Black Gold (9)

After wandering through the Magic Tower for a while and admiring the magic items created by the mages, I spotted the mage from earlier, Richard, walking out dejectedly with bundles in both hands.

“What do you suppose happened?”

Linda asked, as she hadn’t missed him either. Since the easiest way was to ask directly, I approached and called out to him.

“You were Mage Richard, correct?”

The mage turned his head toward me with a crestfallen expression. Curling the corners of his mouth into an awkward smile, he asked:

“Is something the matter…?”

“Did something happen by any chance?”

“….I was kicked out of the Magic Tower. They called me a parasite… who only drains research funds…”

I recalled hearing that mages are quite rare and aren’t usually treated this way. It was an unusual occurrence, and I thought his ingenuity was worth evaluating highly, so it was quite unexpected.

“Just how much research funding did you use for the Magic Tower to be that disgusted?”

It was a question that could be considered rude. However, Richard, who seemed to have already let go of everything, answered without much emotion.

“I think I spent about 3,000 Large Gold Coins a month…”

Was that a massive amount? I didn’t particularly feel that it was. Seeing my dry reaction, Richard glanced over at me, Linda, and Matilda. He asked:

“Are you a noble?”

“For now, yes. I was just walking around looking for talent. But what on earth were you doing to spend that much in research funds?”

“I… I believed that if science and magic could harmonize, various theories previously thought impossible could be realized. The Tower Master evaluated my will and purpose highly and supported me for several years to produce results, but…”

I figured if he had only produced items with no clear utility, like the one from earlier, they would certainly have reason to dislike it.

In the end, Richard couldn’t even finish his sentence and closed his mouth with a sigh. I thought about it for a moment and then spoke.

“Do you have some time?”

“Why… do you ask…”

“I’d like for us to have a talk. I thought that with your help, I might be able to work on a few things.”

“….Pardon? I… I am a mage…”

“I am a noble. An unconventional one at that. Let’s go for now.”

After I said that and started walking ahead, Richard hesitated for a moment before following. I immediately headed to a high-end restaurant where one could rent a private annex for a meal.

As we entered the annex, Richard looked at me with a startled expression.

“I heard that even most nobles wouldn’t dare come here because it’s too expensive…”

Just as he said, this restaurant was the most elite of the elite. It was literally rated the best in the capital, and it was priced accordingly. Furthermore, renting a separate annex was the definition of “throwing money away,” but honestly, it was practically pocket change compared to what I was earning.

It was only 200 Large Gold Coins at most.

“Don’t be uncomfortable; follow me. Since we’ve rented it, let’s enjoy a meal and a conversation.”

Seeing Richard’s eyes finally start to change, Linda and Matilda also began to look amused.

After taking a seat at the table in the annex, I told the fumbling Richard to sit down and then spoke to Linda and Matilda as well.

“Both of you, don’t just stand there; sit down. Your legs must be hurting from following me around all day.”

“Thank you, My Lord. My legs were actually just starting to ache.”

“Hehe, thank you. To think I’d get to come to a restaurant like this… I’ve really made it.”

A smile naturally tugged at my lips at Matilda and Linda’s words. Then, a nervous Richard looked at me and asked.

“I… I think I heard you being called ‘Lord’… Are you a high-ranking noble?”

“No, I’m a lower noble. A Viscount, though I am of a hereditary line.”

“A V-Viscount in a place like this…”

Generally, it would indeed be difficult for a Baron or Viscount to afford such a place. I knew that the average tax revenue for the Hameureun Barony didn’t even exceed 2,000 Large Gold Coins.

“Well, we can talk about that later. I’d like to hear about you in more detail; could you tell me?”

“I-it’s not difficult. But may I know your name, Viscount?”

“If I say Viscount Ingrad, you’ll recognize it immediately, right?”

“Gasp?!”

Richard was startled nearly out of his skin. His reaction was so intense that I frowned slightly, but he straightened his posture and spoke to me.

“I am terribly sorry. No, I apologize! My name is Richard van Drin. As the youngest son of the Baron Drin family, I was born with a talent for magic and studied at the Magic Tower from a young age! I was serving as a Senior Mage… but now I have been dismissed and was looking for a new Magic Tower!”

His nervousness was palpable. So, first, I looked at Matilda and asked.

“Matilda. Do you know what kind of rumors about me have spread in the capital?”

“Well, rumors about you… most say that anything you touch turns to gold… or that you’re building a tower of gold with a divine blessing… things like that.”

“Not very pleasant rumors, are they?”

Matilda responded with a simple smile. I thought about it for a moment and then asked Richard.

“I believe there is much for a mage to do in our domain. The mage currently working there is also handling a great deal of work.”

“T-there is already a mage?”

“Ah, there are some circumstances, but yes. There’s a lot of work for her to handle alone, so I was intending to hire another, and you happened to catch my eye.”

“….I-I am not that great of a mage.”

“I’m not looking for an ‘incredible’ mage either. I just want someone who can handle various small things. However, you can’t lack skill. I might demand some unreasonable things occasionally.”

“….”

Looking at Richard, who was deep in thought with a serious expression, I spoke.

“I am someone who values your worth quite highly. I am also someone who knows all too well that science is not something to be ignored. I recognize that a combination of magic and science can achieve things that would be impossible for each on its own.”

“Oh… How could you think such a thing…”

“You are currently only producing simple items because you don’t yet know the extent of what science can achieve. But I am confident I can provide you with various types of knowledge. I didn’t love science, but I did learn a lot of it.”

“I-is there an academy that teaches science?”

“It’s not like that. I can’t exactly reveal it, but it’s knowledge that is quite far removed from the simple science you’re thinking of. So, I’ll make a proposal. I will hire you. And I will give you research funds exceeding what the Magic Tower supported. However, we must make a contract.”

“A contract… of what kind?”

“An exclusive contract, you could say? You must not leak any information or knowledge about the things you produce or create in the future, and you cannot quit during the contract period. However, I plan to include various measures so that the contract can be voided if I act unfairly or treat you poorly based on personal feelings.”

Richard looked at me with a surprised expression. He likely thought it was an exceptional offer.

“What do you see in me… to give me such trust?”

“I don’t expect you to do something amazing right away. I’m just placing a bet on your future development. Besides, as I said, I feel a bit sorry for the mage helping me; she seems to be struggling too much.”

Though he looked slightly disappointed that it was a “killing two birds with one stone” situation, Richard quickly cheered up and spoke.

“I will… contract with you. Please allow me to serve Viscount Ingrad.”

“Since we aren’t in a position to contract right this second, let’s go together when I return to the domain.”

“Understood!”

Afterward, while having our meal, I heard about Richard’s family history. Unfortunately, his family was of the fallen nobility. They were once a family of war heroes who had risen to the rank of Viscount, but after several defeats and blunders, their fortune had dwindled. By last year, their mansion—which they were barely maintaining—was on the verge of being lost to debt after supporting his research.

“I am too ashamed to face my parents.”

Furthermore, as the youngest but only son, his parents had supported him with everything they had, hoping he would succeed as a mage. Finding himself in this situation, the future looked bleak.

“You said you have two older sisters?”

“Yes. My eldest sister is a librarian at the Great Library, and my second sister is undergoing training as a maid. I heard she will graduate next year and be assigned to a noble house.”

“Then what are your parents doing?”

Richard sighed and spoke.

“My father is currently away at the battlefield. He reportedly volunteered for the volunteer army.”

“And your mother…?”

“She is guarding the house. Though that house… will soon be lost…”

Things were indeed in a bad state. But at his age, volunteering for the army? That was unexpected.

“Why don’t you bring your whole family with you when you follow me? You can just inform your father that the family is moving. It seems like it would be beneficial to join our domain in many ways.”

“….The positions of my two sisters are also an issue…”

“I think your two sisters could simply be assigned to these two here.”

“….Are they not your wives?”

Matilda and Linda both blushed at Richard’s words.

“No. Both of them are my vassals, not my wives.”

“How can you leave such beautiful ladies alone? What if someone steals them away?”

It might have been flattery, but Richard certainly scored points; Linda and Matilda’s reactions were quite positive. I chuckled and spoke.

“If someone has that much courage, let them try. That aside, what do you think of my proposal?”

“Umm… could you give me some time?”

“ I can only give you today. I plan to leave tomorrow. I’m not in a position to leave the domain for long.“

“I understand.”

I watched Richard rush away after finishing his meal. Linda then asked me a question.

“You were holding onto us, weren’t you?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Earlier, you said… if someone has the courage, let them try and take us.”

“Well… yes, I was holding onto you. I can’t just let anyone take away two people whose value to me is difficult even to discuss.”

Though this likely wasn’t the answer Linda or Matilda hoped for, it was the answer I gave after deciding there was no need to leave unnecessary room for interpretation. However, seeing that the two women didn’t seem particularly disappointed, I felt a strange fluttering in my heart.