Chapter 11

Episode 11

#11. If You Can’t Get a Job, Start Your Own Business (3)

After sending off Lenon…

I sorted through the mid- to low-grade magic stones piled up in the warehouse.

Fire attribute, water attribute, lightning attribute, earth attribute, wind attribute, dark attribute, light attribute, none attribute, wood attribute, ice attribute, metal attribute.

In total, eleven types of magic stones were glowing, forming small hills.

If I were on Earth, each one would be treated like a ruby or sapphire, so colorful and pretty.

They’re just mid- to low-grade magic stones, so it’s a bit disappointing that the colors are a little dull.

“Good call renting an extra warehouse.”

By the way, I rented another warehouse right next door.

Inside was filled with materials to stuff into the carriage awaiting magical modifications.

“Shall we give it a try?”

Of course, there’s no way all the materials from two full warehouses could fit into this single carriage. Physically impossible, you know.

“Hooouu…”

I took a deep breath and pulled out my silver engraving knife and needle.

Then I started inscribing magic circuits onto fire, light, lightning, and wind attribute magic stones.

In the terminology of magical engineering, these are called mana circuits or magic power circuits.

In gaming terms, it’s called enchanting.

Squeak squeak squeak

Thanks to my maxed-out craftsmanship skill and supporting concentration stat, I could engrave mana circuits as precisely as a machine.

“Lower-grade magic stones had me worried, but the success rate is higher than expected. Must be the luck stat at work.”

Before I knew it, in less than an hour, I’d engraved extremely small and intricate magic patterns onto over a hundred magic stones.

Next, I dumped the fire, light, and lightning attribute magic stones with engraved mana circuits into the pre-prepared smelter.

WHOOSH!!

An incredible heat erupted from the smelter unlike anything in this world.

Then I added more earth, fire, lightning, and ice attribute magic stones into the smelter.

Soon enough, golden liquid began flowing out of the smelter.

“…”

Staring blankly at that golden liquid felt like being in some sort of trance.

It made me reminisce about my life back on Earth for a moment.

It’s been quite a while since I transmigrated into this world.

I miss my company back on Earth. So much that it keeps showing up in my dreams.

“Do they at least do time adjustments? If I save the Northern Duchy only to be sent back years later… Well, then both the North and whatever else can go screw themselves!”

Who would’ve thought I’d end up starting a business in a fantasy world?

What kind of hardship is this from playing some game?

Regret and confusion coexist in my heart.

“Let’s get to work! Work!”

Putting aside those fleeting thoughts…

I began electroplating the half-disassembled carriage with the extracted liquid.

* * *

The Poli Inn where the Duke of the Northern Duchy and Lenslet’s High Knights always stayed when conducting covert operations near the Magic Realm.

Somehow, a heavy atmosphere hung over the inn.

Of course, having such high-ranking individuals present could naturally make the atmosphere heavier.

But this heaviness was different from usual.

It was a tense atmosphere like the calm before a storm before war.

“…It seems Frosthaven couldn’t come except for me.”

Knight Doyle, who had delivered urgent news after arriving at Haven and composed himself, spoke with a dark expression.

Though he waited several days hoping for another returnee, none came.

“You’ve done excellent work, Knight Doyle.”

“No, I’ve done… nothing. Not being able to use Winter Hawks in the Magic Realm has never felt so regrettable.”

Frosthaven of Lenslet under the Northern Duchy.

A name that Arad would associate with a legendary magic sword from a famous video game if he heard it.

Knight Doyle of Frosthaven sighed heavily with slumped shoulders.

“No. You’ve honored your comrades’ sacrifices. That’s maintaining your honor.”

Valkyrie shook her head and consoled the lone surviving knight.

“The fallen knights of Frosthaven will receive honorable treatment and appropriate rewards. Their families will enjoy those rewards and honors.”

Ariana also vowed in her own name to console the spirits of the fallen knights.

Thus, after a brief moment of silence for the Frosthaven members who never returned, the Duke and knights continued their meeting.

“With undead monsters roaming the depths of the Magic Realm… It’s clear a high-level necromancer has revealed themselves.”

Lenslet’s knights regularly scout even the deepest parts of the Magic Realm.

Because the Magic Realm is a mysterious place where all sorts of strange magical creatures awaken if you let your guard down even slightly.

This applies equally to the knights of Frosthaven, who primarily handle intelligence and espionage.

With various monsters, imperial adventurers, and unholy beings like Dark Wizards wandering the Magic Realm.

Since Winter Hawks can’t be used in the Magic Realm, human informants become even more important.

“A necromancer leading undead from the depths is likely operating from the Demon Den. Probably at the mage level.”

“Damn Dark Wizard bastards! After being quiet lately, they’re finally causing trouble.”

And this time, the Frosthaven knights witnessed something terrifying enough that they had to flee without helping their comrades.

“Dark Wizards alone can’t control the monsters in the depths. They must have discovered a new Golden Age dungeon in the depths of the Magic Realm.”

“That’s highly likely. The Magic Realm was originally a refuge created by mages at the end of the Golden Age, after all. For magicians, especially those from the Demon Den, it’s a holy site.”

“We need to deal with them while they’re still stirring in the deeper parts of the Magic Realm.”

Haven remains peaceful for now.

Since only a few top-tier experts venture beyond the entrance of the Magic Realm.

Ironically, the Magic Realm is both a disaster and a cash cow for the North.

Even just near the entrance, it’s filled with all sorts of ferocious monsters, but it’s also rich with rare and valuable resources.

“Should we recruit priests?”

At that moment, one knight suggested an idea.

It was Knight Doyle, the sole survivor from the Magic Realm.

“Necromancers can’t be handled by knights alone. We definitely need divine power.”

The most textbook response to black magic: counter it with divine power.

“Are there any clerics in the North?”

“If worse comes to worst, should we request support from the Imperial Church? Since it involves Dark Wizards, they probably won’t use our ‘witches’ as an excuse like before…”

“Don’t even mention the Empire. They’ll surely demand another unreasonable marriage proposal for our Highness!”

However, the knights’ reaction to this suggestion was extremely cold.

“Weren’t the first marriage proposals to become the Emperor’s ninth wife? The most recent was to become the Crown Prince’s fourth wife. I’m quite curious what they’ll propose this time.”

Similarly, Ariana sneered.

“They’re far too rude, even for the Imperial Court!”

“Right! Absolutely unacceptable! Their intentions to merge the North are far too blatant.”

“If the North merges with the Imperial Court through this marriage proposal! It would never benefit Lenslet or its people. We must never forget how arrogant and rude the Imperials have been to us.”

“These bastards see us as orcs wearing human skin. Accepting this proposal would be the same as offering all the people of the North as slaves to the Empire.”

The room instantly transformed into a forum condemning the Empire’s misdeeds.

“Tha… I spoke out of turn.”

“No, I understand why you suggested that, Knight Doyle. You faced the necromancer directly, so you must be especially afraid.”

Ultimately, Knight Doyle’s suggestion to request support from the Empire was quickly rejected.

“Even if a high priest from the Empire could reduce casualties, the Empire is still unacceptable!”

“Yes…”

“Don’t worry too much. Black magic is powerless against swords imbued with ki.”

Valkyrie patted the deflated Doyle on the shoulder.

“We’ll swiftly resolve this mission with our own strength. Without interfering with the witches’ farming, and especially without borrowing the Empire’s power.”

After listening to all the knights’ discussions, Ariana firmly declared.

“It’s possible the Empire might be behind this, like during Lord Bykal’s death.”

Ariana’s decision prompted Valkyrie to subtly warn her lord with a cold gaze.

“Perhaps.”

Currently, relations between the Empire and the North have deteriorated to their worst point.

To be fair, the relationship between the North and the Imperial Court has never been good.

The North practically functions as an independent principality with autonomy.

While autonomy is good, the Empire’s intentions in granting it were less than pure.

In exchange for autonomy, Lenslet has always defended alone against the constant invasions of barbarians, monsters, and northern orcs.

The Empire has never properly assisted the Northern Duchy despite its efforts.

Considering the North already has strong military power, adding economic strength through Imperial support would understandably irritate the Imperial Court.

“The Empire’s movements have been increasingly blatant lately.”

“Geez, dealing with monsters and barbarians from the north and west, and the Empire from the south is exhausting.”

“At the very least, the Imperial Court shouldn’t treat us this way! How much blood and sweat have we shed defending the northern frontier?”

“They don’t see us as imperial citizens. Just look at the lingering Twenty Prohibition Laws in the Empire.”

“Correct. They still view us as half-barbarians, only partially civilized due to druidic heritage.”

Recently, the Empire’s stance has changed.

The turning point was the death of Ariana’s father, former Northern Duke Bykal Rune Lenslet, in the final battle against the northern orcs.

The Imperial Court immediately targeted Ariana, who had just come of age and suddenly ascended to the ducal throne without marrying.

They began proposing marriage alliances to her.

She firmly rejected them.

Not only was her father Bykal’s death suspicious, but the marriage proposals were disproportionately focused on either the elderly emperor or the crown prince, who was already married three times and old enough to be her father.

For some unknown reason, the Empire seemed determined to make the North a direct imperial territory.

“We’ll deal with the necromancer appearing in the Magic Realm ourselves.”

Ariana firmly stated her intention not to ally with the Empire in her decisive tone.

“If the Empire tries to intervene upon hearing this news, reject them outright.”

The duke’s resolve appeared unshakable.

“That’s right! The North can fully self-sustain with its own strength!”

“When have we ever relied on the Empire? We don’t need Imperial support.”

“Even if they provoke trade disputes like last time, the North can remain steadfast as always!”

“Our biggest problem, spices, has already been resolved with Arad Salt. So there’s no reason to consider the Empire’s opinions anymore.”

Originally, the North suffered from poverty due to the Empire’s petty trade restrictions.

Recently, they even meddled with spices, trying to destabilize the nobles and retainers of Lenslet.

However, the appearance of Arad Salt easily solved this issue.

“By the way, what’s Arad Jin up to these days?”

As the conversation turned to Arad Salt, naturally the discussion shifted to Arad, its creator.

“I hear he bought a carriage.”

“A carriage?”

“Yes, and he’s madly collecting various miscellaneous items to fill it.”

“Does he have merchant tendencies? Looks like he’s starting a small trading company.”

“Seems that way. After failing to serve us, he’s changed his plans.”

“Lucky. It’s unfortunate not to keep talented people like Arad close.”

“Hiring Arad can be considered after this matter is resolved. Most importantly, this mission is extremely dangerous. Besides, we don’t have any express-class carriages to carry him anyway.”

“The knights are right.”

Listening to the knights, Ariana nodded.

“Also, there’s another unusual matter regarding Arad.”

“Unusual matter?”

“He’s particularly collecting magic stones among the miscellaneous items. Especially low-grade magic stones.”

Ariana tilted her head at the additional report.

“I’ve heard powdered magic stones are used as medicinal ingredients in healing magic…”

“Come to think of it, didn’t we hear Arad learned healing magic?”

“I heard his skills are quite exceptional. He apparently neatly treated severe wounds exposing bone using only herbs and suturing, without any potions.”

“What a remarkable person. To focus on cooking when he has such healing skills.”

“But thanks to that, we have Arad Salt, I suppose.”

We already knew Arad was an exceptionally skilled healer.

However, Arad’s stew left such a strong impression that no one bothered to ask him for healing while he was busy cooking.

Recently, with his relatively free time and his recognition as Viscount Jin, fewer people asked him for healing anyway.

Besides, Haven isn’t short of healers.

“In any case, if powdered magic stones are used in medicine, he wouldn’t need this much.”

Even considering Arad’s secondary career as a healer, the quantity reported was far too excessive for mere medicinal use.

Then the answer is simple – Arad must have other skills besides cooking and healing.