Still the same annoying greeting, Surveyor."
"Where are the other masters who followed the Great One? I remember there were three of you, the one who wields a spear, the one who wields a sword, and…"
The Surveyor, who was about to continue, stopped as he saw the hat worn by the Headmistress, who had just arrived.
It was a cautious and regretful attitude.
"The master who owned that hat."
"That's a bit unnecessary and outdated for a greeting. Let's get straight to the point, we're in a hurry."
"The two masters are still alive. They're quite deep underground, but I believe it will be no problem for the Great One. I can't let the Great One dirty her hands with soil for something like this, so I'll personally…"
"Step aside."
"As you wish."
Leaving the Surveyor, who immediately bowed and stepped back, behind, the Headmistress moved.
Bang! Bang!!
She didn't bother using any aura techniques. She simply dug downwards with overwhelming force.
Despite that, her speed was dozens of times faster than the reconstruction efforts attempted by Count Anton. Several meters of earth disappeared with each punch, and a deep hole was dug in an instant.
The Surveyor, watching the Headmistress single-handedly digging a tunnel,
"Hmm."
"Surveyor…? Why are you suddenly like this?"
"Ah, Master. It's nothing. It's just that something similar to a heart that I surveyed in Tunnel 2…"
"Something?"
"…is moving towards the two masters. But I think it'll be fine, considering the Great One's speed."
Marcus's face turned pale at the Surveyor's nonchalant words.
Crash!!!
The Headmistress, as if she didn't even have time to say anything, immediately increased her speed.
***
Ah, I slept well.
"…Student Ruth, how long did I sleep?"
"Not long. About ten minutes?"
"Is that so? I feel like I had a good sleep for the first time in a while."
I truly slept well. I didn't know why I suddenly felt sleepy, but even ten minutes of good sleep completely relieved my fatigue.
If I could sleep like this in the future, I could reduce my sleeping hours and focus more on work.
I briefly entertained that depressing yet practical thought and then got up from Ruth's chest.
Wait, did I really sleep like this? She wouldn't accuse me of sexual harassment, would she?
"Was I heavy? I apologize."
"It was fine. Really."
"That's a relief."
I hope I didn't snore or drool. Even though it was too dark to see Ruth's chest properly.
Ah, before that…
"Didn't I say something before I fell asleep?"
"...…"
"About how I knew the way to this rock even though it was my first time here?"
Honestly, it was a sense of dissonance that I only realized after hearing Ruth's comment. I came to this rock without any problem? Thinking about it now, it was truly absurd.
But Ruth remained silent without answering, and…
"…Well, I'm not sure."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Shouldn't we move again? We don't know when this place might collapse again."
"That's true, but…"
"Let's go."
It felt like something had changed… but Ruth's words were still correct.
Whether it was dissonance or whatever, our priority was to find an exit, wait for the Headmistress's rescue, or find out the cause of the mine's collapse.
I got up, following Ruth, who had already stood up with the faintly remaining embers of the fire she had apparently lit.
"First, we need to find the source of the tremor."
"Huh?"
"Because of that tremor, the mine collapsed. Didn't you say that you and Auditor Marcus were trapped because of a similar tremor before?"
"That's… right."
"Then that tremor must be the cause of the mine's collapse, and if we can figure that out, it would be a great help to the academy's finances."
"What? What do you mean?"
Ah, I haven't told Ruth about this yet, have I?
It was fine as long as I hid the fact that we were on the verge of bankruptcy.
"Actually, the Headmistress engaged in futures trading with this rock salt mine."
"...…"
"And it failed because of the collapse caused by the tremor last time. The finances took a critical hit because of that, and that's why I've been working overtime and all-nighters."
"…Tremor."
"But thanks to Student Ruth's help, I'm managing somehow… Student Ruth?"
Ruth, who had been eager to depart, froze the moment she heard my words. What was wrong with her all of a sudden?
Was she that shocked that the Headmistress engaged in futures trading? Well, it was quite shocking that she ruined the finances with futures trading.
"Tremor… Dark Sword… me… because of me?"
"Student Ruth? I can't hear you clearly."
"Because of me, Adam…? All that hardship, the obsession with money, the poor living conditions, all because of me…?"
"Student Ruth?"
What was she talking about? As a Rank 1, I needed her to speak slowly to understand.
I moved a little closer to Ruth, who had suddenly started muttering to herself.
"A-Adam…"
"Student Ruth, I'll say it again, but casually calling a staff member by their name…"
"It's all… because of me."
"What?"
"Me, because of me, Adam…!!"
What?
What was wrong with her?
Just as I was about to ask what was going on, seeing her suddenly burst into tears,
Thud.
"Hmm?"
Huh? What was that sound from over there—
Thud!
"…Student Ruth, Student Ruth."
"I-I'm sorry, Adam. I didn't intend for this…!!"
"We can talk about that later! First, look over there!"
"Huh…?"
Thud.
Beyond Tunnel 2, barely visible in the dim light,
Something was approaching, making a noise. Ruth also noticed the situation belatedly, hurriedly wiped away her tears, and drew her old sword. Was it just my imagination that my eyes were drawn to that sword?
Anyway, that something was getting closer with an increasingly loud noise.
'There's a Rank 6 here, so there's no need to worry…'
"Adam."
"Yes, Student Ruth. I'll quietly move to the corner so I don't get in the way."
"Run."
"…Huh?"
"That's…!!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!!
Only then could I see what was making the noise.
Ruth, already running desperately, scooped me up and sprinted towards the entrance of Tunnel 2, where we had come from.
And right after that,
Crack!!
A wave of salt crystals, pulsating as if alive,
Came crashing down endlessly.
What the hell was that…!?