Volume 4 Chapter 15 My Winning Chances
"Emerald Brightstone?"
It was a gemstone I had never heard of before.
The 3 of them also seemed unfamiliar with it, all tilting their heads in curiosity.
If Ms. Nemophila does not know about it, then it is only natural that we have not heard of it either.
"It is no wonder you do not know it. The Emerald Brightstone has only been discovered in these mines. Moreover, it was nearly 50 years ago when I was a miner that it was extracted, and after about 3 years of its discovery, the mine was closed, so there is absolutely nothing circulating in the market."
Mr. Sage suddenly looks up at the sky as if reminiscing about distant days.
"The stone that was found before the mine was closed had a dazzling emerald glow, and those who found it were quite fond of it. Thanks to that, mining here got on track, and for a time, Rohm Village prospered significantly."
"...? Is there some connection between the mining here and Rohm Village?"
"Originally, Rohm Village was established as a resting place for the miners. The Margrave Geraint, who commissioned this mine, also transferred the profit-sharing rights to us miners, which allowed the resting place to flourish into the village we see today."
Oh, I see.
It is certainly quite close to the mine, and it is not unusual for a camping site or resting area to develop into a village.
If there is such a connection, then the lives of the people in Rohm Village could also be affected by the mining tracks.
"With the discovery of Emerald Brightstone, Rohm Village was able to make significant progress. However, due to the mine shaft being blocked by a poison pool, we can no longer mine for ore and gems. By that time, our fields and livestock were already doing well, so we were able to sustain the village, but we could no longer live the prosperous lives we once had."
Come to think of it, the meal and accommodation costs were quite high.
It seems that the village used to be quite wealthy, but it's true that they are now forced to live a life without any leeway due to the mine shaft blockage.
"Recently, many have left the village, and now only the old folks remain. I fear that Rohm Village will eventually wither away, just like this abandoned mine shaft..."
As I looked at Mr. Sage, who exuded a sense of gloom, I asked a question that came to mind.
"Is it because you want to restore the once-rich village to its former glory that you're trying to excavate the Emerald Brightstone?"
The appearance of the poison pool led to orders from the country and other villages to block the mine shaft.
As a result, the village declined, and in order to regain its former wealth, they are attempting to excavate the Emerald Brightstone.
If that's the case, it would explain a lot, so I made that assumption...
"You're right, if I could say that, it would make me look good as the village head. Unfortunately, the reason I'm trying to dig up Emerald Brightstone is for entirely different reasons."
Mr. Sage, it seems, has no intention of lying anymore and spoke honestly about his feelings.
"The reason I've been secretly lurking here is for my wife, Salvia."
"Wife?"
"I had a wife who passed away from illness ten years ago. Her name was Salvia, and unlike me, she was a very calm and gentle woman."
So, he had a wife.
As Mr. Sage gazes into the distance, reminiscing about Salvia, a hint of sadness fills his voice.
"That Salvia was very fond of Emerald Brightstone, a miraculous gem that brought prosperity to the village. And when she passed away ten years ago, I realized I hadn't even given her a single ring."
"So, you thought of making a ring from Emerald Brightstone to give it to your late wife, Salvia?"
"It's a silly reason, isn't it? But if it also means reviving mining here and saving the declining Rohm village, I thought it was worth a try, so I started delving into the mine. Ten years later, I've continued to dive into the mine to defeat the poison monster, but I don't feel like I can defeat it at all."
Mr. Sage pounds his fists on his knees, lamenting his own lack of strength.
I think it's quite difficult for just Mr. Sage to break through the situation that the skilled Rank 1 adventurers have all but given up on.
Still, Mr. Sage didn't give up and continued to work hard to gift Ms. Salvia the Emerald Brightstone ring.
"That's why it was wrong for you to come here...! If someone learns that the mine isn't sealed and spreads the word, this place will be completely sealed off so no one can enter again! If that happens, I'll never be able to obtain the Emerald Brightstone again..."
He knelt down in front of us and deeply bowed his head.
"Please! Pretend you saw nothing and leave this place! Of course, I'll repay you! I'll cover the lodging fee until the mountain's weather improves! Once everything is over, I will confess my sins! So..."
Forget what you saw here and leave.
As he earnestly begged, we exchanged glances with each other.
Then feeling a strong resolve from my 3 companions, I bowed in front of Mr. Sage.
"I understand Mr. Sage's feelings well. However, it seems that following what you say is impossible."
"Wha──!? Why!? What exactly is wrong...! "
Mr. Sage, with a tense expression, raised his face and gasped as he looked at the 3 behind me.
The sight of the 3 brave souls overflowing with confidence.
"In simple terms, it means that what you do does not change, right?"
"Essentially, if we defeat that poison accumulation, everything will be resolved, right?"
"Then, let's go quickly."
"..."
It's easy to just ignore this situation and walk away.
However, we want to head east as soon as possible to thwart the schemes of the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army.
Then it's simple; if we defeat that poison accumulation, we can move on, mining can resume, and Rohm village can regain its prosperity, allowing Mr. Sage to create rings for Ms. Salvia.
Our objectives are exactly the same.
"My companions seem determined not to lose to that poison accumulation. Can we leave this to us for once?"
"Wha, what are you all...?"
Ignoring the stunned Mr. Sage, my companions entered the mine shaft.
Mr. Sage hurriedly chased after them, and I followed suit into the cave.
* * *
The mine shaft was more spacious than I expected.
It was wide enough that spreading my arms was difficult, yet even with 2 people side by side, there was still ample room.
The ceiling was reasonably high, and due to Mr. Sage's frequent visits, the lighting and facilities were properly usable.
For now, there seemed to be no worries about cave-ins or collapses.
"Are you really planning to defeat that poison accumulation? Do you have any chances of winning?"
As I proceeded through the tunnel, Mr. Sage, who was following behind me, asked me with a worried look.
When asked about my chances of winning, I feel weak, but for now, I respond while looking at the 3 women walking in front of me.
"The 3 in front are my chances of winning."
"H-hey... isn't that pathetic as a man?"
"Ugh...!"
My ears hurt.
It might have been a pathetic answer, but I can't help it because it's the truth.
"If I could, I'd like to go ahead and fight. But these 3 are really extraordinarily strong... It's best to stay in the back so as not to get in the way. Of course, I'll help with support magic and the like."
"W-what can these young girls do...?"
Mr. Sage stared at their backs with a puzzled look.
Well, they are still young and only look like frail girls.
It's no wonder their abilities are hard to believe.
If it comes to this, it might be better to show Mr. Sage the Divine Revelation of the 3 and make him understand their abilities with clear numbers.
As I was thinking about this...
"Hmm?"
I was immediately given an opportunity to demonstrate my power.
At the end of the wide corridor, we reached a spacious hall.
And in the corridor ahead, a "pitch-black sludge" with a sticky texture stood as a wall, blocking our path.
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