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."

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

there's something

"Don't worry."

reassured her from behind as the sound of

If you can't find it there, I doubt you'll

"Alright."

again gripped the ring tightly

do with what you've given me. If I can't find it here, then don't expect me

there should be no

He gave her another look before saying, "Just do your best. If you can truly solve the mana poisoning issue, we'll have

Clank!

silence returned

"Haa..."

she fiddled with the ring in her hands. A thin smile formed on her face as she gazed at the ring in her hand and looked through the

still have a

***

that time there were discernible changes

we don't have much

"No, not there!"

"That's wrong!"

the castle walls and barked orders at the demons and orcs that were working tirelessly each

and came directly from the mine that was located not so far away

they were deposited near a massive furnace that was at least five times the height of a typical orc and processed the ores into metals that would later be used by the dwarven

"What are they doing?"

the operation

that will cover the

responded without turning my

trying to hide the

"Yes."

calmly nodded

are most likely suspecting that something is up with

"You think so?"

don't think,

as my attention shifted toward the large structures

the lead up to the war, Suriol divulged our potentially suspicious activities to the demons. According to what Suriol has said, he has remained in communication with them ever since and

Suriol and communication between him and

instantly understood what I was trying to say

turned my head to gaze at him before nodding

that they might send some demons over this

of the

the plans I had for this planet

the situation is under control, it is likely that they will still send demons

most of the demons have been exterminated and a large portion of the land has been leveled,

most likely have to say

had already invested an astronomical amount of resources in the city that was currently being built around the

had already anticipated this sort of scenario from

before I

I get your plan. I also finally understand why you

the distance, Jin's lips began to curl upward. A light breeze was blowing past his body, and as it did so, it caused

'Handsome bastard.'

I momentarily felt jealous.

...Only momentarily.

after defeating the demons and looting the planet whole. Plus, with

"That's exactly it."

spread across my lips as I