Chapter 238
Chapter 238
An army runs on money.
And what typically replaces that money? Food.
That's why Logan, while strengthening the military for national defense, also sought to maximize agricultural productivity. Fortunately, he had already tested a method—expensive but undeniably effective.
Mana-infused water farming.
The technique of dissolving magic stones in water to enhance soil fertility hinged on finding the perfect balance.
Especially now, when every penny counts.
But there was a problem.
Though the method had proven successful at MacLaine's dam and the two dams in Taren, three trials weren't enough to determine the optimal ratio—each dam varied in size and capacity.
Then...
Ultimately, implementing mana-infused water farming in the royal demesne and Esperanza's lands required someone to visually confirm the saturation of mana in the water.
A matter of innate talent, not magic or skill.
But Logan couldn't leave his post, so only one person came to mind.
The reaction, however, was less than enthusiastic.
"Excuse me? A seventeen-year-old girl? Even if she is Master Clayton's disciple, that's a bit..."
Dwain frowned, glancing hesitantly at Logan.
Logan chuckled and elaborated.
"We'll assign a supervisor. But her ability is indispensable for this task."
"If you insist, I'll summon her immediately."
Logan's real concern lay elsewhere.
A three-month journey across the kingdom, safeguarding and utilizing a top-secret resource.
For a seventeen-year-old girl—even a mage—it would be grueling.
But.
"I'll do it! No, please let me!"
Victoria's eyes sparkled as she practically leaped at the opportunity.
"...Ria. Do you understand what this entails?"
Victoria's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the kingdom's magic ore mines, but her curiosity quickly vanished, replaced by sheer determination for the mission.
"Yes. When magic stones dissolve in water, they adhere to the soil at a specific ratio, ensuring nearly a decade of bountiful harvests. I'll visually confirm the mana saturation and adjust the ratio accordingly. Did I miss anything?"
"...No. But it'll be harder than you think."
"Not at all. Not even a little, Your Majesty."
Logan felt a strange pang of nostalgia as he looked at the girl standing confidently before him.
The tiny child he'd first met—almost an afterthought when he took in Victor, the prodigy.
Now, she stood before him as a young lady, a mage wielding four circles.
Despite all the events since his regression, it was only now that Logan truly felt how much time had passed.
Pfft.
"Alright, fine. But obviously, you won't be going alone. You'll have escort knights and a supervisor. Your sole responsibility is monitoring and adjusting the magic stone consumption."
"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."
Victoria silently cheered as she left the office, leaving Logan bemused by her enthusiasm.
Finally, I can prove my worth!
Victoria was overjoyed by the king's order.
She was now a full-fledged mage—a 4th Circle mage, no less, having caught up to her seniors. Though respected in the tower, she'd never been entrusted with a solo mission.
You're still too young.
Just assist. You can do that, right?
Talented? Of course we know. That's why we're being careful.
The constant coddling had begun to weigh on her pride.
An extremely important task—one only you can do.
The king's words tasted sweet.
I'll show them. I'm not a child who needs protection anymore.
Clenching her fists, Victoria cheered inwardly—until a familiar voice called out.
"Ria! I heard you were at the palace!"
"Huh? Oppa!"
"My shift just ended—let's go home and have dinner!"
A knight with heterochromatic red-and-blue eyes—her mirror image—approached with a bright smile.
The same brother known outside as the "Ice Knight," expressionless to all but her.
Her steadfast protector—and chief overprotector.
But she couldn't bring herself to resent it.
Not when she knew, ever since that day seared into her memory, that he had lived solely for her sake.
She could only sigh.
Fool. If you've earned money, you should be thinking about marriage.
But knowing he wouldn't listen, Victoria simply smiled.
"Sure. Let's eat."
Over dinner, she made a decision.
I won't tell him.
This was her first mission as a mage—not a tower apprentice—and a solo one at that.
The king had stressed its secrecy. That was excuse enough.
I'll show him. I can pull my own weight now.
But a few days later, when she arrived at the palace for the mission...
"...Oppa?"
Victor was already there, waiting.
"I heard you received an important mission from His Majesty. Trust your oppa—I'll protect you."
"Why...?"
"Be grateful for His Majesty's consideration. It means he values you. Though not as much as I do."
His smile was as bright as ever, but Victoria's face stiffened.
"...Ria?"
Tilting his head, Victor quietly followed his sister, who remained silent for a long while.
The mission team consisted of five squads—thirty knights led by Heinkel—and the siblings.
Most knights knew neither the mission's purpose nor its details.
But with knights making up the bulk of the team—and Heinkel, the former knight commander trusted by both the king and his father, leading—none doubted its importance.
The only oddity was the presence of a girl who looked barely of age.
Yet within half a day, they understood her role.
"We should rest here. Past this grassland, there's nowhere to graze the horses before our next stop."
"We're behind schedule by thirty minutes. You'll need to move faster."
"Estimated arrival at tonight's campsite: three hours."
Her flawless guidance was uncanny.
"Summon Golem!"
At the first campsite, four golems materialized at her command, handling chores effortlessly.
"I've laid earth-alarm spells—they'll alert us to intruders. No need for night watches, but if you're uneasy, keep them minimal."
She even eliminated the need for sentries.
"I don't know the mission, but that girl's the most crucial person here."
"No matter what, protect her first."
"Agreed."
The knights, their journey eased, praised Victoria with smiles.
Moreover—
"Listen. Without exaggeration, Victoria is the most important person in this mission. Protecting her is your top priority."
Heinkel's words cemented her status—both officially and practically—as the mission's linchpin.
Meanwhile, Victor, who'd spent the day trying to assist his sister only to be ignored, watched her with conflicted eyes.
"Goods confirmed."
"Let's move out."
Creak.
The moment Heinkel turned, thirty cargo wagons followed.
The massive wagons, shrouded in black cloth as if hiding their contents, were accompanied by dwarves who—clearly briefed—exchanged no words with the knights.
The procession reached the central plains of the royal demesne before the dwarves' leader—a red-bearded dwarf named Geommaru—spoke.
"His Majesty ordered that the mage determines the dispersion ratio."
Every knight's gaze returned to Victoria.
With confidence, she stepped forward, directing dwarves and knights alike.
Soon, shimmering powder spilled into the water.
Under the dark night, the sight of starlight scattering across the earth captivated everyone.
Victoria's eyes, too, glowed with wonder.
"Beautiful..."
Unlike the others, she could see the mana seeping into the soil—a sight more breathtaking than the surface spectacle.
It was as if another galaxy had unfolded upon the earth beneath the night sky.
But she wasn't merely entranced.
"That's enough there. Move right—ten more steps!"
"Stop there! Left, ten steps back."
The moment she spotted mana clumping—as Logan had described—she adjusted the dwarves and knights pouring the powder.
The golems moved unquestioningly at her will.
Commanding dozens while marveling at the celestial display below, Victoria looked happier than ever—far from fatigued.
And Victor, watching his sister, grew increasingly pensive.
"You've grown up well. Both of you."
"Huh?"
Snapped from his thoughts by Heinkel's pat, Victor blinked.
His gaze remained fixed on his sister, prompting a fond smile from the old knight.
"Back when His Majesty—no, the lord—first brought you two, I thought you were just peculiar-looking children. Now you're the territory's representative knight and mage... His foresight is astounding, but so are you."
"...You flatter me."
"Flattery? It's the truth."
Victor smiled faintly, bowing his head.
Both... of us...?
The simple phrase lingered in his chest.
Only then did he realize how much the sister he'd always carried, protected, and coddled had grown.
Smothering her isn't the answer.
His lord's words echoed in his mind.
As Victor mulled them over, his expression softened.
"What's so beautiful?"
After the work ended, Victoria—dazed—startled at the voice.
"Ah, Oppa..."
"Finally smiling. You've been ignoring me."
"...Sorry. I just hated being treated like a kid..."
"...I worry because I care."
"...That is treating me like a kid."
Her sulky glare made Victor hastily change the subject.
"Alright, fine. I'll be careful. But what's so beautiful? You still see something?"
"Ah... Well, of course! It's gorgeous, but magically speaking, this discovery is revolutionary..."
Victoria launched into an excited explanation—how mystical and stunning the mana-infused soil looked to an earth mage like her, its magical potential, the endless calculations for the perfect ratio, her plans to study the soil's composition...
Only after rambling for a while did she pause, realizing her brother wouldn't understand.
But—
"You've really grown up. My little sister."
With a proud yet bittersweet smile, Victor gently ruffled her hair.
Was this how our father—whose face I can't even remember—used to look?
Eyes stinging, Victoria suddenly snapped.
"I grew up ages ago!"
"Yeah. I noticed."
She realized his interference had dwindled over the past few days. His relieved-yet-wistful expression returned.
Annoyed for some reason, she swatted his hand away.
"That's why I'll protect you now! You saw my golems, right?"
"...Huh?"
"You've suffered enough for me. Now it's my turn!"
Gratitude she couldn't voice—mixed with embarrassment—made her louder than intended.
Pfft.
"Hahaha!"
Victor's laughter, starting as a chuckle, soon boomed—and Victoria joined in.
Seven years since arriving in MacLaine.
The slave-born siblings had changed—more than the world itself.
And for all they'd gained—
I'll protect all of this.
With the same resolve, they exchanged a glance.