Chapter 18

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Chapter 18

“Survey of mountains?”

“Yes. In the Restio Mountains, just to the north.”

It had been about two weeks since the newcomers had arrived at the settlement. Noein had gathered Yuri, Edgar and other key people in the territory to talk about his ideas.

The Restio Mountains are a large mountain range that rises up like a lid to the north of the Kingdom of Lordberg. The mountains line up to block the traffic between the southern and northern parts of the continent, and naturally, they also rise to the north of the Great Forest of Bezel, where the Arkvist territory is located.

“Is this for the money you were talking about before?”

“Yeah. I want to find a way to make money and build a house by winter, if possible.”

“Well, that’s certainly a good idea.”

Yuri knew that it would be difficult for Edgar and the newcomers to survive the winter in those rag tents. All he was hearing was that Noein wanted to secure funds to build a proper house for them.

“So, I was hoping to find some kind of mineral deposits in the foothills of the Restio Mountains. It’s not more than half a day’s walk through the forest.”

“I understand that but … With whom would you like to investigate?”

“I was going to go there myself, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea?”

Yuri gave Noein a subtle look.

“I’m sure Noein-sama won’t have the strength. You’ll have to walk for miles through the forest to just get to the foot of the mountain, and then wander around the steep and rocky mountain range to investigate.”

“Hmm … I thought I’d come to have more strength now that I’ve been in the bezel forest, and if I get really tired, I can just have the golem carry me.”

“… No, it’s probably best not to. We’re going to an unknown place, and there are other people who are used to walking through forests and mountains. There’s no need for the lord to go out of his way.”

“It would be terrible if Noein-sama were to get hurt. For the sake of your people, please leave it to someone else this time.”

Edgar said so along with Yuri.

“All right, I’ll refrain from doing that this time. Then the selection of people will be…”

Noein pondered

“Let me go for now. Using my telepathy magic, we can communicate directly between the settlement and the survey team. I’m not sure if it’s range can reach the foot of the Restio Mountains from here, but at least I should be able to get pretty close to the mountains.”

Yuri was the first to come forward with his name.

” I’d like to take two of the others … Radley and Bart, with me. It’s not like we’re going to be going deep into the Bethel Forest, so that should be enough for our strength.”

“Well then. It’s good to be careful. Three people will not be enough, so let’s have some more people to accompany you.”

“Then I’ll send some of the strongest men I can find among the former refugees.”

“Thank you, Edgar. I’ll leave the selection to you then.”

・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・

A few days after the discussion, the day arrived for the departure of the survey team with Yuri as its leader.

The team consisted of Yuri, Radley, Bart, and two large young men, Rick and Dant, whom Edgar had recommended from among the former refugees.

“Well then, Yuri, and everyone else, just take it easy. If you think it’s going to be tough at all, turn around. And don’t forget to keep in touch regularly.”

“Yes. I’ll report the situation twice a day using my magic. We’ll be back in four days at the latest.”

“I’m sure you’ll find something.”

“Anyway, we should look for a part that is different from the ordinary rock surface, right?”

“That’s right. The Restio Mountains are known for their mineral deposits, so I think there’s a good chance we’ll find something.”

The noble territories at the northern end of the Lordberg Kingdom are all bordered by the Restio Mountains, and each of them is active in mining resources. There is a chance you can find some kind of vein of ore in the mountains bordering the Arkvist territory.

“Then we’ll go now. Wait for us with anticipation.”

“Yes. And be careful.”

Noein and the group watch Yuri and the others leave the settlement to the north and step into the forest.

“… I hope you find a good vein.”

“I’m sure there were copper and iron mines in the neighbouring Viscount Konitz territory, and our mountainous land is promising.”

“If we find a good ore, we’ll make a fortune.”

“Haha, yes, like silver, diamonds, some other jewelry, or …… rock salt ore. You’ll be rich in no time.”

“Haha. It’s all just a rough estimate, though.”

While talking about this with Edgar, Pence and Mai, Noein went back to his pioneering work at his frontier settlement.

・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・

Yuri and his friends made it to the halfway point without any dangerous situations, they encountered a couple of monsters but they were only weaker ones such as goblins and demon rabbits.

“Okay, let’s take a break. Radley, you take turns watching the perimeter with me.”

“Aye, head.”

“Fool, we’re not mercenaries anymore. Call me Retinue, not head.”

“Haha, sorry, Captain.”

While smiling at Radley, who still hasn’t broken his old habits after more than three months of their new life, Yuri sits down on a nearby rock and gulps down some water from his leather bag.

“Rick, Dant, are you not tired?”

“Yes, I’m totally fine with this.”

“In my home village, I often walked around in the forest to collect firewood or to patrol for monsters.”

Both of the former refugee youths answered cheerfully. Not only are they proud of their physical strength, but their familiarity with the forest of the pioneer village seems to be a big advantage for them.

“Bart, you have no problem finding your way here, do you?”

“Yes. I’ve marked the trees along the way at regular intervals. I will not lose sight of them in the daytime.”

“Okay, that’s good to hear. We’re about halfway to the Restio Mountains. The rest of the journey should be uneventful.”

After calling out to each member of the survey team to check on their condition, Yuri connected Noein with his telepathy for regular communication.

[“It’s me, Noein-sama.”]

[“Woah!? Oh, Yuri.”]

[“haha, were you scared?”]

[“It’s hard to get used to suddenly hearing voices in your head. How’s it going over there? Are you having any problems?”]

[“Oh. No problem. We’re halfway to the Restio Mountains. When we get to the mountains, we’ll start probing the land as much as we can in the time we have, and I’ll contact you again in the evening.”]

[“Okay. Please take care of yourself.”]

After finishing his regular update to Noein and resting for a while, Yuri instructed the survey team to depart and started trekking again.

Less than two hours later, we reached the foot of the Restio Mountains.

“Retinue, can you use your telepathy magic from here?”

“… No, I can’t. I’m just barely getting through. I’ll have to go back a little further to make regular calls.”

When Bart asked him, Yuri confirmed that he couldn’t communicate with Noein anymore.

“But we should set up camp at the foot of the mountain. I’ll take Rick and Bart and we’ll check out the area as soon as we can, and Radley and Dant will set up the tent.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

“All right.”

After splitting the group into two, Yuri led the survey team into the steep, rocky Restio Mountains.

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