“This will do. We should build a huge mining city around this area. The Magnos also wanted to move to this region. They seemed to like this place. I believe other blacksmiths will gather here too, and it will help prevent overcrowding in the city.”
“Good. We should move the military and mercenaries to this place also.”
“Yes, that will make it easier to get weapons.”
The mine was a valuable resource. It was very expensive and were highly sought after by many nobles.
“We can form a kingdom. If we acquire a few more provinces, then we will be a step away from becoming a kingdom,” Jackson mumbled. But Joonbum wasn’t so thrilled by the thought. To him, the danger and bloodshed it would require was not at all welcoming.
‘It sounds great, but it doesn’t mean happiness. It’s too dangerous.’
It was definite that many countries, including the Torian Kingdom, would not approve. It was the reason why Jackson was forcing Joonbum to get married to avoid such confrontation.
‘Maybe a principality.’
The principality seemed like a viable trade-off which would not oppose the Torian Kingdom at the moment.
“They will keep an eye on us now that we have the mines.”
Jackson spoke, but he didn’t seem to be too concerned.
“Shall we go to the next destination? We have a lot left to visit.”
“Let’s go.”
They began riding out to their next destination.
*
“A mine? MINE?! DAMMIT!”
A man raged and threw anything he could grab. All the furniture and expensive ornaments were destroyed as other men sat there wordlessly with grim faces.
“HOW! Why do they have so much! WHY!”
Jealous, a man shouted in agony.
‘Why is he so angry?’
‘His young foolishness is coming back at him.’
‘He’s getting worse.’
The men around them looked concerned.
“They now have a MINE! DAMMIT!”
Nobody dared to speak a word. It was not time to calm him down anyways. They also had survived through the difficult times, but they were much better than other places since their steel prices went up by a large margin. Khalodian land having a huge success with corn made them envious, but they were fine as they too were doing well with their steel. Khalodians did not have steel, so they believed to be competitive in that regard. But that was now behind them.
“It’s all because of those Ainos and Magnos! Dirty half humans! No. NO. We will not succumb to them like this. We must find a way. We must…” the lord mumbled. His advisors frowned, but what he was mumbling was not entirely wrong. Khalodian land was growing too quickly. The barren landscape was now filled with prosperous farms and gathered more people than anywhere else. They now had a large number of armies that went unmatched by any of the neighboring provinces.
Lord Barthol Hesson was more disturbed when he heard the woman whom Brant Khalodian married was so beautiful that she was considered a goddess. He also heard that she healed so many people and showed mercy toward many commoners.
“TELL ME! What should we do!”
Viscount Barthol shouted as he slapped the table. No one dared to answer as there was no possible solution to this. They just lost the monopoly over the iron. It was helpless.
“It’s all because of him!”
His eyes filled were with rage.
“M-milord. Iron will take time to dig up and be put to use. We should take time to think of-UGH!”
A younger advisor began speaking, but he fell down as something was thrown on his face.
“Jeil!”
“Milord!”
“THAT BASTARD! Think before you say it! They have the Magnos! The mine is out in the field! Drag him out of my sight!”
Soldiers came in and dragged out the unconscious man.
“I will kill both of them… silently…”
He spoke grimly. Everyone around seemed to be shocked by what they just heard.
“W-what! Milord! Who are you trying to kill? Are you, are you trying to start a war? NO! You must not do that! It will be too hard for our people! Please!”
An older advisor spoke to the viscount, shivering. Barthol then glared at him.
“Don’t make me think I’m foolish, Kecko. You think I’m still a child? Don’t think I will let you speak nonsense for too long just because you served my father. I will find a way…”
Some of the others who had experience began to realize what he was up to.
-He’s trying to assassinate Lord Khalodian!-
“You are all dismissed! Leave me!” he shouted and made everyone leave the room. As he saw the room emptied out, he turned to his guard standing at the corner.
“James, go make a request at the Red Moon. I want Brant’s head.”
“Yes, milord.”
The man left as he bowed to the viscount.
