Chapter 30: Mine Investigation

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Mine Investigation

"Just to prevent accidents?!" Hesia’s voice was filled with disbelief. "Locking a group of such dangerous monsters in a mine and then decreeing that their relatives can’t get near?

That’s as ridiculous as putting a sign next to a wolf’s den that says, ’Lambs Keep Out’! Does Viscount Rick think the goblins are going to abide by his rules?!"

Baron Uer was stunned by Hesia’s questioning, momentarily at a loss for words.

He felt a twinge of regret. ’I shouldn’t have told this young man so much.’

Hesia had always found goblins to be utterly revolting creatures, but he’d never imagined they could be vile to this extent.

He suppressed the churning rage within him and continued, "How long does it take for a goblin, from the moment it ’hatches,’ to become combat-ready?"

"I’m not too sure about that myself. Some people say it takes half a year... while others claim it only takes a month or two..."

"A month or two?"

"In other words," he said, his eyes fixed on Baron Uer, "Matt’s relatives were likely abducted by goblins as long as two months ago?"

Baron Uer saw the undisguised fury in Hesia’s eyes, but he had his own calculations to consider.

He opened his mouth, attempting to defend himself. "Hesia... I... I have no authority to interfere in the affairs of Oak Town... Besides, I’d only ever heard of them preying on wild creatures, like Kobolds..."

Hesia: "Then why did they show up in Print? What about the twenty people who died? Aren’t you planning to investigate this thoroughly?"

’Investigate thoroughly?’

Baron Uer’s mind raced. The mine was located on the border between the two towns. Although it was closer to Print, it had actually been discovered by the Viscount’s son. The share of the profits the Viscount gave him each year was purely a gesture of neighborly goodwill.

Besides...

’So what if it is connected to the mine? It’s not like I can demand compensation from Viscount Rick, can I?’

’Investigating rashly would only offend someone I can’t afford to cross. I’d not only lose that income, but I’d also bring shame upon my noble standing.’

’And if the mine really is the source of the problem, a man of Viscount Rick’s standing will surely provide Print with generous compensation after the fact.’

With that thought, he averted his gaze from Hesia and said in an official, business-like tone, "I will provide a sum of money to compensate the townspeople who have lost their relatives. Besides... we can’t be entirely certain yet... that these are the goblins from the mine."

He was worried that Hesia would recklessly investigate the mine, stir up bigger trouble, and ultimately drag him into it.

And so, he offered a strained reassurance, "I will handle this, but not right now. In any case, thank you for your help the other day. This matter doesn’t really concern you. I will negotiate with Oak Town regarding the specifics."

However, to his surprise, Hesia calmed down.

"Alright, I understand. This matter indeed has little to do with me."

Hesia bid farewell to Baron Uer, not because he accepted the baron’s reasoning.

He simply felt there was no point in continuing the conversation.

He slowly became lost in thought:

’In Baron Uer’s eyes, while the safety of the commoners deserves some attention, it’s clearly far less important than the mine’s output and the honor of the nobility.’

’What happened to Print and Baron Uer’s way of handling it are unacceptable to me.’

’But this isn’t my original world, after all.’

’In a place like this, the lives of commoners don’t carry much weight. Perhaps by this world’s standards, Baron Uer’s actions could even be considered responsible.’

’Maybe I shouldn’t judge him so harshly by the standards of another world?’

’Then again...’

’What do the rules of this world have to do with me?’

’Besides, goblins are inherently evil creatures to begin with.’

’I might as well go over there and see if I can farm any new traits.’

But then he remembered the danger in ’Silent’ Print the night before last. If Bruce hadn’t taken down that mud doll at the last moment, he would have been a goner.

The thought sobered him slightly.

’I can’t be reckless.’

’The mine is almost certainly guarded.’

’I’m just not sure how strong they are.’

’I’ll scout the area first and assess the situation.’

’If an opportunity presents itself, I’ll go in and give it a try.’

’If it’s too risky, I’ll retreat.’

...

The Black Stone Mine was about twenty kilometers from Print Town.

Thanks to [Mora’s Blessing] enhancing his Physique, Hesia’s Endurance was far greater than before. In less than four hours, he and his dog arrived at their destination.

The mine was situated in a barren mountain hollow. Exposed black rock reflected the harsh noon sun, and the air was thick with the smell of powdered ore.

A few crude wooden huts stood haphazardly near the entrance, likely serving as temporary quarters for the foremen and miners.

It was lunchtime.

Miners sat in small groups on the open ground outside the mine, resting against piles of tailings or the walls of the huts.

Most were shirtless, their bronzed skin covered in a layer of seemingly un-washable grime as they gnawed on rock-hard black bread.

This scene...

It was completely different from what Hesia had expected.

’If the goblins in Print came from here, this place should be in ruins, or even occupied by them.’

’But right now, everything looks completely normal.’

’The miners are still here...’

’Could the goblins that attacked Print... have nothing to do with this mine? Did they come from somewhere else?’

Hesia’s mind was filled with doubt.

But since he had come all this way, he figured he should at least ask someone about the situation.

His gaze soon landed on a burly miner dozing in the shade of a tree.

He walked over with Bruce.

"Excuse me, sorry to bother you. Is there a miner here named Matt?"

Startled from his nap, the miner’s eyes shot open, revealing cloudy, bloodshot orbs.

He’d thought it was a foreman nagging him, but upon seeing Hesia’s clean clothes, his anger at being woken from his nap became instantly irrepressible.

"Where’d this fly come from? I’ve been breaking my back on hard rock all morning, and my bones are about to fall apart! Are you blind, you rat?! Can’t you see I’m sleeping?! Go ask a ghost! Scram!"

Hesia wasn’t offended. After all, he was the one who had disturbed the man’s sleep.

His hand was in his pocket, clutching the few coins he’d prepared as a tip for the information.

He thought for a moment, then changed his mind.

Instead, he pulled out a single copper nail and held it out to the miner.

Even for this small amount, the anger on the miner’s face visibly subsided.

After all, it was enough to buy a loaf of black bread and fill his stomach.

He snatched the copper nail. "Oh! Matt! Right... he’s probably resting in the foreman’s hut over there."

He then jutted his chin toward a wooden hut not far off, his voice laced with resentment.

"That kid! He’s got some bullshit distant connection to Viscount Rick of Oak Town, so not only does he do the least work, he also gets to rest in the hut! Hmph! The nerve of that guy!"

Hearing this, Hesia’s suspicions only deepened.

’Could Baron Uer’s theory have been wrong?’