Chapter 36

Chapter 36: The Iron Mine (1)

The distance from the Kellion family estate on the western edge to the Luney family estate was incredibly vast.

Since long-distance travel via magic cars was still rare, Mitchell’s personal experience became a massive asset in the development process.

For several days, Mitchell stayed in the workshop, offering various pieces of practical advice.

“To reduce fatigue, I think we need to add a few more components,” Mitchell suggested.

“Hmm... if we add more magic circles here, the mana stones won't last very long,” Lauren replied, looking troubled.

Silvia, who was standing nearby, suddenly clapped her hands.

“When I was in the capital, I saw that the Imperial carriages had springs attached to the wheels. How about that?”

“Ho! That certainly wouldn’t be bad. What did they look like?”

“The ones I saw were...”

While the two discussed the wheel springs, Mitchell carefully examined the magic car.

After inspecting the steering wheel and other components, he stepped in front of Lauren and Silvia.

“Lord Lauren, if we’re going to do business, why don't we take a different direction from the existing magic cars?”

“A different direction?”

“Currently, all magic cars being developed focus on being luxury items for the wealthy rather than functional means of transport. So, we should do the exact opposite.”

Mitchell pointed to the papers on the desk.

They were covered in magic circles extracted from the Kellion family’s magic car.

“The new engine contains many magic circles designed to increase the lifespan of mana stones and improved versions of existing ones. Since so many circles were added to other parts, it was unavoidable. So, what if we strip away as many magic circles as possible and replace them with mechanical parts, like the springs Silvia mentioned? We could build them to be cheap and capable of carrying heavy loads, then supply them to merchant groups or use them ourselves.”

Lauren and Silvia fell into deep thought.

The idea itself wasn't bad, but magic cars were so expensive that they wondered if merchant groups could actually afford to operate them, even with fewer magic circles.

“Hmm... removing magic circles means we’ll need more mechanical parts... I’ll have to look into that. Regardless, Mitchell, go see the Head of the Family. He is looking for you.”

Mitchell nodded and headed straight from the workshop to the main building.

Upon arriving at the Lord's office, he saw Kayden looking over documents with Grant standing beside him.

“You’ve come at a good time. Grant just arrived as well.”

“Mitchell, how is the magic car development going?”

“We finished the prototype a few days ago and are now working on improvements. But what is going on?”

Mitchell asked, sensing the heavy atmosphere in the office.

As expected, Kayden’s expression grew dark.

“The two of you need to go somewhere together.”

Kayden began to explain the situation.

Like all families settled in the North, business options were limited by the barren land.

Most relied on livestock, processing, or mining. For the Luney family, the main source of income was the mines.

“We may have acquired Raphael’s businesses, but the mines are still the lifeblood of the Luney family. Recently, however, an unidentified group has been repeatedly attacking our iron mine. Fortunately, they flee when warriors arrive, so there haven't been many casualties, but the loss of iron ore is causing massive financial damage.”

“You want us to resolve this?”

“That alone is not enough. You must also find out as much information as possible about these raiders.”

Mitchell frowned.

There had to be a reason for such specific instructions.

“You think there’s someone behind this.”

“It’s not certain yet... but I’m told the skill level of those attacking the mine is quite high.”

If it was just the remnants of Raphael’s faction, it would be fine, but if there was a mastermind, they had to prepare.

‘Surely it’s not Kellion.’

Mitchell shook his head at the thought of his former family.

The Kellion family, who hadn't even found his tracks yet, wouldn't likely be messing with an iron mine.

As if reading his thoughts, Kayden gave a faint smile.

“It likely isn't Kellion, so don't worry. I suspect it has something to do with the unusual atmosphere in the Imperial Palace.”

“If it’s the Palace, you mean what Uncle Gorkhan mentioned,” Grant chimed in.

Mitchell recalled Gorkhan, whom he had met at the entrance of the Demon Realm.

He had arrived in Langa about a month after Mitchell.

The reason the border general had visited was to ask if the Luney family would align themselves with the Second Prince.

Currently, the Karseon Empire was in the calm before a storm.

Since the frail Emperor lost consciousness, the competition between the princes had intensified.

Kayden, knowing the situation, had declined the offer after much deliberation.

Though the family had stabilized significantly, Luney did not yet have the luxury to worry about outside affairs.

He had concluded the talk with a promise to continue the exclusive supply of high-quality iron ore to the Empire as they always had.

“Surely the Second Prince wouldn't...”

“We have an agreement, so he wouldn't do this just because we refused to join his side. Rather, with a civil war potentially on the horizon, I suspect there are those who want to seize the iron mine for themselves.”

The problem was that no matter who it was, they would be a headache for the current Luney family.

While Mitchell pondered the enemy's identity, Grant scratched the back of his head.

“But why send us?”

“I’ve already sent others separately, but if you two resolve the situation, it will show the strength of Luney’s will.”

By sending the Lord’s own bloodline, it served as a warning to enemies that they would not stand by, and a reassurance to those under Luney’s influence that their protectors were steadfast.

For Mitchell, who had just become a member of the family, it was a perfect opportunity to solidify his position.

Kayden likely sent him along for this very reason, despite the importance of the magic car project.

Mitchell smiled at Kayden’s consideration and nodded.

“I understand. We’ll leave immediately.”

“Good. And Mitchell, make sure Grant doesn't do anything stupid.”

Grant shouted in protest.

“What do you mean by that!”

“Do you really not know? In the Demon Realm, you ran in without thinking and even got lost—”

“Mitchell, let’s go! Father, we’re leaving!”

Grant quickly dragged Mitchell out of the office.

Mitchell and Grant left Langa riding on Nox’s back.

With many people around, they couldn't pick up speed yet.

Only after traveling a fair distance did Mitchell look around.

“This should be far enough. Hold on tight, Grant. Or you’ll fall off.”

Grant, sitting in front of Mitchell, lowered his posture nervously.

He knew exactly how fast Nox could be.

“Let’s go, Nox!”

The moment Mitchell spoke, Nox began to sprint.

Mitchell, whose body was strengthened by the internal core, was fine without using his energy, but Grant had to constantly circulate his aura just to stay on.

Arriving near the iron mine in just a single day, Mitchell slowed down.

There were quite a few people visible, likely because of the nearby village.

As they reached the village outskirts, Grant scrambled off Nox’s back and collapsed on the ground.

“Ugh...”

He looked pale enough to die, but Grant was a 5th-class aura user.

Knowing he’d be fine soon, Mitchell looked toward the village.

Thanks to the mine, it was a fairly large settlement.

Mitchell turned back to Grant.

“You said the Luney mining office is over there?”

“Uh... yeah. Let’s go. I need to rest.”

“No, the inn first. The moment we go to the office, rumors will spread. Let's find out as much as we can before we head in.”

If the raiders had a mastermind, they were surely watching the office.

They couldn't avoid it forever, but it was better to gather information first.

Persuaded, Grant followed Mitchell to the inn.

They ordered food and drinks and began to listen to the surrounding conversations.

However, even after some time, no talk of the iron mine surfaced.

“Mitchell, will this really work? People aren't just going to say exactly what we need to hear.”

“Did you think I was just going to wait for it?”

“Then what?”

“I was waiting for people like them.”

Mitchell gestured with his chin toward the entrance, where two men who clearly performed hard labor were walking in.

In a village that lived off the Luney mine, it was obvious who they were.

As soon as they sat, they ordered drinks and began to vent.

“Dammit. I can't do this anymore. Because of those raids, our bonuses are getting cut, and all we can do is suck our thumbs.”

“Sigh, at this point, I’m just grateful to be alive.”

“Grateful my ass! Our money is disappearing! And that supervisor bastard, he’s definitely working with the raiders. There’s no other way they could rob us so easily every time.”

Mitchell and Grant locked eyes.

Finally, the information they wanted.

“Shh, quiet. If the supervisor hears you, you’ll be fired.”

“Let him fire me! I’ll run straight to Langa and lodge a complaint.”

“Hey, don't be stupid. You think the supervisor is doing this alone? The people higher up must know too.”

“Hmph, at most it’s the administrator. Those warriors from the main family who came recently didn't seem to have a clue.”

“Really? Then is it just the supervisor and the administrator working together?”

“I don't know about that, but I’m sure about the supervisor. I know a secret of his. I can't tell you, but if I opened my mouth, that bastard would be finished!”

Suddenly, the light was blocked as the miner looked up.

Two young men, Mitchell and Grant, were standing there.

“We’d like to hear that story too.”

“Uh... well...”

“How about this?”

Mitchell pulled out a gold coin. The miner glanced at his companion.

“Doesn't your friend have something urgent at home? I have a feeling something might have come up.”

Another gold coin appeared.

The companion’s eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.

“Oh, look at me! My wife said she made dinner and I completely forgot. Sorry, I’ve gotta go first.”

The companion snatched the gold coin and bolted out of the inn. Mitchell and Grant sat down next to the miner.

“Ahem, well, I suppose I can tell you what I know.”

As he pocketed the money, the stories began to flow.

Most weren't exactly secrets, but they were helpful to Mitchell and Grant.

However, the most important piece of information hadn't been revealed yet.

Mitchell placed five more gold coins on the table.

“I don't think I’ve heard that secret you mentioned yet.”

“That’s... that’s really dangerous...”

Muttering while checking his surroundings, the miner reached out and took the five gold coins.

Only then did he clear his throat and lean in close.

“Recently, I’ve seen the supervisor meeting a woman in secret.”

If the woman was a local, a secret meeting would be understandable.

Even a large village is still a village; everyone knows everyone, and rumors serve no one.

But the woman the supervisor met was someone even a local like himself had never seen before.

Because it was a high-quality mine, outside merchants came and went, but they always left quickly.

This woman, however, appeared periodically.

“How do you know this?”

“Well... the place where I take breaks is a bit secluded, and that’s where the supervisor and the woman meet.”

“...”

“Oh, and one more thing. I was curious, so I asked around the village, but no one knows who she is.”

That meant she didn't live in the village.

The mine wasn't that far from the village, so not staying there was definitely suspicious.

After finishing the conversation, Mitchell and Grant returned to their seats.

Grant emptied his glass and leaned forward.

“The supervisor is the most suspicious one.”

“Agreed. The identity of that woman is the key.”

There was one more thing.

It was important to find out if the administrator in charge of the office knew about the supervisor’s actions.

“Thanks to the miners, this might be easier than I thought.”

All they had to do was interrogate the supervisor and uncover the woman's identity.

To finish the job quickly, Mitchell and Grant headed toward the mining office in the center of the village.

But the atmosphere was strange.

A crowd had gathered around the office building.

“Mitchell...”

“Let’s go, quickly.”

Pushing through the crowd, they looked through the office window.

Inside, two men lay collapsed, covered in blood.

Based on their descriptions, they were the administrator and the supervisor in charge of the iron mine.