Chapter 268
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 268
Chapter Title: The Mirage Mine Dilemma
“Ooh...! Is this the legendary mermaid coral from the Archipelago? And wait, isn't this the coconut that only grows on a few islands in the Archipelago?!”
“Indeed, the Archipelago's local specialties are of a completely different quality!”
The first shipment of trade goods from the Mermaid Pirate Crew.
As the three young masters gazed at the items prepared as gifts for the Jackson, Mano, and Sapan territories, they couldn't stop exclaiming in admiration.
“A-Are you sure it's really okay to give these precious things to us first? You should be sending some to the royal family and the Shield Family too...”
Though his words mentioned the royal family and Shield Family, his eyes never left the Archipelago goods.
His transparent behavior drew an involuntary laugh from me.
“The formal shipments to the royal family and Shield Family are already woefully short on quantity anyway. Besides, fostering goodwill between neighboring territories is important too. Take them without worry.”
“B-But still...!”
The three young masters hesitated despite my words, but fat chance of that.
Saladin alone was the older brother of Mano territory's heir, Charlo.
The help I'd received from Saladin was beyond words.
Taking care of his family first wasn't overdoing it at all.
'Jackson and Sapan territories also threw their gates wide open for our supply lines.'
These three territories had stood by me with loyalty since the spring festival. They more than deserved this reward.
'Well, that's not all.'
Crucially, these goods were lubricant to warm up the atmosphere before diving into business talks.
As the three young masters gradually calmed their excitement while packing the items, they finally broached the main topic.
“Word is that Victor, the young master of Praon territory, has marched back to Sword Family lands yesterday.”
“With this, all Sword Family forces dispatched to the south have returned to Cornwall. No shadow of the Sword Family remains in the south any longer.”
“Baron, it seems the time has finally come. Timing-wise, we should be able to start full-scale development of the Mirage Mine.”
Charlo, Saladin's younger brother, continued with a flushed, excited expression.
“Oh, and while you were fighting the Archipelago, Baron, we conducted a geological survey of the vein and found some great news.”
“Great news?”
“Yes. We've confirmed that the Mirage Mine isn't just simple iron ore—it's rich with rare minerals, including mithril. Looks like we can expect good results.”
Charlo said with a beaming smile.
“...Mithril? And not just mithril, but large quantities of other rare minerals too?”
I'd assumed it was just iron or copper at best. This was beyond a jackpot.
It was enough wealth to reshape the power balance among the kingdom's nobles.
“Yes! This could be a huge help to you and Olivia, right?”
Perhaps recalling the survey results again, the three young masters' faces flushed red with joy, unable to hide their delight.
But that joy was short-lived. They soon sensed something off from Jerome and Dwain's hardened expressions.
“B-Baron? What's wrong? Did we do something wrong?”
“No, nothing like that.”
After reassuring the three, I turned to Dwain.
“...This is a problem.”
“...Yeah, tell me about it.”
“......?”
The three young masters looked baffled, unable to grasp Jerome and Dwain's lukewarm reactions.
'Are they pure-hearted, or just foolish?'
Well, anyone else would have kept their mouths shut about the mine's value from the start and tried to monopolize it, never sharing openly like this.
That's why I'd intended to help them out of goodwill.
“Baron, what do you mean by a problem? This is a golden opportunity for you and Olivia to soar even higher...”
“That's exactly the problem, Young Master Charlo.”
Dwain, at my side, answered instead.
“Olivia is growing too fast. Fast enough to make the central royal family feel threatened.”
By defeating Pirate King Ballak and crushing the Archipelago, Jerome had given the Ikenia Kingdom three Throne ascendants.
No, unofficially, White Wing Rampang and Azure Wing Karma were still lingering too.
In a way, it was an astonishing force of five Throne ascendants.
Numerical comparison aside, it was one more than the Empire's Throne warriors.
And four of them were directly or indirectly tied to Banten.
Even officially, two of the three Throne ascendants were blood of the Carviot Count family.
One house holding two Throne ascendants was something even the Holy Empire's great clans couldn't dream of.
In truth, though called a count family, it was now arguably the continent's top house, surpassing kingdoms.
“And that's not all. Your father, Count Bacchus, rules Banten, accumulating wealth steadily through ties with elves and lycanthropes. Olivia has laid foundations for explosive growth via maritime trade with the Archipelago and goods allocated from Banten.”
In fact, they didn't even need Banten's allocated goods. With Jerome's Throne fame and Archipelago wares, Olivia could rise to one of the kingdom's richest territories in five years on its own.
“But if Olivia gets a hand in those massive minerals from the Mirage Mine too... the royal family won't look kindly on it.”
Of course, Jerome had pledged unwavering loyalty to the kingdom, and Prince Julius wasn't the type to discard or envy talent like Jerome.
But human affairs are unpredictable. Julius had grown up watching his father, King Horn, struggle with governance due to a falling out with the once-loyal Sword Family.
No matter how trusted the minister, Julius wasn't fool enough to view such critical matters with naive complacency.
I had no intention of blaming him for suspicion. But I had even less desire to court suspicion needlessly.
We already had plenty of money and fame. Greed for more wealth here would be folly.
What I truly wanted was victory in the war with Ibella, not riches or renown.
'But we can't just keep the Mirage Mine buried forever.'
If those ores were real, weapons forged from them would be invaluable on the Empire frontlines.
Sacrificing that advantage for royal suspicion was too wasteful.
'Developing the mine with just the three territories' power is impossible. Even without the Sword Family, neighbors won't sit idle... And even if barely developed, they'd struggle to open sales channels.'
What to do? Dwain, thinking along the same lines, finished his thoughts and asked me.
“Baron, may I make a suggestion?”
Dwain's eyes held hidden intent.
“...Go ahead.”
“Very well.”
With my permission, Dwain turned to the three young masters.
“Young Masters, regrettably, we must hand the Mirage Mine to the royal family.”
“What?!”
“What do you mean?!”
“The Mirage Mine was found on our three territories' land! Why on earth offer it to the royal family?!”
Dwain's bombshell naturally sparked backlash.
Their reaction was understandable. They'd suppressed desires for mine development for years, finally shaking off the Sword Family's shadow that had rampaged claiming the south was too cramped.
Just as they were about to develop it, allies they'd trusted suddenly suggested gifting it to the royal family—bound to feel like massive betrayal.
“...May we hear an explanation?”
Charlo forced the words out, suppressing fury. Blood on his lips suggested he was desperately holding back rage.
“So, Olivia's current situation is...”
As Dwain's calm explanation continued, their opposition eased, but their expressions didn't brighten.
“...Still, this doesn't feel right. We found and protected that mine. No reason to yield it all to the royal family that offered no aid when the Sword Family threatened us.”
“Of course. How could we not understand the injustice of losing a treasure your houses guarded so hard? That's why I said we must hand it over.”
“......?”
The subtle nuance caught their ears. The three turned to Dwain.
“Unlike your three territories, Olivia received the royal family's full support before the Archipelago war: countless technicians, royal knights, even direct royal Princess Seira's participation. We gained trade rights post-war, but the royal family only consumed supplies and got nothing. We've been pondering repayment—perfect timing.”
We won't touch your three territories' shares. Only then did the three young masters' expressions soften.
Instead, they eyed me differently.
“Baron, aren't you disappointed? These ores could be a real boon...”
True enough. But history proves excessive greed invites ruin.
“I agree with Dwain. Good idea. I'll speak to Prince Julius personally on this. I'll ensure no harm comes to your territories, so focus solely on development without worry.”
“B-But...”
“I said it's fine.”
After some back-and-forth persuasion, the three young masters relented and left.
The office fell quiet after seeing them off. Dwain slowly spoke.
“Will you contact Prince Julius directly, Baron?”
“Yeah, probably. It's that kind of agenda.”
Julius wasn't greedy for others' shares, but this was big enough to spark ideas.
Best if I emphasized it personally.
“Hm, then... may I leak this conversation with the young masters slightly outward later?”
Dwain's eyes gleamed at my response. That sly glint—he was plotting something.
“What's your scheme now?”
“Nothing much. You know best how well Banten and Olivia are doing.”
“Sure. That's why we're yielding the mine to the royals.”
“Exactly. Thanks to that, even the royal family now has development foundations.”
“And?”
“Now, a question: Among the kingdom's three pillars, which one suffered losses without progress and retreated?”
“...The Sword Family.”
Now I grasped Dwain's intent.
“Humans don't envy those far superior. They ache most when peers pull ahead. It's human nature, beyond cultivation realms.”
Dwain smirked.
“Especially now—unlike before, the balance once tilted toward the Sword Family has swung hard to the royal family and Shield Family. Unlike the stagnant Sword Family, the royal family and Shield Family have footholds for future growth. Judging by Duke Braum's temperament, they'll act during this mine development. We strike that opening.”
Bam!
Dwain slammed the kingdom map's west, Cornwall region.
“Even in the Archipelago war, my nape itched suspiciously. Wondered if the Sword Family was scheming. Probably thought we'd lose big anyway, aiming to profit as fishermen.”
Sword Family troops stationed in nearby Praon territory.
Dwain's face showed pent-up frustration that they'd stayed put.
“Infuriating, but they didn't backstab, so they haven't crossed the final line. We'll give them a chance.”
The Archipelago war had just ended.
“If they reflect quietly, we'll embrace them. But if they scheme...”
Time to straighten allied blades aimed at us.
“With the Holy Empire war looming soon, we can't fight carrying time bombs. This chance, we'll crush the Sword Family as a potential threat for good.”
Dwain's eyes blazed murderously.