“Isn’t it too quiet to say that wild animals are running rampant?”

Balter scoffed at Humphrey Marquis, who was speaking earlier.

“W-Well, that’s…”

“If we go deeper, will there be an abundance of prey?”

“Whether that’s true or not. Do you think I would lie to Viscount Lexion?”

Humphrey Marquis, saying so, had his back soaked with cold sweat.

Due to Gilbert’s test, who had decided on this trial due to the danger of the hungry wild animals running rampant without hibernating because of the winter, he was in a precarious situation.

‘The animals have already eaten their fill and gone to hibernate. Well…’

Although there were occasionally awake animals, their numbers were significantly low, leading to a continuous tension.

If things continued like this, Viscount Lexion would eventually realize his lie, so his heart continued to throb.

‘Gilbert, he said that we would go together, but then he sent me alone.’

Of course, he knew that he had to leave to avoid exposing the plan to Balter and Gumeon, but once he faced Balter, he couldn’t shake off the uncomfortable and fearful feeling.

His inherent animalistic instincts sent warnings each time they were shaken.

Plotting to threaten Viscount Lexion, who spoke together with him, against the menacing man like a threatening beast was suicidal.

‘But now, I can’t avoid it…’

The Marquis tried to clear his complicated thoughts and consciously focused on the small Magic Stone fragment in his pocket.

The conversation he had shared with Gilbert while naturally receiving this came to mind.

“When Viscount is near the Magic Stone Mine, just hold onto this tightly. It’s designed so that only Viscount, the target, will be hit by falling rocks. So don’t worry about your safety.”

“Lord Gilbert. Can I truly trust that my safety is guaranteed?”

“He says so. Can’t you trust the skill of the sorcerer hired from Geoturk? The Magic Stone blocks all the magical power, both inside and outside. Viscount, even that person won’t know that you have it.”

‘Surely, he won’t betray the one who gave him a chance.’

Humphrey Marquis forcibly cut off the thoughts that were multiplying like tails. Fortunately, the good news was that the Magic Stone Mine, where Magic Stones were stored, was not far away.

“From here on, dismount and walk. The terrain is rugged.”

“If the Marquis says so, it must be true. Everyone, dismount.”

Balter gestured to his men to dismount. Humphrey Marquis was relieved to see them obediently following his words.

Even Viscount Lexion unexpectedly helped himself with words.

“Hunting might continue until late, so prepare a campsite for yourselves. Scouting will be done by me alone, Marquis.”

“Of course. Hey, while I go scouting, help out here.”

Humphrey Marquis quickly replied.
If by any chance the magic is activated, it would be advantageous for everyone to stop here and light a bonfire or something instead of sacrificing themselves for Viscount Lexion.

‘If there are no witnesses, I am the only one who can explain the scene, so manipulating the situation would be easier.’

Viscount Humphrey, with a clumsy posture and a sword in hand, began to walk along the mountain path side by side with Balter. How much time has passed?

‘Surely, the Magic Stone Mine started around here…’

The distance between the subordinates creating the campsite and them must have become quite wide. It was just when Gilbert was about to activate the Magic Stone he had given them.

“Viscount Humphrey, are you hiding something from me? Your complexion suddenly changed.”

“Yes, yes?”

Viscount Humphrey revealed the signs of being pierced right through.

‘It’s understandable to be flustered.’

Balter stared at Humphrey’s pale face, which was far below him, with indifferent eyes.

“Balter, it seems Viscount Humphrey is hiding a Magic Stone Mine. A sorcerer hired from Hwangbi is involved in developing the mine. Several of them, in fact.”

“…?”

During the break time of the Lop Berry Evaluation Committee, when Balter heard Edit saying that, he momentarily lost words.

The first thought that occurred to him was how Edit found out about this meeting. When he heard Edit casually say that she approached the maid named Betty based on the information gathered at the shipping center, he burst into a bitter laugh.

‘Why is she so good at this?’

Edit tended to say that even though what she did was not simple at all.

‘Well, extracting necessary information is our lady’s specialty.’

If it really was a Magic Stone Mine, it would be okay to check it directly.

So, Balter accepted Viscount Humphrey’s suspicious hunting request. Then, he immediately called for Cassius to verify if what the Marquis was hiding was a Magic Stone Mine.

Among those who followed from the Lexicon estate, there were many magicians, and if the Marquis was really hiding a Magic Stone Mine, they could confirm its authenticity by leaking the magician’s magic power. Fortunately, the young men from Hwangbi who came to check the state of the mine happened to be there, so if they observed for a few days, they could easily locate it.