Chapter 21: Seeds of Prosperity
Two months after Fine enlisted Val’s help to improve Rosaider’s soil, the seedlings planted around the mansion had taken root and begun to bloom.
“Choosing pansies was the right call.
I didn’t expect flowers to bloom so soon.”
Strolling the grounds, Fine’s face lit up.
It was a small difference, but flowers made her walks more uplifting.
“Hey, Fine!”
A voice called, and she turned to see Val.
“Oh, Val!
Look, thanks to you, the flowers are blooming beautifully.”
“Anything for you, Fine.”
Val grinned proudly.
“So, what’s up today?”
“That gold mine you mentioned before—it’s starting to run dry.”
“The Lilit gold mine in the Diner Dukedom?”
“Yup, that’s the one.”
Val nodded.
During her engagement to Banaji, Fine regularly asked Val to locate gold mines and predict their depletion, passing the information to the Diner Dukedom’s mine manager.
“Right.
Didn’t we make the other gold veins harder to reach by strengthening the upper bedrock?”
“Yup, nailed it.”
“Thanks.”
“If they come crawling back now, realizing your power, I won’t forgive ‘em!”
“Hehe, right.”
Fine giggled.
The gold mine’s revenue was a major income source for the Diner Dukedom.
Its depletion would be a significant blow.
‘Speaking of which, are there gold veins in Rosaider?’
If she found one, it could bring immense profit to the territory.
“Hey, Val, are there any gold veins in Rosaider?”
“Rosaider?
Nope, none.”
Val answered bluntly.
“Oh, that’s a shame.”
Disappointed, Fine’s brows drooped.
With such vast land, she’d hoped for a chance, but it was a miss.
“But there are other mines.”
“Other mines?
What kind?”
“Hmm, I’ll grab some samples.”
Val vanished abruptly, then reappeared, placing various stones before Fine.
“These are the ones that seem plentiful.”
“Thanks.
So many types.”
Crouching, Fine examined the stones.
Their varying colors and shapes suggested different compositions.
‘With my knowledge, I can’t tell what these are just by looking.’
Fine stared at them.
She’d seen gold ore from the Lilit mine, but these looked different.
‘If I ask Hawk-sama, could he identify them?
The problem is what comes next.’
Rosaider had no mines, so no one here had mining expertise.
To develop a mine, they’d need specialists.
‘The Diner Dukedom’s gold mine is drying up, Val said.
Maybe we could ask him—’
Gathering the stones, Fine stood abruptly.
“Fine, where you off to?”
“I remembered something urgent.
You’ve been a huge help, Val.
Thank you!”
“No biggie!”
Val thumped his chest proudly.
Fine headed straight to Hawk’s study.
Knocking, she heard a low “Come in.”
Inside were Hawk and his aide, Carl.
“I’ll come back if you’re busy.”
Assuming they were in a meeting, Fine turned to leave, but Hawk stopped her.
“No, it’s fine.
It’s rare for you to visit my study during the day.
What’s up?”
“I wanted to consult you.”
“Consult me?”
Carl, taking the hint, said, “I’ll return later,” and stood.
Fine took his seat.
“Sorry for my appearance, my lord.”
Fine apologized, clutching an armful of stones, hardly befitting a noble lady.
“Didn’t know you had a stone-collecting hobby.”
“These aren’t just stones.”
Fine pouted at his teasing.
“Oh?
Magic stones?”
“Not magic, but treasure eggs.”
“Treasure eggs?”
“Yes.
Using my Divine Blessing, I checked for mineral veins in Rosaider.
These are stones that can be mined here.”
Hawk’s gaze sharpened instantly.
“I see.
Treasure eggs indeed.
Tell me more.”
“Yes.
I spoke with an earth spirit, asking if there were mines in Rosaider.
It said there were several, and these are the stones that can be extracted.”
“Hm.”
Hawk picked up the stones one by one, examining them.
He lingered on one.
“I’m no expert, but isn’t this iron ore?”
“Iron ore?”
Iron ore was increasingly valuable due to industrial growth, sometimes even surpassing gold.
If it could be mined here, Rosaider’s warriors could get cheaper, faster-made weapons and armor, with immeasurable benefits.
“There are others too.
What are these?”
“I don’t know either.
Could you have them identified, please?”
“Of course.
I’ll get on it right away.”
Hawk nodded firmly.