Chapter 23: Unearthed Potential

Days later, Fine learned the stones she gave Hawk were identified as various metal ores and gemstones.

Hawk was particularly interested in the iron ore and diamonds.

Iron ore was in high demand for emerging steel production and could be used for weapons and armor.

Diamonds were immensely popular among nobles as jewelry.

“Tomorrow, I’d like to survey the site.

I’d appreciate it if you could join me, Fine.”

Invited at dinner, Fine nodded.

“Of course.”

She could describe the general location, but to pinpoint the vein accurately, working with Val on-site would be faster.

The spot Val indicated was a remote area, about three hours by horse from the mansion.

To maximize fieldwork time, they left at dawn the next morning.

“Didn’t expect you couldn’t ride a horse.”

“I never had the chance to learn.”

Fine answered, riding tandem with Hawk.

The path to the destination wasn’t suited for carriages, so horses were necessary, but Fine lacked riding skills.

Many noble ladies learned by their mid-teens, but Banaji had opposed her learning, so she never did.

‘If I could ride, I could go wherever I wanted.’

Back then, she’d accepted his excuse about the danger of falling, but now she wished she’d defied him and learned.

“Fine, you holding up?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Lean on me if you get tired.”

“Thank you.”

Hawk, holding the reins behind her, showed concern.

“No need to worry so much.

I’m tougher than I look.”

“You say that, but you’re so slender and delicate.”

Hawk’s arm wrapped around her waist, making Fine’s heart skip.

“You’re kind, Hawk-sama.”

Trying to hide her racing heart, Fine spoke brightly.

“Isn’t it natural to be kind to my wife?”

His matter-of-fact words made her heart skip again.

‘Wife, huh… despite having a true love.’

When the two-year vow ended, Fine would leave.

She should brush off his casual remarks, but her chest ached.

The group reached the site in three hours as planned.

Fine surveyed the area.

Thanks to Val, it wasn’t barren, but wild grass grew chaotically.

“This is the area you mentioned?”

Hawk asked, and Fine scanned the surroundings.

With no landmarks, she wasn’t sure where to dig.

“Val!”

Fine called out.

“Sure thing!” came a lively voice as Val emerged from the ground.

“The iron ore mine you told me about—is this the right spot?”

“Iron ore mine?”

“This one.”

Fine showed him the iron ore sample.

“Yup, you’re in the right place.

Dig a bit further that way.”

Val pointed behind her.

“That direction,” Fine relayed to Hawk.

“You’re hearing the earth’s voice now?”

Hawk asked.

“Yes, technically, the voice of an earth spirit.”

Fine nodded.

‘Does he think it’s creepy?’

Val could hear human voices, and Fine could hear Val’s.

But to others, Val was invisible and inaudible, except to Fine with her Divine Blessing.

This was why her blessing was called “hearing the earth’s voice,” but to onlookers like Banaji and Reina, it looked like muttering to herself, which they mocked as “creepy.”

“Remarkable.

You really can hear the earth’s voice.”

“Huh?”

Surprised by his unexpected reaction, Fine felt a tickle in her chest.

His unconditional belief warmed her.