Chapter 72

Yesterday, I had a lengthy chat with Clarnet.

After returning to my accommodation, I tried to piece together the information I heard from others.

Word has it that they’re a prestigious family known for processing magic stones.

If you were to ask whether they’re the best, there might be some disagreement, but the general consensus is that a family that does something exceptionally well usually doesn’t end up being the best at all.

When buying something, it’s said you typically have to hop around to avoid getting scammed, but the reason I visited Clarnet’s family-operated ‘Strum Workshop’ directly is that any family involved in processing magic stones would jump at the opportunity if magic powers were involved.

“It’s a relief to know that each family is strong in its own right.”

“If that weren’t the case, trade wouldn’t even happen, right? If the Gnome government says no, it would just be a total flop.”

It was lucky that not many families had ever laid their hands on holy artifacts.

The Gnomes are a very curious bunch. If they had ever handled holy artifacts before, they might not show much interest, or they could demand a massive sum from our side, but touching a holy artifact that only someone like me could create is another story entirely.

If this news spreads, there would be reactions from other families too. Of course, it’s not like I would just hand them out to anyone. No matter how much I might want to, I can’t just mass-produce holy artifacts.

“Just be careful, okay?”

As I organized my thoughts, Rina spoke up softly.

“Have you realized that your value has skyrocketed in the past few weeks?”

“…Yes, I’m aware.”

I nodded.

From just being an uninterested Saint Candidate, I’ve now come to possess limited foresight and can freely create holy artifacts.

“I’ll make sure it doesn’t become too bothersome.”

“…That’s not quite what I meant.”

At my words, Ria looked a bit hurt, causing me to chuckle.

*

Maybe it was because I mentioned wanting to converse with a certain family in Gnome society that I started getting requests for meetings in return.

Fortunately, I could afford to reject most of them without much issue. There wasn’t exactly a ‘must-have’ reason to talk.

While I primarily shifted most conversations towards the church, there was one topic I absolutely couldn’t avoid.

“A lake contaminated by magic power?”

“Yes, if the Saint Candidate permits, I would like to show you that place.”

I recalled Ria’s earlier comment about my values rising too high.

To be shown a lake contaminated by magic power means one thing only: they’re asking if I can purify it.

We weren’t the only ones who could gather information at the banquet. Conversely, they could also be gathering intel from our end.

It wasn’t something particularly confidential that I had purified a ground tainted by magic power.

“……”

After a brief moment of contemplation, I glanced at Ria.

Her expression was one of ‘there’s really no need to go,’ but—

Well. Given what I experienced last time, I wanted to at least check it out once.

Moreover, it was related to the ‘original work’ as well.

A lake contaminated by magic power.

In fact, calling it ‘contaminated’ might not be entirely accurate.

What filled the lake is probably not water tainted by magic power but the magic power itself.

Well, at least I managed to prevent one trigger before. There shouldn’t be any crisis to the extent seen in the novel. Plus, considering the timeline, it’s ahead of the novel at this point.

With what happened last time, I can’t guarantee anything.

If there’s something I could be sure of—

Yeah.

If I can stop the affair before the ‘omen’ even arises, I would at least be able to reduce the number of victims significantly compared to the original work I read.

“Yes, I’d like to see it once.”

I nodded and answered that way.

*

The ‘lake’ wasn’t located within the Gnome’s residential area.

It was situated outside, in the middle of a desert, existing almost like an oasis.

Or perhaps there might have been an oasis there from the start. According to the original work, there were traces of civilization left nearby.

But now—

“……”

A massive, black lake stretched out before me.

Oases typically have water sources located somewhere else. Even if it rains in the desert, it dries up instantly once the sun rises, so naturally that means there’s a source continuously feeding this place.

In other words, that source could be contaminated with magic power as well.

Could there be some sort of mineral vein below? If there was a vein for extracting magic stones….

“How does it look?”

A Gnome next to me inquired. It was a high-ranking Gnome I had seen at the banquet.

How does it look, you ask….

I know it’s a dangerous situation. Honestly, considering how that mass appeared last time with magic power, I was curious why there wasn’t one this time.

“Is the area getting larger over time?”

“Yes, it doesn’t evaporate even under this scorching sun.”

Indeed, it seemed something was continuously flowing in from somewhere.

“……”

I hesitated briefly and approached one of the knights beside me.

As I got closer, the knight straightened up with perfect posture.

“Can I borrow your sword for a moment?”

“Yes!”

With a swish, the knight carefully handed over the hilt while holding the blade safely.

Taking the sword, I moved a bit further ahead.

The sand looked like the familiar desert sand we know at first glance. A light yellow color.

But when I lightly dragged the tip of the blade across the sand—

Swish.

With a slight hissing sound, faint smoke began to rise.

“……”

Once again, it was the same.

Not only the lake but also the ground touched by the blade was heavily contaminated with magic power.

“Hah.”

I had read about it in the novel. Perhaps the situation in the novel was much worse than this. After all, magic power had even encroached upon the Gnomes’ residential area.

However, experiencing the situation firsthand like this was a completely different ballgame.

“To be frank with you.”

Wiping the sweat off my brow under the blazing sun, I spoke.

“Yeah. I’m listening.”

“You might want to reconsider using the holy artifacts for warfare.”

“Huh?”

“Even pouring them into that lake would probably not be enough.”

At my words, the Gnome’s face stiffened. Was it a reaction to the seriousness of the situation?

Or was it about me opposing the government’s policies?

“……”

I silently stared at the lake with a troubled heart.

*

“… Is that a prophecy too?”

“What?”

“I saw your expression change the moment I mentioned the lake.”

“… You can tell stuff like that?”

“Reading faces is super easy, you know? If you’re planning to get into politics or something, learn how to keep a poker face first!”

“……”

I kept my mouth shut.

Was it a problem that I initially lied about it being a prophecy?

Now, it’s become awkward to say it wasn’t a prophecy from the start. Though, saying ‘I knew from the beginning’ would probably be perceived as a prophecy too, so it’s not like it would make a difference.

“If I say… I’ve been intentionally keeping quiet, would that make you dislike me?”

At my words, Ria looked thoroughly taken aback.

“You think I’d dislike you just because you lied to me?”

I know Ria isn’t the type to hold grudges that easily.

But even so—would I dislike her if she lied to me?

Hmm.

To be honestly truthful, I don’t think I would at this point.

Sometimes, she pulls annoying tricks, keeps countering everything I say, which can be infuriating, but that wouldn’t be a reason to hate someone.

……Even though Ria’s connection to Lee Si-yoon has faded significantly now, it’d still annoy me if she ended up dating Lee Si-yoon.

In many ways.

“No.”

As I answered, Ria chuckled and patted my head.

There was no one around. The Gnomes had set up a tent just for us.

“I feel the same way. If you were hiding something regarding the divine, there must be a reason.”

Those words reassured me. Well, excluding the mention of the divine, that is.

“So, what are you planning to do? About that lake?”

I fell into thought without saying anything for a moment.

Gradually, white light began to fall from above, so I waved my hand and brushed it away.

It seemed Ria had already figured out what choice I would make the moment she saw that light. At first, she chuckled in disbelief, then resumed patting my head.

…..

As I waved away the light falling from above, for some reason I couldn’t reject Ria’s touch.

I knew she would stop if I just swatted it away.

“… Is it okay if I extend my stay?”

“Well, there’s nothing urgent back on Earth, so.”

For some reason, Ria’s answer made me feel even weirder, and I bit my lip.