“Elkin, do you still stay near Beltraum?”

“Yes! I have no choice if I want to conduct research. There’s an accommodation for the expedition team near the gate, and I also stay there.”

“What kind of research do you do?”

“Well, there are many things…”

Elkin took out a notebook from his pocket. It was a tattered notebook, worn out from being opened countless times.

“My main task is to study the ecology of Beltraum.”

He handed me the notebook. As I opened it, I saw various drawings and dense notes filling the pages.

Flipping through the notebook, I discovered a familiar animal. It was the Moonlight Wolf Dog.

“Oh!”

I raised the notebook to eye level and examined it closely.

Despite the hasty scribbles, the characteristics were accurately depicted. It was an incredible skill.

“You draw really well! Even with just this drawing, I can tell how magnificent an adult Moonlight Wolf Dog is.”

“It’s my specialty and hobby.”

Elkin laughed heartily, crossing his arms.

“While my expedition colleagues travel around Beltraum creating maps, I observe and record the surrounding ecology. What kind of monsters live there, what plants grow, what the climate is like, and how it changes, and so on.”

“Then you must spend almost every day in Beltraum. Isn’t it tiring?”

“It’s something I choose to do. I have to endure it all.”

In Elkin’s eyes as he spoke, I could sense the pride he had in his profession. He was truly admirable.

Elkin carefully tucked the notebook into his pocket and continued.

“And when I make a new discovery, it feels so thrilling that I consider all the hardships a blessing. I’ve been addicted to that feeling for years. That’s how researchers are. We’re out of our minds! Ha ha ha!”

I glanced at the researchers sitting across the table, absentmindedly eating cookies.

Indeed, those humans didn’t seem to be in their right minds.

Suddenly, a question occurred to me. Elkin said he spends most of the year in Beltraum for ecological research. Then what about the other researchers?

I didn’t know exactly what research they were doing, but they would need investigations and data for their studies.

Surely they weren’t just lazily leaving all the fieldwork to Elkin, right?

If so, it would be terribly unfair! I turned to the researchers.

“By the way, is it okay for the director and others not to go to Beltraum like Elkin does? Surely Elkin isn’t doing all the data collection by himself, right?”

As I asked the question, I was certain that Prom would snap back, saying, “Do you think I have time to go to Beltraum?”

However, my expectation was completely off the mark.

“Of course we go too. We just had things to sort out at the institute for the past few months.”

Prom retorted while chewing on a cookie.

“I was in Beltraum until earlier this year. Once you decide to live as a Beltraum researcher, you have to be prepared to spend your life with Beltraum.”

“That’s right~.”

Sek agreed. Then the researchers started chattering about their experiences in Beltraum.

I blinked and looked at them.

‘This… I was completely mistaken.’

Those people, even if everything else about them was a mess, they were more passionate than anyone when it came to Beltraum.

‘Once you become a researcher, you have to be prepared to spend your life with Beltraum.’

It was a thought-provoking statement.

Just as I was about to be lost in contemplation, a glass of fruit wine was held out in front of me. It was Elkin.

“Let’s have a drink! Although I have to go to work soon, it’s not a strong liquor, so it should be fine.”

The wine had a sweet and sour apple aroma. I gladly accepted it.

“Who cares if it’s a bit strong! For Roakin people, alcohol is a part of daily life.”

“Indeed, you know your stuff!”

My and Elkin’s glasses clinked with a lively sound. Elkin laughed.

“I can’t express how happy I am to have you here in Roakin, Shuria. Your special ability will surely bring great changes to the exploration of Beltraum.”

“I’ll work hard to be of help as soon as possible.”

“I look forward to your achievements, Shuria. And I think our shy colleagues haven’t told you this yet.”

Elkin cleared his throat and raised his glass above his head. He exclaimed vigorously.

“Welcome to our Beltraum Institute, Shuria!”

The researchers began to applaud discreetly. It was a bit embarrassing.

To hide my flushed face, I laughed and poured drinks for the other researchers as well.

During the walk back to the nursery after the simple welcome party, I was deep in thought.

‘Once you become a researcher, you have to be prepared to spend your life with Beltraum…’

Prom’s words kept echoing in my mind. Despite his reluctance to move, he was willing to throw himself into the dangerous place called Beltraum…

Honestly, it was kind of cool.

‘Maybe I should go to Beltraum too.’

Although I wasn’t a researcher, as a monster caretaker, it would be good to see the site firsthand.

Instead of just sitting obediently in the castle and doing as I was told, I wanted to take a more proactive approach and do many things to help people and make achievements.

“Alright, I should ask As about it soon. I need to get permission from Elkin and the expedition team members as well.”

But before that, I needed to hone my skills to use my ability proficiently. And of course, raising the Sammemmer healthily was a given.

With a renewed determination, I arrived at the nursery. But something felt strange about the atmosphere.

“…?”

The nursery was eerily quiet. I expected to at least hear the sound of squirrels or weasels moving through the trees.

Most of all, I couldn’t see my Sammemmer.

“Cutie! Tiny! Awesome! Mommy’s here!”

I cupped my hands around my mouth and called out loudly to the Sammemmer. No response.

“Maybe they’re sleeping hidden among the trees…”

I searched here and there along the walking path. It was inconvenient now that the nursery had expanded.

Then, behind a large tree in the distance, I spotted a fluffy white butt. There they were!

I tiptoed quietly and went around the tree.

And when I finally laid my eyes on the full sight of the Sammemmer…

“Oh no, what do I do!”

I screamed and ran towards the children.

“The diplomats dispatched to each country have sent their regular reports.”

Kiara placed a thick stack of papers on the desk.

Aspeiran, who had been writing without a break, finally lifted his head. He asked as he sifted through the reports.

“Is there anything important?”

“A few things. Shall I report the key points first?”

“Go ahead.”

Aspeiran picked up the report that was on top.

Kiara, confirming which country the report in his hand was from, began to recite the contents.

“There are no significant changes in the situation in Floren. King Madas Ellingen Floren’s power remains overwhelming.”

“Hmph, that stubborn old man.”

“However, Madas Ellingen has expressed his desire to expedite the establishment of the central Elos Continent Matap, which was agreed upon at this year’s peace conference.”

“He’s impatient too… We’ll address that matter at the upcoming Matapju meeting.”

“Yes.”

Aspeiran scanned the next report. Kiara continued her report.

“Alpia has recently elected its 4th president. Lioren Asla has been re-elected.”

“Nothing surprising about that.”

“In the first assembly held after the election, Lioren Asla proposed a law banning re-election, but…”

“It was immediately rejected. In my opinion, that person should remain in the presidential seat for another 30 years.”

Kiara nodded slightly in agreement. The next report was the thickest among the ones on the table.

“Lastly, a report on the three desert countries…”

Kiara, who had been continuing the report, slightly furrowed her brows.

“Relations among the three desert countries have been unusual lately. Sharvia has blocked the trade route to Floren and is demanding exorbitant tolls from Parsa and Bashad.”

“Sharvia… The current regent is the Second Prince Siakun El Sharvia, if I remember correctly.”

“That’s right. After the king went into seclusion, he gradually seized power and now acts as the de facto supreme ruler.”

“The internal situation in Sharvia doesn’t seem to be good either.”

“Yes. There is a deep rift between Siakun El Sharvia and the local nobles. Public support is also low. In the worst-case scenario, they are concerned about a civil war.”

Aspeiran, leaning diagonally in his chair, tapped his temple.

About 450 years ago, after the Elos Continent, originally a single empire, was divided into seven countries, the leaders of each nation gathered in the first week of March every year to hold a peace conference.

Therefore, Aspeiran had met Siakun El Sharvia in person a few times. He was a man with an unpleasant, sinister gaze.

While Aspeiran was recalling past memories, Kiara concluded her report.

“That’s all for the main points. And one more thing, the diplomats dispatched to Sharvia have expressed their intention to return. What should we do?”

“Tell them to come back in time for my birthday. That way, there won’t be a major conflict with the Sharvian side.”

“Understood.”

Kiara organized the reports. Then she casually asked.

“You have some free time in your schedule today… Why don’t you go see Shuria? It’s been ten days since you last saw her.”

Aspeiran remained silent. Sensing that her lord’s mood was unusual, Kiara dragged the dumbfounded Canis and tactfully left the room.

In the office where everyone had left and he was alone, Aspeiran let out a long sigh.

Since gifting the necklace to Shuria last time, Aspeiran couldn’t bring himself to go see her.

Just recalling that day’s events made him want to smash his head with an axe. There was no memory more embarrassing in his life.

To explain, the start of the incident was the necklace Canis had gifted to Shuria.

No, who was he to give Shuria a necklace in the first place? In Roakin, gifting a necklace to someone of the opposite sex was tantamount to a proposal.

…Of course, Canis probably gave it without much thought after seeing Shuria looking cold. He was a fool, after all.

Even though he knew it well, Aspeiran couldn’t suppress his irritation. The fact that the first necklace Shuria received after coming to Roakin was from Canis, how could he accept and overlook that?

So he took away the necklace Canis had given and used the best magic stone he had to make a necklace just for Shuria.

Until then, Aspeiran had been very confident. He was certain that Shuria would like it.

However, when Shuria asked with a puzzled expression, “Why are you giving me a necklace?” Aspeiran felt as if someone had hit him on the head.

In Roakin, a necklace was a gift with special meaning. That’s why he felt displeased when Canis gifted a necklace to Shuria.

Then what about himself? In what sense did he give that “special” necklace to Shuria?

The heart of a lord who cherishes his subordinate? Or a heart that worries about her health?

Or maybe…