Fortunately, the tunnel was relatively simple and there were not many blocked parts, so the process proceeded smoothly. However, there were many times when it was judged that the machine had fallen into a place that was not a tunnel and the path was not accurate, so attempts had to be made over and over again.
In addition, there was no response from Area 21, where the miners were first thought to be, and Xeric's negative complaint that they were all probably dead threatened to stop the show. However, the chase continued due to Violet's claim that the miners may have moved when the mine shaft collapsed.
Solin, who was watching them through a telescope from the chapel bell tower from afar, said to Winter who was lying on the sofa and nervously fiddling with a small rubber ball.
"It looks like the machines haven't found the buried miners yet. It's not too late Mr CEO. Just plant explosives on that rock."
"Hayel, chase that explosion freak out."
When Winter threw the rubber ball and said, Hayel frowned and responded.
"If the CEO had scolded me like usual, I would have run away already, but you let me do it."
"I don't want to stop you at all. Because I too have the desire to blow up a chimney like that idiot. Whether the miners die or not is none of my business."
Winter's paper-like moral sense was on the verge of being torn apart. He didn't know why his wife had to go through such a hard time, making people hate her, just to save the miners who didn't matter.
Solin, who had been watching the situation for a while, stopped and said.
"I guess they installed explosives."
“Mr. Solin.”
Hayel, who was looking out the window next to him, took off his glasses and put them on his shirt.
"My eyesight is really bad, but even if I take off my glasses, I can see that he's running wild with excitement."
"..."
"I'll let you use that explosive later. Don't be too upset."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. As long as you need it for the airship."
While Hayel quietly comforted Solin, Winter, who was running behind them to run straight to Violet, said, sweeping his hair.
"Of course, unless it's an experiment needed for the airship, everything you set off will be your debt. I have no intention of contributing money to your hobby."
Solin flinched at his words and sat down.
In front of the rock, Violet was watching the rope attached to the machine being pulled in the mud. Since the enormous length of rope was being pulled little by little, it was known that the miners were alive. Xeric said in surprise.
"If this line moves enough I don't think one or two people can do it. It seems like a lot of people are pulling it together."
At that time, Violet hurriedly sat down and watched closely as the rope was being pulled. And while watching it being pulled to a certain beat, she picked up a stone and wrote something on the floor.
Eglin, who saw it from behind, clapped.
"It's a telegraph code!"
Violet muttered after writing it down.
"It looks like all eighteen are alive..."
As soon as she finished speaking, a village woman, who had been sitting down in a daze as if she had died of exhaustion, screamed and ran to the rock.
"Oh my! Honey!"
As she frantically pounded the rock with her bare hands, the other miners' families who noticed one step later, also sat down in tears.
After confirming that there were survivors, Xeric immediately opened the map and asked the retired miners.
"If you look at the location of the machine, it is right here. Where can I dig down?"
Then one of them pointed to a firefighter who had a similar physique to when he was young.
"I think he can walk for three and a half hours from here."
Then Xeric gave permission.
"Leaden, stand at the entrance."
"Yes, Sir."
Leaden stood at the entrance. Then the retired miners checked the map, went through their memories one by one, and found what was marked on the map. The people of Calibon and all the firefighters clung to Leaden's steps, meddling with them.
"This is where it goes downhill. It would be better to shorten the pace by about five steps."
"Leaden! Slow down a little! You're walking too fast now!"
Everyone was negative, thinking the miners were dead but as hope began to appear, everyone's eyes sparkled and their bodies gained strength.
After walking for three and a half hours without anyone getting tired, Leaden stopped walking. He raised his hand and said:
"Three and a half hours."
Then, Xeric drew a circle around the firefighters with a tree branch and gestured to his subordinates.
"Start digging."
At his word, the firefighters began digging.
Xeric spoke to Violet with eyes full of pride and loyalty.
"We will begin the search for survivors, Your Highness."
"I hope you prioritize the safety of firefighters over the safety of survivors."
"Yes, I will keep that in mind."
When the missing person turned into a survivor, the atmosphere completely reversed.
While everyone who had the stamina was busy digging and compacting the ground, Violet returned to where she had attached the rope.
The place was full of people trying to somehow send a signal by moving the heavy rope.
When Violet appeared, Eglin waved his hand and asked.
"Violet, I've been waiting for you! There is a rescue operation going on, so what is the telegram code to tell them to hold on a little longer?"
"Oh, that's a good idea."
Violet nodded and wrote the code on the floor again.
***
Violet, who was relieved by the mere presence of survivors, sat on a flat rock in a place away from other people.
"Those fire brigade guys are paying taxes after a long time."
As Winter approached and spoke, Violet answered with a tired smile. Winter sat down next to her and spoke to her.
"You confirmed that they are alive, so rest
now. You have nothing to do."
"Are you talking so mean again?"
"You saved people who were almost buried alive. You're a great person."
Winter quickly corrected himself and Violet finally smiled. At that time, neighborhood teenagers gathered around Winter. Winter said with a frown.
"What the hell, get away from me."
"Mr. Winter is the pride of the Kanik clan."
"Is there some kind of madness going on around here?"
When Winter spoke harshly, Violet slapped his thigh with her hand. However, the children, who had already become accustomed to the miners' bad manners, spoke rather excitedly.
"Really! It's pride and hope! When I grow up, I want to make a lot of money like Mr. Winter!"
"That's right. I want to leave this shitty town! I will definitely work as a miner and go to the capital!"
"Don't be a bitch. Go to the capital by working as a miner?"
At those words, the children froze and looked at Winter with wide eyes.
"Originally, people like us with gray eyes or silver hair were supposed to pay more taxes. Of course, there are no strict discriminatory laws, but the region and industry where many of my family members live have high tax rates. It's the same here at Calibon."
The children who were listening to Winter's cold words had blank expressions. Winter continued.
"If you want to go to the capital, you should think about not working as a miner. Leave the house first. When you come to the capital, I'll take care of your business. It's not like minority screening or anything like that, but it was a torch that Eglin wanted to create."
"Wow..."
The children's eyes, which had been in tears as they heard the deep story, quickly regained their vitality and sparkled. Winter, who was bothered by those eyes, found Violet looking at him with the same eyes as the children.
Of course, he wanted to show off to her so he told her about his job, but he never imagined that she would look at him with such cute eyes.
Winter almost offered to buy each of the children a house, but he kept his mouth shut, thinking that Violet would be more shocked than happy about that.
***
From then on, digging continued for four days.
Winter gathered his things on his own accord and came into Violet's room. The reason for the Kanik clan was that since couples originally shared a room, others would find it strange if they shared separate rooms.
Moreover, he said something ridiculous about how scary it was because there was a crazy explosion maniac.
Fortunately, Winter slept on the carpeted floor without any complaints. On the contrary, he slept very well. Because he too had started the rescue operation together.
The night before, Violet felt sorry for Winter, who had come all the way here and was doing physical labor, and let him sleep on the bed for just one night. Violet, who woke up early, gently wrapped Winter's forearm, whose muscles were bulging from working non-stop all week. His forearms, which were already thick, became even thicker. As Violet was fiddling with it absentmindedly, Winter muttered.
"You do it from the morning."
"What did you say?"
Winter pulled up the blanket and immediately put it on Violet.
"W-what are you doing?"
Violet was embarrassed and came out of the blanket to find that Winter had gone straight into the bathroom.
A while later, Winter came out of the shower, wiped off the moisture, put her arms first into the top, and pulled it over her head.
Violet asked, straightening her hair that had become matted again thanks to Winter.
"Are you digging today too?"
"I have to do it."
Although the ground is very hard, there is a risk of an accident if you dig too wide, so they were digging down in a narrow area where only one person could stand. One person dug and the other scooped up the dirt, but as soon as the speed slowed down, they took turns. This was because it was a time-consuming rescue operation.
Winter, who is much stronger than most firefighters and is much better at digging and compacting the ground because he grew up much rougher than the firefighters, also participated in the rescue operation.
Violet asked curiously.
"Why do you look so happy?"
"I have an aptitude for working hard."
Then he bent down and cupped Violet's forehead.
"Sleep more. You have a fever."
As Winter bent down, the shirt she wore as work clothes became loose, revealing his firm chest. Violet was amazed to see that this man also had clothes larger than his size. She said, grabbing the collar and attaching it to his body.
"I can see your breasts."
"That's why I wear it."
As Winter sneered, Violet made a straight face. Winter shrugged his shoulders and laughed cheerfully.
"Because I was doing physical labor, I forgot about the divorce and it was nice."
"I see. There isn't much left."
"Yes. Let's have a good time. We even popped champagne on the last day."
Violet nodded silently. After Winter left, Violet sat down and sighed deeply.
Considering the current situation, there was the easiest but most certain way to refuse to remarry Margrave Heston. Of course, that means she is not single. But that wasn't an option anyway. Violet thought.
"Where will we go now?"
Violet looked out the window and muttered.
***
Her body felt heavy, as if a weight had been attached to it, but she couldn't just lie down. Violet left the lodgings after putting on clothes borrowed from a villager and a simple light purple bonnet.
She thought she should encourage them, but she didn't know what to do. The miners' wives were already giving the firefighters everything they had to treat them to a sumptuous meal, and her thin arms were only hindering the rescue effort. Lost in thought, she reached the place where she hung the rope. Eglin, who was hanging out with people, came running.
"Violet, are you here?"
Because Eglin understood Violet's beliefs, she tried not to call her Princess. Violet smiled gratefully at her favor. As soon as Violet appeared, the villagers approached her.
"Why did you come out? Get some more rest."
"If you even lie down, we'll be in disgrace even more."
The villagers spoke and acted as if she were precious jewels and tried to get Violet back in. When Violet was worried that she might not be able to help them, unaware of the affectionate people around her, the voice of a firefighter screaming in pain from the top of the mountain could be heard.
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