The monarch personally declared that he would lead the exploration of Beltram.

As it was such sudden news, I thought a storm of chaos would engulf the castle, but the officials, including Kiara and Canis, reacted more calmly than expected.

For my puzzled self, Kiara explained.

“The monarch originally goes on regular expeditions to explore Beltram.”

“Ah, I see.”

What a relief!

I was already trembling, thinking that perhaps things had gotten out of hand because of my greed. I almost spent several nights drowning in guilt.

Embracing my considerably more at ease heart, I immediately went to deliver the news to Elkin. The reaction here was as expected. Elkin rejoiced like someone who had reached their cheat day after strict diet management.

“Ooh, lady Shuria! You are my goddess of fortune, goddess!”

Elkin kept calling out my name and hugged Prom with all his might. Our poor director, on the verge of having his spine folded in half, groaned.

“Ugh! You, even though you’re praising Shuria with your mouth, why are you causing havoc to my body?!”

“Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, I can’t exactly hug lady Shuria like this, can I!”

“…Well, that’s true. But that doesn’t mean I intend to be sacrificed instead! Let go! Ugh.”

I quietly prayed for the director’s soul in my heart and fled to the nursery.

They may be considerate of me now, but after the more interesting director spine-folding is over, they might change their mind and I could become the target.

I returned to the lab again at dinner time. I tried to sneak in and just eat, but Elkin popped out from around the corner.

“Oh, lady Shuria! You suddenly disappeared earlier, I was startled!”

“Ah, you were looking for me.”

“Yes! The departure date has been set. It’s August 29th.”

When I said I came to eat dinner, Elkin suggested we eat together. Since he didn’t seem to have any intention of folding me in half, I gladly accepted.

“I’ll briefly explain this exploration to you before departure.”

Elkin began while largely cutting a spicy seasoned piece of meat. I nodded while stirring my stew with a spoon.

“The terrain we will be exploring this time is the snowfield terrain. Lady Shuria, you know that Beltram is divided into a total of seven terrains, right?”

“Of course. That’s common knowledge.”

There are a total of seven types of terrain in Beltram, and the door connects to only one type of terrain at a time. And that connected terrain is called the surface terrain.

Also, the connected surface terrain is maintained for 9 days, after which all doors completely disappear for a day and then change to the next terrain.

It was content I had read countless times while studying about Beltram. Now I could recite it with my eyes closed.

When I answered confidently, Elkin laughed ha! ha! ha! and continued his explanation.

“The snowfield terrain’s turn comes around on September 3rd. That’s the terrain we’ll be exploring. We can’t waste even a single day out of the 9, so we need to arrive at the door by September 2nd at the latest and enter as soon as the surface terrain switches.”

“Where is the door located?”

“It’s on Mount Crepus, one of the mountains that make up the Nix mountain range. We need to ride horses for over 10 hours a day for two days, and from there climb the mountain for about half a day…”

“Oh…”

Just getting to Beltram will be a long journey…

As my face turned gravely stiff, Elkin spoke as if to comfort me.

“The road is well-maintained as it’s frequently traveled by people, so the journey there won’t be too hard.”

“It’s okay even if it’s hard! Since I decided to go, of course I have to handle it.”

I can’t cry that it’s hard and become a burden to the expedition. Even if I can’t be of much help, at least I shouldn’t be a hindrance.

With firm resolve filling my heart, I ate plenty of rice. I need to build up my physical strength as much as possible until the departure date.

Thus, from the next day, busy days began in preparation for the Beltram expedition.

The first thing I did was explain the situation to my Sammemmer.

“Soon, mommy will be going on a very long walk with other people. No need to worry. Just follow mommy well. Okay?”

Sammemmer’s black eyes sparkled like jewels upon hearing my words. My children are geniuses, so they surely understood.

Next, I redoubled my efforts to hone my abilities. I’m not sure if I’ll even have a chance to use my abilities on this journey, but it won’t hurt to be prepared just in case.

In addition, I introduced the seven knights who were decided to join the expedition, including Canis, to Sammemmer.

“Could I maybe, just very gently pet them? Ouch! …Lady Shuria, as expected, these children don’t seem to like us…”

I was caught by researchers and subjected to Beltram expedition anecdotes day and night.

“In Beltram, the use of subspace is discouraged, so all luggage must be carried directly. So as efficiently as possible… Why are you looking at me like that? What? You don’t think I would have carried luggage myself? Shuria, what exactly do you take me for?”

I made time to conduct Sammemmer’s training together with Aspeiran.

“When we ride horses, you’re saying you’ll ride a moonlight wolf dog? Don’t be ridiculous. You’ll ride on my horse with me. …Why are you pouting your lips again? Are you a duck? No way!”

Thus time flowed like a river and soon it was August 29th.

Finally, the day to depart for Beltram had arrived.

“We will firmly guard the castle in your absence. So please do not worry.”

Said Kiara, who would be acting as the monarch’s proxy while Aspeiran was away from the castle. Judging by her calm demeanor, it seems this wasn’t the first time Kiara had taken on the role of the monarch’s proxy.

‘It would be big trouble if Kiara betrayed him.’

Of course, that would never happen. The three closest aides are people who would die for Aspeiran’s sake after all.

I secretly nodded and looked around. The first thing that caught my eye was our Sammemmer standing gallantly. Contrary to worries, they appeared composed even in an unfamiliar place.

‘My babies are so great.’

Next to them stood Aspeiran’s beloved horse Albus, whom I had met once before when going to the commercial district. The way it held its head high with dignity, not backing down to Sammemmer’s spirit, it was indeed Aspeiran’s horse.

And seven horses of the same breed as Albus that could run through snowfields – these ones seemed a bit cowed – seven knights, and people gathered to see off the monarch.

Only now was it starting to sink in bit by bit.

‘I’m really setting off on an expedition to Beltram.’

To the unknown world that wasn’t properly explained even in .

My heart was pounding loudly, perhaps from nervousness or excitement. The hand gripping the small bag on my waist trembled slightly.

Then a large hand embraced my shoulder. It was Aspeiran, who had returned after leaving a few words of request to Kiara.

“Are you nervous?”

“…A little.”

Aspeiran stared intently at my face. Then soon, he smiled wryly.

“No need to worry. No matter what happens, I will protect you.”

It was a kind reassurance. Upon hearing those words, the trembling that had taken over my body gradually subsided.

Noticing that I had calmed down, Aspeiran lifted me up and placed me on the saddle. Albus neighed as if in delight.

Aspeiran lightly patted Albus’s neck and got on behind me. His sturdy arms enveloped me securely.

Grasping the reins, Aspeiran commanded in a loud voice.

“Open the castle gates!”

The gigantic gates moved their heavy bodies. And revealing itself through that gap, the pure white snowfield.

It was truly the beginning of an adventure.

Running straight across the snowfield, we turned onto a forest path that appeared on the side.

As Elkin had promised, the well-maintained road had many traces of people. Thanks to that, the horses galloping forward had no obstacles.

The running speed was quite fast, so I kept my mouth firmly shut to avoid biting my tongue and put strength into my thighs. I wanted to check on Sammemmer following at the very back, but I couldn’t muster the courage to stick my head out.

Still, thanks to Sammemmer’s dissatisfied whining that could be heard from time to time, I could feel the children’s presence without issue.

It seems our babies are a bit irritated that I’m not riding them.

After riding for about 30 minutes, my body was getting used to the speed. Around then, Aspeiran whispered in my ear.

“We need to reach the rest stop before sunset, so we’ll ride as much as possible without breaks.”

Rest stop? Like a campsite?

Anyway, I simply nodded vigorously in response. It shouldn’t be too hard since I’m not the one steering the horse and just need to sit still.

‘It would be a bit troublesome if I need to go to the bathroom though.’

Thinking that, I giggled to myself. It was the foolish arrogance of one who had never experienced long-distance horseback riding.

Thus, when we briefly stopped for lunch.

“Ooh ow ow-”

Mercilessly struck by the karma I had built up with my mouth, I collapsed on the ground like a newborn fawn.

“Oh, my whole body hurts.”

“It would.”

Aspeiran, who replied indifferently, picked me up and sat me on a broad tree stump. Then he placed a small potion in my hand.

“Drink it, and rest here.”

“What is this?”

“A potion for stamina recovery and muscle pain. The effect will be instant. Rumel made it for you.”

Rumel…! Rumel is my angel…!

I immediately uncorked it and gulped it down. The taste was terrible, but it definitely made my body feel better. Strength returned to my legs too.

I rubbed my legs a few times and after confirming Aspeiran was out of sight, I gingerly got up. The knights were starting a fire and preparing lunch over there.

“I’ll help too!”

I approached, rolling my shoulders with gusto. But the knights blocked me, startled.

“It’s alright, lady Shuria please go and rest! You must be very tired from your first mountain trek.”

“I’m okay now. I took the potion.”

“Potions aren’t omnipotent. You still need to keep riding, so you should save up your energy even a little.”

“Still…”

“Now, now, go on!”

Unable to overcome the knights’ adamant dissuasion, I reluctantly stepped back. It left a bad taste.

‘I’m… confident in camping prep too…’

But it’s true that potions aren’t omnipotent. I dejectedly slumped my shoulders and turned my steps toward the tree stump.

But Aspeiran, who had been briefly absent, was standing there glaring at me with terrifying eyes.

“You really have a knack for ignoring people’s words.”

“Heh, hehe. I get antsy if I stay still even for a moment…”

“What a thing to brag about.”

Aspeiran clicked his tongue and held out his hand to me. I naturally grabbed his hand. Aspeiran tapped the back of my hand a few times and sat me on the tree stump.

Then he said.

“Hand over the mana stones you brought for the moonlight wolf dogs’ meal. I’ll go feed them for you.”

“Ah. You weren’t asking for my hand, you were asking for mana stones.”

“Well, your hand isn’t bad either.”

My hand isn’t bad either, so you’ll feed it to them instead?

‘My babies are smart, so they’ll be able to clearly differentiate between what’s okay and not okay to eat.’

Inwardly scoffing, I rummaged through my portion of the luggage bag and took out the bundle of mana stones I brought for Sammemmer.