In this era, the Shouro Empire was plagued by a shortage of resources. The yield of mined magi-crystals was particularly low, forcing them to rely heavily on imports. Although the empire's territory was vast, its mineral veins lay deep underground, making extraction prohibitively expensive. Magi-crystals were a prime example—it was practically cheaper to import them from abroad.
A short while ago, Reinhard—having been revived in this era in a homunculus body—took notice of this troubling situation and crafted an underground resource prospecting golem. He entrusted the creation to Daiki and Cocona, the married descendants of Jin living in Loizart, to present to the Shouro Empire.
It was immediately delivered to Ernst Lupus von Licht Shouro, the Emperor of the Shouro Empire, commonly known as Ernst II.
"Oho, made by a friend of Jin-dono, you say?"
Reglei Gibbs von Besuvius, the Magic Technology Minister of the Shouro Empire, let out an appreciative hum as he examined the device.
"Mmh, this is remarkable. It automatically harnesses the Grand Search spell to locate underground resources directly from the surface...?"
"Reglei, produce them in large quantities and deploy them across the provinces."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
By order of Ernst II, mass production of the underground resource prospecting golem began. Since the design base template had been presented along with the prototype, they managed—despite a few minor struggles—to manufacture twenty identical units. These were promptly dispatched to various mining regions.
Two days after the deployment of the underground resource prospecting golems, a steady stream of good news began pouring in from all corners of the empire. Naturally, each report brought word of newly discovered mineral veins.
"A rich vein of iron has been discovered north of Kitasata Village!" "A vein of light silver has been found in the vicinity of Rakukuna Village!" "Word has arrived of a gold, silver, and copper vein discovered to the north of Aniko Village!" "It appears magi-crystals have been uncovered in Danho Village!"
Surprisingly, rather than being located in mountainous regions, many of the discoveries were situated in wastelands resembling peneplains. Even in Magiroots, the home village of Barrow and Belle whom Jin had once employed, native copper was extracted from beneath the bedrock.
As the word "mine" might suggest, people often assumed mineral veins were exclusive to mountains, but that was hardly true. The real advantage of a protruding mountain was that horizontal tunnels could be driven into it, making operation and maintenance far easier. In the case of underground deposits, tunnels had to be dug downward, which racked up significant costs for ventilation, waterproofing, and hauling ore to the surface. As a result, deep downward excavation was rarely pursued. In Japan, for instance, the Sado Gold Mine was driven far below sea level in its later years, making the battle against seeping water an excruciating ordeal.
"Oh, marvelous! Swift reports indeed!"
Ernst II rejoiced at the prospect of finally achieving resource self-sufficiency.
"Prioritize the most promising veins and begin development immediately."
The empire lacked the capacity to develop every newly discovered vein all at once. Consequently, priority was given to large deposits that yielded high-value ores. Thanks to this initiative, the soaring costs of mineral resources in the Shouro Empire would subside two years later, breathing fresh life into its industries—though that is a story for another time.
Meanwhile, in the Klein Kingdom. This nation boasted numerous mines throughout its northern mountain ranges. The Egeera Mine, situated west of the Kutsudo Mine, was among them, actively producing high-grade gold and silver ore to this day.
"It seems the Kutsudo Mine is undergoing redevelopment as well. That puts my mind at ease."
Reviewing the report brought back by the returning inspector, King Melikalans I and Chancellor Philistel van Todes were beaming with satisfaction.
"It seems that whether in the past or the present, sincere and honest dealings are the only way to treat the Magi Craft Meister."
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
"About four hundred years ago—it must have been during the Second Generation's time—it seems our nation treated him rather disdainfully at first."
"So I have heard."
"And as a result, our country lost the Magi Craft Meister to the Shouro Empire. Though I suppose we got what we deserved."
"Quite so, Sire. There were more than a few deeply corrupt individuals among the nobility back then."
"Indeed....Even now, remnants of the Magic Federation's influence linger in our kingdom. Only when we have purged them completely will we truly be able to govern as we see fit."
"As you say."
Even so, the worst of the rot had already been excised, leaving behind only scattered, potential rebel elements. At that point, the conversation turned to a more delicate, suspicious matter.
"Regarding the Marquis Aux House, who oversee the Egeera Mine..."
"Ah, does this concern their suspected ties to the Magic Federation?"
"Precisely. How is the investigation progressing?" Melikalans I asked the Chancellor.
The Marquis Aux House managed one of the kingdom's foremost mines, but past suspicions of collusion with the Magic Federation had never been fully cleared.
"For now, the head of house and his eldest son are entirely in the clear. The suspicious one is the second son, Garrison Yack Aux."
"Just as I suspected."
"Furthermore, his whereabouts have been completely unknown for several days."
"Could he be plotting something?"
"Your insight is as sharp as ever, Sire. I suspect the very same."
"Mmh..."
In roughly ten days, the air race would take place in Toka Village. King Melikalans I could not help but scowl as he considered the fallout if an incident were staged during the event.
"Should anything happen, our kingdom's credibility will hit rock bottom."
"Indeed, Sire."
"Send trustworthy individuals to investigate at once."
"It has already been arranged."
"Good, that is well."
"...Honestly, having these smoldering embers lingering about is a massive headache."
"Truly so, Your Majesty."
The King and the Chancellor exchanged a look, sharing a dry, rueful smile.
Back on Hourai Island, Reinhard—the creator of the prospecting golems—was delighted to hear of their success in the Shouro Empire.
"I wonder if this counts as repaying a small part of my debt to my homeland."
"Yes, Dear."
Meanwhile, the suspicious developments within the Klein Kingdom had also reached Laojun's ears.
'My Lord, how shall we proceed?'
"Even if they try something, I won't let them disrupt the race under any circumstances."
'Understood.'
Jin was fully determined to make the 1st Marikka Cup an unqualified success.
"Let's step up surveillance in that area."
'Very well. I shall also deploy roving members of the Quinta.'
And their greatest asset was the Peeper. Through it, Laojun could keep watch over 99.99 percent of Planet Ars. The only places beyond its sight were spaces shielded by active barriers.
The opening of the 1st Marikka Cup was drawing near.