Chapter 23

"Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me today, Viscount Keinits."

"Oh, if it's a request from a neighbor like you, I'm happy to meet, Lord Arquvist."

Viscount Keinits' head of the family, Arnold Keinits, was meeting with Noein Arquvist, the baron of the neighboring territory, in the reception room of his manor.

As usual, Baron Arquvist, with his rabbit-eared slave standing behind him, wore a smile that made him look like a good young man, but Arnold knew from past dealings with refugees that he was a shrewd and unpredictable noble. Arnold couldn't afford to let his guard down.

"So, you mentioned you had something to discuss?"

"Yes. Actually, I was wondering if you could introduce me to a mining engineer."

With just those words, Arnold understood everything.

"I see. So you've started working on the Restio Mountains, too?"

"Exactly. I recently surveyed the Restio Mountains, which border the Arquvist territory, and found a vein of ore."

The Restio Mountains stretch across the northern part of the Rodenberg Kingdom like a lid, and there are other mountains scattered throughout. Most northern noble territories border some mountain, and mining development is a familiar business for northern nobles.

It was only natural for Baron Arquvist to start mining development to raise funds for expansion.

"That's good. What kind of ore vein did you find?"

"It's a vein of lapis lazuli."

"…I see. That's quite rare."

Arnold suppressed the urge to exclaim and answered as calmly as possible.

Lapis lazuli, while not as valuable as gemstones like rubies or sapphires, is known for its high value as a raw material for "Mother of the Sea Blue" pigment.

In the Rodenberg Kingdom, it is one of the rarest minerals. To discover it so soon is truly fortunate.

"I, too, am grateful to the gods for my good fortune. However, I lack knowledge of mining and have no connections to skilled workers… I've heard that you, Viscount Keinits, own copper and iron mines and have shown great skill in their development. I thought you might be able to introduce me to an engineer who could teach my people the knowledge of mining."

"An engineer to teach your people mining? Why not hire laborers to develop the mine?"

In mining development, it is common to hire a team of engineers, miners, and craftsmen who process the ore.

Arnold had just thought that by introducing his own trusted workers under the guise of "introduction," he could control the supply chain, buy processed goods at a lower price, or even divert the raw materials for profit.

However, sending only an engineer to teach mining would not achieve that.

"My territory is still small, and I am a very young lord. I lack the ability to manage large-scale mining operations… So, being mindful of my limitations, I have decided to conduct small-scale mining and recently signed a contract to supply the raw materials to the Miles Trading Company."

"…I see."

Arnold thought he had been outmaneuvered.

If Baron Arquvist had tried to handle the mining, processing, and sales of lapis lazuli himself, Arnold could have sent his own workers and craftsmen to make him economically dependent. There would have been plenty of opportunities to intervene.

He could have even used military pressure to force a favorable contract, such as "delegating the mining and processing of the lapis lazuli vein to Viscount Keinits." Depending on the scale of the lapis lazuli vein, the potential profit might have justified such a strong stance.

However, if Baron Arquvist had already signed a contract with the Miles Trading Company, specifically to supply the raw materials, the situation was different.

If Viscount Keinits were to intervene by force in a formally signed contract, he would not only incur the wrath of Baron Arquvist but also of the Miles Trading Company. For the Miles Trading Company, this would mean disrupting a highly profitable business in the processing and sale of lapis lazuli.

The Miles Trading Company is one of the largest trading companies in the Keinits territory, with a network of branches and sales channels throughout the northwest of the kingdom. It is also an important business partner and a supplier to the viscount's household.

To incur the enmity of such a company would be too high a price to pay for a single ore vein. If the viscount's household were to economically oppose the Miles Trading Company, it would suffer significant financial damage. If rumors spread that "Viscount Keinits pressures even his suppliers for short-term gain," it would become a scandal.

Arnold had worked hard to earn a reputation as a wise and benevolent lord. He didn't want to tarnish that reputation now.

As he was thinking this, Baron Arquvist continued, as if deliberately giving Arnold time to think.

"Supplying the raw materials alone will be enough to bring significant profit to my territory. For you, Viscount Keinits, the substantial tax revenue from the Miles Trading Company's processing and sale of lapis lazuli would be a significant source of income. It seems to be a mutually beneficial arrangement, does it not?"

"…Yes, you are right."

Arnold had to admit it.

As he said, this was not a bad deal for the Keinits viscount's household. In fact, it was a profitable arrangement that would significantly benefit the local economy and increase tax revenue, all without doing anything. All he had to do was introduce a mining engineer to Baron Arquvist.

Baron Arquvist had ensured his own profit while offering a clear benefit to Arnold and eliminating other options. It was a rather unpleasant strategy, but as the one being offered the benefit, there was no room for complaint.

A bitter smile escaped him.

"Do you trust me so little, my lord?"

"Please forgive me, but as a young and inexperienced lord, I do not fully understand your meaning. I merely wish to contribute to mutual prosperity as a new neighbor to your lordship."

In response to Arnold's probing, Baron Arquvist maintained his smile.

"Ha ha, I see, I see."

Of course, Arnold didn't take his words at face value. Despite his words, it was clear that Baron Arquvist didn't trust him.

Not trusting him, he neither sought to confront and defeat him nor to submit and be exploited. Instead, he offered mutual benefit while ensuring the source of profit for himself and involving a powerful third party, the Miles Trading Company, as a safety measure.

Such a cunning approach could only come from the son of the notorious Count Kivileft. Or perhaps it was a survival strategy he had developed on his own as a minor noble without a powerful patron.

"So… may I hear your response to my request?"

"Yes. I will ask the group of craftsmen I am acquainted with to send an excellent mining engineer to guide you. The engineer's compensation will be your responsibility, correct?"

"Of course. Thank you very much. I am deeply grateful for your kindness, my lord."

"Don't mention it. You are a smart man. I believe it will be beneficial to deepen our relationship."

"Such praise is too much. I am still a young and inexperienced man. I hope to continue to rely on your lordship's support…"

Baron Arquvist extended his hand with a charming smile, but it was unclear what he truly thought of Arnold.

His negotiation skills were impressive, not just good, but excellent. After all, Arnold had no choice but to accept his proposal.

Arnold thought that it would be more profitable to befriend and mentor this man rather than try to exploit him.