The search team immediately approached the location where Akia and Cox were. Lea, who was nearby, also finished the treatment and approached them.

“It seems like someone barely survived inside the collapsed room. There are signs of excessive bleeding even visible to the naked eye. Emergency treatment is needed.”

The search team continued their report with a troubled expression.

“To do that, the doctor needs to go into the mine directly.”

Entering the mine that could collapse again at any moment. The faces of the doctors around, who had been examining the patients, darkened with concern.

“We need volunteers. Is there a doctor willing to go into the mine to confirm the survivors and provide emergency treatment?”

Akia’s low voice, summarizing the situation without hesitation, echoed around. However, no one stepped forward willingly, glancing at each other.

After all, who would volunteer to enter a mine in a state of collapse? It was clear that the medical staff hesitated.

“I’ll go.”

“D-Duke?”

In a situation where no one offered support, the Duke quietly announced that he would go with the doctors. Akia’s declaration caused a stir in the surroundings.

“Fine. Prioritize the safety of the medical staff.”

Lea scanned the surroundings. When Akia declared that he would go, the doctors, who had seemed hesitant for a brief moment, nodded.

‘Even if the Duke goes, no one else will step up.’

There would be no doctor willing to volunteer. Lea, looking around, cautiously raised her hand.

“I’ll go with you.”

“Nonsense. Why would you follow?”

The Duke frowned at Lea’s unexpected offer.

The cold atmosphere emanating from his reddened, icy eyes was far from ordinary. It felt as if he were thoroughly angry.

“Why would you go when the Duke is going? Where can you find medical staff that matches the Duke as well as I do?”

Although it was a reasonable statement considering the two had been together for a while, Akia didn’t want to agree with that opinion.

To drag Lea into a potentially dangerous place was not something he wanted.

Moreover, Lea, with her resolute emerald eyes, was declaring that she would follow even if she had to die.

In that moment, the Duke regretted bringing Lea to Bialytskall for the first time.

The two hadn’t been inside the salt mine for long when they found survivors.

Lea, who quickly completed emergency treatment as the wounds were not as deep as expected, sent the patients out through the search team.

As they searched, the passage narrowed due to the collapse of one of the large rooms in the mine, making it difficult for the search team to exit.

Observing the disappearance of the search team and survivors from view, Lea said, “Duke, let’s go back now.”

If the mine collapsed suddenly, it would be a disaster. However, the Duke’s expression as he looked around was not ordinary.

“Why are you saying that?”

“What do you mean?”

The Duke approached the wall of the mine and touched it. Akia felt a warm heat through his palm.

“Isn’t it too hot? I didn’t notice anything unusual when we entered, but heat is rising abnormally from the inner wall.”

“…”

“It feels like the mine is boiling like a volcano.”

Now that he thought about it, unlike the cool outside air typical of the northern region, the air in the mine was extremely humid and heavy.

As if to confirm this, the clothes of both were soaked with sweat.

“It’s a bit strange. Even in the summer, this region is not hot.”

Caves should be cooler than the outside temperature. However, the deep interior of the cave was hot and humid like a summer afternoon.

Akia looked around the unusual interior of the mine and said to Lea, “Lea, go out first. I’ll take a look around here and join you later.”

“Yes? Alone, Duke? I’ll go with you.”

The Duke turned and met Lea’s gaze. Despite the unexpected support from Lea, his expression was not pleased.

The determined glint in Lea’s leaf-green eyes, shining brightly, indicated that she would follow even if he died.

Thus, for the first time, the Duke regretted bringing Lea to Bialytskall.
The Duke turned and met Lea’s gaze. Despite his stern expression, Lea showed no intention of giving in.

In the end, Akia, who couldn’t break her stubbornness, sighed.

“Stubborn. Fine, then don’t take your eyes off me and follow closely behind.”

And so, the two walked through the narrow passage for a while. The inside of the mine became even hotter as they moved inward.

“It’s really strange. The inside of the mine shouldn’t be this hot.”

Moreover, strangely enough, water had accumulated on the inner floor. Akia, who was now kneeling and examining the water that reached up to his ankles, looked closely.

“This is…”

Suddenly, it was the moment when the Duke, staring at the water on the floor, stiffened. As the ground suddenly shook, Lea’s body swayed, leaning forward.

“Uh, hey!”

It seemed like she was about to fall helplessly, but when she opened her eyes, she was in the Duke’s arms.

“Are you okay?”

“D-Duke…”