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They are small, reddish orbs that can only be found in places where magic gathers like veins in the earth, making them rare and valuable items.

But that was a long time ago. Ever since the invasion of the Outer Sea began, they’ve become relatively easier to find than before.

Of course, just because the supply has increased doesn’t mean their value has decreased. In fact, because of the high value that magic stones have always held, people are now using them for things they never would have dared attempt before, leading to a sharp rise in consumption.

In particular, these magic stones are like treasures to those who use magic.

If they properly absorb the magic from a stone of a certain grade or higher, they can grow much faster.

Because of this, the higher the grade of the magic stone, the more those in power covet them.

This has even led to some people specializing in hunting down magical creatures just for their stones.

Even Ian himself made a decent amount of money from magic stones before his return.

To be honest, it was his main source of income.

Frankly, it was impossible to find valuable treasures of a high grade intact within the ruined lands of the Zeil Empire on a daily basis.

Occasionally, sure. But you had to be extremely lucky, and you were always taking risks.

After returning to the past, all of that was erased, but Ian couldn’t forget those memories and experiences.

He couldn’t forget. They were ingrained in his very flesh and blood. They were things he must never forget.

Just the mention of magic stones brought a sense of nostalgia, and Ian stretched out his hand. However, Mael just stood there, staring blankly.

“What are you doing? Don’t you have a dagger?”

“No, I have one. But are you planning to do it yourself? You really don’t have to.”

“Why, are you going to do it for me?”

Mael nodded eagerly. Ian couldn’t see his expression through the helmet, but from his voice, it seemed like he was smiling broadly.

“It’s not a difficult task, so I’d be happy to do it. It won’t take long.”

“I’d appreciate it if you did, but…”

“However, if I break an arrow, that’s not my fault.”

Ian nodded. Arrows breaking was inevitable. Even arrows that could be considered treasures, imbued with multiple layers of magic and mystery, were treated as consumables. Ordinary arrows were even more disposable.

“Then go rest in the carriage.”

Since Mael offered to handle the hard work, Ian didn’t refuse.

Not long after, Ian heard heavy footsteps and the clanking sound of armor, indicating that Mael and Mari were returning.

“Young Master.”

At the sound of knocking, Ian opened his eyes and opened the carriage door.

Mari stood outside, holding out a pouch and a bundle of arrows. As Ian took them, he tilted his head in curiosity.

He had expected at least some blood on them, but they were surprisingly clean. Noticing his puzzlement, Mari explained.

“We used a scroll.”

Now that he thought about it, Mari didn’t smell anymore. Even her armor was spotless, as if it had just been cleaned.

As expected, the effectiveness of these scrolls was undeniable, even back then.

There were no side effects, they weren’t difficult to find, and they were simple to produce, making it easy to secure a steady supply.

There’s a reason people say that stocking up on cleaning-related magic scrolls can improve your quality of life.

“Why don’t you use one too, Young Master? It’s not as good as soaking in hot water, but it does make you feel quite refreshed.”

Ian stared blankly at the paper scroll Mari held out before accepting it.

“Do you know how to use it?”

“Who do you take me for, of course I know.”

“Alright then. We’ll head to the village now.”

The carriage door closed. Ian first placed the arrows he was holding in one hand into the quiver. There were only six arrows in total, likely because many of them had broken.

The possibility of another outer gate opening nearby was slim, but just in case, he thought he should buy some spare arrows if there was a blacksmith in the village. He looked at the scroll in his hand.

Untying the string, he unrolled the paper and tore it apart. A refreshing sensation of magic enveloped his body.

Soon, the blood on his clothes vanished as if it had been washed away, leaving him completely clean. The more he thought about it, the more mysterious magic seemed.

‘No wonder mages are so well-regarded.’

Ian opened his pouch. Inside were sixteen magic stones. Each one was smaller than a fingernail, yet they held a dense concentration of magical energy.

He poured them into his hand and popped them all into his mouth. Crunch, crack. He bit down on them, but they were as hard as stones. They didn’t taste good, either.

Since he only needed to swallow them, he gulped them down, letting them slide down his throat.

Before they even reached his stomach, the magic condensed within the stones began to unravel, spreading throughout his body.

At the same time, the energy of “Bane of Evil” surged up from his lower abdomen, spreading throughout his entire body. A tepid warmth slowly rose within him.

This sensation, which always occurred whenever he ingested magic stones, was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a while.

‘As expected.’

A hint of greed crept in. He was already growing rapidly, but to grow even faster would be impossible without the help of ley lines or magic stones.

However, both were hard to come by. Most ley lines had already been claimed by noble families like the Berger family.

Magic stones, especially high-grade ones, were limited in supply, and those that did reach the market were exorbitantly expensive.

“…Hmm.”

That didn’t mean there was no way around it. In fact, there was something he remembered about some unclaimed magic stones.

It was information he had gathered during his time as a treasure hunter.

By now, they would be buried underground. He considered going to retrieve them but quickly dismissed the idea.

‘There’s no need to rush.’

If his growth had stagnated, that would be different, but it hadn’t. Besides, he planned to stay at the family estate for a while.

To properly master “Bane of Evil,” there was no other choice.

In his previous life, he had run away from home and never learned it properly. All he knew was the basic foundational training method for “Bane of Evil.”

Because of this, he could wield the power of fire, but he had struggled immensely due to not being able to use proper techniques.

At first, even just drawing flames outwards had been difficult, and causing explosions had been even more impossible.

It was only later, after figuring out some tricks, that he managed to do a few things, but even then, it was far inferior compared to the techniques of his family. He couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.

“Waaaah!”

“…?”

While lost in thought, he heard cheers. It seemed they had already arrived at the village.

Looking out the window, he saw the villagers celebrating. Despite witnessing the outer gate up close, no one had died, so their reaction was understandable.

He made eye contact with several people, and they began shouting “Berger” at the top of their lungs. Hearing it made him feel rather embarrassed.

He chuckled softly and waited for a moment as the cheering subsided. It looked like Mael was talking with the village chief.

Listening in, he gathered that the chief was expressing his gratitude and welcoming them, saying they could ask for anything they needed.

The carriage, which had paused for a moment, began moving again and eventually stopped in front of a building.

It seemed to be a tavern that also served as an inn. Mael opened the door, and Ian got out of the carriage, asking:

“Is this the place?”

“Yes?”

“The one famous for its gratin?”

Mael suddenly burst into laughter, a joyful expression on his face.

“That’s right! This is the place! Now, let’s head inside!”

“What about Mari?”

“She’ll park the carriage around the back and join us shortly.”

As they opened the door and stepped inside, a middle-aged couple with their young daughter were waiting for them. They immediately bowed deeply and greeted them.

“It is truly an honor to host our saviors! We’ve prepared a table for you.”

It seemed like they had rehearsed this greeting in anticipation of their arrival.

They were guided to a round table covered with a clean cloth, and before they could even place their order, the young couple spoke up first.

“We will do our best to serve you the finest food!”

“Please, take your time and relax!”

With those words, the couple headed to the kitchen side by side. Soon, the sound of a knife chopping ingredients on a cutting board could be heard.

Mael, still wearing his helmet, took it off with a broad smile.

“I’m looking forward to this.”

“Was it that good?”

“It’s not just the gratin. The other dishes are also top-notch. Not to boast, but I have a rather picky palate, so I can’t hide my true feelings when it comes to food.”

“You mean it shows on your face?”

“Exactly.”

“So you’re saying you’re honest. But isn’t that the same for everyone?”

When people eat something unpleasant, they frown, and when it’s delicious, they smile. It was a natural reaction.

Mael nodded in agreement.

“True, but most people try to manage their expressions based on the atmosphere and situation.”

“That’s just common courtesy.”

“Of course, if I’m in a position to receive a meal, I’d also try to be considerate. There’s no need to upset someone who’s offering their hospitality. But if I’m paying for my own meal, it’s a different story. Shouldn’t I be free to express myself like a gourmand?”

“…So?”

“What I’m trying to say is, although I haven’t traveled to many villages since I just finished my apprenticeship, I haven’t found a place as delicious as this one! It’s even better than most restaurants in bigger cities.”

As Ian listened to this somewhat trivial conversation, Mari arrived. She took off her helmet and sat down.

“Did you order the food?”

“They said they would bring it out for us.”

“…Hmm, really? I wonder if it’ll suit your taste, Young Master.”

After a brief wait, the food arrived. A delicious aroma wafted through the air, whetting their appetites. The portions were generous enough to elicit admiration.

Mael gently pushed the gratin forward, suggesting Ian try it first.

Following his lead, Ian picked up a wooden spoon and took a bite. It was savory with a hint of saltiness.

The texture was also enjoyable, prompting him to reach for another spoonful without even thinking.

“It’s good.”

Mael grinned widely at Ian’s honest remark, while Mari began her meal with a calm demeanor.

Not only the gratin but the other dishes were also excellent. The flavor was rich, suggesting a generous use of spices.

However, there wasn’t quite enough food. Perhaps it was because they were all in their prime with strong appetites. Both Mael and Mari seemed to have appetites that rivaled Ian’s, so it couldn’t be helped.

Mari glanced over at Ian. He knew exactly what that look meant.

She wanted more and was hinting for him to buy it.

Just as Ian was about to reach into his pocket to pull out some money, the door, which had been closed, suddenly swung open, and a man rushed in.

“S-Sir Knight…!”

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