Chapter 74

"We've arrived."

The place Murdoch and Carnac led us to was an open area deep in the forest.

The entrance to the mine was solidly built and spacious. The surrounding area had been cleared of trees, and there was even a small hut.

To be honest, from the way Master spoke, I didn't expect it to be this large. Thinking about it, it makes sense since it was a project led by the lord.

Still, I couldn't help but think that Master's standards and mine were quite different.

I was once again reminded that the information on paper and the reality can be quite different.

In other words, what I'm trying to say is—

"How large is this generally considered to be?"

"Hmm... I think it would fall into the small to medium scale category. After all, there's only one mine entrance..."

"It's quite impressive, though. I reckon ten adults could stand side by side holding hands."

"I'm not an expert, but I've heard that large-scale operations are even more impressive. They apparently level mountains."

Leveling mountains... I'm worried if that's even safe.

After all, it can cause the ground to become unstable, leading to landslides and rockfalls... Of course, they bring in experts to prevent such things, but leveling mountains still comes with its own set of risks.

"But when coal is found on the surface, illegal mining can't be stopped, so it might be better to operate on a larger scale."

It's also a matter of maintaining order.

If people start mining randomly, it could lead to accidents. So, it makes sense to operate on a larger scale and have proper security.

"In the past, it was led by the lord, which is why it's so well-built. But I'm a bit scared about what's inside now."

The impressive mine entrance and the surrounding development. There's even a place to rest near the entrance, and various tools are available.

However, most of the tools looked quite old and worn out. Even if they were well-maintained, there were limits.

At least, more functional tools have been developed in recent times.

The hand carts used to transport the mined materials also seemed to be in poor condition.

"Only old tools, huh?"

Rosamond, standing slightly behind Murdoch, looked around and said.

Carnac seemed to dislike Rosamond, glaring at her every time she spoke, but Murdoch quietly agreed.

"Yeah. They're over ten years old."

"Using such old tools is inefficient."

Rosamond—...

Being straightforward can be a strength, but it can also be a weakness. Sometimes it's good, and sometimes it's not.

I also thought the tools were old, but it's hard to point out when there are circumstances behind it.

"You really don't know anything, do you?"

"Kirk."

Carnac reacted as if he was about to snap.

However, Murdoch called his name, and he turned away.

Seeing Carnac's irritated state, I thought it might be best to keep some distance.

I was worried Rosamond might say something unnecessary, but Murdoch seemed quite composed, so I left it to him.

As we walked a bit, I spoke to Carnac.

"Ten years ago, you were a child, right?"

"Yeah."

Carnac touched the tools that had been put away.

"I was still a kid back then, so I don't know how much of it is true. But I can tell they're old. We even fix the wheels ourselves."

I had thought they were quite worn out, but if they were over ten years old, they should have been replaced by now. If they were used daily.

New tools are indeed expensive, but they are more functional and, in the long run, it would be better to replace them.

"The higher-ups tell us to fix everything and use it. They say we should buy our own tools, but it's strange to expect us to buy transport tools ourselves, right?"

"You're right..."

"We have nowhere else to go, so we have no choice but to stay here."

It's a situation where the strong exploit the weak.

It feels different from what I had heard.

"Illegal said the lord here is better than others, but I don't think so. That's why I see anyone who comes from outside to inspect as an enemy."

Carnac glared at us.

To him, this place is his hometown. Anyone trying to change it is an enemy.

If they were going to make things better, it would be different, but the possibility of things getting worse is higher, so he can't welcome them.

Criticism of the lord, but without knowing the truth, it's understandable to think badly.

I had no evidence to refute it, and it was difficult to convince him with words.

"Is Illegal the owner of the tavern?"

"Yeah, he's smart and always gives good advice."

He seems intelligent—more like a sharp individual.

His cautious eyes had a sharpness that could see through people.

"How long has Illegal been in this village?"

"Don't know. He was here before I was born, and my dad was helped a lot by him, according to my mom. I've been helped by him since I was a kid."

"By the way, Carnac—"

"Just Carnac, 'san' makes me feel weird."

"Got it, Carnac... Have you lived in this village since you were born?"

"Yeah. I've only known this village since I was born. But when I was a kid, life was better. My dad wasn't a miner, and we could make a living..."

"He wasn't a miner?"

Hmm? I thought when the mine closed, the villagers were introduced to other jobs, but some were tricked into coming here because mining paid better... Maybe that was a possibility?

However, according to Carnac, people lived in the village before it became a mining town.

"Um... I'm sorry, but didn't the people in this village come here as miners from outside?"

"Most of the people here raised livestock and sold the meat. But after an animal disease outbreak, their debts increased rapidly."

"Huh..."

I glanced at Michelle. Something really seemed off.

Debts... That means—could it be?

"Did you complain to the lord about it? In such cases, the lord should take action..."

If that's true.

But Carnac didn't seem to be lying. He was a child then, so he might not know the full truth, but he would have overheard adult conversations and understood things in his own way as he grew up.

"I heard my dad complaining to my mom that complaining to the lord didn't help. We thought he would do something, but in the end, he did nothing—"

Carnac's voice trailed off, filled with regret.

Just by walking around the village, it was clear that life here was not prosperous. It was more like a life of hardship.

I didn't expect it to be due to debt.

But I couldn't tell if the debt was legitimate.

Suddenly, I remembered that ten years ago was still during Master's father's time. And I knew that Rockdale was involved.

Thinking about it, it only led to unpleasant conclusions.

The village itself is isolated from other regions.

But when it comes to a disease outbreak, it's a different story.

Even if it's isolated, it could still happen in other regions, and it's normal to investigate and take measures.

Not doing so could mean the lord didn't hear about it or it was covered up. It's even possible that there was no disease outbreak at all.

"As long as the disease affecting the livestock isn't resolved, you can't raise animals here. That means you can't supply meat, leading to breach of contract with merchants..."

"Contract penalties, you mean..."

That's definitely strange.

If merchants were involved, the disease would have spread.

Moreover, Master was already capable of handling lordly duties at that time.

I hadn't heard anything about this from Master.

There was no reason to hide it, so Master truly didn't know about this.

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※Regarding the term "確信犯" (kakushinhan, meaning "willful offender"):

Thank you for pointing out that it was a misuse.