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."

on the table with body hands she opened her palm and gazed at the ring in

hope there's something

"Don't worry."

from behind as the sound of his footsteps drifted

the planet. If you can't find it there, I doubt you'll be able to find the herb

"Alright."

again gripped the ring tightly and let out a

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

should

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 card in

Clank!

and silence returned to

"Haa..."

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

I still have a lot of

***

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

don't have much

"No, not there!"

"That's wrong!"

loud shouts that came from the dwarves that stood atop the castle walls and barked orders at the

directly from the mine that was located not so far away

the height of a typical orc and

"What are they doing?"

and observed the

camouflage system that will cover the

responded without turning my

you trying to hide the

"Yes."

calmly nodded

a warning from Suriol that the demons are most likely suspecting that

"You think so?"

think,

large

to the demons. According to what Suriol has said, he has remained in communication with them ever since

between him and the demons got

understood what I was trying to say as

head to gaze at

send some demons over this planet to scout the

was of the

had

we have Suriol tell them that the situation is under control, it is likely that they will still

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

I would most likely have to say goodbye to this

not something that I wanted as I had already invested an astronomical amount of resources in the city

and had already

me off before I could say

understand why you told me

into the distance, Jin's lips 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 his emerald green eyes that sparkled like jewels and his chiseled

'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, with the fact that the demons don't care

"That's exactly it."

faint smile spread across my lips as I couldn't help myself from complimenting