Map and Milo's Obsession

"One of the three great knight families of the North, the Olden Family of Fortress City Frich, right?"

Guter cut off Milo's narration and said bluntly.

"Huh?"

The noble youth Milo looked startled. "How do you two know that? Oh! Right, this gentleman seemed to call out my name earlier—have you seen me before?"

"No, this is our first meeting."

Guter didn't play the riddle game. While Milo rested, he told him about the wanted notice they'd seen in Fortress City Frich.

"With a bounty of a full forty Hutrall Gold Coins, anyone who's passed through Frich lately must have your face and name burned into their memory."

"Mother."

Tears streamed down Milo's cheeks again. Knowing his father's temperament, he understood the man would never post a notice for a family matter.

This bounty could only have been fought for by his mother. Beneath such a staggering reward lay the depth of her worry for him.

Guter patted Milo on the shoulder and said.

"Alright, stop crying."

"We're already at the tail end of Arter Forest. With a little more effort, we can make it out today and reach the nearest city, Apetito."

"Once you get there, hire some adventurers to escort you home and reunite with your mother. Problem solved."

But to Guter's surprise, the weary Milo shook his head and rejected the suggestion.

"No. I can't go to my mother yet."

"Why?"

Guter asked curiously. This young master was strange—why refuse to return to a safe home and family, insisting instead on continuing his dangerous adventure?

"Because if I go home now, I'll have made my mother worry for nothing."

"When I reach the city of Apetito, I'll have someone deliver a letter to her, telling her I'm safe and not to worry."

"I left this time to find an opportunity to grow stronger. Once I've become stronger, I'll return to the family on my own."

As Milo spoke, he suddenly remembered something.

He quickly pulled a cylinder from inside his chest, unrolled a secret realm map sealed within, and showed it to Guter and the others.

"This is a map I obtained by chance. Appraisal confirms it's a genuine artifact from the Unified Empire period, and there's evidence the information recorded on it is fairly reliable."

"Oh?"

Guter examined the antique with interest. His Talent Trait, Innate Tomb Raider Saint Body, stirred faintly at that moment.

It seemed just as Milo said—this secret realm map was likely genuine.

And for this filial son to abandon a plan to reunite with his mother early and head there instead, there had to be something major in that secret realm.

Sure enough, Milo's next words confirmed Guter's guess.

"According to this map, combined with my research, this secret ruin contains a pool of spring water that can greatly increase one's power."

"Spring water that increases power?"

Serie suddenly perked up. In the world as it was now, could something like that still be brewed?

Her gaze fell on the map. After confirming the general location of the ruin, a troubling thought rose in her mind.

"If it boosts power... could it be a relic from that place?"

"No, that doesn't fit either. If it were that, it wouldn't manifest as a spring."

While Serie was lost in thought, Guter asked Milo with interest.

"You're showing us this map outright—aren't you afraid we'll beat you to it and snatch your opportunity?"

"Haha." Milo laughed heartily. "If that happened, it wouldn't be so bad."

"Just surviving was luck enough for me. If that opportunity can help you two, I'd consider it a small repayment for saving my life. I wouldn't be too upset."

"But." Milo shifted his tone, looking at Guter. "If you two are interested in this secret realm, why not set out together to explore it?"

"I'll act as the frontline warrior. You, sir, can cast magic from the back. Once we find the ruin, I'll only take a small portion of the spring water."

Guter raised an eyebrow. "You're quite open-handed. But we're in a hurry to reach the Holy City. You'll have to handle the secret realm on your own."

After making their stance clear, Guter chatted a bit more with Milo until the young noble had recovered enough strength to walk normally, then ended the conversation.

Fortunately, the rest of the journey went smoothly.

The three of them passed through the tail end of Arter Forest without incident and, before the last rays of the sun fully faded, arrived at the town of Apetito.

At the city gate, Milo took the family crest from his chest and handed it to Guter.

He explained it was his token. If Guter ever ran into trouble, he could come to Frich and find him. As long as the Olden Family could help, they would.

Guter thought it over, didn't refuse, took it, and tucked it into his pocket.

Before parting, Milo once again invited Guter and the others to team up and explore the secret realm, but was refused with the same reason as before.

Just as a disappointed Milo raised his hand to say goodbye, Serie, who had been silent the whole way, suddenly spoke up, addressing him seriously.

"If you truly find that secret realm and insist on exploring it, then remember my next words carefully."

"If there are any traces of human activity inside the secret realm, do not hesitate—turn around and leave immediately. Be careful not to touch anything along the way, and after you exit, seal the entrance shut."

"After that, come find me at the [Continental Magic Association Headquarters] in the [Holy City] as soon as possible."

"But if the ruins are purely nature's creation, then you can relax a little and explore freely."

"Still, it's best to test the spring water you collect before considering drinking it."

"Okay."

Watching the elf's serious expression, the somewhat bewildered Milo agreed in surprise.

But then, the three traits—[Holy City], [Continental Magic Association Headquarters], and [Elf]—connected in Milo's mind. Somewhat excited and uncertain, he asked Serie.

"E-excuse me, are you the legendary [Mythical Era Archmage], Lord Serie?"

"That's me, indeed." Serie nodded, acknowledging it.

After all, this young man was a noble; it wasn't surprising that he could learn information related to her.

Upon learning the true identity of the elf before him, Milo immediately stepped forward to express his admiration and reverence. After flattering her, he then asked in detail about the warnings regarding his exploration of the secret realm.

To this, Serie didn't explain much. She simply reiterated her warnings for him to remember.