Dark Continent (1st)
The work Neumann has to do is probably at the request of the King. Im not sure exactly what kind of work it is and when it needs to be done by, but any work assigned by the King should take priority.
What business could he have in this area? It must be sothing concerning Viscount FitzClarences territory considering theres not much else around.
.
I left the loligons mansion and started walking down the main street while wondering about this. I dont know much about Viscount FitzClarences territory so the possibilities are endless.
How should I proceed?
Id like at least a small hint before deciding.
I continued down the road with my eyes locked on the ground. Then, the sound of laughing caught my attention and I spotted soone I recognized. It was none other than Gon-chan. Surrounding and clinging to him were several lolis and shotas. The loli master also noticed .
Oh? What are you doing in a place like this, Baron?
Gonzalez, how nice to see you.
Given how happy all of the children looked, they must be in the middle of exploring the city. There was a child clinging to his arm and one wrapped around his chest. What an enviable sight.
This is sothing I can set as a goal for my life.
Did you have so business you needed for?
Yes, but Id hate to be responsible for ruining everyones fun, so Ill co find you again when youre free. Or, if you have so free ti soon, you can co see in my office.
Well, were just out wandering the city. If its sothing simple, you can join us or if it requires more discretion, we can find sowhere more private.
I suppose that works.
What should I do?
I guess I dont have to tell him everything.
Theres just one thing I need to ask.
Oh, whats that?
Could you tell about any mines or river sources near Tricklis? If there are any other places in the vicinity of Tricklis that the Empire may be interested in, Id like to know about them as well.
Oi, oi, are you getting involved in sothing dangerous again?
Ill tell you everything once Ive taken care of the situation. For now, its just my problem. Ill do everything I can to not involve you or the rest of the Twilight Company.
I wasnt worried about or my people.
Gonzalez spoke while scratching his cheek.
Anyway, when it cos to water sources, theres not much I can think of. The territory there isnt that large to begin with, but its still important for trade due to its proximity to the border with the Pussy Republic.
I see.
I assud there was a mine with rare minerals or sothing else of interest, considering the Pri Minister must be aiming to take over the country. Maybe my assumption was off. The importance of Tricklis is just due to its location near the border. Thats not very exciting.
I suppose there is Mount Dorz north of Tricklis. It was forrly the highest producing mine in the area. It ran dry so ti ago, but it was heavily excavated to extract the high quality denis ore that was found there.
Mount Dorz?
I feel like Ive heard that na sowhere before.
But I cant rember exactly where.
Theres nothing else of note that I can think of.
Thats fine.
I suppose thats a good place to start.
Its important for to personally check every place of interest. Investigating each area is a simple task, but due to the Pri Ministers potential involvent, theres no way I could ask my friends or hire soone else to investigate on my behalf.
If I ss things up, I may lose my chance at discovering what the Pri Minister is up to.
I need to be mindful of my actions.
Sorry, I guess I wasnt much of a help.
No, that was enough for to go on. Thank you.
Really? Well, Im happy to hear it.
Im going to head out for the mountain.
Sure, take care. Well be here to look after the town.
Im sorry for forcing more work onto you.
No worries. Im not sure what youre up to but be careful!
Yes.
I gave Gon-chan a nod before taking to the sky. Id arrive after dark if I took a carriage, so the best thod of getting to Mount Dolz quickly is by air.
Im looking for a mine. If I follow Gon-chans directions, I should be able to spot it from the sky.
***
I travelled from Dragon City to the city of Tricklis before flying straight north, following the directions Gon-chan gave . In the distance, I could see a series of large rock formations.
Mount Doltz must be there.
I dropped my altitude once I reached the mountain range and this allowed to spot a few roofs of a reasonably sized town. Gon-chan said this was a thriving town in the past.
.
But that was clearly no longer the case.
From my position in the sky, I could see that the town was mostly deserted. Its not completely devoid of life, but it was clearly less populated than Kalis or Tricklis and may even have a lower population than Dragon City.
It was like an old station square in a suburban city.
ah, that must be the mine.
There was a lone road that ran deeper into the mountains. At the end of this road was the mining operation. Several small buildings sat in a large quarry with several different open shafts dug into the mountainside. The mouth of the largest of these shafts was two tres square. The mouth was frad by wooden boards and had an armoured guard holding a spear on either side.
Is that the entrance?
The other openings in the quarry were left unguarded. It must be costly to have two well-equipped guards stationed all the way out here guarding an abandoned mining pit.
The easiest way to find out why theyre here is a direct confrontation.
Here I co.
A soldier stationed out here might know sothing.
I landed in clear view of them a fair distance away.
Who is that!?
A mage!
I wasnt close to them but they were still uncertain of my intentions. If most of your day is spent standing guard at an isolated mine when a man suddenly falls from the sky in front of you, its only natural for you to be a little suspicious.
Excuse , I just had so questions Id like to ask.
what is he doing in a place like this?
Hes suspicious no matter how you look at him. Just look at his strange, flat face.
Leave my face out of this, please.
I started making my way towards them as I introduced myself.
My na is Tanaka and I am a friend of the recently appointed ruler of Tricklis, Viscount FitzClarence as well as being the recipient of the title of Baron by His Majesty.
B-Baron!?
Wha!?
The two soldiers went stiff after hearing my title.
After seeing this, I finally understood why other nobles took so much ti to introduce themselves. You need to invoke your title and everything that cos with it in order to show the difference in power between yourself and whover you may be speaking to.
Its like a representative of a venture capital startup or a gangster on the streets that holds a lot of power. They want their reputation to precede them.
As I thought about this, I felt a little sad.
Am I becoming a noble in both title and reality now?
In order to better rule this land, Viscount FitzClarence has ordered to conduct a survey of her land. This mine is next up on my list. Would you please allow to take a look around?
N-No, I d-dont think thats.
This mine is.
They were imdiately at a loss for words.
That didnt take long at all.
No, it wont be that easy. When has anything gone so smoothly since I arrived in this world? I arrived in this world and within a day I had to break out of prison.
My LUC has also rapidly decreased since then as well.
Im sure you are here on soones orders, but Im serving the Viscount and indirectly the Duke of FitzClarence.
I-Im sorry but this is just too strange. What kind of baron would be dressed like that?
Thats right! Theres sothing not right here!
The two guards imdiately attacked my appearance.
Should I start dressing more appropriately for my title? The travelers clothes Im currently wearing are lighter and easier to move in. Clothing more suitable for a noble tends to be layered and Im honestly just tired of wearing suits.
Im not here because I want to be. If you wont believe , you can send a ssage to the Duke himself. I recently ate a delicious al at his estate in the capital.
Wha y-youre just trying to deceive use by talking big.
That sounds like sothing a child would say. Eating dinner with the Duke or even a king.
As they spoke to each other, they began to turn their spears towards . The sharpened tal was pointed straight at my chest and if they took a single step forward, they could reach .
Of course, I could easily eliminate them both with fireballs. It would only take a few seconds, even with that armour theyre wearing.
But I shouldnt do that after bringing up Ester-chans na.
Are you saying you plan on defying the Viscounts orders?
Wha
I-Is that a threat?
My master, Viscount FitzClarence, is a very kind-hearted ruler. She would never permit to harm or murder any citizen of her territory. Still, the orders of my master are absolute.
If this does work out, it would be best if I dont give these two a reason to report to the Pri Minister. I suppose I could find a way to silence them if necessary.
Ku.
I-If thats the case, then.
If you would like, you can dispatch a ssenger to the Radius Grassland where you will find a man nad Gonzalez. He is the leader of the Twilight Company and can vouch for everything I have told you.
Gonzalez? You know Gonzalez?
One of the soldiers reacted when I ntioned Gon-chans na.
Yes. We fought together during the conflict and he and his company are now serving under as my knight order.
is that so?
This could be an opportunity. The tone of the soldier has changed completely. I have to take any chance that appears.
Ill use Gon-chans na.
Do you know Gonzalez?
An acquaintance of mineis a mber of the Twilight Company.
I see. I may have t them.
Dont be stupid! The Twilight Company would never serve a noble.
Would you like to speak with Gonzalez himself? As I said, hes on the Radius Grasslands right now.
.
The soldier that didnt seem to know Gonzalez remained silent which allowed to take control of the conversation.
Would you please allow to go through? If you refuse, Im afraid I wont be left with many other options.
.
It was clear by the look in their eyes that they knew they didnt have any choice. This is the difference in power between the nobles and commoners of this world. They quickly lowered their spears and took a step back.
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