Perhaps it was because two consecutive assassination attempts on Kal'tsit had failed, but the "invisible enemy" seemed to have retreated into the shadows during the day, disappearing without a trace.
For Revy, this wasn't exactly good news.
Sometimes, facing a snarling tiger head-on is far less dangerous than dealing with a venomous snake lurking in the shadows.
The strange incident that happened in the morning hadn't affected their planned schedule. Though both Revy and Kal'tsit suspected the other had noticed something embarrassing, they were in perfect unspoken agreement—not a word was said about it.
Thus, even though a quiet awkwardness lingered between them, Revy still stuck closely to Kal'tsit's side. In a way, you could say the two were hiding their own thoughts while setting off together.
According to the plan, they would spend nearly the entire daylight hours over the next three days in the wilderness. Only at night would they return to the inn to analyze the samples collected during the day using the equipment Rodentia had shipped in advance.
As for the enemy hiding in the shadows—who had already dared to make a move even within the mobile city—Revy wasn't about to lower his guard for a second.
Still, despite the morning's awkwardness, once Kal'tsit shifted into research mode, she quickly pushed everything else from her mind.
At this moment, she was carefully examining some rock samples near the volcano.
"Mmm... temperature's still stable..." Her voice was slightly muffled as she put on the mask hanging around her neck. "Revy, can you tell me the wind direction?"
"One second."
Revy wet his finger in his mouth and held it up to the air, closing his eyes to focus. "Northwest wind. Wind force is under Level 2. Wind speed's about... 1.4 meters per second."
"Thanks, Revy."
Politely thanking him, Kal'tsit pulled out a pair of gloves from her pocket, put them on, and began collecting small rock fragments and pebbles into her pack.
In theory, Kal'tsit didn't even need protective gear at this point. Standing near the volcano wouldn't worsen her Oripathy any longer. The power from the Gejammagala cells had clearly taken effect. While she hadn't shown any outward signs of things like enhanced strength or speed, the cells were gradually reshaping her body in subtle ways.
By tomorrow at the latest, she might not even need her hearing aids anymore.
Revy quietly watched the diligent Kal'tsit. On the one hand, he felt admiration for how this sweet young woman, at the age she should be enjoying romance, instead carried the weight of so much responsibility. On the other hand, he stayed vigilant, watching the surroundings for any sign of movement. He had also dispersed trace amounts of the Gejammagala cells throughout the area—harmless and inert to him and Kal'tsit, but a lethal, invisible virus to anyone approaching with hostile intent.
Maybe their previous display of strength had intimidated their enemy—because not a single person had tried to approach them all morning.
"This one... and this one... ooh, and definitely this one..."
Kal'tsit was completely immersed in her research, unaware of Revy's silent vigilance. To her, the environment near the volcano—especially the phenomena that only appeared just before eruptions—provided valuable evidence to deepen her understanding of volcanic behavior.
And such breakthroughs could only happen through field research like this.
"Revy, look! This must be a crystallized Originium cluster formed right before or after a volcanic eruption! See? It's still warm!"
Kal'tsit's voice was full of excitement, like a joyful little sprite dancing in the wilderness.
She rarely had moments like this—genuinely happy, genuinely free. Most of her days were spent in medical treatments and research. But now, out in the field, with the person she admired most by her side—how could she not feel overjoyed?
"Hmmm... temperature's around 20 degrees Celsius... Judging by that, it was probably formed within the last two hours," Revy said calmly.
"We're already less than a kilometer from the crater. The underground magma is becoming more active, which would naturally affect the local leylines. That's a normal phenomenon. However..."
"However?" Kal'tsit looked up.
"However, volcanic activity can affect the lifeforms dwelling along these ley lines—especially Originium slugs. When a volcano is close to erupting, swarms of them will panic and attack anything in their way."
Revy glanced at her with a faint smile. "So just be careful while you're researching, okay? Don't forget to watch your surroundings."
Kal'tsit smiled.
"In research, there's no such thing as true 'safety.' But... with you by my side, Revy, what do I have to be afraid of?"
Revy nodded firmly.
"Then I have nothing to worry about." Kal'tsit's smile turned sweet. "You'll protect me, won't you? As long as you're here... I'm not afraid of anything."
Revy froze for a moment, then smiled too.
"You're right. I'm overthinking things. With me here—there's nothing to be afraid of."