The intense training wasn’t limited to Elizabeth alone; it applied to all party members.

If there was a difference, it was that they, unlike Elizabeth, voluntarily trained themselves.

A Paladin, a Wizard, an Elemental Mage, and a Sword Master using an Oracle.

These four knew what they needed to do to become stronger, so they practiced alone without the need for orders.

While Elizabeth might be surprised to hear it, the training these four party members were doing far surpassed her efforts to increase her stamina, which were at a beginner’s level, considering she was a complete amateur. It would be a tale of leaps and bounds for Elizabeth, whose training led to physical exhaustion.

Ruth drank the mana recovery potion he made himself. Although it wasn’t advisable to exceed the daily recommended amount, it helped alleviate his fatigue.

“Still, it’s fortunate that the Duke found out that the culprits behind the zombie incident were the shamans.”

“Ruth, want some of this? It’s delicious.”

Benedict offered a skewer of grilled vegetables to Ruth.

“Oh, thank you.”

Ruth didn’t refuse and took a big bite of the skewer. With his duties ranging from training to research and various other tasks, he felt hungry every moment.

Despite eating more meals than usual, he didn’t gain weight. Stress and the fact that the head chef of the Marquis was intentionally preparing fatty foods for Ruth were the reasons.

Even though the days at Matop seemed busier than being stuck in the mansion, Ruth’s heart no longer hurt.

“It’s a problem that it’s challenging to find information about the shamans within the empire. In the Kaladia Empire, their power is almost extinct due to being taboo.”

“Yeah, that’s why it’s irritating.”

According to the story, angered by the attempt of a dark sorcerer to assassinate the reigning Empress Kaladia, Pope Anais prohibited all magic within the empire.

Apart from black magic that offered sacrifices, there was also white magic, but due to Anais’s strong opposition, sorcerers were rejected and suppressed.

Local sorcerers living within the empire had to leave their hometowns and head to Quina, the cradle of sorcery.

As a result, within Kaladia, generations were born who didn’t even know what magic was.

Around Benedict, bright spirits gathered, emitting a firefly-like light.

“The spirits say that fairies might know more about magic than the people of the empire.”

“Really?”

When Ruth showed interest, Benedict swallowed the mushroom and continued talking.

“There was an old fairy who survived those times when dark sorcerers mainly hunted fairies. Perhaps that surviving old fairy might have detailed information.”

“When was that?”
“Hmm… it might be at least 300 years ago? It could even be 500 years ago.”

“Hey, that’s too ancient! Things change in a decade, and you’re talking about magic from hundreds of years ago. The magic those fairies were thinking about would have changed a lot. Even magic textbooks get seven editions after that much time, don’t they?”

“Is that so… Can’t it be of any help?”

Angry spirits approached the sulking Benedict and smacked him lightly with their small hands.

It was a sting like that of a mosquito, but when several of them joined in, Ruth surrendered.

“Sorry, sorry! I wasn’t trying to intimidate your contractor, Ben! I was just stating the facts!”

“…Ruth. That feels worse.”

“Oh, really? Oops! My bad! Just kidding, just kidding!”

As the spirits tried to shoot a force within the range of only a palm, Ruth quickly apologized, bowing his head.

Michael sighed as he watched the two bicker like children.

“It’s not time to play around. Even during this, the zombies might be eagerly waiting for a chance to escape outside the capital.”

“…”

The others fell silent at Michael’s words.

Tap, tap. Other than the sound of the burning logs in the bonfire, it remained quiet.

‘If the zombies go beyond the walls of the capital, it’s over.’

If zombies spread from the capital to the surrounding regions, it could lead to the destruction of the world.

Given the contagious nature, and without finding a solution other than preventing further spread, the situation was bleak.

Aston flipped the bird he had caught for archery practice to ensure it cooked evenly.

His crimson eyes were filled with flames.

“If things get worse, we might have to seal off the capital and set it ablaze all at once.”

Aston seemed deeply impressed by Elizabeth’s feat of defeating zombies with a magical explosion.

At the ominous remark, Michael and Ruth rolled their eyes.

‘Even so, that should be left as the last resort.’

‘According to the Duke, that human, the exiled Second Prince from the royal family, seems to be overflowing with cunning.’

Benedict, near them, whispered without letting it out loud, poking around the fire.

“…The trees will be sad if you do something like that.”

“…”

It was a nature-friendly response from the fairy hybrid and elemental mage.

Aston glanced at Benedict but soon withdrew his gaze.

“It’s just a hypothetical scenario, fairy hybrid.”