“…What are you doing?”

“Keeping a night watch.”

Maria replied with a lethargic voice.

“I had a nightmare about the expedition’s rewards vanishing… I was worried they would disappear again…”

She muttered while yawning. Seol Jihu blinked in a daze before bursting into laughter.

As expected, reality was different from a dream.

He had a sudden urge to jokingly ask, ‘Wanna take the bags and run?’ But he held himself back.

He knew that would be rude, even to Maria.

“Thanks. I’ll stand watch now, so get some sleep.”

“Uun, it’s okay~”

Maria shook her head.

“Just looking at these bags gets me brimming with energy….”

She chuckled like an addict, who just took a hearty dose of drugs.

This looked dangerous on its own.

Maria, who was staring blankly for a while, suddenly tapped on Seol Jihu’s shoulder and nodded.

“Right, I gotta thank you. You did really well this time. I believed in you, you know? I believed you would strike it big one day, Oppa! That’s right! This is the power of long-term investment!”

“…I feel like you’re treating me like I’m some stock.”

Maria shut her mouth. She quickly waved her hands and chuckled.

“Eii, don’t say that! I’m just grateful!”

“Really?”

“Of course! You see, I actually agreed with Kazuki and Princess Teresa fully. I mean, you really did everything, Oppa! Shouldn’t we give you an even greater share?”

“Oho.”

A light flickered on...