Ian surveyed his surroundings.

This place was quite far from the capital, closer, in fact, to lands held by the rebels.

"Commander, there's nothing here!"

"Then let's go further down."

Rugged terrain and dense underbrush made the eastern part of the empire, known for its harsh landscape, even more forbidding, seemingly uninhabitable.

That made it an ideal location for a hideout.

"How far do you intend to go..."

"Ugh... I'm soaked through."

The soldiers grumbled as they searched the area, where a misstep could send one tumbling down a cliff, making it dangerous. With the thick underbrush, it was hard to see where the cliffs were.

Continuing to clear the brush and push forward, it was understandable that the soldiers were complaining.

Ian watched the soldiers for a while before speaking up.

"Let's take a break. But don't let your guard down even while resting."

"Oh! Finally..."

"Thank you!"

The soldiers brightened at Ian's words. For those who had traversed the harsh terrain, this rest was like nectar.

While the soldiers rested, Ian looked around, deep in thought.

'Is this really the right place...'

Research facilities for magic engineering are usually built in accessible locations because the things produced through magic engineering differ from regular magical tools.

Research on regular magical tools is based on deep studies of magic, whereas magic engineering focuses on mass production and efficiency.

Therefore, a typical magic engineering lab is attached to a factory, and having access to transportation is crucial for distribution.

This place was the most likely candidate among those Astina had predicted.

Although it was speculated that it could be within a territory held by the rebels, since Ian couldn't enter rebel-held lands, he had no choice but to hope this was the place.

Rustle

Then, Ian heard the sound of brushing grass behind him.

Without missing a beat, he quickly turned and reached out his hand, thinking it was an enemy.

He was about to use magic but stopped upon seeing the person's face.

"...Rudy Astria?"

"...Huh?"

Rudy, too, was about to cast a spell but stopped upon recognizing Ian.

"...What are you doing here?"

"Why are you here?"

The two stared blankly at each other before sighing.

It had to be the same reason that brought both of them, who were supposed to be in the capital, to this place.

"Mana stones?"

"Yes, exactly."

"Did Astina tell you?"

"No, I asked Rie for information."

"Why?"

"The recent incident and Aryandor's bridge."

"The bridge?"

"Aryandor's bridge, isn't it made with magic engineering? So..."

"...No need to say more."

Ian wondered if Astina had told Rudy but concluded it was a pointless suspicion.

There was no reason to think that Rudy wouldn't come to the same conclusion he had.

Regardless of how it was discovered, information about the mana stones had led to this place.

Finding this location wasn't that difficult.

This place was near where the rebels first made their move.

If one were to think of a place where the rebels could gather strength and hide, it would be hard to consider anywhere but here.

Rudy saw the soldiers resting behind Ian.

"Did you come with the Royal Army?"

"Yes, I'm searching the area with the soldiers. Would you like to join us?"

Ian intended to make use of Rudy.

While there were enough soldiers to conduct a thorough search, there were times when the soldiers could be a burden.

It was impossible to send soldiers to cliffs or dangerous places, so Ian had to go alone when searching those areas.

Having Rudy meant they could search together, making it more efficient.

Of course, they might have to share any credit.

Finding the rebels would be a joint effort, not just Ian's alone.

The reason for wanting to search together was also because of the possibility that Rudy could find it on his own.

If Rudy found it without him, it would be the worst-case scenario.

"Yes, that's fine."

From Rudy's perspective, it wasn't a bad proposition either.

It was much better to search together than alone.

Rudy joined the Royal Army and began searching the area.

"Rudy Astria. Found anything?"

"Do you think it would be that easy to find? But why do you keep staying close to me?"

Ian stayed close to Rudy as they searched the area.

He considered the possibility that Rudy might find something and hide it...

"Rudy Astria. Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"What do you think about the position of Duke Astria?"

"The Dukedom...?"

Rudy pondered while stroking his chin.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he answered lightly.

"A tool. A tool for achieving the results I want."

"A tool..."

It was somewhat the expected answer.

Yet, hearing it directly from him felt strange.

A position that was his entire life was merely a tool to the other.

Was this correct?

Ian felt his life become meaningless and was filled with rage.

"Commander."

Before Ian could say anything, a soldier approached him.

"What is it?"

"We've finished searching the area around here. However..."

"However?"

"We can't go any further towards the cliff, so we came looking for you."

"Can't go any further? Did you look for a way back?"

"We can go down to the bottom, but we couldn't determine what's on that wall side."

"Understood. Let's go. You guys keep looking around the area we were exploring. And..."

Ian looked towards Rudy.

He looked to suggest they go together, but Rudy was already on the move.

"Let's go."

"Alright."

Ian and Rudy followed the soldier.

"Here it is."

Looking where the soldier pointed, they saw a sheer cliff.

"Let's go down."

"...How do you suppose we do that?"

"How else are we going to descend the cliff?"

Ian stretched his leg towards the bottom of the cliff, stepping on protruding parts and lowering his body further down.

"To tackle the cliff like that..."

Rudy furrowed his brow.

"Got any better ideas?"

Neither Rudy nor Ian had any other options.

They didn't have telekinesis like Astina, nor could they use elementals like Rie.

Although they possessed spatial magic, it wasn't feasible to use it blindly here.

"Understood."

Rudy braced himself and extended his leg downwards.

"If you fall, use spatial magic to move."

After enhancing their bodies with magic, Ian and Rudy began descending the cliff.

It was their first time scaling a cliff, but they didn't face much difficulty.

Using magic to chip away at the cliff and create ledges, they just had to lower their feet onto these ledges.

It was terrifying.

Stepping into the void where the bottom wasn't visible was scary.

Even though using spatial magic or body strengthening meant they wouldn't die or get injured, fear was still fear.

Yet, they boldly stepped forward.

"Shall we rest a bit now?"

"Scared?"

"Not scared at all. I just mentioned it because you're slowing down."

"If you're scared, we can rest."

"Then, let's continue."

Neither admitted their fear.

Admitting fear was something their pride wouldn't allow.

Though they could rest if they stepped back a bit, they continued descending.

After a while.

"Huh?"

"Thinking of resting now?"

"It seems we might be able to."

Rudy pointed below.

A large ledge on the wall of the cliff was too big to be just a ledge; it felt almost like new land.

"We might have found it."

Rudy and Ian jumped towards that land. Landing there, they were greeted by green grass.

"Grass like this?"

This wasn't a natural formation.

It should be a dense underbrush, not covered in grass like a lawn.

"Over there."

They then saw a house in front of them.

"How did they build a house here?"

Rudy smiled slyly.

"It looks like we've found it."

In the capital of the empire, at Duke Ophillius's mansion.

Creak Creak

The sound of a rocking chair squeaking could be heard.

Jason Ophillius was sitting on it, reading a book.

Quietly reading, Ophillius closed the book and placed it on the small table beside him.

Then, he spoke.

"What brings you here?"

As he said this, the door to Ophillius's room opened.

In the doorway stood a man wearing a hood.

"I received no reply to my letter, so I came."

The man removed his hood as he spoke.

He had black hair.

It was Aryandor.

"I didn't reply because it wasn't worth replying to. Do you not understand that?"

"It seems, Master, you don't understand, which is why I came."