Roland distributed the supplies brought by Isaiah and had him join the efforts to aid the wounded.
With Isaiah’s help, the miners who had been on the brink of death soon pulled through.
As for the escaped Vance, Roland ordered Graham to tie him up atop the watchtower, so everyone could look upon his true face, leaving him there for judgment at a later time.
No one yet knew where Vance had hidden all the embezzled Crystal Pounds, but the amount was certainly not small. If he didn’t keep a record, it would be easy to forget over time. Thus, Roland instructed Graham to search for clues, and sure enough, an account book was found in the staff dormitory.
In the ledger, every detail of Vance’s illicit gains and their hiding places was clearly recorded—one hundred thousand Crystal Pounds in total, equivalent to ten months of income for a barony. This did not even include the bribes received and the oppression of miners.
“Excellent, now we have both the charges and the evidence.”
Roland planned to confiscate this money, using it to compensate the miners and rebuild the mine, with a small portion set aside to strengthen her own position—and perhaps buy a few new dresses for Mia.
Once everything was more or less settled, she suddenly remembered she’d forgotten about someone.
What had happened to the old miner who first rushed in to help?
With this question in mind, Roland asked the resting miners, and was soon led to the man’s body.
“He’s already dead.”
Hearing the news, Roland felt as though something vital inside her was missing.
She hadn’t even thanked him, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone, their worlds now forever apart.
Looking at that old, wrinkled face, smiling even in death, Roland asked for his name.
“What’s his name?”
“His name is Reginald Hall, the most senior miner among us.”
“You forgot to add one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“He was also a hero.”
When all the injured had been helped and the supplies tallied, and the number of casualties confirmed, Roland ordered Vance taken down from the watchtower. Then, those miners who had suffered under his oppression were allowed to bind him, with their own hands, to a hastily built cross.
Even if someone landed a few punches on Vance during the process, Roland had no objection, as long as they didn’t kill him.
In front of the cross, the bodies had been neatly arranged and prepared. The dead were surrounded by the belongings they had cherished in life—diaries, letters, pendants. All would be buried and remembered after Vance’s judgment was carried out.
When the battered, swollen-faced Vance finally woke from his stupor, he realized he was bound tightly to the cross, a fist-sized chunk of raw mana ore crammed in his mouth, dried timber piled beneath his feet.
Following the proper procedure, Roland first pronounced his crimes: “Vance Pierce, you once received my father’s favor. Yet instead of repaying kindness, you abused your position for selfish gain, concealed the truth, persecuted the workers, and ultimately harmed the interests of the nobility. Therefore, under the witness of the Goddess, and in accordance with Imperial Law, I will see you given your due punishment. Let the flames sear your soul, until your sins are consumed.”
Terror filled Vance’s face. He struggled desperately, but to ensure nothing went wrong, the miners had used every method they could think of to restrain him.
Once the charges were read, it was time for evidence and witnesses.
Roland had the miners step forward, one by one, to speak of Vance’s misdeeds—beating men to death with a whip, threatening workers to hand over money, countless other crimes, enough for him to die a hundred deaths. Some broke down crying as they spoke, but even as tears flowed, they glared at Vance in anger.
When everyone had finished, Roland aimed at the wood and, with magic just restored, cast a Fireball Spell.
A roaring blaze erupted, like unquenchable fury, consuming the sinner on the cross from below. No matter how Vance screamed or even tried to rip off his own arms, he could not escape his bonds.
People watched in silence as he was burned to death, until only a charred corpse remained.
Roland bowed her head to mourn the fallen miners. “May all who suffered misfortune now rest in peace.”
After settling the affairs of the mine, she prepared to leave and recruit new workers.
Unexpectedly, the original miners did not wish to depart. Instead, they pleaded to stay and continue working.
“You have shown us what true wisdom and kindness are. There is no lord more merciful than you in all the world. Please, do not reject us—let us stay and continue our work.”
Moved by their plea, Roland showed a relieved smile and said, “Very well. I trust you. I’ll bring the new contracts within the week.”
Seated in the carriage, Roland gazed at the shrinking pit outside the window, her mind busy with the plans ahead.
A new foreman had to be found—someone trustworthy—and a proper inspection system set up. The one hundred thousand Crystal Pounds must be recovered by the steward. Tombstones, fences, soldiers, equipment, supplies—all troublesome matters.
Being both a mother and a lord, she felt she hadn’t truly rested since she arrived in this world. For the next day or two, she would simply relax and spend time with Mia.
“You shall endure trials as the Child of Light. Only when your heart is pure and clear will you return to the embrace of the Goddess.”
As snowflakes drifted down, Mia sat on the cold ground, as if someone’s voice echoed in her ears. That heavenly voice brought her a sense of warmth and love, reminding her of Roland.
But soon, an intense itch at her neck left Mia unable to enjoy this warmth. She felt as if something was scorching her eyes, trying to take away all her sight.
“It hurts… My eyes hurt so much…!”
“I don’t want to be any Child of Light. I just don’t want to be abandoned anymore!”
“Mia promises to be a good child!”
Tears fell into the fine snow. Countless daisies burst from the earth, forming a beautiful field of flowers in the depths of winter.
As the snow landed atop Mia’s head, she felt as if someone was reaching out to her. She looked up, but all she could see was a white figure in the storm.
“Mom… Mia misses you so much…”
“Then open your eyes and look at your mother.”
Unlike the unfamiliar heavenly voice, this was a voice Mia could never forget.
“Mom?”
When the golden-haired girl woke from her lonely dream, she found herself lying on her mother’s lap. Her mother was gazing at her with gentle eyes.
Once sure that what she saw was not another dream, Mia threw herself into her mother’s arms, terrified that letting go would mean another separation.
Roland stroked her hair, wiped away her tears, and whispered, “Mia, you must have missed me so much, right? I’m here now. I won’t leave you again.”
Mia gave no reply. Right now, her only thought was to hold tight to this happiness before her.