“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today, Viscount Keinitz.”
“Ah, I am happy to meet with you, Sir Earlkvist, especially since it is a request from my neighbor.”
In the reception room of the Keinitz estate, Viscount Arnold Keinitz, the head of the Keinitz family, was meeting with his western neighbor, Noein Earlkvist, a baronet.
As always, Earlkvist, accompanied by his rabbitfolk slave, presented himself with a charming smile, but Arnold knew from their previous dealings regarding the refugee issue that Noein was a clever and shrewd noble, not to be underestimated. Arnold couldn’t afford to let his guard down.
“So, you mentioned you had something to discuss?”
“Yes. Actually, I was hoping you could introduce me to a mining engineer.”
With just that one sentence, Arnold understood everything.
“I see. You’ve started work on the Restio Mountains, haven’t you?”
“Exactly. Recently, we surveyed the Restio Mountains adjacent to my territory and discovered a mineral vein.”
In the northern part of the Kingdom of Lordberg, the Restio Mountains stretch across the land like a natural barrier, with various other mountain ranges scattered across the region. Almost every northern noble territory borders some part of the mountains, and mining development was a familiar venture for many of them.
It made perfect sense for a baronet like Earlkvist, seeking funds for development, to turn to mining.
“That’s great news. May I ask what kind of mineral vein you found?”
“Yes, it’s a vein of raw lapis lazuli.”
“…I see. That’s quite rare.”
Arnold barely managed to suppress his surprise, responding in as calm a tone as possible.
Lapis lazuli, while not as valuable as gemstones like rubies or sapphires, is known for its incredible value as the raw material for the pigment “The Blue of the Mother Sea.” Its price as a pigment often far exceeds that of gold by weight.
In the Kingdom of Lordberg, lapis lazuli was especially rare. Finding such a vein so quickly was indeed fortunate.
“I, too, am grateful to the gods for my good fortune. However, I lack the knowledge to develop a mine, and I have no connections to any craftsmen… I’ve heard that you, Viscount, own both copper and iron mines and have excelled in their development. That’s why I’ve come to ask if you could introduce me to a mining engineer who could teach my people how to mine.”
“A mining engineer to teach your people? Wouldn’t it be simpler to hire workers and have them handle the development?”
Typically, when developing a mineral vein, one would hire a team of engineers, miners, and skilled craftsmen to manage the excavation and processing of the minerals.
Arnold was already considering sending his own craftsmen and engineers under the guise of an introduction. That way, he could control the supply routes, purchase processed goods at low prices, or even siphon off raw stones for profit.
However, simply sending an engineer to teach mining techniques would make such plans difficult.
“My territory is still small, and I’m a very young and inexperienced lord. I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t have the ability to manage large-scale mining operations… So, recognizing my limitations, I’ve decided to proceed with small-scale mining and have recently signed a contract with Miles Trading Company to sell the raw stones.”
“…”
Arnold realized he had been preempted.
If Earlkvist had recklessly attempted to handle everything from mining to processing and sales, Arnold could have easily inserted his own workers and craftsmen, turning Earlkvist’s territory into an economic vassal. There would have been plenty of opportunities to exploit.
If necessary, Arnold could have even used military pressure to force a contract favorable to him, assigning the mining and processing of the lapis lazuli vein to the Keinitz family. Depending on the size of the vein, the potential profits might have justified such an aggressive approach.
However, with Earlkvist already having signed a contract with Miles Trading Company—specifically to sell the raw stones—the situation was different.
If Arnold tried to forcefully intervene in an already signed contract, he wouldn’t just earn the enmity of Earlkvist but also that of Miles Trading Company. From the perspective of Miles Trading, interference in a highly profitable deal involving the processing and sale of lapis lazuli would be intolerable.
Miles Trading Company was one of the largest in the region, with sales channels and branches not only in Keinitz territory but throughout the entire northwest of the kingdom. For the Keinitz family, it was an essential business partner, one they couldn’t afford to antagonize.
The consequences of disrupting this relationship would be too great. If Miles Trading turned against the Keinitz family, the financial damage would be significant. Worse, rumors might spread, accusing the Keinitz family of pressuring even its own merchants for quick profits, tarnishing the reputation Arnold had carefully cultivated as a wise and just ruler.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Earlkvist continued, almost as if he were giving Arnold time to think.
“Even selling the raw stones will be enough to bring significant prosperity to my territory. And, if Miles Trading makes a large profit from the processing and sale of lapis lazuli, it will generate substantial tax revenue for your lands as well, Viscount. Doesn’t this seem like a mutually beneficial arrangement?”
“…Indeed. You’re right.”
Arnold had no choice but to agree.
As Earlkvist had said, this wasn’t a bad deal for the Keinitz family. In fact, simply by doing nothing, the economy of his lands would flourish, and tax revenues would rise. All he had to do was introduce one mining engineer to Earlkvist.
Noein had ensured his own profits while offering Arnold a share of the benefits, neatly cutting off any other options Arnold might have had. It was an infuriatingly clever move, but there was no room for complaint.
Arnold let out a slight chuckle.
“Do you really trust me that little?”
“I apologize, but I don’t understand what you mean, Viscount. I’m simply hoping to work with you, my new neighbor, for our mutual prosperity.”
Earlkvist maintained his smile, showing no signs of breaking under Arnold’s probing.
“Hahaha, is that so?”
Of course, Arnold didn’t take his words at face value. Despite the outward politeness, it was clear Earlkvist didn’t trust him.
Rather than fighting or submitting, Earlkvist aimed for mutual prosperity while ensuring he kept control of the profits. By involving a powerful third party like Miles Trading, he had also secured a layer of protection.
Was this cunning the result of being the infamous Count Kivileft’s son, or had Earlkvist developed this approach himself as a way to survive as a lower-ranking noble with no powerful backers?
“So, may I hear your response to my request?”
“Ah, I’ll arrange for an excellent mining engineer to act as your instructor. You’ll be responsible for the engineer’s fee, of course.”
“Of course. Thank you very much. I’m truly grateful for your generosity.”
“It’s no problem. You’re a clever man. I suspect good things will come from keeping a good relationship with you.”
“I’m still inexperienced and have much to learn. I hope I can continue to rely on your guidance, Viscount…”
Earlkvist extended his hand for a handshake, flashing that friendly smile again, though Arnold couldn’t help but wonder what he was really thinking.
Their previous dealings regarding the refugees had gone well, but this time, Earlkvist had masterfully left Arnold no choice but to agree to his proposal.
Rather than trying to exploit him, Arnold thought, perhaps it would be more profitable to simply befriend and support Earlkvist…
