To pressure the duchy, they needed to bring the mining rights for the magic stone mines under the control of the royal family.

However, they couldn’t seize those mining rights without any justification.

If they hastily meddled with the Crustel family and the magic stone supply was cut off, it could lead to the royal family being pressured.

However, Asilwood Jajak had heard rumors that a magic stone was discovered on the land he purchased.

The land Jajak bought was an area closely connected to Terasan. Even in historical records, Terasan was mentioned as a mountain where monsters used to dwell in the distant past.

Most magical creatures tended to inhabit areas near magic mines. Considering this, the news that magic stones were mined from the land he purchased had a very high chance of not being entirely false.
“Yes, I’m not sure if I should tell you this, but…”

“It’s okay. Go ahead and tell me.”

“In fact, I’ve been steadily researching magic stones for several years. It’s about which lands yield magic stones when excavated, and so on.”

“Wait, are you saying you bought the land because you knew magic stones would come out of the mountain?”

“Yes, I’m telling you because you’re Hwangbi-nim. Frankly, I wouldn’t bother telling this to anyone else because they probably won’t believe it.”

Amelia Hwangbi took a deep breath.

Until now, despite numerous studies conducted even within the royal palace, there had been no significant results on extracting more magic stones.

In the midst of this, Jajak, on his own, purchased land where he could actually mine magic stones based on his research.

For Hwangbi, it was an unimaginable story. Suppressing her impatience, she chose her words carefully.

“Why does someone who should simply live diligently have so much to say and so much interest? If it’s tough, tell me anytime. As the mother of the empire who manages the imperial court, it’s also my duty to handle malicious rumors without basis.”

“Thank you for your comforting words, Hwangbi-nim. However, if I show the truth as the victim of such rumors, everyone will believe it. I am currently preparing to show it to the people.”

“If you’re preparing, then what…?”

“Naturally, I’m preparing to mine magic stones. Once I start mining in earnest, the rumors will quickly subside. According to my research, there is a high possibility that an enormous amount of magic stones is stored on my land right now.”

Amelia Hwangbi’s face turned pale at his words.

“When do you plan to announce that fact? If Jajak is okay with it, I want to offer my palace for your use. I will inform the court immediately. We can prepare the venue for the banquet on the royal side…!”

“No, I will gratefully accept only Hwangbi-nim’s heart. To be honest, it’s embarrassing to call it an announcement. We’ve just started mining, you see.”

“Oh, I see.”

Hwangbi showed a very disappointed expression. At that moment, Asilwood Jajak took the opportunity to speak.

“In fact, the mining speed is quite slow. With the financial power I’ve accumulated over a lifetime, this is the limit. If the mining speed improves, I can easily secure funds. That’s why I’m considering recruiting investors at the upcoming banquet.”

“Oh, investors?”

Hwangbi seemed noticeably interested. Seeing that, Asilwood Jajak’s eyes changed.

“H-how do you possess this, Miss?”

The servant showed a noticeably surprised expression.
I explained about seeing the Catacomb through the Divine Beast five years ago, the arrival of the Leviche Knights at that time, and the incident where the assassin tried to harm my father.

The servant, who listened to all the explanations, nodded slowly.

“Yes, I remember. It was a request that we all hesitated to take, you know. To cut the life of that Duke; if successful, we would receive enough money to live comfortably for a lifetime. But if it failed, it meant the end of our lives. Those who thought life was more precious all refused.”

“Then do you know whose necklace it is? Who made the request?”

“I don’t know that part either. I wasn’t the one who received the request.”

I sighed deeply. The silver snake that had somehow climbed onto my desk hissed with its tongue, staring intently at the necklace.

[It’s difficult to find the culprit anyway, just give it to me!]

“No.”

I firmly refused and placed it inside a drawer. Then, with a determined look, I stared at the servant.

Having inquired about the necklace, it was now time to ask about the Divine Beast.

“You mentioned that it’s hiding, according to the Silver Snake. How did you figure that out?”

“Uh, the Silver Snake?”

[I’m talking about me, you dim-witted insect.]

“Ah, yes!”

The servant cleared his throat and continued.

“I, um, I don’t really know the reason for that. But I speculate that I have lived my whole life breathing invisibility. My invisibility is very different from the Divine Beast’s, and it’s a modest ability, but I’ve lived my whole life using that ability. There might be a little connection with that…”

In other words, the servant’s words seemed to suggest that because he had always been alert and on edge throughout his life as an assassin, the Silver Snake’s invisibility didn’t work on him.

‘Quite plausible.’

It seemed like the Silver Snake also agreed with that. The snake slithered up my palm and spoke.

[It was the same in the past. It surprised me, but well, in those times, there were one or two insects that were sensitive to my presence.]

I nodded lightly.

“Then, can I leave now?”

As the question ended, Montree earnestly asked in front of the door. I raised my head slightly.

“No, I haven’t finished speaking.”

“W-What more do you have to say…”

“You already figured out that I have the Divine Beast with me.”

Montree’s face turned pale. As I sat back in my chair, the Silver Snake climbed up to my shoulder.

I spoke with an expressionless face.

“Would I just let you go like that?”