Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 658: Theolonium Mining Agreement

CH658 Theolonium Mining Agreement

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To prevent undue notice and because the bulk of his fighters still needed to escort him back to BloodIron, Peyton had deployed merely a hundred-odd soldiers to oversee the mining site, utilizing the existing village as a convenient shield. This contingent was, on average, more potent than the guards at the base camp, yet their numbers were considerably fewer.

Employing two advanced crossbow designs that created an insurmountable power advantage, the Fortuna Company seized the village with minimal resistance, quickly bringing both the settlement and the mine under their command.

Astonishingly, in the mere week since the Lost Heathens had occupied the village and initiated the mining operations, substantial progress had been made on the initial excavation. Full operational status was mere days away.

Now that Alex and his associates had secured the location, they could immediately profit from the Lost Heathens' prior efforts, commencing exploitation with minimal further capital.

'Ah... it's truly satisfying when others do the hard work and you simply claim the spoils,' Alex mused internally.

A subtly cruel grin spread across his face.

'I do wonder what Brock Peyton’s face will look like when he discovers this. What a pity I won't be there to witness it.'

His thoughts then turned to Peyton’s haughty demands during their earlier encounter, causing his hand to clench involuntarily, his teeth grinding softly.

'Don't fret, Peyton. Savor your moment on the high horse while you still can. In just a few more days, I'll be the one to bring you crashing down to earth.'

"The mine shows moderate richness," Sugud reported after concluding a swift assessment of the resource deposits. "Multiple mineral lodes are present, several of which I suspect hold considerable profit potential on their own. Regarding the Theolonium specifically... I estimate we can extract approximately one ton from this site."

He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I'm uncertain if that quantity is considered substantial or meager."

Kron Belloc fixed his gaze on Sugud. "One ton of pure Theolonium? Not the raw ore?" he inquired.

"Pure Theolonium," Sugud confirmed.

Kron Belloc's breathing grew noticeably more rapid. "That's not merely a lot – it's immense! We're going to be wealthy!"

He almost leaped for joy. Alex, however, embodying the astute businessman he was becoming, displayed minimal elation. At this stage, his primary concern had shifted from mere wealth to the influence and power that wealth could be converted into.

Furthermore, it wasn't lost on him that this felt like a peculiar twist of fate. After all, what were the odds that a random group of bandits, foolish enough to provoke him, would coincidentally possess a veritable goldmine he could seize after defeating them?

'Speaking of riches...'

Alex directed his attention to the barbarian woman. "You heard the assessment. This mine is exceptionally valuable. So, what is your next course of action?" Alex inquired.

The woman responded with a confused frown. "What do you mean?"

Alex was about to elaborate, but Eleanore interjected. "It is highly improbable that we—and our associates—can maintain the secrecy of this mine indefinitely. A resource of this magnitude cannot be extracted discreetly without eventually drawing attention. Sooner or later, people will discover its existence."

Her delivery was gentle, yet her words carried significant weight. "Even if we manage to extract most of its value by then, and we publicize that fact, there will still be individuals eager to try their fortune. And when that time comes, no one can guarantee the safety of your village if you choose to remain here."

The barbarian woman's expression turned stern. "What are you implying? That we should abandon our ancestral lands?" she asked, clearly agitated.

Eleanore flinched slightly at her abrupt, intense reaction and took a step back. "You might not have a choice," Zora stated with a sympathetic sigh. "Your tribe is not unreasonable for wishing to stay on your ancestral grounds. It is not your fault that this mine is situated here. Unfortunately, merely possessing—or even residing in close proximity to—something this valuable is sufficient to attract calamity."

Her gaze swept over the devastated remnants of the village. "Consider what has already transpired here."

The barbarian woman's shoulders gradually sank with resignation. She wished to dispute Zora's assertion, but found herself unable to do so. The irrefutable evidence surrounded her—the bloodstains, the ruins, the communal grave, and the lasting scars from the Lost Heathens' brutal incursion.

"I recognize that this situation feels profoundly unfair right now," Alex stated, his voice now considerably more composed, "but that is the harsh reality of the world outside. Those who possess greater strength dictate the destinies of the less powerful."

He allowed a moment of silence to pass.

"However, your circumstances are not entirely beyond hope. A path forward still exists—a faint sliver of light piercing the mist, albeit a narrow one."

The woman’s gaze immediately snapped up to meet his, a spark of hope igniting within her eyes.

"Is that truly possible?"

"Now that we have uncovered this location, I regret to inform you, but we must assume control of it," Alex disclosed with unvarnished honesty. "Nevertheless, unlike the Lost Heathens, our objective is to provide equitable compensation—to the fullest extent of what is reasonable."

He held up two fingers.

"This leaves you with two fundamental choices."

Alex paused once more, ensuring her full attention was captured.

"The first option permits your people to reestablish your village within this vicinity. Our organization will compensate your tribe for the utilization of the resources found beneath your ancestral lands. In return, a portion of this compensation can be allocated by your village to enlist mercenaries from our ranks—individuals possessing the requisite strength to safeguard your settlement and ensure its security."

A visible rekindling of hope immediately illuminated the woman’s features.

"There are several crucial aspects you must grasp if you opt for this path," Alex continued, raising a single finger.

"Firstly, you will be precluded from engaging any external mercenary force. We will not permit you to contract protection from any other entity. This is the sole method by which we can meticulously maintain the confidentiality and operational integrity of our activities in this region.

"Should you attempt to introduce outside mercenaries, such an action will be construed as an act of aggression... and we will respond with commensurate force."

A fleeting crimson gleam flickered within Alex’s eyes.

"Such an outcome would be disadvantageous for all parties involved."

Without awaiting her reaction, he raised a second finger and proceeded.

"Secondly, it is imperative you understand that the mercenaries you enlist through us—or rather, through our associates—may not necessarily prioritize your tribe’s welfare. Their mandate will be to defend against external threats and to facilitate our extraction operations, not to form bonds of camaraderie with your people.

"Indeed, their primary objective may lean more towards ensuring the perpetual security of our ongoing operations rather than actively protecting your tribe. This security and the preservation of secrecy might necessitate certain compromises to your tribe’s comfort and autonomy—though I do not anticipate it would manifest as direct physical harm."

His tone remained measured, yet undeniably stark in its candor.

"However, even in the absence of physical aggression, numerous other forms of detriment exist. At the very least, you must anticipate a significant erosion of your privacy in the name of operational security."

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