Hellmode ~Gamer Who Likes to Speedrun Becomes Peerless in a Parallel World with Obsolete Setting~ Vol. 2 - Chapter 91 - Joint Management

In October, I finally turned twelve years old. It's been four years since I started working in the mansion.

In the past five months or so, the Knights have been taking care of the Armored Ant Nests that I defeated, and the Mithril ore mines in the northernmost part of the White Dragon Mountains started operating around September. Mining hasn't been started on the site that I have rights over though.

The mining of that site is not expected to be possible until next year.

At this stage, we have only sent expert miners to confirm that it is a new Mithril ore mine. The results of that investigation showed that the Mithril ore there was quite abundant.

Since then, I've cleared two more Armored Ant Nests. Unfortunately, I did not find any Mithril ore there. Still, I was not as disappointed as I thought I would be.

Recently, I've been thinking about this.

I got

skill and had more ti to hunt. When the Knight Commander helped in the Orc Village, I learned that I was in a very free environnt. From next year, I'll have inco from the Mithril mine, and I'll be able to live a comfortable life.

When I thought about it, I realized that there was sothing missing lately.

There was one thing that I was lacking in Kurena's village. It was status. I was desperate to make my family commoners, so I hunted Albaherons and led the Boar hunt. I couldn't leave the village, but it was very fulfilling.

What about now? My current situation is like frantically hunting slis around the town. I can keep hunting slis until my level reaches the maximum. I have enough money and I don't have to worry about any dangers. I can just go about your daily routine.

(Mining rights, isn't it just useless load?)

I feel like I'm carrying useless weight that I don't need to have. I ca to this world to reach the maximum level. I don't want to live in peace.

This is not the kind of thing that is challenging for .

When I ca to the mansion at the age of eight, I was planning to beco an adventurer. Mihai asked to protect Cecile. I said "yes" to Mihai's last wish. I'd like to live up to that wish.

I'm twelve years old now. It's ti for to take the next step. A life of hunting sli around the town is surely not the right answer.

"Hey, what are you thinking?"

Rickel called out to .

"Nothing."

I was chatting over breakfast with Rickel, the head manservant for the past four years. Rickel said that he would quit his position as head manservant next year and beco a Mayor or a Chef. It's not a job that you can do for decades, but you have to give up your seat to a successor. In his usual light tone of voice, he asked which job would be easier.

I think it's typical of Rickel to think like that. When I look at Rickel, I wonder if maybe I'm thinking too much.

"Looks like the Royal ssenger's coming again because of this Mithril."

"It seems so. He ca here last month too. I wonder what the Royal Family wants."

The Baron Granvelle has received many Royal ssengers in the past. However, for the past year or so, the frequency seems to have increased.

The purpose of the eting was to confirm the schedule and current progress of the Mithril mining. Mithril can no longer be obtained from the Viscount Carnell's side of the White Dragon Mountains. I'm not sure if there's a shortage of Mithril in the Kingdom or not, but the Royal ssengers co to the mansion with an attitude that's very close to a demand.

The person who ca the other day specified a date and ti, but did not tell us what he was going to talk about.

I, too, was told by the Butler to remain in the upstairs dining room after the Baron had his lunch, as the Royal ssenger would be arriving in the afternoon.

A little after 1:00 p.m., two n ca to the mansion.

The Baron gulped as the Butler led him into the dining room.

One of them was a ssenger from the Royal Family. There are a number of Royal ssengers, so a departnt in the Royal Castle determines who delivers what ssage. I had t today's Royal ssenger before.

And the other was a man who could hardly be described as just familiar.

The man who ca with the Royal ssenger was Viscount Carnell.

"Thank you for coming."

The Baron spoke calmly. The Baron also thought that the ssenger had co today because of the Mithril. That's why the Baron's wife and children were present in the dining room. If Viscount Carnell was coming, the Baron would have handled it alone.

"I hear that the Baron of Grandvelle is actively engaged in the developnt of his territory. You are a model for Nobles."

The Royal ssenger, speaking in a pretentious manner, took his place at the opposite end of the table. The Royal ssenger was as arrogant as ever.

Viscount Carnell, without taking a seat, stood a little behind the Royal ssenger as if he were an aide. Just like the Butler standing behind the Baron.

"So, what brings you here today?"

Then the Royal ssenger said, "Hmm," and after a sufficient silence, he replied.

"Today, I brought a proposal to Baron Granvelle.

"Proposal?"

"Yes. There is a famous quarrel among the Nobles in the kingdom, isn't there? This is a proposal to resolve it."

"Quarrel?"

The Baron's mind wandered to what he was quarreling about. Nothing cos to his mind.

"Yes, it's a big dispute between the Baron Granvelle and the Viscount Carnell. I thought it necessary to solve this problem, which the Royal Family cannot ignore."

"Yeah, that's..."

There is only one major quarrel between the Baron Granvelle and Viscount Carnell, the Mithril mines of the White Dragon Mountains. It's true that they've been having problems for generations and both territories have thrived and declined at the rcy of the White Dragon.

"So, I've got this for you today."

Viscount Carnell reacted to the Royal ssenger's words and brought a rolled up sealed envelope to the Baron's seat.

The Butler reacted and took Viscount Carnell's sealed envelope with both hands. He placed the sealed envelope on the Baron's seat.

"What's this?"

"Read it."

The Baron unsealed the envelope, took out a parchnt and began reading. As the Baron continued reading, the Baron's face suddenly changed.

"This... what is this all about?"

"Well, what's the problem? I am trying to help you with your problems, aren't I?"

"What is all this about joint-managent?"

"Isn't it obvious? The border between your territory and Viscount Carnell's is the White Dragon Mountains. So, the two sides will jointly manage the Mithril mines that are found there. And naturally, the profits generated will be split 50-50 too."

(Joint-managent? The Baron and the Viscount? Seriously? So that's why the Viscount is smirking.)

Viscount Carnell was smiling behind the Royal ssenger. He seed to be shaking his shoulders and trying desperately to hold back his laughter.

What the Royal ssenger brought was a contract for the joint managent of the White Dragon Mountains between Baron Granvelle and Viscount Carnell. It stated that both Nobles would share both the burden and the profits.

"No, but..."

"What's your problem? I asked the Deputy Minister of Justice to draw up a contract to solve your problems."

"But it's ..."

"Enough. Viscount Carnell has already signed it."

The Baron was confused and bewildered, but the Royal ssenger told him to just sign the contract without saying anything more. He really wanted the Baron to sign the contract.

Silence ensued. The Royal ssenger glared at the Baron.

"I'm sorry... but may I ask you to check with the Royal family once?"

The Baron finally managed to squeeze out a few words.

"What? You think you can't sign the contract that I went to the trouble of having the Deputy Minister of Justice draw up? That's a big step for a Baron."

"No, no. I just need to check it once. I'd like to go to Royal Capital to check it out."

"Oh, you don't trust , do you? It seems you've beco arrogant now that you can harvest Mithril. Enough!"

With that, the Royal ssenger stood up and walked quickly to the exit. Viscount Carnell followed behind him like an aide. When the Butler tried to follow him, he closed the door tightly, saying he didn't need to see him off.

Back in the dining room after the Royal ssenger left, the Baron threw the contract that was in his hand.

"There is no way such a contract is real. Sebas, we'll head to the Royal Capital at once. The Knight Commander will be back in two days, won't he?"

"Yes, he will be back in two days".

As if ti, which had been stopped by the Royal ssenger, had started to move forward, I began to check the situation. It seems that as soon as the Knight Commander returns from the Mountains, the Baron will head to the Royal Capital on the Magic Ship.

The Baron's family and the servants gathered in the dining room were told to disperse.

A few hours later, I was engaged in my afternoon work. When I say "work," I an that other than serving, I help out where there is need. I cook, I garden, I do laundry too. Today I am polishing the silverware used by the Barons with a cloth.

(Joint managent, huh? It's a tricky situation for the Baron.)

I rembered what had just happened as I wiped the silverware clean with a cloth.

Joint managent, peaceful operation, and equal distribution without conflict.

I think it would be difficult to refuse this because the words are so beautiful. If the Baron refused, he will be asked why he refused. He might be accused of monopolizing the situation. I wonder what the Baron wants to do by going to the Royal Capital.

That was when it happened.

Gashaaaaan.

"Caaaaaaah!"

A woman's scream echoed from the upper floor.