"One of the three knightly families of the North—the Orden family of the fortress city Vorig, right?"
Gut cut Mut off mid-explanation, stating it directly.
"Huh?"
Mut blinked in surprise. "How did you know? Oh! Right—you called my name earlier. Have we met before?"
"Nope. This is our first meeting."
Gut didn't play coy. As Mut rested, he briefly explained how they'd seen the missing person notice posted in Vorig.
"With a bounty of 40 Strahl silver coins, anyone who's passed through Vorig recently is probably well-acquainted with your name and face."
"Mother…"
Tears welled up again in Mut's eyes. He knew his father's personality well—there was no way he would have ordered such a search.
That meant the notice had to be his mother's doing.
Such a huge reward—it showed just how deeply she worried for him.
Gut gently patted his shoulder. "Come on, don't cry."
"We're already in the final stretch of the Ält Forest. If you push through a bit more, we'll reach the nearest—Appetit Town—by tonight."
"Once there, you can hire some adventurers to escort you home. Go reunite with your mother."
To his surprise, Mut shook his head, refusing the suggestion despite looking exhausted.
"No… I can't go back yet."
"Why not?" Gut asked, puzzled.
This pampered noble kid didn't want to return to his safe, loving home? Why insist on staying in danger?
"Because if I return now, then my mother worried for nothing."
"I'll send a letter from Appetit Town, telling her that I'm safe and well. That her son left home this time not to run away, but to seek strength—and that I'll return once I've found it."
As he spoke, Mut seemed to remember something. He quickly retrieved a cylindrical case from inside his shirt, unrolling the scroll it held and laying it out in front of them.
"This map—it's something I acquired by chance. It's been verified as an authentic relic from the Unified Empire Era, and the data on it has proven to be quite reliable."
"Oh?"
Gut examined the artifact with interest. He could feel the faint stirrings of his Innate Treasure-Seeker Physique reacting.
It really was genuine.
And for this kid to delay reuniting with his mother just for this—it had to be something big.
Sure enough, Mut confirmed it.
"Based on this map and my research, the site it depicts contains a spring. One said to grant tremendous power to whoever drinks from it."
"A spring that grants power?" Serie suddenly perked up.
In this day and age… something like that still exists?
She scrutinized the location marked on the map, her expression darkening slightly.
"If it's meant to enhance power… Could it be that ruin? No, wait—that one wouldn't present as a spring…"
As Serie quietly pondered, Gut casually asked Mut, "Aren't you worried? Showing us this map so openly—we could take it and claim your prize."
"Haha," Mut chuckled. "Honestly, that wouldn't be so bad."
"I've already been lucky enough to survive. If that treasure ends up helping my saviors instead, it's a worthy repayment."
"But…" He added, turning to Gut. "If you two are interested, how about we go together?"
"I can act as your frontline fighter. Sir Mage, you support from the rear. And when we find the spring, I'll just take a small portion."
Gut raised an eyebrow. "You're surprisingly generous. But we're in a hurry to reach the Holy Capital—Strahl, so this dungeon trip's gonna have to be your solo quest."
He made their stance clear, and then the group chatted for a bit while Mut recovered.
Fortunately, the rest of the trip through the forest passed without incident.
By dusk, the trio arrived safely in Appetit Town.
At the gate, Mut removed the emblem of his family and handed it to Gut.
"This is my token. If you're ever in trouble, come find me in Vorig. As long as the Orden family can help, we will."
Gut hesitated briefly but accepted it and tucked it into his pocket.
Before parting, Mut made one last attempt to invite them along on his dungeon expedition—but was refused again for the same reason.
Just as Mut was about to give up, disappointed, Serie—who'd been silent all along—suddenly spoke up with rare seriousness.
"If you do find that ruin… and you're determined to enter, then remember my words well."
"If there's any trace of human activity within—don't hesitate. Turn around and leave immediately."
"Touch nothing. And once you're out, seal the entrance completely."
"Then, come to the Continental Mage Association headquarters in Strahl and find me."
"But—if the site shows only signs of nature, then you may proceed with caution."
"Still, test any water you find before even thinking about drinking it."
"Y-Yes…"
Stunned by her grave tone, Mut nodded dumbly.
But then, a realization struck him.
Strahl, Mage Association Headquarters, and Elf...
Eyes wide, Mut stammered, "You—are you the legendary Great Archmage of the Mythic Age, Serie?!"
"I am," she answered plainly.
It wasn't surprising. A noble like Mut could easily have learned her name.
His eyes gleamed with reverence as he stepped forward to express his admiration. After gushing a bit, he asked about her warning again, seeking details.
Serie didn't elaborate much—she only repeated her advice firmly and told him not to forget it.
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Powerstones?
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