Chapter 49
Episode 49
"Haap!"
With a sharp shout, a brilliant golden-yellow light spread through the mine shaft, and even the faint tremors that had been intermittently shaking the tunnel ceased.
"Good. I'll stabilize the shaft. Use the golems."
At Clayton's command, the disciples behind him stepped forward in unison, each pulling out fist-sized blue crystals from their robes.
Magic Stones!
Logan's eyes gleamed as he watched.
The disciples, their eyes wide as they chanted incantations, hurled the Magic Stones toward the collapsed rock pile.
Gr-gr-gr-gr-gr!
Amidst the grating noise, a significant portion of the rock pile before them transformed into ten stone giants, each over two meters tall.
"Whoa!"
"As expected of magic!"
The astonished voices of the workers who had been watching in hushed silence echoed through the shaft.
Logan, too, watched the mages with similar amazement.
Just by summoning golems, they cleared several meters of collapsed rock.
And more than that—
"We don't know the condition of the trapped workers. Hurry!"
"Yes, sir!"
The moment Clayton's disciples responded loudly to his order, the stone giants—the golems—began lifting and moving the rock pile forward with terrifying strength.
Thud. Thud.
Gr-gr-gr-gr-gr!
The golems moved far faster than human workers, effortlessly lifting boulders the size of a person. With these golems disregarding the risk of secondary collapses and exerting their full strength, the work progressed much faster than if dozens of laborers had been deployed.
Oh...!
Having only seen battlefield mages in his past life, Logan couldn't help but marvel anew at the utility of golem-school mages.
As if responding to his admiration, the golems cleared the collapsed debris at a frightening speed. Within less than two hours, Logan was able to reach the survivors.
"W-we're saved!"
"Ivan! Pomarov!"
"Rovel! You're alive!"
As the survivors cheered and embraced their fellow workers, Logan exhaled in relief after checking Hamar's condition.
Bruises and minor internal injuries. He just fainted from shock. Thank goodness.
With his biggest worry now gone, the scene before him struck him as astonishing.
A mine collapse of considerable scale had been completely resolved within five hours—and considering that over three of those hours had been spent reporting to Logan and Clayton's mages traveling to the mine for support, the actual work had taken less than two.
"Truly... incredible."
Watching the golems carry the injured workers after clearing the rocks, Logan couldn't stop murmuring praises.
I want them.
Given that Clayton was an earth mage, he had likely realized this was a gold mine—even if others hadn't.
When Clayton first cast the earth-stabilizing spell, he had flinched slightly and locked eyes with Logan. In that moment, Logan knew Clayton had figured out the mine's secret.
A highly skilled contractor who also knew his secret.
The best way to ensure silence was to make him a complete ally.
But how do I recruit a Tower Elder...?
For now, no matter how much he racked his brain, no answer came.
All he could do was hope Clayton would keep the secret.
As Logan gnawed his lip in frustration—
"Lord Logan. Would your territory happen to need a Magic Tower?"
"...Huh?!"
Clayton, whose fierce expression didn't match the sparkle in his eyes, threw out an unexpected proposal.
"What... do you mean?"
Logan was taken aback when the very person he had been agonizing over approached him first.
"I think it's about time I became independent. As you saw, my relationship with the Tower Master isn't great. And Lord Logan—no, this territory—seems to have enough resources to support a small Magic Tower."
The greed and hope in Clayton's eyes as he glanced around were unmistakable.
Owning a Magic Tower?
Few territories in the kingdom had their own Magic Towers.
At first glance, having a tower seemed like a major boon, but in reality, it came with many difficulties.
Mage organizations—Magic Towers—were like money-eating hippos in peacetime, rarely stepping forward unless it was wartime.
So, when magic was truly needed, most lords simply commissioned other towers.
But with war looming next year?
This is nothing but profit.
The image of the massive golem Clayton had summoned at the dam construction site flashed through Logan's mind.
He had initially thought they wouldn't be suited for combat—but that was only against knights.
There were countless ways to utilize such monsters in war.
Magic Stones make them even stronger, right?
Glancing sideways, he saw the golems carrying exhausted and shocked survivors, one in each arm.
Logan envisioned multiple ways to deploy them in battle.
No matter how he looked at it, the answer was obvious.
"How much support do you need? No—what exactly do you require?"
Logan was so enthusiastic that Clayton, who had broached the subject, was momentarily taken aback.
The reason for the mine collapse was quickly uncovered thanks to Hamar's honest confession after waking up in the castle.
"You dozed off while using a Collapse Scroll?"
"...Yes. I've been pushing myself a bit too hard lately."
Even lying down, Hamar turned his head away in embarrassment, but Logan couldn't blame him.
After all, he was the one who had pushed him to overwork.
"Don't worry. We'll resume construction soon."
"Take a full week off. No—rest until you're completely—"
"I'll be fine after a day's—Huh?"
"What?"
Master and servant stared awkwardly at each other after their unexpected remarks.
"...You're telling me to rest?"
"...You're saying you don't need rest?"
"I-I'll rest! I'll rest no matter what!"
Afraid Logan might say something else, Hamar let out a near-scream.
Logan patted his shoulder with a wry smile and turned away.
The dwarf, still bewildered, twirled a finger near his temple as he watched his master leave.
When Logan closed the door behind him, Clayton was waiting outside.
Despite the territory lacking priests or temples—and the few healers being busy tending to injured workers—Clayton had used earth magic to treat Hamar.
Though it was only a restorative measure outside his expertise, Logan bowed his head again in gratitude.
"Thank you for your help. You saved Hamar and the workers."
At the sincere thanks, Clayton's fierce face softened into a gentle smile.
"Saving lives is only natural. It's nothing worth such gratitude."
"No need for modesty. You've done exemplary work. I'll repay you properly—not just with words."
"Haha. It's fine. This much doesn't—"
"You're broke, aren't you?"
"Ghk!"
Mid-politeness, Clayton choked as if struck in the ribs.
"Golem magic—your school's signature—costs a fortune every time you use it."
Strike one.
"Its combat utility is questionable, making it hard to get subjugation requests."
Strike two.
"And since you can't produce artifacts, you're always running at a loss."
Strike three.
"So, large-scale construction support became your specialty, and the Earth Magic Tower keeps shuffling you around."
Logan's relentless honesty pummeled Clayton's pride.
"M-my lord? Why bring this up so suddenly...?"
Logan chuckled at the resentful look in his eyes.
"Isn't that why you brought up the Tower?"
"Ahem. Well, yes, but..."
Despite his intimidating appearance, Clayton was clearly an honest and good man.
Logan didn't bother suppressing his growing smile.
"Then let me ask clearly: Are you and your disciples proposing to settle in our territory?"
"Of course."
"Hmm. As I said, I welcome it. But I'm concerned about parting amicably with the Earth Magic Tower."
"That bastard—ahem, the Tower Master will be glad to see me go. I'll make sure there's no trouble."
Clayton's answer was firm, and Logan nodded with a smile.
Only the most crucial question remained.
"How much support do you need?"
"Hahaha. I'd be fine with just slightly better treatment than what the Earth Magic Tower gave me."
"Of course, we'll accommodate that. Is there anything else you'd like?"
This was an offer Logan had been hoping for.
He was ready to open his purse wide.
But—
"I trust your character and capabilities, Lord Logan. Just provide what you deem necessary."
"...Huh?"
Praise so excessive even Clayton seemed confused.
The bewildered Logan and grinning Clayton marked the heartwarming end to their conversation.
"Since when have you been secretly developing a mine?! Without telling me! Even the workers didn't know what kind of mine it was!"
Dwain blocked Logan's path, eyes blazing.
The key workers had been recruited from Tesron Castle, and the main family hadn't been informed.
Logan had deliberately kept it quiet, thinking ignorance was better.
"Ah!"
He slapped his forehead as if suddenly remembering.
"Sorry. It slipped my mind."
"That's no excuse!"
"It happens. I've been busy."
"Grrr. Fine, fine. Then just answer one thing—what kind of mine is it that you went to such lengths? Is the deposit large? Iron? Copper?"
Seeing Dwain grind his teeth inexplicably stirred Logan's mischievous side.
"Why assume it's something so mundane? Guess higher."
"Ugh. My lord, as the financial officer, I have a duty to examine income for the territory's future. Stop joking and just tell me."
"It could be a silver or gold mine. Who knows? Maybe diamonds or mithril."
"As if! Not for a family like ours!"
Hah... What's wrong with us, damn it!
Logan felt a flash of irritation but kept his expression neutral.
"It's possible."
"Ugh, stop teasing. ...Wait, seriously? Don't tell me this cursed family actually—"
Seeing the administrator drowning in self-pity made Logan want to tease him further.
"Actually, it's a copper mine. Maybe three years' worth?"
"Grrrr! I knew it! I knew it! Damn it, what's the estimated profit?"
"About 100 million gold per year?"
"...Huh? Ah, 10,000 gold a year. Why even bother developing—"
"Not 10,000. 100 million. 100 million gold."
"Hah. Still joking?! What copper mine could—"
"It's a gold mine. Sorry."
"..."
Logan eagerly awaited his reaction, but Dwain just clenched his mouth shut and glared.
"Why the look? I'm serious this time."
"...Really?"
"Yes."
"Really, really?"
"I said yes."
"Really, really, really?"
"Damn it, yes!"
Only after Logan shouted did Dwain slowly accept reality.
"...Huuuuh."
"Dwain?"
"WAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"Gah!"
Dwain, who had seemed dazed, suddenly screamed.
"My lord! You're not lying, right? If you are, I'll stab myself right now! It's really a gold mine?!"
"Yes. That's—"
"WAAAAAAAAH! WE'RE SAVED! PRAISE OUR ANCESTORS! PRAISE MACLAINE! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? FOR THIS CURSED FAMILY TO HAVE SUCH FORTUNE!"
Stop cursing us on your own.
But Dwain seemed beyond coherent thought.
"Thank you! Thank you! My lord, accept my bow! No—bowing twice is improper, right? Who cares! Accept it!"
Watching Dwain's ecstatic celebration, Logan couldn't help but smile fondly.
Maybe I should've told him sooner.
A vassal who rejoiced this much over the family's improved finances—even though it wasn't his own money.
As the Grand Prince, Logan couldn't help but feel pleased.
Only one thing nagged at him.
He remembers the mine is on my private land, right? Not the family's.
And he had no intention of giving all the profits to the family.
But...
"No more squeezing budgets till my hair falls out! Screw Cairos' support! You bastards! WAAAAAAAAH! THANK THE NINE DEITIES WHO WATCH OVER THE WORLD! I'LL LIVE VIRTUOUSLY FROM NOW ON!"
Watching the administrator invoke gods he rarely mentioned while shouting, Logan couldn't bring himself to speak up.
I'll tell him later. He's too happy right now.
With Logan's smile, the tumultuous day came to a close.