Chapter 7. Favor and Calculation (6)

I had many conversations with Clanet about various things yesterday.

And after returning to the accommodation, I combined the information I heard from other people.

I heard it’s a famous family for processing magic stones.

If you ask if they are the best, there are differing opinions, but the general consensus is that families of that level cannot be said to be the best at anything.

When buying something, people usually say you have to shop around to avoid being ripped off, but the reason I visited ‘Stram Workshop,’ run by Clanet’s family, right away was that it was obvious any family would immediately accept a proposal if it involved processing magic stones using holy power.

“Still, it’s fortunate that each family’s power is strong.”

“If it weren’t, the transaction itself wouldn’t have been established, right? If the gnome government forbids it, it’s over.”

It was also fortunate that not many families had touched holy artifacts.

Gnomes are a very curious race, just as their appearance suggests. If there were people who had frequently touched holy artifacts from the beginning, they might not have shown much interest or would have charged us an exorbitant amount, but touching holy artifacts that only I can create is another story.

If this story spreads, other families will react. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll give it to just any family. Even I cannot ‘mass-produce’ holy artifacts.

“Still, be careful.”

As I was organizing my thoughts, Ria said softly.

“Do you realize that your value has increased significantly in the past few weeks?”

“…Yes, I realize it.”

I nodded.

From being a disobedient Saint Candidate, I am now a being with limited precognitive abilities and the ability to create holy artifacts at will.

“I’ll be careful not to become too bothersome.”

“…No, that’s not what I meant.”

At my words, Ria replied with a slightly hurt expression, and I chuckled.

*

Perhaps because I initiated a conversation with a specific family in gnome society, the number of people requesting an audience with me has also increased.

Fortunately, I could refuse most people without major issues. This is because there was no ‘absolute need to talk.’

Although I mostly redirected conversations to the church, there was one topic I absolutely couldn’t refuse.

“A lake contaminated by magic?”

“Yes, if Saint Candidate allows it, I would like to show you that place.”

I recalled what Ria had said once more. Her words about my value having increased excessively.

Showing me a lake contaminated by magic has only one meaning. They are asking if I can purify it.

We weren’t the only ones who could gather information at the banquet. Conversely, they could also gather information.

The fact that I purified land contaminated by magic wasn’t a particular secret either.

“…?”

After a moment of thought, I glanced at Ria.

Ria’s expression was ‘There’s no need to go’-

Well.

At least, after experiencing the incident last time, I want to check it once.

Moreover, it was also related to the ‘original work.’

A lake contaminated by magic.

Actually, it would be more accurate to say that the term ‘contaminated’ is incorrect.

The lake is filled not with water contaminated by magic, but with magic itself.

…Well, at least, I managed to prevent one trigger before. The problem won’t erupt as much as in the novel. Besides, in terms of timing, this is ‘before’ the novel.

Given the previous incident, I can’t be sure of anything.

If there’s anything I can be sure of- yes.

If I prevent things before even the ‘precursors’ occur, at least the casualties will be much fewer than in the original novel I read.

“Yes, I’d like to go and see it.”

I nodded and replied.

*

The ‘lake’ was not within the gnome residential area.

Outside of it, in the middle of the desert, it existed like an oasis.

No, perhaps there was always an oasis there. In the original work, there were at least some traces of civilization nearby.

But now-

“…?”

A vast, black lake was there.

Oases usually have a water source elsewhere. Even if it rains in the desert, it evaporates instantly once the sun rises, so naturally, there must be a place that consistently supplies water here.

In other words, even that water source could be contaminated by magic.

Is there something like a mineral vein underneath? If it’s a vein from which magic stones are mined…

“How is it?”

A gnome next to me asked. It was a gnome of high status, whom I had seen at the banquet.

Even if asked how it is…

I know it’s a dangerous situation. Honestly, last time a sphere formed from magic, so I was curious why there wasn’t one this time.

“Is the area expanding over time?”

“Yes. It doesn’t evaporate at all, even under this hot sun.”

As expected, it seemed to be coming in steadily from somewhere.

“…?”

After a moment of thought, I approached one of the knights beside me.

As I approached, the knight snapped to attention.

“Can I borrow your sword for a moment?”

“Yes!”

Shwing.

The knight drew his sword, carefully held the blade, and offered the handle to me.

Taking the sword, I moved a little further forward.

At first glance, the sand looked like the sand of the desert we know. Sand with a light yellow hue.

However, as I lightly drew the tip of the sword I held across the sand-

Chik.

With a very faint sizzling sound, a faint smoke rose.

“…?”

It was the same this time.

Not only the lake, but also the land that was in contact with the water and was steadily absorbing it, was thoroughly contaminated by magic.

“Haa.”

I had read it in novels too. Or perhaps, the situation in the novel was much more serious than here. It had even encroached upon the gnome residential areas.

However, even so, seeing the situation directly with my own eyes was a completely different matter.

“Shall I speak frankly?”

Wiping the sweat dripping in the blazing sun, I said.

“Yes. I will listen carefully.”

“It would be best not to think of using the holy artifacts you bought for war.”

“What?”

“Even if you poured them all into that lake, it would probably not be enough.”

At my words, the gnome’s face stiffened. Was it a reaction to the situation being more dangerous than expected?

Or was it a reaction to me saying something against the government’s policy?

“…?”

With a troubled heart, I gazed at the lake.

*

“…Is that also a prophecy?”

“What?”

“I saw your expression change the moment you heard about the lake.”

“…You can read that too?”

“It’s incredibly easy to read your expression. If you ever plan to go into politics, you should learn to maintain a poker face first.”

“…?”

I closed my mouth.

Was it a problem that I lied at first and called it a prophecy?

Now, it’s hard to say it wasn’t a prophecy from the start. Well, saying ‘I knew from the beginning’ would have been taken as a prophecy anyway, so it probably wouldn’t have made a difference if I had said it differently.

“If I… deliberately didn’t tell you, would you dislike me?”

At my words, Ria looked utterly bewildered.

“If you lied to me once, would I immediately start disliking you?”

I know Ria isn’t that kind of person.

But even so- would I start disliking Ria if she lied to me once?

Hmm.

To be honest, I don’t think that would happen now.

Sometimes she plays annoying pranks, and she infuriates me by refuting everything I say to the most absurd extent, but that’s not a reason to hate someone to death.

…Although Ria now has very little connection with Lee Si-yoon, if she were to date Lee Si-yoon now- hmm.

No, that would probably make me quite angry.

In many ways.

“No.”

When I answered, Ria smiled and placed her hand on my head, stroking it.

There was no one around. The gnomes had set up a private tent for us.

“Me too. If you’re hiding something related to God, there must be a reason.”

I felt reassured by those words. Well, except for the word ‘God.’

“So, what are you going to do? About that lake?”

I fell into thought for a moment without saying anything.

The white light was starting to fall on my head, so I waved my hand to push it away.

Ria seemed to have guessed what choice I would make the moment she saw that light. At first, she let out a short, incredulous snort, then stroked my head again.

…

I could push away the light falling on my head by waving my hand, but for some reason, I couldn’t refuse Ria’s touch.

Even though I knew she would remove it if I just pushed her away.

“…Would it be okay to extend our stay?”

“Well, there’s nothing urgent back on Earth.”

At Ria’s answer, I felt a strange tickle somewhere, and I pursed my lips.