‘But isn’t there only one thing that has changed?’

Aris innocently blinked her eyes.

‘I just need to make sure this doesn’t get revealed.’

Only then did it feel like the fog was lifting. As her mind cleared, Aris felt her body stir.

The excitement bordering on madness and tension caused every muscle in her body to contract.

‘I need to pull myself together.’

First, she had to figure out where things went wrong.

Why on earth did she end up like this?

Was it because of the wrath of the gods, or harboring different feelings during the festival? Was it due to her lack of piety?

If she had to find a mistake, there was nothing else but that.

But why did she, in the first place, plan such a thing?

Aris’s gaze became vacant.

‘Igraine.’

It was because Igraine had changed.

⭐⭐⭐

“This time, Krum, a geologist who, um, has been studying groundwater for a lifetime. He says his research hasn’t been appreciated enough in the kingdom, um, despite his abilities. Oh dear.”

In the midst of speaking, Krum, the chef, grimaced like a skull every time he couldn’t suppress a cough.

The unimpressive Giovanni furrowed his brows.

“It might be better for you to stay lying down.”

“No, I’ve improved quite a bit, um, despite appearances.”

Although his complexion indicated otherwise, his stubborn expression showed that he wouldn’t yield easily.

One day, Krum suddenly contracted the plague.

The reason why the imperial people couldn’t stay in the kingdom for long was simply because they came looking for Krum.

He had been unconscious in my bed throughout the heavy rain, and when he finally got up, he was in a state where he couldn’t properly assist Giovanni, causing him great shock.

“According to the investigation, um, this geologist will be quite helpful to us. It would be good, um, to keep an eye on him.”

“Alright.”

Giovanni nodded, gazing at the dusty-smelling small room.

They were in the midst of accomplishing one of the two purposes for coming to the kingdom.

Recruiting talents who could practically help in the situation of the empire.

“It doesn’t seem difficult to persuade him, um. He hasn’t been treated well in the kingdom, um, and he has no family or friends. There’s one close priest, but, well, that’s something Prince would have to persuade, um, and… Well, that’s it, I guess.”

Although Krum spoke nonchalantly, his prediction went off the mark.

“It’s an honorable proposal, but I’ll have to decline.”

The messy-haired scholar with shaggy beard raised his head without hesitation.

Krum was taken aback.

“Why? Your research is more needed in the Empire. Um, you may not know, but the lifeline of the Empire, the Oasis, is groundwater. As a specialist, your role would be significant, um, but…”

“Yes, that’s true. The desert land suits my research better than the kingdom. However, I can’t leave this place.”

“Why?”

“Because this is my hometown. I have friends here.”

In the end, he had no choice but to leave the dusty room without income.
“Krum, um, it might be more challenging to persuade than I thought.”

“Still, it’s regrettable. His eyes wavered when talking about research support funds.”

Brushing off the dust on his shoulders, Giovanni casually remarked.

“Come back tomorrow.”

The next day, the scholar Randolf welcomed them with a gloomy face.

“You’ve come again.”

“Yesterday’s conversation was short, wasn’t it? Um, well, my thoughts might change today, um.”

With a tired expression, Kchef muttered as if whispering.

Although he had deteriorated rapidly after moving a bit yesterday, he chased after them despite Giovanni’s advice that he didn’t need to.

“Where does it hurt?”

Kchef’s complexion was pale enough for Randolf to ask that question.

Kchef, who was gesturing with his head, coughed.

“You look like you’re in pain.”

“Oh, it’s okay. This much is nothing. Damn kingdom.”

“What did you say?”

“Anyway, um, haven’t your thoughts changed? Of course, the Empire might seem unfamiliar, but here, Prince will take care of everything for you. Scholar, um, just diligently research as you’ve been doing, and, um, just inform us of the results. Dig where there’s groundwater! Then complete the oasis! Um, if you just do that, you won’t have to worry about making a living for the rest of your life.”

“I have no intention. I’m sorry.”

Even after explaining at length with a painful throat, Kchef’s temples were throbbing when there was no effect.

Giovanni raised his hand on Kchef’s shoulder as soon as Kchef became calm, surprising Randolf with an unexpected expression.

“You don’t look good.”

“Huh?”

“Is there something worrying you?”

Kchef blinked at Randolf, and indeed, unlike yesterday, there was no vitality in his expression.

“Oh, this. Don’t worry about it. It’s a personal issue.”

“It might help, so why not tell me?”

“No, there’s no need…”

“It’s separate from scouting for the Empire.”

“If you put it that way.”

Randolf sighed deeply and spoke.

He was smart, but it seemed he lacked the aptitude for explaining. To summarize the lengthy explanation, his friend was missing.