LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 67: The Exiled Girl Refines Gold
I arrived at Walter’s new blacksmith workshop, which had been set up in the newly established industrial district. It was the village’s first stone building, constructed using stone materials and mortar.
From inside, I could hear the clanging sound of metal being hammered.
“Walter.”
“My lady, I’ve been expecting you.”
Walter greeted me as I entered the workshop.
“So, how’s it working for you?”
“Yes, it’s very easy to use. I can’t believe I’ve been given something like this…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. This village wouldn’t be able to function without you, Walter.”
“Baroness…”
“And how are the skeletons? Are they useful?”
“Yes! Very much so! They learned the work quickly and did exactly as instructed, so they’ve been a huge help.”
“That’s good to hear. What are you making right now?”
“Right now, I’m making sickles for the harvest at Bob’s request. The number of goblin skeletons suddenly increased, and we don’t have enough tools.”
“Ah, that makes sense. Bob really is reliable, isn’t he?”
“Yes, indeed. Now, about the gold…”
“How did it go?”
“Yes, we succeeded. The extracted gold is stored upstairs. This way.”
“Alright.”
Walter guided me upstairs. When we entered the room, a goblin skeleton was standing there, and at its feet were two wooden boxes of different sizes.
“Goblin skeleton, bring the gold box to the Baroness.”
*Clank clank.*
The skeleton lifted the larger wooden box and handed it to me. I took it and opened it, revealing a gold ingot about the size of my fist.
“Huh? What about the smaller box?”
“That’s silver.”
“What? But isn’t this gold dust? Why would silver come out?”
“Yes, silver is often mixed in with gold dust. That’s why we refine it.”
“Huh, I didn’t know that.”
I opened the box that supposedly contained silver, and sure enough, there was a small silver ingot inside.
“It’s true. I had no idea.”
The amount of silver was… not even one-tenth the size of the gold.
“Oh, wait. So, does silver also get included in the rewards?”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“Then, what did you do with the silver? Did you keep it?”
“If that were found out, I’d be executed.”
“Right.”
“Silver is worth less than gold, and there’s not much of it, so I just handed it over.”
“Hm, I see. I guess that’s just how it is.”
“Yes.”
“So, do you think the skeletons would be useful for refining?”
“Yes, more than useful. I think the goblin skeletons could handle it all on their own.”
“I see. In that case, maybe I’ll build a workshop dedicated to refining next to this one.”
That way, Walter wouldn’t have to come into contact with lead.
“Well then, when it’s done, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Wait, me!?”
“Well, you’re the only blacksmith we have, Walter. Plus, I’ve already sent a team to scout for a new mine. I think they’ll find one soon, and when they do, this workshop alone won’t be enough space, right?”
“That’s true, but… Am I really the right person for this?”
“You’re fine. You’ve got Lucy, after all. I’m counting on you.”
“Y-Yes!”
Meanwhile, at the royal palace in Ludingham, the thirteen-year-old Second Princess Alexia was engrossed in her embroidery, a favorite pastime.
“Phew, it’s finished.”
Alexia murmured to herself, looking satisfied.
“Erin, what do you think? Do you think Charles will be pleased with this?”
Her handmaid, who was standing by her side, smiled gently as she replied.
“Yes, it’s beautifully done. I’m sure the Crown Prince will present you with a fine gift in return.”
Hearing that, Alexia nodded in satisfaction.
“Princess, will you continue, or would you like to take a break?”
“Hmm…”
Alexia showed a hint of hesitation.
“I’ve heard that Duke Veister’s honey arrived this morning. The head chef was excited to bake some special scones with it.”
“Oh, my grandfather’s? I’ll take a break, then!”
“Understood. I’ll prepare the terrace.”
“Alright.”
When Alexia happily stepped out onto the terrace, she found a cake stand already set up. As she took her seat, another maid brought over a teapot.
“Oh? What is this scent?”
“This is Oriental Beauty tea, freshly arrived yesterday from the Tang Empire.”
“My! Oriental Beauty! I’m excited.”
“I’ll pour it for you.”
The maid poured the tea into Alexia’s cup.
“What a lovely fragrance.”
Alexia slowly sipped the tea.
“Mmm, it has such a sweet aroma…”
After savoring the tea for a while, Alexia glanced at Erin.
“By the way, Erin.”
“Yes, Princess?”
“Do you know the rumor about the Marquis of Southberry?”
Erin’s expression stiffened for a brief moment but quickly returned to her gentle smile.
“Which rumor would that be?”
“So, you’ve heard about it, haven’t you? The Marquis of Southberry is possessed by a demon and killed his own daughter, dumping her body in the Cursed Forest. And now he’s sent knights to retrieve her body.”
“Where did you hear this?”
“At yesterday’s tea party. I was the only one who didn’t know about it and ended up embarrassed.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because the rumors about the Marquis of Southberry are just that—rumors. I didn’t think it was appropriate to trouble you with such uncertain information.”
“But they say a large number of knights were sent to a town called Clarinton. Even merchants are starting to avoid the Marquisate of Southberry.”
“Well…”
“So it’s true, isn’t it?”
“…It seems so.”
“Then I’ll be the one with the exclusive information at the next tea party!”
“Princess, that’s…”
“Yes! I’ll ask Father about it during tonight’s dinner!”
“Please, you mustn’t…”
“What’s the matter? Do you want me to be laughed at as an ignorant princess who knows nothing?”
“No, that’s not it at all…”
“Then you’ll help me, won’t you?”
“…Yes.”
Erin reluctantly agreed to assist Alexia in her plan.