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."

table that held the test tubes. Propping her body on the

hope there's

"Don't worry."

as the sound of his footsteps drifted away from

the 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

"Alright."

tightly and let

given me. If I can't find it here, then don't

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

Clank!

door closed and silence returned to the

"Haa..."

with the ring in her hands. A thin smile

still have a lot

***

during that time there were discernible

don't have

"No, not there!"

"That's wrong!"

stood atop the castle walls and barked orders at the demons and orcs that

precious ores and came directly from the mine that

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 themselves

"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 my clothes and pushed my hair

camouflage system that

without turning my head

to

"Yes."

nodded my

the demons are most likely suspecting that something is

"You think so?"

don't think,

my attention shifted toward the large structures

Suriol has said, he has remained in communication with them ever since and has regularly updated them on all of his discoveries.

between him and the demons got

instantly understood what I was trying to

gaze at him before

send some

of the utmost priority at

most of the plans I had

under control, it

and a large portion of the land has been leveled, they will understand what has happened and most

that were to happen, then I would most

as I had already invested an astronomical

and had already anticipated this

me off before

understand why

A light breeze was blowing past his body, and as it did so, it caused his hair to flutter in the air, revealing his emerald green eyes that sparkled like jewels and his chiseled

'Handsome bastard.'

I momentarily felt jealous.

...Only momentarily.

seem like the demons lost and that we escaped right after defeating the demons and looting the planet whole. Plus, with the fact that the demons don't care about the ores of the planet, they will probably

"That's exactly it."

my lips as I couldn't help myself