The Author's POV

"Nope, this doesn't work as well."

Melissa ruffled her hair and tossed a test tube into a nearby bin before shifting her focus to a test tube rack that contained five additional test tubes that were arranged in an orderly fashion.

As she carefully examined each test tube, she leaned her body forward and strained her eyes in order to see more clearly.

"...Looks like these ones are also failures."

Melissa observed the test tubes for five minutes before shaking her head in disappointment.

Her body then slumped down on the chair behind her as she rolled across the floor. Tucking her chin under her hand she mused.

'I am lacking something. Even after experimenting with the new herbs that grow on this planet, I am still unable to locate the herb with the desired properties.'

Melissa was the only person who remained in the castle while the others went to the treasuries of this planet and looted everything there was to loot.

Melissa conducted research and experiments with the plants that she had gathered over the course of her time on the planet while the others were in the process of exploring the treasuries.

She had access to a wide variety of plants and herbs, but as she investigated their properties, she discovered that the vast majority of them possessed qualities that she did not find desirable.

At least, for the project, she was currently working on.

Worse, the herbs the others brought back from the treasuries proved useless to her, as evidenced by the failed test tubes in front of her.

"...Is this trip going to be in vain?"

Melissa sighed in disappointment as she shook her head once more.

Just as she was about to stand up from her chair, the door to the lab opened and a familiar figure walked in.

"How's the research going?"

The person was none other than Ren who had just returned from his trip to the treasury.

"Same as before."

"As in?"

"As in nothing happened."

Melissa didn't even glance at Ren as she continued to sit on her seat and blankly stared at the test tubes in front of her.

It was only after she felt Ren's presence beside her that she continued speaking.

"Are you here to give me the plants and herbs that you've collected from the treasury?"

"Yes, how smart."

Ren waved his hand in the air and tossed a small ring in Melissa's direction.

Grabbing the ring, Melissa finally looked up at Ren and smirked.

"What's this? You finally decided to propose to me?"

"You wish."

"No, not really."

Ren's mouth visibly twitched, and Melissa chuckled softly before gripping the ring in her hand.

"Thanks."

the test tubes. Propping her body on the table with body hands she opened

hope there's something useful

"Don't worry."

her from behind as the sound of his

among the best on the planet. If you can't find

"Alright."

gripped the ring tightly and let

if I can make do with what you've given me. If I can't

should be no

the end of the room and came to a halt at the door. He gave her another look before saying, "Just do your best. If you can truly solve the mana poisoning issue, we'll have another trump

Clank!

silence

"Haa..."

was broken by Melissa's sigh as she fiddled with the ring in her hands. A thin smile formed on her face as she gazed at the ring in her

still have a lot of

***

during that time there were discernible changes in the area surrounding the

we don't have much

"No, not there!"

"That's wrong!"

at the demons and

mine that was located

five times the height of a typical

"What are they doing?"

from behind me as I stood atop the castle walls and observed the operation below me. At the same time, a gentle breeze ruffled

a camouflage system that will cover

turning

you trying to hide the

"Yes."

calmly nodded my

Suriol that the demons are most likely suspecting that something is up with

"You think so?"

think,

shifted toward the large structures the dwarves were

said, he has remained in communication with them ever since and has regularly updated them on all of his discoveries. Back then, there weren't

communication between him and the

instantly understood what I was trying to say

to gaze

that they might send some demons over this

camouflage system was of the utmost priority at the

plans I had for this planet would go down the

Suriol tell them that the situation is under control, it is

have been exterminated and a large portion of the land has been leveled, they will understand what

to happen, then I would most likely have to say goodbye to

I wanted as I had already invested an astronomical amount of resources in

I had come prepared and had already anticipated this sort of scenario

cut me off before I could

get your plan. I also finally understand why you told me to trash

was blowing past his body, and as it did so, it caused his hair to flutter in the air, revealing

'Handsome bastard.'

I momentarily felt jealous.

...Only momentarily.

there's no chance of stopping the demons from scouting the planet, you're just going to make it seem like the demons lost and that we escaped right after defeating the demons and looting the planet whole. Plus, with the

"That's exactly it."

as I couldn't help