Chapter 35

A messenger from Duke Walter visited the Markwood Manor a few days before this. It was also a little over a month since Mona had left the manor. The accident at the Izumi mine had been resolved. Thanks to the rock reinforcement by magic, the magical devices for drainage, and the keen-nosed moon wolf who quickly identified where they had struck a water vein, the situation was under control.

"From tomorrow, the mine will resume its usual operations. Everyone has worked hard. I count on you all from tomorrow as well."

Many miners had gathered in the square in front of the mine entrance. The site supervisor, who was speaking from a slightly higher position, had a scar on his forehead from the accident, but other than that, he was fine.

"As you all know, we were able to resume operations so quickly thanks to them!"

A cheer went up from the crowd.

"Magician Emil!"

When Emil was called to the podium,

"—Emil-chan!"

"—You're so cute today!"

"—Thanks for always being so energetic!"

"—Give us a good scolding!"

The enthusiastic fans shouted.

(Didn't I hear a wrong cheer?)

Emil thought, but she decided not to let it bother her.

"Inventor Astrid!"

Next, Astrid stepped up to the podium.

"—Astrid-san...!"

"—Marry me!"

"—Don't propose in the confusion, I'll kill you."

"—What!? You die!"

Astrid's hardcore fans were sending murderous glares at each other.

"Maid Nina!"

When Nina stepped up to the podium, the cheers faded like an ebbing tide. Many of the miners knelt and clasped their hands together.

"—Holy maiden..."

"—We are so grateful to have you here..."

"—I will never forget the meals you provided..."

Nina was taken aback by the different atmosphere.

"Eh, eh? What's going on here?"

"It's okay, Nina. You don't have to understand."

Emil pulled her hand and stood her to the side. In fact, Nina had the greatest impact on the most miners. While Emil and Astrid were immediately recognized as "amazing" by those who saw them in action, their "amazingness" didn't spread as quickly to those who didn't see them. On the other hand, Nina's strength was in her support from behind the scenes. Preparing meals and treating minor injuries affected almost everyone. Completing all these tasks with her small frame seemed nothing short of a miracle, and her kind words to everyone without discrimination solidified her title as "Holy maiden."

"We would like to present these medals to the three of them, on behalf of all those who work at the Izumi mine!"

The three medals were about the size of a palm, inscribed with "In deepest gratitude and respect for your dedicated service at the Izumi mine," and they emitted a pink glow.

"Pink...?"

"Yes, it's an alloy. Isn't it a nice color? If you wipe it regularly, it won't rust and will keep its shine. ...I thought gold would be better, though."

The site supervisor made a grim face, and a female miner said,

"Gold for girls? That's just bad taste!"

Other women agreed. It must have been their idea.

"It's cute."

"Yeah. This is an interesting metal. Can you tell me the alloy ratio later?"

Emil and Astrid immediately took the medals and checked both sides.

"Do you dislike pink? Maybe gold would have been better..."

"No, no! I really like it!"

Nina said hurriedly. She was touched not only by the gratitude but also by the thoughtfulness. As a maid, she had always done her "duty." While she had received deep gratitude from Twirid, she thought he was just exceptionally kind. This was the first time she had received such grand appreciation. She didn't know how to react.

"..."

But the heavy weight of the medal in her hand and its soft pink glow made her smile unexpectedly.

"Now... I have one more thing to say."

The site supervisor said.

"Tien"

Tien, who had been watching the podium from the front row, perked up her ears when her name was called.

"I haven't had the chance to talk to you properly due to the restoration work, but I want to formally apologize to you here. I am sorry for calling you a 'ghost dog.' It was wrong of me...! You came to save me deep in the mine with such noble spirit... Thank you so much."

He bowed deeply. The crowd fell silent, and all eyes turned to Tien. The red-haired, muscular man next to her said clearly,

"If you can't forgive him, that's okay too."

But Tien shook her head.

"No, I'm not upset anymore. It's not about forgiving or not... Nina brought me back to life. Emil and Astrid helped me in the dangerous accident site. Thinking about them, everything else seemed trivial."

The miners murmured.

"—Tien is amazing..."

"—You're right, the site supervisor is nothing compared to those three."

"—Tien, you've grown so much... uh, uh."

"—Why are you acting like a mother?"

The scattered applause gradually grew louder. The site supervisor, who was blinking in surprise, heard a heckle:

"—Site supervisor, you're slow! Tien forgave you!"

Realizing this, he bowed deeply again.