Episode 10

With each passing moment, Caerina's confusion intensified. Kledson's stoic expression was a silent testament to the notion that journeying to the salt mines was an unwise venture for her. An ominous premonition seemed to hang in the air, suggesting that a headlong rush into the mines may precipitate unwelcome problems.

"Why is that? Is there something peculiar about that place?" Caerina queried.

"The majority of salt mines in the Eusebio Empire are held by Count Delmo. He's a greedy old man who takes over others' mines at his pleasure. Understand this, if you get involved with him, it's quite possible you'll be dragged into his rapacious currents. I don't want my daughter entangled with that decrepit man," Kledson explained.

Caerina's thoughts drifted to a corporation she had bested in a past life, a firm whose owner bore a striking resemblance to Count Delmo. Nonetheless, that individual had suffered defeat the moment he dared to provoke the Jessian Group.

"Then where is the largest salt mine located? Father, worry not; I merely seek its location," Caerina stated.

"It lies to the north, within Count Delmo's dominion," replied Kledson.

"Very well. Thank you for the information, Father. Now I know what I must do."

Caerina hastily exited Kledson's chamber and made her way to her own room, pondering briefly over her subsequent course of action. Kledson's gaze followed Caerina's departure impassively.

'Why has my daughter become so peculiar of late? It's as though she harbors vast thoughts within. Could she be contemplating starting a business or something of the sort?' Kledson mused.

Caerina paced back and forth on her balcony, considering alternative paths.

"Let's set aside the matter of salt for the moment. I shall commence with spices. Well then, let's search the nearby forest. I am certain it harbors quality herbs."

Letta watched Caerina's behavior in silence. She observed Caerina quickly departing the room without disclosing her intended direction to Letta.

"Where are you headed, Miss?!" Letta cried out, attempting to halt Caerina.

"I shall take a brief excursion outside. Just wait here for me."

Fortunately, the forest Caerina had in mind was not far from her residence, negating the need for horse-drawn carriage travel.

"Here is the forest. Few venture here despite its proximity to a residential area. They say there's nothing special within," Caerina murmured to herself.

She proceeded into the forest. Caerina's eyes scanned the wilderness until, at the forest's heart, she discovered an array of herbs flourishing in the wild.

"Ah, I've found them! Just as I thought, abundant spices here."

Turmeric, coriander, lemongrass, galangal, cardamom, cloves, and much more. All sprouted in one location, a veritable earthly paradise rewarding Caerina with immense fortune.

"Why does nobody here realize that their cuisine would be greatly enhanced by spices? No wonder there's such a dearth of culinary variety and the taste is so lackluster."

Bland, fishy, and monotonous—such was the character of Eusebio Empire's cuisine. Caerina had sampled dishes from a renowned restaurant patronized by nobility, yet the meal was indistinguishable from the everyday food served at the Marquess Navre's estate.

Caerina began collecting the spices, planning to bring them home and test them on the meals at Marquess Navre's dwelling.

"Perhaps if I delve further, more treasures may be found."

While navigating a path crowded by underbrush, Caerina slipped, tumbling down a steep decline.

"Arrghh! To think I'd fall. I wasn't careful enough."

Regaining her footing, Caerina brushed and patted the dirt from her attire, then raised her head, surveying her new surroundings. Nearby, she heard a creek's gentle flow.

"Huh? A river! I must wash my face before I return to the mansion."

Caerina refreshed her face with the river water, inadvertently ingesting some.

"Salty! Why is this river water salty?"

Her taste buds were numbed following the near-swallow of the brackish water. Caerina then journeyed upstream, sampling the water again, finding no trace of saltiness.

"How bizarre. Now I must investigate this salty water's origin."

In the blink of an eye, Caerina's gaze was drawn to a cave across the river, where, presumably, the salty water originated. She searched for a way to the grotto.

"This looks like a bridge," Caerina observed, clearing the brush that obscured a bridge leading across the stream.

Once free of foliage, Caerina cautiously crossed the river and cautiously entered the cave. Barely inside, she marvelled at the interior, studded with crystal-like formations on the walls and ground.

"What place is this? Why are there so many crystals stuck in the cave's walls and floor? Wait, these aren't crystals."

Caerina touched one of the dull crystalline objects. White powder cascaded down, coating her hand. She sniffed the powder.

"Hah? Is this salt?" Caerina tasted a sample, confirming it was indeed salt.

"So, this is a salt mine? Jackpot!"

Excitement spurred her to jump for joy. A fortuitous discovery, all from coincidence, and now she had stumbled upon a windfall. The cavern's vastness suggested even more salt resided underground.

"I will be wealthy! I can finally start a food ingredient business—with this, I can undercut Count Delmo's prices. I bet that will irk him immensely."

Caerina carried a small pouch of salt back to Marquess Navre's residence, concealing the cave's existence with her aura. Skilled in aura manipulation, she'd only recently unlocked her core essence.

"I'm back!" Caerina announced, clutching her spices.

"My goodness, Miss! Where have you been? Why are your clothes so filthy?"

Upon Caerina's return, Letta immediately chastised her. Understandably so, given that Caerina had disappeared for over five hours.

"Forgive me, Letta. I've just hit the jackpot," Caerina disclosed.

"Jackpot? What's a jackpot?" Letta was utterly confused by Caerina's peculiar terminology.

"It means I've just come across a significant find. Look at this!"

Caerina presented a basket loaded with spices and a small pouch of salt.

"What's all this? Why have you brought home rubbish?"

"Rubbish? This is no rubbish. I'm about to show you what an earthly paradise is. But first, help me change. Afterward, I'll head to the kitchen to make something special."

Letta simply nodded in compliance with Caerina's words—for pondering the girl's meaning proved futile. Caerina had a penchant for unsettling those around her.

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