Chapter 95

The rumor I hadn’t stopped spread like wildfire, mutating into this before long.

That was why even more mages started flocking here.

I’d expected as much, but my real concern was this.

“There’s really nothing worth researching in Edelweiss, right?”

So Yeri the hunter gave me a meaningful smile at my words.

“There’s potential~ Edelweiss is a territory that’s never been properly studied before.”

“Hmm.”

Jackpot or bust, huh?

“Mages are the type who’ll invent something out of nothing if they get obsessed with research. Just like support types.”

And So Yeri’s follow-up gave me an idea.

“Obsessed with research…?”

In other words, just make them obsessed?

I knew exactly how to do that, having lived in hyper-competitive capitalist Korea.

Soon, knights under my orders were posting official notices all over the territory.

“Research funding?”

“They’re covering magic research costs?”

“We just have to research here in Edelweiss?”

The rumors had spread to nearby territories, and mages from the region started pouring into Edelweiss.

It was getting hard to tell if this was a knight tournament or a mage recruitment drive.

“Society’s all about first-come, first-served in a capitalist competition, right?”

This was a half-ruined country under Shin Jae-heon’s rule, but no one across history disliked money.

“You’re doing great! Keep it up!”

A few days after So Yeri burst out laughing and cheered me on…

Lighting a fire under the mages led to an unexpected result.

“Family Head! The first magic research topic has come up!”

The butler came running to me, shouting. His face was flushed with excitement.

“What’s the topic that’s got you so worked up?”

At my question, the butler shouted with a beaming face.

“It’s… a mana stone mine!”

“What?”

Did this territory have something like that?

A mana stone mine? Localizing to Earth terms, it was like striking oil in my own backyard.

For real?

A vital resource across society, but rare and only produced in specific territories.

So Yeri and I exchanged glances.

The problem was that the ones who’d discovered this gold mine… no, mana stone mine… were the mages.

Not my own people.

If they demanded a cut of the mana stone mine profits, refusing would look bad in every way.

Rumors could spread that Edelweiss was exploiting and discarding mages.

So this needed a very careful approach.

Mines like this required heavy upfront development costs, and giving away percentages from the start could mean the costs outweigh the profits.

“Hmm.”

So Yeri frowned as she looked over the profiles of the mages who’d found the mana stone mine.

“What’s wrong? Bad vibes?”

I asked cautiously, and she nodded.

“These guys have a bit of a greed for money.”

From what So Yeri told me, the mages who’d found the mana stone mine were the type who’d gotten a taste for capitalism early on.

“Ugh.”

They looked like the type to demand a percentage per year, sticking a straw right into my bank account… no, the mine?

“And they’re big talkers too, so if we don’t give them a cut, the rumors will fly.”

“Mm.”

I could ignore a bit of gossip, but this was an RP dungeon.

I was a noble for whom honor mattered. I had to find a way somehow.

Mana stone mines typically hit peak profits 2-3 years after starting to extract stones.

After that, they mostly sustained profits by selling naturally regenerating mana stones from the ‘mana veins’ in the leylines.

And the ones who knew that best were mages, who consumed a lot of mana stones.

“They’ll definitely demand their cut at peak profit time.”

So Yeri narrowed her eyes.

“Around year 2-3, right?”

“Yeah. They won’t say it outright, of course~”

So Yeri pouted.

As I watched her in Clona Aisen’s flashy robe, the solution hit me.

“They probably won’t talk money openly in front of the Tower Master.”

So Yeri looked at me. Her golden eyes blinked.

“Mind helping me out a bit?”

“?”

She tilted her head at my words.

“Negotiate with me? If you side with Shin Yuri the hunter in front of the mages, you might get a penalty.”

She waved her hand dismissively, but I waved mine right back.

“Not that.”

I’ve done RP dungeons for days— I knew that much.

“What do you think those guys will research in the mana stone vein?”

So Yeri blinked at my question.

“Mana flow, obviously. Where this mana flow is coming from.”

She spread her hand, her support-type eyes sparkling.

“Honestly, I’m curious too. All the mana stone veins across the country are clearly influenced by some strong mana source, and if you trace it to the center, there might be something amazing…”

As she started slipping into her own world, I cut in.

“Want to join in, So Yeri?”

“Huh?”

Her eyes widened like she had no idea what I meant, so I gave her a bright smile.

“The mana stone vein research.”

She was staying in Edelweiss under the pretext of research anyway, so she needed to do something.

So Yeri frowned at my words.

“If I join, it’ll make negotiations harder, right? I’m supposed to side with the Tower anyway.”

“Exactly.”

I pointed at her.

“I’ll lay out the terms, and you just say it’s a steal and agree.”

And it really was a good deal.

As I crossed my arms, So Yeri slyly asked.

“What are the terms?”

“First half-year profits from the mana stone vein all go to Edelweiss. In return, the Tower—including the Tower Master—helps with research and mines as much mana stone as possible.”

“Free manual labor!?”

So Yeri’s jaw dropped. I waved her off.

“No, listen to the end like a Korean.”

I smiled slyly at her.

“The Tower hasn’t been in Edelweiss long anyway.”

I spread my hand.

“Obviously short on mages, and no specialists in mining, so Edelweiss has to buy mages at premium prices.”

“But free labor!?”

So Yeri shouted again.

No, listen!

I grinned.

“Just for half a year. After that, 20% of profits to the participating mages.”

Her jaw dropped again.

“A fifth!? Are you insane!?”

She shook my shoulders.

“Don’t sign any contracts without reading! Got it? Thank goodness Joo Yian handles the paperwork! Why don’t young kids know how scary the world is!?”

I shook my head at her excited outburst.

“I won’t get scammed. Think about it.”

“What!? Listen to a sucker giving away 20%?”

She yelled shrilly.

But I shook my head and leaked the secret of this deal.

“…!”

So Yeri’s jaw dropped wide after hearing me out.

Then she backed away slightly and asked.

“You’re a dealer, right?”

“Dealers are killer with money too.”

Dump the stereotype that dealers are dumb!

Koreans might fumble 8 divided by 3, but slice a pizza three ways? We calculate it sharp as a knife.

“So, call?”

“Call for sure!”

So Yeri nodded immediately.

The Tower Master was practically a spiritual pillar for the research mages.

Especially Clona Aisen, who’d recently made waves with genius ideas and achievements.

Modern knowledge, of course, but still.

“The Tower Master herself will join the mana stone mine research?”

“With us!?”

Naturally, the mages who’d found the mana stone mine lit up.

But only briefly.

“Then, if the mana stone mine starts generating profits…”

They soon asked cautiously—true to form for early capitalists.

Won’t the Tower Master take a huge cut from our share?

But the aloof Clona Aisen, obsessed only with research, said this.

“I have no intention of taking separate profits from the mine. In exchange, I’d like permission from Edelweiss to go deep into the mine.”

“Ooh…!”

“As expected of the Tower Master!”

The mages’ faces brightened.

Not only would the research level skyrocket with the Tower Master’s participation, but she didn’t care about money!

Then the mana stone revenue Edelweiss gave as face-saving gesture would all fall to them, obviously.

And besides…

Gulp.

Phil, one of the mages who’d discovered the mana stone mine, swallowed dryly.

After inquiring around, he’d learned this mine was the largest on record.

The profits would be massive, naturally.

And Edelweiss? A territory without mages!

If they didn’t negotiate well, they’d pay through the nose to hire mages.

Or become a territory shunned by mages.

Rumors of tossing aside the mages who’d found their mana stone mine without sharing profits.

So obviously, Edelweiss had no choice but to hand over big profits!

Phil had already seen through everything.

Heh heh, Edelweiss Countess! Bring it!

He had no intention of settling for a flat fee.

Mining mages at normal mana stone mines got about 5% of profits, so double that…

“We never expected to find a mine in the territory, so I can’t hide my joy.”

Phil wasn’t even listening to the long-winded Edelweiss Countess.

So, how much?

How much are you offering?

“…So, out of gratitude, and to compensate for the mana stone mining, I’d like to negotiate terms with you mages first.”

5%? 7%? Whatever they name, demand more!

As Phil thought that, the Edelweiss Countess said.

“Edelweiss takes exclusive profits for the first half-year.”

Phil froze. What?

No, half a year is development costs anyway, right?

The mine was huge, so profits would come, but nothing compared to peak.

“Of course, we’ll pay basic wages and provide lodging and meals to the mining mages.”

Phil didn’t even hear that.

So after half a year, how much!?

No way they’d monopolize that long and offer only 7%—

“After that, 20% of profits settled to the mages.”

Phil’s jaw dropped.

“P-pardon?”

Did I hear wrong?

The Edelweiss Countess smiled gently at him.

“A full fifth. How could we do less for the mages raising Edelweiss’s prestige and committing to mana stone mining?”

Phil’s mind went blank. 20%?

“As you know, we’re short on mages. If you research mages pitch in this time and more settle here…”

The Countess spread her hand.

“I’m open to raising it to 25%.”

“I-is that for real!???”

Phil’s jaw dropped. The Countess replied coolly.

“Of course. Mages the Tower Master herself has vouched for. Right?”

Clona Aisen nodded at her words.

“Naturally. Let’s do good research going forward.”

Even shaking the Tower Master’s hand in honor, Phil couldn’t believe it.

Wait half a year and I’m rich!?

And spread the word to bring more mages for even more!?

“Wh-where do I sign!?”

Phil wasn’t letting this amazing deal slip.

Sign while the Edelweiss Countess is crazy!

“The contract’s just a draft—”

“It’s fine!”

And he successfully signed with enthusiasm.

Hooray! Half a year and I’m loaded!

The mages who stamped the contract looked extremely satisfied.

And their attitude toward me shifted, like they now saw me as a valued patron.

Well, offering a fifth—maybe a quarter if they played nice—would make anyone think I was a crazy mark.

But we had reasons to lure mages short-term like this.

This territory had few mages, so we needed to bring them in fast.

And nothing drew their interest like money. Plus…

Yeah. That was the biggest reason.

The mages would never guess, but from my perspective, this RP dungeon vanished in half a year.

Suck honey for six months, and whatever happens after is their problem.

Did I lack money outside?

Ten years as an S-rank hunter piles up cash whether you want it or not.

Plus L-rank dungeon clear rewards?

These mana stones were pocket change.

And even if Edelweiss stuck around after I left, no mage would forget the territory that invested 20-25% big in them.

Perfect funding crisis solved, no loose ends!

I checked one corner of the system window.

Next issue: the gate control rate?

We were ahead, but the gap wasn’t widening.

Now that money was flowing, time to tackle gate control.

Money meant troops, troops meant power—now we could.

Plus, with mages entering my territory and the Miyae Alliance getting full Tower support, mages would shine across the West Empire.

I knew how well support hunters worked.

This was the chance!

Joo Yian responded right away.

So Yeri, standing beside me, blinked at me curiously.

What’s up? her eyes asked.

I scowled at that jerk. So Yeri burst out laughing.

Seizing the moment with no one else around, she draped an arm over my shoulder.

Soft reddish hair tickled my neck.

A playful voice rang out.

“What’s it about~?”

S-rank hunter pride on the line—no way we’d mix it up with newbies.