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Chapter 37
KWA-BOOM!
With the sound of something exploding, the center of a mountain range—currently the site of a frantic excavation—shook violently.
It was believed to be the entrance to Vigo, where the legacy of Drante Fren, the First Golden King and founder of the Fren Merchant Guild, was buried.
“Hey, careful! If you die here, it’s a dog’s death!”
“Slowly! Safety first!”
Workers wearing thick gray helmets shouted as they busily carried on with the digging.
“Detonating again. Three, two, one!”
BOOM!
A thunderous blast rang out as dozens of magical explosives erupted, shattering massive boulders into pieces.
A little distance away, on top of a hill, a group of people observed the scene.
“As you can see, we are sparing no expense on explosives or materials. We’re proceeding at maximum possible speed, so you needn’t worry, young lady.”
The overseer in charge of the entire operation reported to a girl in a black safety helmet. Her eyes shifted to the young man beside her.
“More than fifty percent of the excavation has been completed. At this pace, everything should be finished within six days at the latest.”
Butler Clark bowed respectfully as he gave the report.
Diana, the girl, nodded slightly and spoke curtly.
“What about Elliott’s side?”
“Compared to us, they’re lagging behind by at least half.”
Clark gave his swift assessment, but Diana immediately replied with a firm tone.
“Is that so? Hm. Still, six days is too long. Everything must be finished before the Academy break ends. You have three days. Finish it by then.”
“Th-three days? No matter what, that’s a bit—”
The overseer looked flustered, stammering.
Then Diana spoke again.
“If you manage to finish everything in three days, I’ll pay you double the promised amount. How about it? Can you do it?”
“D-double? Ah! Understood! We’ll finish it within three days, no matter what!”
Enticed by the offer of double pay, the overseer nodded vigorously.
“No. There’s no need to just ‘try your best.’”
“Pardon? What do you mean—”
“You simply have to meet the deadline. No excuses.”
Her cold voice silenced him. Diana then looked around and continued.
“The weather is good today, isn’t it? That means you can work late.”
“Yes, it looks like clear skies will continue for a few days.”
“Perfect. Then work through the night.”
Gazing at the clear blue sky, Diana’s words carried a dreamlike quality, reminiscent of the portrait that once hung in her office.
Her aura was so overwhelming that everyone’s eyes were naturally drawn to her.
“All right, so the excavation’s progress is fine. Now, did you prepare the list I asked for?”
“Yes, young lady. The documents are already organized and placed in the office.”
“Good. Bring them here. I’ll be staying on-site until this excavation is complete. We need to go inside the moment the entrance is found.”
Diana declared she would no longer stay behind in her office but remain on the field.
Clark and the overseer exchanged uneasy glances.
“So bring over the personnel and mercenary groups I prepared in advance—”
But just then—
KWA-KWA-BOOM!
A massive explosion thundered from the opposite side of the excavation site, shaking the entire mountain range.
“D-dangerous! Young lady!”
Clark reached out as Diana swayed slightly, but she steadied herself with ease, tilting her head.
“Hm? What’s this all of a sudden? A landslide?”
“I-I’ll check immediately!”
The overseer cried in alarm.
But at that moment—
“Young lady!”
A servant came running from the opposite side.
Sensing something had gone wrong, Diana barked,
“What happened? Keep it short!”
“Y-young Master Elliott’s team just discovered the entrance to Vigo!”
“What?”
Diana could hardly believe her ears.
“The explosion just now exposed traces of a hidden entrance.”
Though her head throbbed at the report, she kept her expression composed.
Clark cautiously called to her.
“Young lady?”
“We’re heading to Elliott. Get ready.”
Her sharp command snapped everyone out of their confusion, and they bowed their heads.
“Yes, young lady!”
Rushing toward Elliott’s excavation site, Diana thought furiously.
‘No wonder something kept bothering me.’
All the experts she had hired, as well as her own independent teams, had concluded that the entrance was most likely here—where her people were digging.
And their progress had been far faster.
So why—?
‘No. The reason doesn’t matter now.’
She shook her head, clearing her thoughts.
‘The situation has already changed. All I can do now is assess it clearly and make the right decision.’
Moments later, Elliott’s excavation site buzzed with commotion.
The gathered crowd parted, revealing a familiar face.
“Elliott Fren…”
Her older brother, who could never meet her eyes, now stood before her.
Step, step.
And behind him, a dark figure appeared.
“…?”
The figure waved at her.
“Well, I can’t even pretend to be glad to see you.”
“Carmon Baird?!”
The shadowy figure was none other than Carmon Baird.
Diana’s eyes widened—his appearance was the last thing she expected.
‘What the hell is he doing here…?’
As she wondered, her gaze fell on Elliott standing proudly at Carmon’s side.
‘That idiot…’
Her useless brother’s voice rang out.
“Diana, what are you doing here?”
“I heard you discovered the entrance. Is it true?”
Holding back the curses on the tip of her tongue, she forced a smile.
Elliott puffed his chest proudly.
“Yes! We found it first. I, Elliott Fren, true heir of the Fren line, have discovered our ancestor’s legacy—the entrance to Vigo!”
“…”
He shouted as though drunk on his own triumph. Diana said nothing, only calculating furiously.
“So, you joined hands with that lunatic?”
“Do not insult my friend, Diana!”
Elliott placed a hand on Carmon’s shoulder, glaring at her.
“What, friend? Hah…”
‘Has he lost his mind? Of all people, Carmon Baird? Does he even know what kind of bastard that is?’
If Carmon approached both her and Elliott, it meant he had a clear goal.
And the worst-case scenario—
‘He could steal all of Drante’s legacy.’
Grinding her teeth, Diana glared at Elliott.
‘That idiot probably agreed without a second thought. Damn it! He doesn’t even know what Carmon’s after!’
Though he was her blood relative, Elliott’s constant idiocy made her unable to feel any affection for him.
‘Sharing the Fren name with him is nothing but disgrace.’
“Well, Diana? Why so quiet? Shocked?”
Carmon mocked her with a grin.
“Shocked? Hah. Sure. I didn’t expect an idiot and a fool to team up, that’s all.”
“What? Idiot and fool?”
“That’s right.”
Her lips curled as she continued.
“You can have the entrance. It doesn’t change a thing.”
“Tsk! You still don’t get it, do you? The fact that I found it first means our ancestor acknowledges me as the true heir. From now on—”
“Since when did you talk so much, dear brother?”
“Kh-cough! I-I mean…”
Elliott faltered under her cold retort.
Carmon fanned his hand dramatically.
“Oh my, scary. This sibling quarrel is more intense than I thought. But hey, he’s still your brother. Don’t glare at him so fiercely.”
“…”
“Y-yeah! That’s right, Diana Fren! I’m your older brother! Show some respect!”
Bolstered by Carmon’s support, Elliott straightened his back and barked pompously.
Diana let out a genuine laugh of disbelief.
“Hah. Unbelievable.”
Then, her eyes darkened, voice dropping to ice.
“Fine. Entertaining. Truly entertaining. Let’s see how this plays out, shall we?”
Her killing intent made Elliott flinch, but Carmon only shrugged, waving his hand playfully.
“Yes, yes. Message received. Now, off you go. Elliott, let’s get inside.”
“Y-yeah… let’s go.”
Carmon’s mocking tone made Diana’s eyebrow twitch.
Finally, she turned.
“Let’s go back!”
“Yes, young lady.”
At her command, Clark and the others bowed and followed her lead.
