Standing behind the house, Luke let out a quiet sigh. Though he had claimed he needed to prepare a few potions, he had completely forgotten that he lacked several key ingredients.

Two herbs were missing. And without them, creating anything even remotely as effective as his previous concoctions was impossible.

Breathing out slowly, Luke decided to take a walk instead.

He wasn’t sleepy in the slightest, and if he returned now, he would only end up disturbing Monica and Laila.

So, he chose to wander around for a while and perhaps see if he could find something worth hunting.

He had no intention of using his new weapon here. Still, the temptation lingered in the back of his mind. If he happened to come across something massive and dangerous, then maybe...

For now, he hadn’t activated the traps around the house. The other two men still hadn’t returned, and the last thing he wanted was for them to get electrocuted while trying to enter their own home.

As he walked, he casually conversed with the system.

’So? What do you think? How’s my performance so far? I mean, it’s already been over four weeks since I arrived in this world.’

[The host is progressing magnificently toward creating a peaceful and comfortable future for himself.]

’Ah, what a boring response. Tell me what else I need to do. Is there something I’m lacking?’

[As of now, the host needs to explore more. It has been twenty-nine days since the host arrived in this world. However, the host has only visited one other village besides the one he is currently residing in.]

[The host has barely utilized the <Map> feature as well.]

Luke suddenly remembered that he possessed something like that too.

With it, he could at least gain a rough understanding of any new place he visited. Yet until now, the map remained almost empty due to how little he had actually traveled.

No, this couldn’t continue.

For the sake of his own growth, he needed to explore more.

Putting aside the opportunities to encounter new people and monsters, both of which would undoubtedly help him improve, there were also valuable herbs, rare materials, and better equipment to be found in larger settlements.

At present, with the limited herbs available around the village, he could only brew two types of potions.

He knew the ingredients for many other potions existed in this world. Otherwise, the system would never have suggested them in the first place. But to find those ingredients, he needed to broaden his horizons.

"Hmm?" Luke slowed in surprise as he realized he had wandered into one of the most isolated parts of the village.

This place stood close to the restricted zone. In other words, near the Chief’s residence.

He glanced around before muttering, "I don’t think I’ve ever come here before."

If he remembered correctly, this was the southern edge of the village. The area was unusually spacious, with a small elevated structure standing quietly at the center of the clearing.

No... calling it a house would be inaccurate.

It was far too small, and unlike a proper home, there wasn’t even a door securing the place.

’If I’m not wrong...’

Luke silently approached the wooden structure and climbed the stairs without making a sound.

And just as his memories told him, this was the Oath Altar. The sacred place where two people destined to become mates exchanged their vows before the Lord they worshipped.

Inside, several bamboo poles protruded from the wooden floor. Around each pair, a red thread had been tied carefully, with a small gap left between them.

There was one bamboo that rose higher than others, placed in the centre and on that stick only one pair of knots could be seen. No, there was actually three knots that means the person has two mates-ah, of course, the chief.

Even this place slows how the chief stands above the rest.

’Well, who cares.’

Medics, even those possessing only modest knowledge of medicine and herbs, were treated as people blessed by the Gods themselves. Because of that, they were the ones entrusted with blessing newly bonded couples during the sacred ceremony.

Crossing his arms, Luke fell into thought.

’Now that I think about it... despite calling her my mate, we never actually took the oath.’

He personally didn’t mind. Rituals like these held little importance to him when it came to validating a relationship.

But considering Monica’s personality, he had a feeling she might care about such things.

"...Haah."

Luke let out a quiet sigh.

He needed to be more considerate of her feelings. And more importantly, he needed to talk to her more.

Shaking his head, Luke decided to leave.

He descended the stairs and began walking away from the altar.

Just then, a small figure emerged from behind the oath house.

It was a woman of short stature, her face concealed beneath a piece of cloth draped over her head.

Watching the boy disappear into the distance, she let out a long breath of relief.

"Why was he here at this hour?" the woman muttered softly, patting her chest.

She was the third knot within the Crown, Thea, Baldon’s second mate.

Her sharp, cat-like eyes swept across the surroundings cautiously, checking whether anyone else was nearby or approaching the area.

Fortunately, there was no one.

A faint smile curved across her lips as she finally climbed the stairs of the oath house.

As she reached inside, she looked at the topmost knots.

Snarling, she said, "Let’s see how long you can retain your position in the house."

She raised her arm to reach the threads...only to realize she was too short to reach them.

She frowned and jumped, trying to reach them.

Her plump butt jiggled, her dress slightly lifting with each jump but she didn’t care about it.

Just then, "Do you need some help?"

Her body turned stiff.

Her eyes widened as she turned to look at the person whom she thought has left.

"L-Luke..."

•••••••

A/N:- I hope you liked the Chapter.