Please sit there!

Richard motioned to the reception set in front of his office desk.

Laura and I sat down side by side, and Richard sat down on the other side.

Thank you for coming so far! We're having a welcome party today, so have fun!

Then we exchanged updates.

Then we exchanged updates. "Well, ......, I'm not used to being a lord and I don't know what to do! I'm learning and learning every day! My head hurts! I'm a physical person!

I'm a physical person!

But it's worth it! But it's worthwhile! I'm going to work hard to make the people in this territory happy! I'm determined to make the people in this territory happy, to make their lives a little better!

There was a glint of motivation in his eyes.

It's a good person. I'm sure he's thinking about the people and not about selfishness.

I'm sure he'll make a good lord.

It's a tough day.

Well, it's good that the other side is rewarding and worth the effort, but the other side is ......

"The other side?

I sent you a letter, you know. You see, I sent you a letter. The neighboring lords are troublesome.

As soon as he said that, the positive look on Richard's face lost its brightness.

That's right. This is why we were called in. I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

It's really a pain in the ass, that father ......!

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

"What's the ...... story?

There were no details in the letter, so I asked.

"Well, you know about ...... heavy mithril?

Yeah.

Heavy Mithril is a mineral that has high resistance to magic. It's also a great way to make sure that you don't end up in a situation where you're not able to get out of it. In ......, some of the facilities have rooms protected by heavy mithril.

In our territory, there are mines where you can extract the heavy mithril. But since it's an important mineral, we're supposed to deliver it all to the kingdom first.

Will you buy it?

Yes, but it's cheaper than the market price. It is cheaper than the market price, though, because we are dealing with a country. ...... But, you know, it's nice to have an income. But it's nice to have some income, because this territory doesn't have a lot of industry.

Then he continued.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this. And of course, the delivery to the kingdom.

......I see .......

It might be understandable for them to be in trouble. From the perspective of the neighboring count, he had lost his job.

But that didn't seem to be the reason.

So, well, now that I'm the lord of this place, I'm supposed to take over the management of that mine, but when I checked, the numbers don't add up.

"...... doesn't add up?

Yes. The actual output and the output on the books. There seems to be quite a gap between the actual output and the output on the books.

Where did the difference disappear to?

If it is to be delivered to the kingdom in the first place before that...

It's not embezzlement.

It's not just embezzlement, it's a betrayal of the kingdom!

...... That's a hell of a big story .......

If that's true, it's not something you can just apologize for. I'm not sure what to do.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"Yes, I did! Many times! We don't know anything! You don't know anything, and you're mistaken, aren't you? You don't know what you're talking about!

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money. It's only natural that the other party would be desperate to cover it up.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"Yes, absolutely! Only because he's new! Only because he has no experience! I'm talking to you with a crazy amount of confirmation!

Apparently, he is quite confident.

If you're that confident, why don't you bring the evidence to the kingdom? You can't help but feel that if you're that confident, why don't you bring the evidence to the kingdom, but that would probably scare them away.

It's an appeal that could crush the other party.

If the case is dismissed, it will be a disgrace to Richelt. It would be a painful result for the newly appointed lord.

The other party had been in charge of the mine for many years. It would not be surprising if they had a loophole or two.

This is why Richter wants to get a confession out of the Count himself.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it. I've already informed the other party of the date!

That's what I'm here for.

I'm not sure that ...... is going to help you, but if you talk to the same people in the same way, the result will be the same. I think he wanted to change the atmosphere.

I'll try to do my best in my own way. ......

You've had a rough start to your new job, RICHARD.

No, no, no! It's not like this! I'm a duke at the end of my life! I'm a duke at the end of my life, so this is nothing to worry about!

I'm a duke at the end of my life! I'm a duke at the end of my life.

Oh.

That's when Richter let his voice out. Then he looked at Laura.

"I'm sorry, Laura! I'm sorry, Laura, for talking only about me and Albert!

I'm not sure what to do with it.

No, no, no! No, no, no! I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

No, I can't do that. I can't do that. I can't let her get bored. Did you have anything of interest to say?

It was a rather brash and rude gesture.

However, there are many aristocrats who act as if they don't see commoners, and I think this openness is a point of beauty.

I was happy to see that they treated Laura well.

"Well, let's see, .......

Laura looked up at the ceiling as if startled, and then said, "Yes, that's right.

Yes, I'm interested in heavy mithril.

"Ah, heavy mithril! You're a student of the academy, aren't you? You're a student of the Institute, why don't I show you?

What do you mean?

Here, here. Actually, it's on display for visitors. The heavy mithril is one of our most important specialties.

Then he stood up and opened the door to the next room.

There was a glass case in the room and he stood in front of it.

I think this is the first time you've seen it. This is a heavy mithril gem.

I peered into the glass case and saw several black ores covered with craggy rocks.

"So this is what it looks like!

That's what you get when you refine it.

He pointed to a jet-black plate at the edge of the glass case.

It's all black, isn't it?

Yes. It's too strong a color to be used as a material, so we color it.

Richard opened the glass case with the key he had taken out.

I'm sure you'll like it. You can try to hold it, Albert-san!

I did as I was told and reached for the heavy mithril plate. I know it's heavy, but it's the size of the palm of my hand. No matter how much--

It's ...... heavy. ......

I tried to lift it up, but it didn't budge a muscle.

"Hahahaha! That's right, it's really heavy. I've been working out and even I can barely move it!

It's ...... not sensible to convert it into human equipment, this one.

Richter pointed at the wall.

There was a large jet-black board the size of a human embedded in the wall.

'It's like that when used for materials. It's too heavy, so we have to use a lot of equipment and macho men to make it work.

"Wow.

Laura approached and stared.

Can I touch it?

Of course!

Laura poked and prodded at the heavy mithril that had been implanted in her, and let out a squeal.

Oh, Laura," said Richter.

I'm not sure what to do. Do you want to shoot the Magic Arrow?

"Oh, you don't mind?

No, it's okay. It won't hurt you at all!

Riehle answered confidently.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

Magic arrows!

As soon as the white arrow hit the wall, it disappeared like a firework.

I'm sure you've heard of it.

"Hahahahaha! It's a pretty thick slab of heavy mithril! It has more protection than ordinary materials!

Then he looked at me.

It's a very thick mithril plate! Would you like to try it?

What?

Magic Arrow. You're good at that, right?

...... Are you sure?

My Magic Arrow is a little more powerful than others.

Richter responded lightly.

I'm sure you'll be fine!

I'm not sure what to make of this. I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure what to do with it. I'm not sure what to do.

I stand next to Laura.

Are you sure you want to go all out?

"That's it! A hundred percent of a hundred percent, please!

"Okay.

I pull out my right hand and say the trigger word.

"Magic Arrow.

The white arrow strikes the jet-black stone.

I heard something crack.