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."

her body on the table

there's

"Don't worry."

the sound of

ring are without a doubt among the best on the planet. If you can't find it there, I doubt you'll be able to find the herb you're looking for anywhere else

"Alright."

ring tightly and let out a

best to see if I can make do with what you've given me. If I can't find it here, then don't expect me to go to another planet

there should be

a halt at the door. He gave her another look before

Clank!

and silence

"Haa..."

with the ring in her hands. A thin smile formed on her face as

have a lot of work to

***

to pass, and during that time there were discernible changes in the

don't have much

"No, not there!"

"That's wrong!"

changes were accompanied by loud shouts that came from the dwarves that stood atop the castle walls and barked orders at the

boulders contained precious ores and came directly from the mine that was located

the boulders arrived at a specific area beneath the hill where the castle stood, 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 engineers who stationed

"What are they doing?"

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

system that will cover the

turning my head

to

"Yes."

nodded my

warning from Suriol that the demons are

"You think so?"

think,

my attention shifted toward the large structures the dwarves were building.

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 has regularly updated them on all of his discoveries. Back then, there

Suriol and communication between him and the demons got

what I was trying to

finally turned my head to gaze at him before nodding

might send some demons over this planet to scout the

of the utmost priority

it, most of the plans I had for this planet

is under control, it is likely that they will

the demons have been exterminated and a large portion of the

were to happen, then I would most likely

already invested an astronomical amount of resources in

already anticipated this sort of scenario

cut me off before I could say

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

began to curl upward. A light breeze 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.

it seem like the demons lost and that we escaped right after defeating the demons and looting the planet whole. Plus,

"That's exactly it."

spread across my lips as I couldn't help myself