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“Mana Stone Mine?”
“yes.”
“That mine. Is it occupied by the Bard?”
“……you’re right.”
“Very secretly?”
Beorn nodded at my words.
Look at these guys?
The discoverer of a mana ore mine could claim ownership, but in return, they had to pay a certain amount of tax to the empire every time they mined mana ore.
Because it was one of the resources directly managed by the empire.
The lower class was taxed at 30%, the middle class at 45%, and finally the upper class at 60%.
It was a murderous tax.
Of course you wouldn’t want to pay taxes, right?
So they must have secretly occupied the mine.
‘You guys. You’ve got guts.’
Concealing the mana stone mines was a grave crime.
If it was a pathetic nobleman, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to be beheaded overnight.
Why would they hide the mine at such a risk?
Unless the Count was a colossal idiot, there was only one answer.
‘It must be worth it.’
It will be at least an intermediate level mine.
Shh.
A smile appeared on my lips.
“At least, it’s not a low-level mine, right?”
“… … Yes. It seems to be a mine where… … the highest grade mana stones are discovered.”
“… … Are you sure?”
“… … An informant who was investigating near the mine reportedly witnessed knights transporting the highest grade mana stones.”
Top grade mana stone.
This was an item treated as a national weapon.
Therefore, the mines that produced the highest grade mana stones were structured to belong to the empire.
They did give money as consolation money, but it was actually small change compared to the value of the mana stone.
If this pops up in the mine, making money will be forever out of the question.
If you act legally, that is.
‘It’s a top-grade mana stone.’
It was easy to understand why Baron Helaim was so swept away.
If that amount of mana stones were found in a mine, wiping out one baron would not have been a problem.
If they were to smuggle that to other countries, they could make huge profits.
‘So you hid it.’
How much have you dug up so far?
The highest grade mana stones can be found in quantities of 50 per mine.
I wouldn’t have been able to dig it all up.
This was because in order to mine the highest grade mana stones, a fairly complex process had to be followed.
If only I could get that mana stone.
‘I think it could be very useful.’
Circle 4 and Circle 5.
When challenging the process, you can utilize the highest grade mana stones.
When creating a new circle, it is always good to have an abundance of mana.
If it was pure mana, there was no need to say anything more.
Even though my mana now has the purity of a top-grade mana stone, the saying that the more the better is not without reason.
The moment you invest in top-tier mana stones without hesitation, you will gain enormous benefits immediately after your circle level rises.
In addition, this was an item used in the process of creating artifacts.
Unless I reach circle 7, the item I can use forever is the highest grade mana stone.
My gaze naturally turned towards Beorn.
“When did they take over the mine?”
“It didn’t seem that old. Maybe… … no more than three months.”
Three months.
Considering that the guys moved very carefully.
‘We probably harvested about 30% at most.’
This was very useful information.
“Great. How much extra is it?”
“Your Majesty, please give me whatever amount you want.”
Look at this kid.
He had decent negotiating skills.
If you give a small reward to the branch manager who brings you great information, malicious rumors will spread to every intelligence organization in the empire.
That’s not what I wanted.
Unless I establish a new information organization, I have to continue to utilize the existing organizations.
When I saw the guy, I called out the amount without hesitation.
“Let’s do something like two hundred platinum coins. What do you think?”
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Beorn looked surprised at those words.
“… … Two hundred?”
“Why, too little?”
“… … It’s the opposite. Why does it cost so much… … .”
“I’m talking about the Mana Stone mine. I’d like you to keep it a secret from now on.”
“If it’s a secret… … .”
“Forget that information itself.”
Mana stones were very useful items.
Of course, I had no intention of staying still.
‘We have to take it all away.’
Normally, it takes a long time to mine top-tier mana stones, but I knew a way to greatly shorten that time.
One day at most.
Within that time, you will be able to mine all the top-grade mana stones located within the mine.
Not only can I get the item I want, but I can also have fun with Erciel’s enemy.
There was no reason not to move.
However, in order to secretly swallow this up without the Empire knowing, negotiations with the information agent in front of them were necessary.
Beorn remained silent at my words.
“If the amount is insufficient, I can increase it to three hundred platinum coins.”
“… … That’s not something I can promise you.”
“No way… You already reported this to your superiors?”
“Yes. That’s our principle.”
Really?
The branch manager in front of me was a more loyal person than I thought.
‘No, should I say clever?’
Perhaps he had considered the possibility of gagging.
Well, it didn’t matter.
Because it seemed like we had to negotiate anyway.
The only thing that has changed is the subject of the negotiation.
From the branch manager of an intelligence organization to the level of head.
“I would like to meet your representative.”
“… … .”
“I’ll give you information instead of money. It’ll be very interesting. How about that?”
If it was a leader, it could be said that it was wrong to try to persuade him with money.
All I could give was the corresponding information.
Beorn, who had been thinking for a moment, opened his mouth.
“… … That’s difficult.”
“Oh, are you a bit busy now? Was it when things got really noisy?”
Beorn winced at those words.
That was just for a moment.
“… … What is that… … .”
“There’s no need to hide it. I already know everything. The leader of the squadron passed away sooner than expected? Of a chronic illness.”
By now, the next successors will probably be taking some tests to prove their worth.
A very unusual test called the ‘Opening Ceremony’.
The eyes of the guy who was searching me became sharper and sharper.
“How did you know that?”
“Do I have to tell you all that?”
“… … .”
“Leona. If she successfully completes the ceremony, bring her here.”
“… … How can a foreigner say that word… … Who is it?”
“I’m not in contact with anyone in particular.”
“… … .”
“I promise. It won’t be a wasted step. It’s very interesting information.”
An immortal who seeks to devour the continent.
Even the list of villains who are acting as puppets of that immortal.
At this point, it was safe to say that this was top-notch information that could not be valued in money. As evidence, he planned to present the Marquis’s secret and Abel’s testimony.
Black Flower is a fairly capable intelligence group.
Even if you don’t know what I’m going to tell you, you probably know that the situation in the empire is not good.
It might be hard to believe at first.
‘You will believe it soon enough.’
Time was on my side anyway.
After sharing the information like that, I thought about using Black Flower as my information group.
“Go ahead. Oh, right. I want you to keep the top-grade mana stone a secret.”
“… … It’s difficult to give a definite answer as to whether the Chief will visit in person. It’s also difficult to keep the Mana Stone a secret… … .”
“Then I’d be missing my chance. If rumors about the mine spread, I’d be really upset.”
Hurrah!
Immediately after, six magic spells appeared behind me. Beorn’s eyes filled with astonishment at the sight.
“Six… … dogs? What the… … ?”
Kyle Celtarion, known only as a 2nd circle wizard.
He was activating six magic spells at the same time. And they were all magic spells from the same circle as his own!
Casting six spells of equal circle at the same time?
This could be said to be an incredible sight that even a great wizard would not be able to easily show.
I smiled faintly at the sight of Beorn’s astonished face.
There were far more magics I could activate simultaneously than this.
It was thanks to the changed talent.
Not only is his own ability sufficient, but he also has a strong family to support him.
Although the Black Flower was a group that spread throughout the Alton Empire, it was ultimately just an information provider.
There was no need for me to bend down.
“I know a lot. So… … it wouldn’t be a good idea to become my enemy. I guarantee it.”
“… … .”
“When you have a choice, choose wisely. This is the end of the conversation. Let’s go now.”
Beorn, whose eyes were completely sunken by those words, quietly left the room.
Which option will you choose?
Anyway, whatever you choose, you just have to respond accordingly.
‘Well, if you’re not an idiot, you’ll come visit at least once.’
Intelligence organizations inevitably had many enemies.
In that situation, a person who seemed to know the inside story just popped out.
Rather than risk the fate of the group on one mine, it was a more rational choice to just come visit once.
Considering my skills and lineage, it would seem too dangerous to just wipe them out.
When should I visit? It will take quite some time for the flower blossom ceremony to end, so I thought I would have to wait a bit.
I smiled faintly and opened the 2nd circle magic book that I had not yet learned.
[The mind’s eye is activated.]
[This is a low-level book. The text is translated.]
[Interpretation complete.]
2nd circle magic book.
Understanding this was so easy for me now.
‘I guess I just have to wait a month.’
For the remaining time, I planned to train the Circle by learning all kinds of magic.
I smiled as I looked at the empty lot where the tower would be built.
* ? ?* ? ?*
A month has passed in a flash.
It was today that the magic tower was built.
From that day on, a huge festival was held in the city.
The residents were already enjoying the festival to the fullest, eating and drinking.
The cityscape has changed beyond recognition over the past month.
There are even splendid performances by traveling theater troupes and magicians.
The city was immersed in joy.
When I first came here, the cityscape was completely different from the other cities, which were deserted due to the lack of tourists.
A city with lots to do at affordable prices.
As the rumor gradually spread, tourists began to flock here one by one.
He climbed up onto the high platform and spoke loudly to the people of Yeongji.
“Today! The magic tower has finally been built in the city! I, Kyle Seltharion, the lord of Prinus and the magic tower master of the newly established ‘Truth Magic Tower,’ intend to develop this place into a magical city no less than Helena!”
“Wow!!”
The people of Yeongji responded enthusiastically to my words.
You probably don’t know much about magic cities or anything.
However, the food and drink placed before them now were not vague.
The lord in front of you is giving away all the food for free.
One thing was certain.
“Enjoy life! I will make it so that you can enjoy it! Forget everything today and enjoy the festival! Those who work today will be severely punished!”
“Long live my lord!”
“Viva!!”
While the atmosphere was heating up like that.
Erciel approached.
“master.”
“huh?”
“The letter has arrived.”
“Who sent it?”
“This is a letter from the Marquis Houdini, the chairman of the Eastern Tower Conference.”
Hoo.
You sent a letter right on the day the tower was built.
It seemed like the guy was quietly observing me.
The content of the letter was very simple.
As the chairman of the Eastern Tower Conference, I wanted to meet the new Tower owner once.
There was also a note from the Seltharion Marquis telling them to come over through the gate.
Mana Stone said he would support me in every way.
‘Is it about time?’
Marquis Houdini.
From now on, it was an existence I would have to bump into countless times.
I had no intention of refusing to meet him.
It seemed like sooner or later I would have to go see the guy’s face.
