“It seems like you’re bleeding from your hand. I can provide medical treatment…”

Blood was visible, flowing from the cut on Barton’s thumb caused by the broken pieces. When Lea, who saw the injury, was about to approach him, the steward panicked and stopped her steps.

“It’s okay! You’re hurt. Miss! Please don’t come near…!”

“Yes? Oh, okay…”

‘Miss?’

The unfamiliar title echoed in Lea’s ears. Just a while ago, when she borrowed the dress, she was called an apothecary.

Although she found the sudden change in address a bit strange, she didn’t pay much attention to it. However, the expression on Akia’s face, who had been watching the scene, subtly changed.

After the fatigue accumulated in the mansion was relieved, preparations to go to Bialytskall were completed.

“Are you really going to Bialytskall with me?”

“I heard that there is a shortage of doctors. Rather than waiting for the Duke at the mansion, I feel more comfortable going to help. Besides, the doctor said it’s okay. Look, see? I’m completely healed now.”

Lea lifted her arm with all her might as if to prove that she was now healthy. At her sight, Akia chuckled and tousled her hair.

“Alright. If that’s what you want.”

The steward Barton, who looked like a very affectionate couple, approached them quietly.

“I’ll be waiting at the mansion then, Duke Haidern. And… Miss Apothecary.”

Although the steward’s voice trembled slightly when calling Lea, no one noticed it.

With the steward’s farewell, the carriage carrying the two gradually moved away from the mansion.

After another full day of riding in the carriage, the two finally arrived in Bialytskall.

“There you see, that’s the salt mine.”
The manager of Bialytskall who had guided them, Cox, pointed to the nearby mine.

Akia got off the carriage and entered the campsite of the rescue headquarters set up near the mine.

As it was a desolate territory, there were no proper accommodations.

Miners also seemed to have been staying in the campsite near the mine, solving their lodging.

“Is the situation worse than I thought?”

Upon entering the rescue headquarters, the situation appeared more serious than Akia had anticipated. The few doctors were running around in a hurry, responding to calls from various places.

Akia seemed to share the same thoughts, as he asked the manager Cox.

“What is the current situation? It doesn’t seem good.”

“Of the thirty miners who were buried, twenty-nine have been rescued and are currently receiving treatment. However, the identity of one person has not been determined yet.”

“There’s a missing person? When you reported to me, didn’t you say that all the rescuers survived? Do we not know if they are alive?”

Akia’s brows furrowed unpleasantly. It was only now that he heard about the missing person from the insufficient report of the Cox, the manager directing the scene.

“Oh, I’m sorry. There was one missing person, and I was considering them as a potential casualty. The mine collapsed a long time ago, so it’s uncertain whether they’re still alive…”

Lea recalled the news that the mine collapsed again during their journey to this place.

“It’s been about two weeks, so there’s a chance they could still be alive. It’s better to send people for additional search.”

It took about two weeks to reach this place. However, since there was sufficient salt in the mine, Akia thought there was a chance for survival.

Agreeing with Lea’s opinion, Akia nodded.

“Arrange a search team to go to the mine.”

“Yes.”

Meanwhile, Lea asked Cox while observing the patients being moved around.

“Are the people there the rescued ones?”

“Yes. However, since there is no resident doctor at this mine, we are receiving support from the nearby village. Still, we are short of personnel.”

Observing the few doctors and pharmacists rushing around, Lea responded.

“I will help.”

“Help? Miss Apothecary?”

“Yes. I can handle some medical procedures. Is it okay for me to help, Duke?”

Cox was surprised by the fact that Lea, an apothecary, could perform the role of a doctor. Lea, as if seeking permission, looked directly at the Duke.

‘Even though the answer has already been decided.’

Akia sighed at Lea’s expression that seemed ready to rush forward if permission was granted immediately.

“Do as you wish.”

That way, Lea joined the medical team. The doctors at the headquarters, who were in desperate need of help, welcomed Lea’s assistance.

It was a moment when Lea was helping with the treatment of the injured patients.

“We have survivors inside the mine!”

News came from the search team that had been dispatched, reporting that survivors among the missing miners had been found.