"One of the Northern Border's three great knightly families—the Olden Family of Fortress City - Frich, right?"
Guter interrupted Milo's account and stated it bluntly.
"Huh?"
The young noble Milo looked surprised. "How did you two know? Oh! Right, this gentleman seemed to call out my name earlier. Could it be that you've met me before?"
"No, this is our first meeting."
Guter did not play riddles. While Milo rested, he told him about the missing-person bounty they had seen in Fortress City - Frich.
"With a reward of forty whole Hutrall Gold Coins, anyone who's been to Frishi recently probably won't forget that face and name of yours."
"Mother."
Tears streamed from Milo's eyes again. Knowing his father's personality well, he knew his father would never post a public notice over a family matter.
This bounty could only have been arranged by his mother. With such an enormous reward, it was filled with just how deeply worried she was for him.
Guter patted Milo on the shoulder and said,
"Alright, stop crying."
"We're already in the final stretch of Arter Forest. If we push a little harder, we can leave the forest today and reach the nearest city, Apetito."
"Once you reach the city, hire some adventurers to escort you home and reunite with your mother. Wouldn't that be enough?"
Unexpectedly, after hearing Guter's suggestion, the exhausted-looking Milo shook his head and rejected it.
"No, I can't go see Mother yet."
"Why?"
Guter asked curiously. This young master was strange—rather than return safely home to reunite with his mother, he insisted on continuing this dangerous adventure?
"Because if I went home now, then I would have made Mother worry for nothing all this time."
"Once I reach Apetito, I'll ask someone to write a letter home to Mother, telling her that I'm safe and that she needn't worry."
"I left home this time to seek an opportunity to grow stronger. Once I become stronger, I'll naturally return to the family."
As Milo spoke, he suddenly realized something.
He hurriedly pulled a cylinder from inside his clothes, unfolded the secret-realm map stored within it, and showed it to Guter and Serie.
"You two, this is a map I obtained by chance. It has been appraised as a genuine relic from the Unified Empire period, and there is evidence that the information recorded on it is relatively reliable."
"Oh?"
Guter curiously examined this genuine antique. His Talent Trait, the Innate Tomb Raider Saint Body, also stirred faintly at that moment.
It seemed Milo was right. This secret-realm map was most likely real.
And if it could make this devoted son abandon his plan to reunite with his mother as soon as possible, then there had to be something truly valuable inside that secret realm.
Sure enough, Milo's next words confirmed Guter's guess.
"According to this map, and based on my own research, there is a pool of spring water in this hidden ruin that can greatly increase one's strength."
"Spring water that greatly increases one's strength?"
Serie, standing nearby, suddenly became interested. Could the current world still produce something like that?
She looked at the map. After confirming the ruin's approximate location, an unpleasant suspicion vaguely rose in her heart.
If it increases strength... could this be the ruins of that place?
That doesn't seem right either. If it really were that place, it shouldn't take the form of spring water.
While Serie pondered, Guter asked Milo with interest,
"You showed us this map outright. Aren't you afraid we'll get there first and seize this opportunity from you?"
"Haha." Milo laughed heartily twice. "If it really came to that, it wouldn't be so bad."
"Getting my life back is already lucky enough. If that opportunity can help you two, then I'll have repaid a little of the debt I owe you for saving my life. I wouldn't feel too upset about it."
"However." Milo changed the subject and continued while looking at Guter. "If you two are interested in this secret realm, how about we set out to explore it together?"
"I can be the warrior on the front line, and you can cast magic from the rear, sir. Once we find the ruins, I'll only take a small portion of the spring water."
Guter raised an eyebrow. "You're certainly straightforward, but we're in a hurry to get to the Holy City. You should make your own plans regarding the secret realm."
After decisively making his group's stance clear, Guter chatted with Milo for a while longer. Only when the young noble had recovered most of his strength and could walk normally did their conversation end.
Fortunately, no further trouble arose during the remainder of the journey.
After the group of three safely passed through the final stretch of Arter Forest, they successfully arrived at Apetito before the last glow of the sunset faded.
At the city gate, Milo removed the family crest from his chest and handed it to Guter.
Milo said it was his token. If Guter ever encountered trouble in the future, he could come find him in Frishi. So long as it was something the Olden Family could help with, he would certainly lend a hand.
Guter thought about it and did not refuse. He took it and slipped it into his pocket.
Before parting, Milo once again invited Guter and Serie to form a team and explore the secret realm, but they refused him for the same reason as before.
Just as the somewhat disappointed Milo waved and prepared to say goodbye, Serie, who had been silent the entire way, abruptly spoke up and said seriously to him,
"If you truly find that secret realm and still insist on entering to explore it, then remember what I'm about to say."
"If there are any traces whatsoever of human activity inside, do not hesitate. Turn around and leave immediately. Be careful not to touch anything along the way, and seal the entrance to the secret realm once you get out."
"Afterward, come find me at the Continental Magic Association Headquarters in the Holy City as soon as possible."
"But if the ruins contain only creations of nature, then you can relax a little and explore freely."
"Still, it would be best to test any spring water you obtain before considering whether to drink it."
"Alright."
Seeing the elf's serious expression, Milo was somewhat bewildered, but he agreed in surprise.
Then, the Holy City, the Continental Magic Association Headquarters, and the fact that she was an elf connected in Milo's mind. Excited yet uncertain, he asked Serie,
"E-Excuse me, are you the legendary Mythical Era Archmage, Lord Serie?"
"That's right." Serie nodded and admitted it.
After all, the young man before her was a noble. It was not surprising that he knew information related to her.
Once he learned the elf's true identity, Milo immediately stepped forward to express his admiration and reverence. After showering her with praise, he carefully asked about her warnings concerning the secret realm.
Serie did not explain much. She merely repeated her warnings to Milo and told him to remember them.
Before you continue