The Duke saw the expressions and faces of everyone as they were enamored by a miracle that would change the lives of many. He knew he could not convince everyone that this was a trick! He, himself, couldn't believe it!
Capturing monsters and bringing back their corpses was a job for professional hunters and corpse trappers. With monsters grouping together, it would take a team of nearly a hundred men to bring back monsters that could be used for level-ups. This is why most nobles do not bestow experience to their slaves. It was a costly investment to have one level up.
But if it were magic ores, it would be a different story. People can invest in these at low levels to boost the warriors so they can venture out and fight the monsters at their higher levels.
Those of noble backgrounds could have servants that would be level 3 or 4. It would also be useful for their vassals to grow in power like this as a safe option is allowed.
Hunters and Corpse Trappers have their entire lives lined up with schedules as people often recruit their services. Many freemen would need luck and connection to even have a team. Other freemen banded together to venture out, but the losses in this scenario were high. Cases of a full wipeout would occur every now and then.
But this could cause many groups to start growing!
"The kingdom has made a relatively good push in the mine. My team helped the Champions drive back the army of imps. You can ask them if you don't believe me. But that push already offers a great amount of resources. I will offer the energy conversion circles up for free study. But honestly, I doubt it would work. This key glyph is a mark that is only activated by someone that the king deems fit. I was lucky enough to acquire it along with my team. You can try to do this circle, but it won't work." Emeros explained.
This time, everyone listened to every word of Emeros, and many were taking notes.
"This also means that the mine is the perfect place to start it. The magic in it will naturally cause stones and ores to form. So the king will still be able to amass some of it and mine the special floating metal found inside. The terror in the mines is an opportunity. And while the threat and terror are real, it doesn't change the fact that we must all pool our resources to fight in that area. The heritage that is within that place is far more important and more powerful than we realize it. We could be… the new rulers of this tri-planet region. From what I see, I can tell that King Vergos was deceived by the Duke." Emeros began to recount the possibilities.
The king listened and realized that he had not lost much at all. He would still earn as many were enticed by the power that Emeros had discovered. Instead of being condemned and attacked by the kingdoms and blamed for opening the portal, everyone would now work together to acquire more of the miracles that Emeros found.
King Vergos gave Emeros a complicated glance. Even after his accusation, Emeros still decided to spare him any further losses or shame.
"You continue to lie, Emeros! The mines are safe!" The Duke shouted and argued at Emeros in desperation.
"Are you really going to put on this lie, Duke Ressongraze? Apologize to us. Apologize to your king! You have deceived him!" The prince shouted back at the duke. Following Emeros's lead and in an act of diplomacy to make the relations between the kingdoms better, the Prince added a means for the King to cut himself from the Duke and make the Duke the scapegoat.
"So it seems that only the Duke is at fault for this. Things would have been better if he went out and told us this." The King sighed as he made his decision.
The Duke trembled as he heard the King's decision. He knew politics, and he knew he would become the scapegoat!
"...Duke Ressongraze. I will have this matter investigated." The King spoke.
"It is good for the king to finally see reason. Has the matter been fully investigated? The portals are, as I said, my king." Emeros spoke. But this time, he addressed King Vergos as 'my king' to show his allegiance.
"You have plotted against me! You and Elford! I have found a lizardman from the lava! They are not-"
"The lizardman you, dear duke, have brought here has been cooked and painted. The easiest way to ascertain whether they are magma lizardmen is to open them up. We have a room full of scholars who can tell reptilian cold-blooded organs from those born to have adapted from heat." Emeros answered.
"Oh? Then allow me!" Merovus quickly moved and slashed the body of the lizardman to open it up.
SLASH!
The torso of the red lizardman was opened up.
No blood was spilled, and the insides were indeed thoroughly cooked.
"It is indeed cooked. I can even smell the burnt aroma. This lizardman is not adapted to living in a magma-filled world. It would even die there…" Baron Yen glanced at Ressongraze and shook his head.
"A mere Baron dares to make such a bold lie! I have found that-"
"Silence. Baron Yen is a famed scholar in their region! His books are famous even in the Floating kingdoms! How do you think a man not born of nobility could ascend to his level? Duke Ressongraze! Since you are still the owner of the mine, most deals will still push through because of you. But you will be held accountable for failing to do a careful study! Arrest him!"
"No! I…!" The Duke resisted, but then, several powerful Champions appeared and quickly brought down and attacked the Duke.
"To honored guest… Today is a day of many revelations and twists. I apologize for my lack of foresight and discernment. I will settle this with my kingdom. I ask all guests only to make their preparations to follow what Young Hero Emeros has asked. For the battles in the mines could be getting worse." The King answered.
"Honored guest… Everyone. As much as I would like to answer your queries and break bread with you, I am tired. I seek shelter and will gladly pay for rooms and-"
"I would invite the young Hero to our ship floating above the lands. I understand that you have many things to… complete here. But I will ask you this for your safety. Currently, Champions and Commanders would kill to acquire your knowledge and power."
"Then I shall oblige the Prince. I would ask you to bring my friends who journeyed with me. Their bodies have the marks and patterns of my secret. And though this vine is a Dark Dependent creature, one formed by Black Magic, within them lies the key to opening the seal towards the King's residence. The corpse of Rorcast must also be preserved."
"Then it shall be done. Arise, all of you. And journey with me."
"Thank you, all honored nobles and kings. I promise to hold a session to discuss some things I have learned that will utterly change how you view energy conversion circles." Emeros smiled.
Everyone's expression changed, and all made calls. They needed their experts to be present!
And so, Emeros and his friends were brought up the ship.
He could only watch as King Vergos began to clean up after the mess that followed. Vergos watched and could not believe how a slave of the mines who was doomed for execution left the throne room more exalted than him.
He also could not help but feel thankful that his kingdom's wealth matters were somehow resolved. There would be problems, but it would be far less compared to what was originally caused. Many nobles stepped forward to discuss the team that they would send.
People could not help but grow excited. They saw a slave become a powerful man whom the Prince of the Floating Lands invited. Just what legacy would lie in that mine?
But as for Emeros, he was happy. His plans had worked. The war against the four races would begin, buying him some time. But entering that world would be a treacherous battle, and he needed all the knowledge of magic and all the training he could get.
"From slave, I am now like a prince in this region. But it cannot end there. I will attain that legacy! And I will meet that Crown! Maybe then, I would have a chance to save Kyros!"
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