Chapter 41

-There are so many Silmaril.

-Yes. It doesn’t matter what we get. Let’s get any of the things here and get out.

-Why? It’s where you really wanted to come.

-I’m scared… I think anything is good.

-Are you scared of the mine?

Gemma, however, did not answer.

Citrina and Gemma signed a spirit contract, so it’s only a fact that Desian couldn’t see Gemma nor could he hear their conversation.

However, Desian’s gaze slowly and subtly grazed the side of the Citrina’s necklace to which Gemma met his gaze.

She hurriedly hid inside.

‘I’m nervous.’

There was no way Citrina would know about the subtle confrontation between Gemma and Desian. Gemma also thought that she would feel better if she brought back a high-grade Silmaril that contained mana.

Citrina began to carefully look inside the mine.

“This… It’s unexpected. It’s more beautiful than I imagined.”

“What did you imagine?”

“Just…”

Citrina slowly looked around. There were gemstones that were randomly embedded as if they were just ordinary rocks, and there was also an empty space where operations seem to have been stopped.

Even as they quietly walked in, every step that she took rang out.

“I thought it would be very dark.”

Citrina did not go to the deepest part of the huge mine.

“Ah, is there a high-grade Silmaril among the gemstones here?”

“I’ve already collected the most beautiful ones.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s in the barracks outside.”

He could see Citrina’s eyes twinkling.

For the first time, he was naively curious.

What is a jewel for her? It’s just worth stones for him.

“Thank you! I want to see it myself.”

“It’s in the village below the mine, Rina.”

“Then let’s go over there!”

Walking out slowly from the inside of the mine, Citrina thought about the beauty of nature.

For Citrina the world was no longer a novel. It’s close to a battlefield.

“Del, how long do we have to walk?”

“A little bit more.”

After Desian’s answer, the mine grew quiet. As they explored slowly, Desian asked in a quiet voice.

“Can I ask you something for a moment?”

“Yes.”

“I was curious, why do you like jewelry?”

“… Why do I like jewelry?”

“Yes. I wonder why you like jewelries so much.”

She had never thought about it thoroughly, neither in this life nor in her previous life. The reason why she likes jewelry is because of the process of turning it from a gemstone.

‘Because the process of turning a gemstone to a jewel is fascinating. But it’s not just the novelty…'

A glimpse of emotion passed by Desian’s expressionless face when Citrina had no answer.

She was standing next to him, so she couldn’t see his face.

“Just, I liked the fact that the jewels weren’t originally lustrous.”

Citrina thought. Neither in her previous life nor in this life was she the main character. One can’t be the main character if one didn’t shine brightly from the very start.

*tok, tok*

Water slowly flowed down, not knowing where it was flowing from.

“I’ve been thinking about it for four years. When gemstones are crushed into jewel, they endured a lot of trial to shine brilliantly the most. I like it.”

“Survive through the ordeal.”

“Yes. Gemstone stays alone in the ground after a very long time and is reborn.”

It was a nonsensical remark, however, it held the utmost sincerity.

Little by little, as they slowly bloom into a jewel.. She too… wants to achieve something.

I don’t want to live an ordinary life.

Citrina’s eyes were dyed with determination. Desian was looking at her with an unreadable gaze.

“Rina.”

“… Hm?”

“You make me so curious about you.”

There was a slight pause before Citrina smiled deliberately and said.

“I don’t have deep thoughts. I just wish there was a jewel under my name. I’m just thinking about it.”

“A jewel under your name…”

“So to speak… You just gave me an idea.”

Deep inside, there was only the ringing of silence. There was a heavy atmosphere… it’s as if you can only tell the truth.

With that heavy atmosphere, Citrina laughed playfully. And Desian had been silent for a long time.

Then, as if all these words had finally been accepted, he smiled a little too.

“The light looks bright. I think we’re almost there?”

“Yes, we’re almost there.”

Citrina took a small deep breath.

She thought of the Silmaril that Gemma wanted. No flaws, not too large or too small, something that would have elegant lines when processed…

Where is such a thing?

The way out of the mine was not steep. Whether it was because of Desian or the mine was original so.

They slowly came out.

“Del, which way is it?”

“It’s to Count Haley’s.”

“Do we have to go inside the Count’s manor?”

Desian seemed to have read the hesitation in her words. He whispered stilly.

“The Count will not be there. He’s out with his attendant.”

“Out?”

“And we’ll be going to a temporary barrack.”

“Oh, that’s good. I felt a bit nervous with the thought of meeting a senior nobleman.”

At Desian’s simple answer, Citrina smiled in a relaxed manner.

For the time being, Citrina was planning to disguise herself as an ordinary jeweler. Revealing the spirit at this point will have a weak impact.

______________________________________