Even with her head bowed, she could feel the piercing gazes of the three people. Especially Jade Eclipse’s. In his mind, all the pieces must have fallen into place now. What Kirona had just revealed was the answer to all the mysteries he had been curious about. 

Kirona looked up and confessed. Somehow, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest. She felt relieved after speaking. 

“I want to live. That’s all I desire.” 

“……” 

“This also means…… I have nothing to lose. Just like you.” 

* * * 

When Kirona mentioned fighting a basilisk, Sonia immediately handed them two rusty shovels. She said that there were weapons for hunting large monsters buried underground from 100 years ago. 

There was no need to consider whether the magical tools, which had decayed for 100 years, would still function properly. Even the shovels themselves were in poor condition. Jade examined the flimsy tools with a sceptical look. 

“These look like they’ll break as soon as they hit the ground.” 

“If they break, dig with your hands, you fool. What good is all that strength for? You’re as big as a mountain.” 

“Sonia, thank you. We were in need of weapons, and this helps a lot.” 

Marlon cut off Jade’s complaints and bowed his head to Sonia. 

“It’s an honour. If I were just a bit younger, I would join you… Although the magical tools are indeed buried, I can’t say for sure if they’re still usable after 100 years, Sir D’ha.” 

“Given the situation, we have to try everything we can.” 

Without further complaint, Jade started digging five steps east of the hut with Marlon. Jade didn’t have any issues with the task itself, just the tools. Was the old witch supposed to dig? Or should they make the princess dig? The real reason he couldn’t focus was something else. 

Zelda Black was lounging at the entrance of the hut with Kirona, using her recent recovery as an excuse. Jade had so many questions bottled up, but he was stuck here, unable to ask a single one, while Zelda was asking pointless ones. 

“Was the princess always this rich?” 

Of course, the princess would be rich. 

Jade glared at Zelda and angrily dug the shovel into the ground. The dry soil clumped together, making it feel like he was splitting rocks. It was as hard as that blockhead Zelda Black’s skull. 

“She’s rich enough to make it rain gold.” 

“How much money does she have?” 

“Three diamond mines in the south, the largest gold mine in the empire, one sapphire and one emerald mine. Five trading companies. I can’t say exactly how much cash she has because it’s constantly being invested and withdrawn… And she also owns land all over the empire.” 

“I pledge my loyalty to you. I don’t think anyone richer than Your Highness will ever appear in my life. The princess is my golden lifeline. Trust me.” 

“That’s reassuring.” 

Kirona smiled as she responded, even to that silly statement. Seeing Kirona’s smiling face made Jade feel strange. It made him feel both angry and drained, as if he was out of energy. 

‘Have you heard of Tetra Fever? The whisper of the five demons.’ 

A life with a deadline. Only then could Jade lay all his doubts to rest. But it still felt like a lie. He had thought she was just a bit weak and lacking in physical strength. 

Kirona didn’t look like a patient, no matter how he saw her. Her cheeks were full of life, her voice and movements were strong and healthy. But she was someone who would soon die? It was hard to believe. Someone so full of life. 

“Eclipse, stop for a moment. I just hit something hard.” 

At Marlon’s words, Jade wiped the sweat from his brow and paused. 

After digging a hole about the height of a child, the shovel struck a bluish, flat stone. It was a magic stone used to seal magical tools so they wouldn’t move on their own. Magical tools were dangerous objects that allowed non-magicians to use magic power, and though rare, some high-level magical tools even had their own consciousness, so careful storage was necessary. 

Marlon touched the surface of the stone for a moment before sitting down on the dirt floor. 

“Let’s take a break before we remove this stone. We’ve both sweated too much.” 

“Are you just scared of taking out the magical tool?” 

Even if it was a great magical tool, would it still have power after decaying for 100 years? Jade honestly doubted whether they could even slice onions with the weapons buried below. Marlon seemed to share his doubts, as he spoke in a worried voice instead of scolding Jade for his sarcasm. 

“I wish it had enough power left to be scary, you idiot.” 

“……” 

“There are four of us, and three of us are mercenaries. Do you think it makes sense that we only have four longswords and six daggers? We don’t even have bows or arrows, let alone magical tools. Where did we gather such reckless people…”