*****

Several hours had passed since we began the geological survey.

Having no specific task of my own, I spent the time wandering back and forth between Master Clein and Leon, purification potion in hand. Both of them were conducting their investigations with such grim, focused expressions that I found it a bit difficult to speak to them. I could do nothing but watch from the sidelines, careful not to interfere with their work.

I don't think there has ever been a day where I felt more acutely aware of my status as an "apprentice" alchemist. The frustration of being unable to do anything without being taught made me feel like I was suffocating. Of course, purifying the miasma was a perfectly respectable job, but still...

「Please refrain from investigating beyond this point. Safety has not yet been secured.」

Whenever I tried to expand my range of movement, I was stopped by the knights ensuring our perimeter.

I suppose it couldn't be helped. Perhaps because we had moved quite a distance from the knights' encampment, the number of monsters and the density of the miasma had increased. If I wanted to investigate safely, I had no choice but to follow the knights' orders.

(I shouldn't get sulky over something like this...) I thought, but as I continued to pace around restlessly, Master Clein approached me.

「A slight mist has begun to roll in. The chances are low, but it could be influenced by monsters or the miasma. We'll purify whatever miasma is within sight and then head back to the camp.」

「Understood. I'll go tell Leon-kun to wrap things up as soon as he hits a good stopping point.」

「Please do. I’ll go give instructions to the knights. I need them to spread out a bit more; otherwise, our purification range will be too narrow, and it will hinder our work next time.」

With that, Master Clein dashed off toward the knights, and I headed toward Leon. When I reached him, he was looking around restlessly, as if he had sensed something unusual.

「Are you worried about the mist too, Leon-kun? Master Clein said there's a possibility it's caused by monsters or miasma, so we're heading back to camp for the day.」

「I see. The mana contained in the soil around here is strange, so I wanted to investigate a bit more... but I suppose it can't be helped.」

「Don't overdo it. Finish up your survey and purify whatever miasma is in sight. I'm going to start purifying a bit further ahead.」

「Please be careful. We can't be certain this mist is naturally occurring—」

「I know, I know. Master Clein said the same thing.」

Finally having an actual task to do, I used my surplus energy to run toward the visible pockets of miasma.

Even if it was just giving them a few squirts of purification potion, it felt genuinely good to contribute to the unit. Despite all the hard work I'd put into the preparations, being unable to do anything on-site had been nothing but a source of stress. The King had even provided us with escort knights; if I didn't produce some kind of result, I wouldn't be able to look anyone in the eye.

If I had to report that I just stood around and watched during my first investigation request, my position as a Court Alchemist’s assistant would be in serious jeopardy.

(I have to work harder at this purification!) With that thought, I gradually expanded my area of activity. Of course, I had every intention of not getting carried away—despite being a grown woman—and making sure I didn't get separated from the group. Or so I thought.

When I turned around, all I could see was Leon in the distance, looking about with suspicious, jerky movements.

「That was close... It looks like I almost got myself lost while I was so focused on purifying the miasma. I'll just clear out the miasma right here and get back to everyone quickly.」

I gave the nearby miasma a few squirts of the potion. However, the miasma here wouldn't dissipate easily. I had to spray it several times before it was completely purified.

「Huh? Is the miasma only thick right around here? Wait, if that's the case, then this mist...」

Suddenly sensing a sharp threat to my safety, I shook my head and scanned my surroundings. That was when I discovered it—a strange pattern on the ground a short distance away, with mana flowing through it.

In that moment, Master Clein's words echoed in my mind.

'I’m actually afraid you might discover something outrageous.'

(S-so this is what they call "collecting on a flag" in those commoner stories! I can't believe this is actually happening!)

I mean, there was something there that was far too unnatural to exist in the wild! No matter how you looked at it, that was a ritual magic circle!

「Mia-saaan! Where are you?!」

A loud voice suddenly called out from behind me. Startled, I dashed back toward Leon.

「Leon-kun, shhh! Keep it down!」

「Whoa! Don't just pop out like that!」

Seeing Leon looking more surprised than necessary, a question occurred to me. I had called out to him from right in front of him, yet it was as if he hadn't seen me at all.

「The way the mist suddenly got this thick is clearly bizarre. Let's hurry up and regroup with the others.」

「The mist got thick? But the mist is still thin, isn't it?」

「It's likely due to Lady Vanessa's Necklace of Warding. It must be nullifying the magical effects surrounding you.」

Hearing those ominous words, I looked down at the necklace on my chest; it was giving off a faint, white glow.

「You're right... Vanessa-san's necklace is glowing.」

「I brought some Warding Stones that are resistant to magical interference, but they aren't very effective against this mist. Unless someone possesses a special item, it should be difficult to even make it this far.」

As he spoke, Leon pulled a small charm bag from his pocket and showed me the contents. Inside were three stones glowing white, just like the necklace.

So those were the "Warding Stones" Leon mentioned. Since they bore traces of mana enchantment, they were likely an alchemical item.

While I was staring at them with a blank, gormless expression, Leon tucked the stones back into the bag.

「It's dangerous to go any further. There's a high probability that something is nearby, so let's turn back for now.」

Even though I could talk to Leon, he didn't seem to be making eye contact at all; his visibility must have been truly terrible. He likely couldn't see anything through the mist.

I wanted him to see the magic circle as well, so I grabbed his hand to bring him within the interference range of the Necklace of Warding.

In that instant, our eyes met perfectly. His vision must have cleared up.

And so, I felt the need to tell him. To tell him that the "flag" had already been collected!

「Listen, and try to stay calm. I've already found it.」

*****

Thank you for reading. If you want to help my hobby please download and install LDP9 with my link down below. Just Click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.