Gunther caught his breath for a moment, then took the water bottle Sophia offered and asked,

“All those small incidents really cost that much?”

Jack, in a boastful tone, replied, “Of course! You need people to rescue someone with a broken leg, and when someone goes missing, it’s not just one or two people you need; you have to gather a whole group and even make torches. All of that costs money. Even holding trials or catching thieves requires hiring people, so it’s all money.”

“Money for things like that?” Gunther responded, still perplexed.

Sophia smiled at his reaction, amused that Ariel’s everyday affairs seemed so strange to someone from outside. As she took back the water bottle, she explained,

“Since the estate is small, we don’t have a proper law enforcement unit. There’s a border guard, but they don’t get involved in civilian disputes. So we need to form a separate security force, but we don’t have the budget for that. Instead, we rely on volunteers from the border guards to take on those roles, paying them whenever there’s a need. On regular days, there’s no weekly wage for the security team.”

“Ah, that was a way to save money,” Gunther remarked, looking down at his now sweat-soaked expensive shirt and suppressing a sigh. He tried to ignore his wrinkled, damp clothes and continued, “You’ve come up with several ways to manage without funds. Interesting.”

Sophia responded, “We had no choice. The problems people face are probably similar everywhere, but this is the border. The top priority here is the border defense, so we had to find alternative solutions for everything else.”

Gunther slowly lifted his head and gazed at the Titania mountain range, saying, “People seem to think Ariel and Umbriel get their budget for nothing, just because of the mountain range. It must be frustrating. You’re treated like parasites in the capital, while the estate struggles with poverty.”

Despite his provocative comment, Sophia simply smiled, while Jack, clearly irritated, retorted, “You’re speaking too recklessly. Lady Sophia might let that slide, but be careful with your words around others. Someone might throw a punch at you, capital man or not.”

Sophia, unimpressed by Jack’s reaction, commented, “Jack’s right. That parasite remark was a bit too much. I know you said it deliberately.”

Gunther grinned and replied, “So, you figured it out?”

Sophia answered, “I know you’re trying to get a grasp of Ariel’s situation, but provoking the estate’s residents or spreading rumors won’t help your mission. It won’t do you any good. The Baron of Ariel has promised full cooperation, so you’ll be free to go wherever you want and ask whatever you need without worry.”

Gunther bowed his head and said, “I apologize. I won’t use the word ‘parasite’ again. To be honest, the estate’s residents aren’t the real focus. When I visit estates, I’m always most interested in observing the lord’s family. The problem usually lies there.”

Frowning, Jack asked, “So, I’ll ask again. What exactly is it that you do, Sir Gunther?”

Sophia calmly listed, “The Emperor’s eye. The Emperor’s lackey. A tool of power. A spy.”

Gunther, grimacing at her word choice, said, “You’re quite good at throwing barbs. I’m impressed. Though you’re not the first to call an inspector by those names.”

He laughed again after speaking, but Jack found Gunther’s persistent smiling deeply annoying and suspicious.

Sophia shot Jack a look, prompting him to stop glaring and start leading the way again. Gunther caught up to Sophia and asked, “So, where exactly are we headed?”

In a lighthearted tone, Sophia replied, “An old temple. There’s an ancient temple somewhere in this mountain range dedicated to the goddess Titania. I found a clue in a recently gifted map, so we’re going to try to locate it.”

“Oh, Titania is a goddess?”

“Yes. The Titania mountain range itself is said to be her tomb. So, technically, the goddess is resting beneath our feet. That’s why there are stories that the monsters that frequently appear on distant continents are never seen here. They say it’s because this place is sacred.”

“Hmm… It’s probably just a myth.”

Catching her breath, Sophia agreed, “It’s a myth. But it’s a myth that’s tied to the Ariel family.”

“I see. That explains why the Ariel family has stayed in this estate for generations. The role of guardians.”

“Exactly. You know? Most people don’t. They just think of Ariel as a small, poor estate… and, as you said, practically parasites. But the family’s original role was as guardians of the goddess’s tomb. Even in old documents and records, there’s no mention of knights. It doesn’t seem like our family has ever been one with a strong military tradition. Neither my father nor my brother seems to have any particular talent in that area.”

“Oh! You say that so casually, even though the Baron of Ariel might be hurt to hear it.”

Sophia laughed and said, “My father knows it well. Most of his work is done at a desk, and he has no complaints about it. Even young Alex seems perfectly content, so it’s hard to see them as having a knightly disposition. Nor do they desire it.”

“It’s surprising that you’re not aiming for it. I’ve heard all around that the Baron of Ariel was overjoyed when he got approval to form a knightly order.”

“Of course, he was. We need a knightly order. After all, this is a border territory, and it wouldn’t make sense without one. Even in Saturn, Enceladus is famous for the Titan Knights. It’s essential for borders to have a knightly order.”

“Is that so? Then why didn’t you petition for one earlier? The claim of being a border estate sounds like a pretty solid justification.”

“Because they just said, ‘If you become a Marquis, go ahead.’ But there’s no budget for it. Essentially, it’s too much for Ariel to handle. It’s beyond our means.”

“But since the Emperor has now ordered the formation of the order, I can see why the Baron of Ariel is pleased.”

Sophia pointed to a black rock visible above them. “I think that might be the marker we saw on the map. Let’s at least climb up to there.”

Jack and Gunther both caught on to her use of “at least,” but the idea of a brief rest made them pick up the pace slightly.

Gunther, staring at the rock, asked, “So, what’s the benefit of finding this temple?”

Jack chimed in, clearly agreeing with the sentiment. “That’s exactly what I’m wondering. Why not just stay and guard the greenhouse instead? Why are we climbing a mountain on such a hot day?”

Sophia replied, “Weren’t you the one who said you’d rather enjoy some fresh mountain air than die buried in work?”

“That was then. Today, it’s ridiculously hot. Prince Robert could’ve gifted another romance novel, but instead, he gave us an ancient map and old documents…”

“Ah, so it was Prince Robert who gave you that gift?”

Sophia nodded. “Yes, he said he found it along with some other materials in Umbriel and passed it along. I didn’t realize at the time it would turn out to be such valuable information. Ah! The rock shape matches!”

Sophia’s voice rose with excitement. Jack shook his head and asked, “Is that something to be so happy about?”

“We might be about to discover a temple from two thousand years ago. It’s part of the very roots of our Ariel estate.”

“But why would they build the temple on a mountainside like this? If they had built it on flat land, a lot more people could have visited.”

“Back then, people were probably more devout and didn’t complain like you do.”

“That makes sense.”

Gunther laughed and agreed, which earned him another glare from Jack. Gunther, unfazed, smiled back at Jack as if the glare meant nothing.

Then, to everyone’s surprise, Gunther leaped up onto the rock in one swift motion, his agile movement catching both Sophia and Jack off guard despite his tired appearance. Standing on the rock and looking down, Gunther pointed to a spot and said, “There’s something that looks like an entrance over there. Could the temple be a cave rather than a building?”

Sophia’s eyes sparkled as she moved toward the black rock. “You’re right. The temple is essentially a cave with an altar. That’s probably why it hasn’t been found until now. There are so many caves in the vast Titania mountain range that it’s hard to tell which one might be a temple. But it seems like we’ve finally found it.”

Another reason the temple entrance had been so difficult to find was its location—tucked into a steep, cliff-like recess.

With Gunther’s help, Sophia climbed to the top of the black rock. As she looked toward the temple entrance, she remarked, “You’re more observant and athletic than I expected.”

Gunther grinned at the compliment and responded, “I’m not that interested in the temple, though.”

In other words, he didn’t want to go inside. Sophia silently looked at Jack. Jack, avoiding her gaze, stared at the cliff that seemed to be the temple’s entrance and said, “It’s too dangerous. It’s really dangerous.”

It did, indeed, look dangerous. Studying the cliff carefully, Sophia stomped her feet impatiently. “Isn’t there some way to get in? It’d be such a waste to just leave after all this effort, especially in this heat.”

Jack muttered, “There’s no treasure inside, just something ancient and dusty, right? What’s in there?”

Sophia answered, “There’s an altar. It’s probably just a stone altar. Judging by the entrance, the inside won’t be very fancy either. Even if someone knew there was a cave, they probably wouldn’t have thought it was a temple.”

“In that case, all the more reason not to go in. There’s nothing valuable. These rocks are all old. I bet this one we’re standing on is ancient, too. If you really want to go in, we’ll need to bring equipment. You’ll need ropes, and someone who’s good at climbing cliffs, like Jason.”

Gunther asked, “Who’s Jason?”

Excited by the topic shift, Jack explained, “He’s the best climber in the estate and specializes in gathering the rarest stone mushrooms. He also handles most of the rescue missions when people get into trouble.”

“Hmm… it sounds like people have developed their own areas of expertise. Interesting.”

Sophia remarked, “But Jason’s busiest season is right now. It’d be a waste to call him just for my little hobby. Still, I really want to go in and take a look.”

“Even if we don’t need a professional, someone would have to secure a rope. I couldn’t get down there on my own.”

Gunther raised his hand and said, “I think I might be able to help with that.”

He pulled a rope from the bag slung over his back. Not only that, but he had hooks, too. As Sophia and Jack stared at him in surprise, Gunther spoke.

“It’s my first time on a mountain, so I packed all the essentials according to the book. Doesn’t everyone bring this kind of gear when climbing?”

“In Ariel, unless you’re a cliff climber, people usually don’t. It’s heavy and rare, too.”

“The rope?”

“No, the metal hooks that connect everything. The ones you can attach and detach. They’re really expensive. Aren’t they pricey even in the capital?”

“Haha, well, I do happen to be a somewhat well-placed lackey of the Emperor…”

Sophia gazed longingly at Gunther’s rope and asked, “We don’t need torches, right?”

Gunther rummaged through his bag and pulled out a small bundle. “I have pitch and wicks, so if we find sticks, we can make them right away.”

“Wow, as expected of someone who works for the Emperor. You’re on a different level,” Sophia said, flattering him. Gunther laughed heartily. Jack, incredulous, turned to Gunther.

“With all that gear, why are you dressed like that?”

Gunther replied, “I thought we were just going for a casual trip, maybe to enjoy the scenery. I forgot that to the people of Ariel, the Titania Mountains are like their backyard.”

Jack pointed at Gunther’s bag. “But why bring the gear, then?”

“I bought it when I came to Ariel. Since most of the estate is mountainous, I figured I’d need it. I brought it today because I thought it might be my only chance to use it. I’ve been busy, writing reports and all.”

Sophia, laughing in disbelief, asked again, “But why those clothes?”

“I was planning to just take a quick look at the scenery and then go back to work. But it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen.”

Gunther looked down at his outfit again. His shirt was wrinkled, and his ankles were covered in dirt and dust.

“What a waste. Such a waste.”

Gunther’s smile faded. Jack, feeling a bit smug, glanced at Sophia, but she was only staring intently at the temple entrance.

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories