Whether it's a person, an insect, or a monster—
as living beings, they all need at least some water to survive.
Even in a desert that looks like it has nothing but sand,
there's always a stream of water somewhere.
It was only natural, then, that the grand ducal estate built on the sand was also placed by a water source.
"W-whoa…!"
"Hehe, this is the famous oasis of the West. The atmosphere is quite different from the scenery earlier, but not bad, right?"
The vast expanse of greenery and the waterside.
And the ducal guards watching over that water like a fortress.
"Fresh coconuts grown right here! The juice is unmatched!"
"Top-grade mana stones! Magicians from the Tower, come take a look!"
"A revolutionary new product from the Magic Tower! See the magical tools that will enrich your life!"
And below them, countless vendors calling out their wares.
Their cries seemed to delight Freesia to no end, ears twitching as if she were a cat.
"…Was the West always this lively? In my memory, it was always dark and grim."
—You only know one side of it. This is the Empire's biggest producer of mana stones, and the Magic Tower has an outpost here. Of course commerce thrives.
I whispered that answer through telepathy to my younger sister, who had leaned in close.
Yes—the West was the greatest producer of mana stones.
Not just because of its deposits, but also because of the "free labor" supplied by prisoners dragged here from all over the Empire.
'Well, what Rene remembers isn't entirely wrong.'
But that was only "from beneath the chandelier."
Dungeon raids, bandit ambushes, noble intrigues…
The player's perspective was always dominated by dark, grim scenes.
—By the way, when are you going to learn telepathy? This is awkward.
"…Shut up. Just wait a little longer. If I take down some monsters during this field exercise, I might manage it."
—Good. Whispering like this all the time is annoying, and it looks bad. Do it for your husband's sake, will you?
Smack!
…If I'd overlooked one thing, it was that Rene was still the original protagonist.
At least physically, her reflexes were sharper than mine.
Rubbing my stinging back, I sighed.
"Now, enough chatter. We'll be meeting Father soon. Lady Evergreen, please calm yourself too."
"Ah, haha… yes."
Camilla tried to calm Freesia, who was fussing over the merchants' goods.
But she couldn't hide it from me.
'She's the one most excited here.'
That sharp, almost spicy aura that made you want to squint.
She was trying hard to act composed,
but inside, she was brimming with emotions like a volcano ready to blow.
Would she slip up at some point?
"Alright, everyone. Remember, we're here for the field exercise. Let's start preparing."
I masked my unease and played the part of calm leader.
"Even the interior is extravagant…"
Elizabeth, the curious elf, was busy taking in every sight of the ducal estate.
If the Northern ducal estate was efficiency incarnate,
and the Southern one the epitome of luxury—
'The West is somewhere in between.'
The marble floors weren't plated in gold, but well-maintained.
Mana stones embedded here and there as decoration.
Soft western carpets with tassels.
So many things to see that even Freesia couldn't hide her fascination walking down the corridor to the audience chamber.
"It's a duke's manor. Equivalent to an elven High Elder's hall. This much is nothing."
"I see! So elves and humans aren't so different. Both love flaunting authority with gaudy things!"
…Not that you, the Saintess of the Divine Archer, should be the one saying that.
Anyway, just from mana stone sales alone, he'd be swimming in gold.
This level of extravagance only enhanced the duke's authority.
I wondered absently how much I could pocket if I stole something.
At that moment—
"Father, we are coming in."
"…Enter."
At Camilla's lead, the doors of the audience chamber opened.
An ornate throne studded with jewels of every color.
And upon it, arms draped over the rests, glaring down at us—
The Iron-Blooded Duke.
A hooked nose that none of his children shared.
Sharp eyes, and a face hardened into a permanently grim expression.
"The Academy's dispatched students, I presume."
His voice was as cold and sharp as his appearance.
"On behalf of the students, I thank Duke Roberc for generously accepting this field exercise."
"…No need. I summoned you for my own reasons."
As the highest-ranking student officer, I bowed deeply.
His reply was curt, disinterested.
Of course, the real reason was the reunion with his estranged daughter.
"..."
"..."
No words—just a long, silent stare between father and daughter.
Finally, after an awkward stretch of silence—
"…I hear you've become a student council officer."
"Yes, that is so."
"Impressive. Bern never once managed it, after all—he was too disliked by the former president."
I felt Bern flinch beside me.
The Duke had just cut into his own son with acid words, right in front of us.
"Pity that the presidency went to the North, but still, quite the accomplishment. Not just you, but for the West as well. One of our own as vice president."
Then his gaze shifted to me.
"Child of Baron Byron, are you? A grave mistake not to have noticed you sooner. To let such talent slip away to outsiders."
"You flatter me, Your Grace."
"Well, salmon or man alike, they always long for home. The West will always welcome you back. Consider it for after graduation."
With no offer, just empty words?
I bowed politely, hiding a smirk from his eyes.
I had already refused the North's chancellor's chair.
And the South's noble backing.
All because of my unwavering loyalty to Luciana.
Why would I sell out for a flimsy "return home"?
"Normally, you'd rest first, but the matter is urgent. Let me explain the request for this field exercise."
"That would be preferable."
Camilla and I exchanged a glance and nodded.
We needed to keep moving outside his gaze—
to uncover proof he'd killed his wife.
"The criminal who escaped from Riskraza has gone to the Sahel Region."
"…Naturally. A fugitive with no ties has nowhere else to run."
Sahel.
It had been a long time since I'd heard that name.
"…The Sahel Region, sir?"
"Yes. Camilla, wasn't that the place you always petitioned me for entry? A fine chance to prove your worth as a student council officer."
'Easier said than done.'
His tone made it sound like a gift.
But the Sahel Region was no easy land.
If noble territories were made livable by oases and strict order,
the Sahel was the opposite—an unlivable waste.
Crawling with poisonous insects and monsters.
Vagrants attacking at every chance.
The very heart of lawlessness in the West.
And we were supposed to enter without guards or knights?
One misstep and we'd be corpses.
'But then again, the best growth comes from danger.'
Just like any RPG—the best dungeons of the West were there.
'And if Elizabeth, Rene, and even Camilla learn telepathy, things will get a lot easier later.'
As my gamer brain plotted the optimal growth route,
the Duke handed me a sheet of paper.
"What is this?"
"The criminal's sketch and basic information. It should help you apprehend him."
At least he was giving some support.
"Thank you. Then with this, we'll depart immediately."
"…Already? You've barely arrived. Take a little rest."
From the same man who had just shoved the request at us?
I shrugged at his false concern.
"No need to worry. Your daughter, Lady Camilla Roberc, will be with us. And we're much stronger than you give us credit for."
Whether this criminal was a dangerous monster,
or some hidden ace up his sleeve—
With this lineup, I doubted we'd lose.
"'Jack the Ripper, the Bloody Butcher.' Quite the grandiose name for a criminal."
Camilla nodded, looking at the sketch with me.
"Agreed. Too many flourishes, like that ridiculous 'Phantom Thief Frostmane.'"
Correction. She was mocking.
Snickers rose from the others.
"Well, she's not wrong."
"Oh? You think so too, Saintess? I knew 'Frostmane' was a bit much."
"Lady Evergreen is right! I was holding back, thinking it was unladylike to laugh. But perhaps I needn't have worried."
These little brats.
Mocking me because they know my secret.
What's wrong with Frostmane? It's cool! You're just jealous.
"Ahem! Focus, everyone!"
"Oh my, dodging the topic, are you, fiancé?"
Even with that little side-show, I pounded the desk to refocus their attention.
"Our mission is threefold."
"…Threefold? I thought it was just catching a criminal."
"Of course that's the main task. We don't know how strong this serial killer is, but he won't be a match for all of us. However…"
I glanced at Camilla.
It was her family's matter, after all.
Not something I should speak of without her consent.
'Though I did blurt it all out to Luciana before…'
Suppressing a smirk at my own hypocrisy—
—Do you mind? If I tell them about your mother.
"…It's fine. I'll need their help anyway."
That was enough for me.
"Our second objective is to uncover the truth of Lady Camilla Roberc's late mother."
"…What?"
"Lady Roberc's?"
"What I'm about to tell you must never leave this room. Or it may cost your lives."
The girls looked shaken, but Rene was calm.
In fact, she even gave me a secret thumbs-up.
'Thanks for advancing the main story for me, Onii-chan!'
That smug look—I could read her thoughts without words.
"…The goddess Nepisa says: do not turn away from those in hardship."
If she hadn't chimed in, I might've smacked her upside the head later.
"Such a story…! Then I'm in favor!"
"Well, I'll need to speak with Lady Roberc herself, but… yes, I'll agree."
Moved by sympathy, Freesia joined in.
Elizabeth, ever the pragmatist, seemed eager to build favor with Camilla.
Unanimous consent.
"…Understood. Then what's the third goal?"
"Good question."
The last objective was obvious.
"Each of you must learn telepathy. Raising your skills will be essential."
Just wait.
I'll show you the most optimized growth route, straight from a veteran gamer.
"…Hehehe."
"…Why do you look so devious?"
"Nothing at all."
And of course, I wasn't going to worry about the blood, sweat, and tears they'd shed along the way.
'Muscles only grow when they're torn. Work hard, ladies.'
Just imagining their faces twisted in agony brought a smile to my lips.