Chapter 61

In the realm of middle-tier nobility, the discovery of a metal vein within one's domain could lead to an enormous fortune. If that mine were a strategically significant one, such as an iron ore deposit, it would inspire the envy of even the most powerful of men.

But to stretch this further—imagine not a mere metal vein, but one rich in precious metals like silver or gold. If the reserves were substantial, the entire kingdom would be stirred to its core. Even the king would likely make a visit to investigate.

At that point, the mine would no longer be viewed as a treasure trove but as a hot potato—difficult to guard, easy to lose. In such cases, it may be best to involve more parties to divide the spoils, sharing in the rewards of such a discovery.

Now, what did the Baron find? A vein of gemstone mine—a discovery far more precious than any of the aforementioned!

Upon hearing this, the Baron acted decisively, without hesitation. He killed the messenger who brought the news, then followed the chain of information, personally leading a group to eliminate anyone who knew, had discovered, or might discover the existence of the gemstone mine. This included hunters, farmers, and his own direct subordinates.

Only after clearing all potential threats did the Baron feel a sense of relief. He tightened the news' grip, ensuring that nothing leaked out, then, under the cover of a dark night, he sought out Richard in person, making his request: for Richard to accompany him to investigate the mine's true nature.

The Baron's plan was quite pragmatic. With his own strength, he knew full well he could not hold onto the mine. Even if he managed to rally a coalition of nobles from the surrounding territories, he still stood no chance against the great noble houses that possessed thousands, even tens of thousands, of cavalry.

The Baron, by comparison, was a mere low-tier noble of the Kingdom of Prue. No matter how many resources he gathered, he simply could not compete with the might of those massive houses. Therefore, the mine would inevitably be seized—of that, he had no doubt.

However, that did not mean he couldn't delay that inevitable fate.

The Baron's strategy was to seal the news as best he could, mining and selling the gemstones day and night. He would sell the gems far from home, to countries like Myron, where rumors could not easily reach. The money he made would not be brought back home, but stashed away in distant places. Then he would continue to mine, continue to sell, until the news of the mine inevitably leaked, and it would be discovered by other nobles. At that point, the Baron would "offer" the mine to the king—or perhaps to some other influential noble—for protection.

If all went well, he could expand his domain and grow his power under the king's patronage. If things turned sour, however, he would abandon his land and flee, using the wealth from the gemstones to start anew, this time with a larger domain and a higher rank.

When Richard heard the Baron's plan, his expression grew somewhat strange—not because the plan was outlandish, but because...

"My dear father," Richard said, his tone stretching the words in mock incredulity, "are you sure... are you really sure that what you've found is actually a gemstone mine?"

Richard's calm demeanor did not betray him, despite the unexpected nature of the Baron's sudden visit. While the Baron spoke, Richard's mind was busy running through his knowledge of ores and minerals.

The result of his mental search was a deep and profound skepticism about the Baron's claim.

Gems, after all, are valuable precisely because of their rarity. If one could casually stumble upon a gemstone mine, then gems would no longer be gems—they would simply be lumps of coal.

While gems and coal share similar geological origins, requiring high pressure, high temperature, and long periods of geological transformation, the conditions for gemstone formation are far more demanding—exceedingly demanding.

Take, for instance, rubies, the most precious of gems, made of corundum (Al₂O₃). On Earth, modern industrial methods can easily produce synthetic rubies, but a naturally occurring ruby is something much rarer. To form naturally, a volcano must erupt with such force that it sends molten magma from below the Earth's surface, a depth of over 3,000 kilometers, into the upper crust. The magma solidifies into igneous rock, and some of it contains corundum. Under specific conditions—such as the presence of water or steam—the corundum crystallizes.

As if by sheer luck, the right elements, including chromium, might combine to produce the ruby's iconic red color. It then takes millions of years, or even more, for it to become the gem we cherish.

The rarity and difficulty in extracting a gem like a ruby are beyond the comprehension of most, and the effort required to mine such stones is unfathomably challenging.

For instance, in modern Myanmar, the world's largest producer of gemstones, miners must dig through layers of earth over four meters thick to reach the gem-rich gravel beneath. Out of 400 tons of ruby ore, only a single carat—about 0.2 grams—of raw ruby might be found. And even then, only about one out of every 1,000 rough rubies can be cut and polished into a genuine gemstone.

With such odds, was it really possible, as the Baron claimed, that a hunter, lost in the wilderness, just happened to stumble upon an open gemstone mine and just so happened to find a decent-sized gem as proof?

Perhaps. But the odds were so infinitesimally small that Richard was filled with skepticism.

The Baron, upon hearing Richard's doubts, was insistent: "Do not worry, it is a gemstone mine! I've seen the sample the hunter brought back. It's absolutely a gemstone! I refuse to believe a mere hunter could afford to bring a gemstone to deceive me!"

Richard, however, remained unconvinced. He thought for a moment before suggesting, "Since you're so sure, and I'm not, why not show me the sample you received? I only need a glance to determine whether it's real or not."

The Baron hesitated. "Well…"

"What is it? Do you have a problem?" Richard asked, narrowing his eyes.

The Baron, tall and thin, paused for a moment before speaking slowly, "Well, after I received the gemstone sample, I only took one look and was absolutely certain it was real. After all, I've seen real gemstones before. But to ensure secrecy, to prevent any leaks, I killed many people. Then, to ensure no one would find any suspicious evidence, I destroyed the sample."