Drawing Manga in a Romance Fantasy

Chapter 43

"The situation seems more serious than we thought."

An empty village.

Only the dried bloodstains scattered around served as evidence that people once lived here.

As they encountered five villages in a similar state during their search for the missing persons, even Crown Prince Alex, along with the battle-hardened Yustaf and Harun, couldn’t hide their despair.

"How could this happen? How could something like this occur within the Empire without us knowing?"

His lips were so tightly bitten that they had turned white, his voice breaking with the weight of the situation.

"This village is inhabited by slash-and-burn farmers, so it’s understandable that information would be delayed."

The group of suspected black magicians had persistently targeted these isolated villages inhabited by slash-and-burn farmers.

Most of these farmers were people who had fled their lord’s exploitation, and no one cared about their lives.

Since they didn’t pay taxes, they weren’t considered citizens of the Empire.

In fact, their very existence was a blemish on the Empire, often leading to their villages being labeled as havens for criminals and subjected to oppression.

It was only natural that the wicked had targeted these people to avoid detection.

Understanding this belatedly, the Crown Prince stood silently, staring at the burned-out slash-and-burn village.

As the sun set, something redder than the sunset was burning in his eyes.

"If they plan to carry out their schemes near the capital, it would be impossible not to leave any traces."

Harun, who had been observing the scene, muttered to himself, weighed down by guilt and frustration.

While tracking the missing persons, they had discovered that the culprits were using the slash-and-burn villages as sacrifices for some scheme, but they had no idea where or what exactly was being prepared.

Despite the large scale of the missing villages, there wasn’t a single trace of the perpetrators.

"Have they disappeared into thin air or sunk into the ground? How could there be no trace at all?"

"Wait... into the ground? That’s right, if they’re underground, it would make sense that we haven’t found anything."

Both Yustaf and Harun shook their heads at Alex’s suggestion.

"Your Highness, if we’re following the new transmutation circle from the book, they would need to connect points all around the capital’s borders."

"And?"

"If they were digging underground to set up the transmutation circles, it would be impossible not to notice. Such a large-scale operation would require direct involvement from the Empire, making it nearly impossible to go unnoticed."

Digging underground was no easy task. Moreover, preparing a transmutation circle of this scale would require the Empire’s direct intervention, so it was considered impossible.

‘Unless they had the ability to freely move underground.’

Yustaf had considered the underground, given that no traces had been found on the surface, but had dismissed the idea as too far-fetched.

If it were possible, the culprits would be more like Earthworms than black magicians.

The Earthworm—a monster that supposedly burrowed through the earth as freely as a sea serpent swam through the ocean. It was so rare and rarely surfaced that it was treated as a mythical creature.

‘But now that I think about it, there was a secret technique among black magicians that involved controlling monsters....’

A shiver ran down Yustaf’s spine.

If this organization was indeed a group of black magicians and they were using their secret techniques to control Earthworms?

It would be a perfect crime, impossible to detect until the moment disaster struck.

"Harun! I’ve heard the Alchemist Guild has detailed information on various monsters."

"Yes, that’s correct. But why do you ask?"

"We need information on Earthworms! Everything you have!"

Dealing with a timid girl like Sena was challenging after being used to someone as energetic as Ada.

“Sena, when you’re making a decision, don’t do it for someone else, do it for yourself. Of course, when you grow up, there will be times when you need to put others first, but there’s no rush.”

I lightly brushed her hair back as I spoke.

“For myself?”

“Yes, exactly. To put it simply, think of the world as existing just for you—just like Ada does.”

That’s the privilege of children, after all.

Our family’s youngest member enjoys that privilege a bit too much, though.

Hearing my words, Sena finally relaxed a little, the hand that had been trembling so much easing up.

“I’d like you to help me with my drawings, but it’s up to you. You can do whatever you want.”

“...I want to. I like your drawings, Young Master. I want to draw like that too!”

I was thrilled by her response. I had been struggling to find an assistant, and now, such a talented person had appeared.

Even though we had only spent a short time together, I had already confirmed that she had a good heart, and with her family and Krun working at our workshop, it made perfect sense for Sena to join as my assistant.

Of course, there would be a lot to teach her at first, but after some time, the work efficiency would increase dramatically, making the investment worthwhile.

‘Although, it’s a bit unfortunate that she’s still a child, so keeping up with my pace might be tough.’

I wasn’t heartless enough to overwork a 12-year-old child.

For now, teaching her for an hour or two each day would probably be the limit.

But just having someone to help with the work was enough to make me feel like celebrating.

I might even have four hours of free time each day soon.

“What? Does this mean Sena can’t play with me anymore?”

“No, Miss Ada. I’ll still be with you, except when I’m helping the Young Master with his work.”

Despite Sena’s explanation, Ada’s puffed-up cheeks showed no sign of deflating.

Since the surrounding nobles had forbidden their daughters from visiting the Somerset estate, Ada had been lonely without anyone her age to play with, making Sena a precious playmate.

“Then I want to draw with Brother too!”

However, Ada had already been banned from the workshop after ruining several drafts while trying to help, so it was impossible.

Sena struggled to soothe Ada, but she felt a warm sense of joy in her heart, making the effort worthwhile.

"The whole world exists for you, Sena."

She recalled Rupert’s words as he looked at her.

When Sena first saw Rupert, she was so surprised she couldn’t speak.

‘He looks just like the prince in The Little Mermaid!’

To think that the author of her favorite fairy tale looked exactly like the prince in the story.

And when Rupert saw her drawing, instead of scolding her, he praised her and asked if she would help him with his work.

She had decided right then that she had to do it.

Unlike typical noblemen, Rupert treated her no differently than his little sister Ada, and the opportunity to help create the fairy tales and comics she loved so much felt like an incredible stroke of luck.

‘This is my chance to repay his kindness!’

Sena had been worrying about how to repay Rupert for bringing her family to a better life and letting her friend Krun pursue his passion.

Helping with his work seemed like the perfect way to give back, so she resolved to assist Rupert with all her might.

However, the artisans and Krun in the workshop, who watched her make this decision, couldn’t help but cry out in alarm, urging her to run away immediately, though she didn’t understand why.