I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 174

The benefits reaped by County Daidi from this venture were substantial, leading them to provide accommodation and meals, allowing us to comfortably recuperate from our journey.

“The security is quite tight, isn’t it?”

“Monsters often appear around here.”

As I marveled at the high walls, Ruby shrugged.

“When mining for minerals, we always have to bring guards. Sometimes after a magic storm, monsters tend to appear.”

It made sense why Count Daidi was so skilled in swordsmanship. This place is in constant confrontation with monsters all year round.

The mine was discovered midway up the mountain, so we had to hike to reach it, which led to another conflict.

“I want to go up too. We can just use magic.”

“Magic can’t be used carelessly in Kiriq due to the dense magical energy. Didn’t you know that?”

Ruby seemed frustrated by now.

“That’s mentioned in the materials I sent you beforehand. Representatives from other families who chose not to climb brought deputies.”

“I, I see.”

“My father had already shared this information with Count Heights and he had indicated that there was no need for his participation in this event. So, Lady Heights, please wait in the estate.”

“Ah…”

The Carin Heights I knew were somewhat naive but not malicious. We had attended classes together, and she was diligent and careful not to harm others.

It seemed she was hastily informed about this event and came unprepared.

“For your safety, please stay here.”

“I understand.”

She eventually quietly agreed, and Ruby appeared relieved.

However, Carin suddenly asked,

“Are you climbing up with them, Lady Hardland?”

“Yes.”

I lifted my cloak to reveal the clothes underneath, similar to what I wear for sword training, and Carin’s eyes widened.

“I won’t have any trouble climbing that kind of mountain.”

“You’re lucky, Lady Hardland.”

Seeing her beautifully dressed figure now pointless, Carin’s shoulders slumped.

“Being half-elf, you’re both beautiful and strong.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

I remember some, including the Empress, wanting to belittle my mother for being an elf during my childhood, but I just smiled it off.

However, Ruby looked like she wanted to grab Carin by the collar and shake her right then and there.

Once we distanced ourselves from Carin, Ruby spoke in an irritated tone,

“Wow, what’s with her? She really knows how to make people angry, doesn’t she?”

The territory was predominantly inhabited by humans, making discrimination against other races a reality. Even if it wasn’t severe, such compliments could hardly be comforting to the recipients who were of other races or mixed.

“Let it go, Ruby. And just so you know, Lady Heights is the youngest daughter dearly loved by the Count. She has three older brothers.”

Ruby stumbled and pressed her forehead. For her, acting as a substitute host for Count Daidi, Carin Heights was a thorn in her side.

“The guards here can stay.”

“No, we must escort the expedition team to the cave and then return.”

Ruby seemed bothered, but the knights sent by the imperial family showed no sign of stepping back.

Eventually, it was decided that everyone, including the guards hired by County Daidi, would go together, and the group headed for the Kiriq Mountain.

At the mountain’s base, we joined forces with a dwarf who was both a blacksmith and a miner. With him, the expedition team spent a full day climbing the mountain to reach our eagerly awaited destination.

“Here we are.”

Leading the way, Ruby led us into a well-maintained cave that seemed to have been touched by human hands. Some of the imperial knights stayed at the entrance, while others followed us inside.

“Delegates, please come this way. Here, you can see a top-quality diamond ore.”

A member of the Daidi family, who came with her, started a detailed explanation.

Ruby gestured to me and the other researchers to follow her deeper into the cave. The inside of the cave was surprisingly comfortable and filled with a clear atmosphere.

“This is it.”

We arrived at a dead end that resembled a room, where a white mineral embedded in the wall was visible. Unlike any typical ore with expected impurities, this one was as clear as a mirror.

“County Daidi’s internal investigation revealed that this mineral is unlike any previously discovered. We request a thorough appraisal and investigation of its properties and characteristics.”

After Ruby finished speaking, she stepped back, and Weathering approached as if he had been waiting for his turn.

“It’s fascinating, isn’t it? A white mineral emitting such a mysterious aura.”

Ruby whispered to me as she approached, and I nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. It’s incredibly pure, not a single impurity mixed in.”

The mineral, which captivated the researchers, was of the same kind shown by the Fairy King in the fairyland.

“Do you know what this is, Euel?”

“No, it’s my first time seeing it.”

However, when asked if I recognized it, I shook my head.

I’ve decided to keep it a secret for the rest of my life that I passed through the fairy realm and went to a completely different world and dimension.

Furthermore, the unease felt from Carin Heights’ attitude made me hesitate. Her view, which simplifies the value of elves to beauty and strength, is a perspective many humans share.

The attitude towards fairies isn’t much different. In such circumstances, the consequences of carelessly opening the door to the fairy realm are unpredictable.

If necessary, it can be discussed later, when I can be certain that it’s safe.

“It seems impossible to break this. It definitely looks like it’s holding magic.”

“Let’s start by measuring the concentration of magic inside the cave. Don’t forget to collect stalactites as well.”

Weathering and the researchers began investigating the cave’s environment and collecting minerals.

The dwarf named ‘Tolby’, who seemed enthusiastic when we met, clamped his mouth shut just like me upon seeing the particular mineral.

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