After learning the coal he craved was in Grey Wolf Forest, Anke was so excited he couldn’t sleep all night.
The next day, he uncharacteristically woke up early.
Before Vera could report to him at the usual time, he had already donned his travel gear and proactively arrived outside her room.
“Vera, let’s go. We’re going to Grey Wolf Forest to find coal.”
This was the first sentence Vera heard from Anke’s mouth after opening her door.
The black-haired, purple-eyed young Prince invited Vera in a tone like a child asking a playmate.
“Your Highness, you plan to go to Grey Wolf Forest personally? But it’s still snowing outside; it’s not the best time to enter the woods. If you’re in a hurry to find coal, wouldn’t it be better to choose a few Imperial Guard Knights to go instead?”
Vera looked at the snowflakes drifting outside the window and tried to persuade Anke.
“No, no, no, Vera. For something like finding coal, I feel it would be more fulfilling to do it myself. Besides, with you protecting me, there’s no way I’ll be in danger. It’ll just be a bit more tiring to enter the forest right now.” Anke still insisted on going himself.
“But there are many affairs in Border City. It wouldn’t be appropriate if Your Highness suddenly left, right?” Vera was still unwilling to agree.
After all, Anke was the key to her race’s revival; it was better for him to stay safely within the castle.
“It’s fine. I’ve had Mustafa handle those things. He has Kano to share the renovation work in the Slum, so he happens to have extra energy.”
“But…”
“Vera, do you want me to order you?”
“Very well, Your Highness. However, if Your Highness can’t hold out, we must return to Border City immediately.”
Vera couldn’t win against Anke. She knew very well that when Anke became stubborn, he was harder than a rock, and no one could change his mind.
Sometimes this was a virtue, but more often, this persistence brought unnecessary trouble.
“Great! Then Vera, change into your winter clothes. We’ll leave early.”
“Why so early?”
“It’s hard to explain. Just listen to me.”
“Alright.”
Vera nodded in agreement. Later, she found out that Anke hadn’t discussed going to Grey Wolf Forest with Mustafa at all. Before Mustafa woke up, Anke left him a note and ran off with Vera…
At the outskirts of Grey Wolf Forest, Anke didn’t enter blindly. Instead, he first inquired about information regarding coal in the villages near the forest.
Vera didn’t hold much hope for this.
After all, the former Lord who recorded the coal in the diary had labeled it as the evil “Killer Stone” and even hanged the discoverer’s entire family for it.
Commoners would not risk execution to touch something labeled as evil.
The situation was as Vera expected; most villagers knew nothing about the Killer Stone.
“What black stone? It can burn?”
“Impossible. I’ve lived in the village my whole life and never heard of a stone that can burn.”
“Black stones can burn? I don’t believe it.”
When Anke asked the villagers, these were the basic answers he received.
“Not a single clue. Do we really have to flip through the entire Grey Wolf Forest to find coal?” Anke used a branch he picked up to draw a sad face in the snow.
“Your Highness, don’t lose heart. As long as the coal is in the forest, we’ll eventually find it,” Vera said.
She couldn’t understand what the graphic consisting of a circle and three short arcs that Anke drew was, but she could feel his frustration and spoke to comfort him.
Perhaps it was fate; stories always encounter new turning points unexpectedly.
A hunter carrying a small deer on his shoulder approached them and said, “Are you the ones who have been asking about the black stones that can burn?”
“Yes, do you know where to find them?” Anke threw away the branch, stood up, and looked at the hunter.
“I know where they can be found, but I need to know who you are. Why are you looking for such evil Killer Stones?”
“I’m an Alchemist, and this is my wife. We came specifically to find alchemy materials, and these black stones are what we need. I’m willing to pay a high price.”
Just as Vera wanted to explain their identities, Anke quickly grabbed her hand and spoke first, claiming to be an Alchemist.
‘Wife?’ Vera, whose hand was grabbed by Anke, was momentarily stunned.
“Alchemist? You people just love strange things. Follow me.” The hunter temporarily believed Anke’s explanation and let the two follow him.
Anke didn’t hesitate and led Vera after the hunter.
The hunter led them home and then lifted a floorboard inside the house, revealing a pile of black coal beneath it.
“These are the Killer Stones you’re looking for. How much do you plan to buy?”
“Yes, yes, this is coal.” Anke didn’t bother answering the hunter. He directly picked up a dark coal chunk and examined it closely.
Seeing the leaf patterns on it, he was certain that this pile was undoubtedly real coal!
‘The significance of coal to Anke seems to be more than just providing warmth for commoners,’ Vera silently guessed as she watched Anke’s joyful expression.
“Coal? That’s a nice name. It sounds better than Killer Stone. But how much are you going to pay?” the hunter asked, stroking his chin.
“As long as it’s within my ability, I can give you as much money as you want. However, I want to know more about where you mined this coal,” Anke said, looking at the hunter.
“Hahaha, are you joking, Mr. Alchemist? I know very well the difference between a single full meal and being full for every meal.”
The hunter laughed a few times and then quietly moved toward a steel pitchfork leaning against the wall.
Before the hunter could take a single step, Vera’s sword was already pressed against his neck.
“Don’t move. Otherwise, you die,” Vera said coldly.
“Tch, little girl, you’re quite something. Count me unlucky.” With a cold sword at his neck, the hunter immediately lost the urge to pull any tricks.
Having hunted in the mountains for a long time, he could feel the intense aura of danger emanating from Vera.
“Vera, put the sword down. We still need him,” Anke persuaded.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Vera lowered her sword but remained ready to kill the hunter at any moment.
“Truly a beautiful and terrifying girl.” The hunter touched his neck with lingering fear.
“Tell me, where did you mine so much coal?” Anke pulled over a chair and sat in front of the hunter, still holding the coal chunk in his hand.
“Before asking questions, at least declare your identity. This girl called you Your Highness. You aren’t actually an Alchemist, and she isn’t your wife, right?”
“Correct. I am not an Alchemist. I am Anke Hi Meklund, the Fourth Prince of the Kingdom, the new Lord of Hanover Province, and the new master of Border City and Grey Wolf Forest. This is my Chief Knight. You can explain where the coal was mined now. Don’t worry, I won’t let you lose out. I promise to give you sufficient reward. But if you refuse to see reason, my Knight here has ways to make you speak.”
Anke flashed the ring representing his identity and then used both threats and promises on the hunter.
“You are the new Lord?! Oh, why didn’t you say so earlier! If you had told me, I would have taken you there directly! And I actually asked you for money just now and even wanted to harm you. I really deserve to die!” The hunter beat his chest in self-reproach.
The sudden turn of events left even Vera confused about what the hunter was trying to do.
“Let’s go! Lord, I’ll take you to find those Killer Stones — no, that coal mine right now.” The hunter suddenly became extremely enthusiastic, volunteering to lead the way.
Vera glanced at Anke with a bewildered look, but Anke only shook his head, indicating he didn’t know either.
Thus, Anke and Vera inexplicably gained a hunter guide.