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“It’s a bit iffy whether you could call it an acquaintance. It’s just that when I stopped by a town to investigate Fleet Volcano, he told me about [the Dragon King’s graveyard]—that was the extent of our relationship.”
 
In terms of time, it was only a few hours of association.
 
He had happened to see him at a tavern, and by coincidence, he was a resident of Vechta Village, their investigation destination. Kurtz had simply listened to the legends he told in order to gather information.… Read more

“Even if he had abilities like prophecy or precognition, what he’d obtain through them would only be ‘information.’ To utilize or make use of that ‘information,’ you need either an appropriate position or the ability to look beyond what can be gained from the information.”
 
Even if Kurtz had somehow obtained information that [Fleet Volcano would erupt], as a child, he wouldn’t be able to utilize it. At best, he could only avoid danger in advance.… Read more

About two weeks had passed since the refugees arrived in Felmund.
 
By that time, the construction of temporary housing had been completely finished, and the dragonkin’s living foundation had been established.
 
And—
 
“—Good, it seems things are going quite well, which is excellent.”
 
Hearing the report from Falsen, Edel nodded with satisfaction.
 
“As expected of dragonkin, the progress of excavation work is much faster than what humans could accomplish. At this rate, we might be able to confirm the types and quality of minerals extracted today and even get to selecting buyers.”… Read more

Chapter 3

 
Three years had passed since Artesia’s death, and by the time the epidemic known as the “World Tree’s Curse” had completely subsided, Kurtz was flying around various places gathering information.
 
However—by that time, the world was gradually beginning to change.
 
While the Ornament Duke family was expanding their territory toward the northern part of the continent, using Sylvayu as their base while controlling the elves, a tragic incident occurred among the dragonkin.… Read more

“Anyway, that’s the reason why only male dragonkin are said to deviate greatly from human appearance compared to other demi-human Race. Indeed, male dragonkin possess outstanding physical abilities even among demi-humans, and there are records of times in the past when they prospered to the point of being feared by humans and other demi-humans.”
 
“I see. But being strong and having a different appearance from other demi-humans, it sounds like there must have been a history of various hardships and difficult times.”… Read more

“Now then… Falsen-Vechta. I, in the name of Blaskas and as lord of Felmund, swear to guarantee your treatment and livelihood with certainty.”

Trakia declared while directing his crimson eyes at him.

“The [oath] we speak is not mere words. It is a steel covenant that will not bend no matter what happens—even if I must stake my life, I will give you the best possible outcome.”

He spoke while directing straight, burning red eyes at him.… Read more

Chapter Two

What do people do first when an unexpected event occurs?

That is [passing the blame around].

“–I understand your situation, Kobald-dono.”

In a spacious conference room, a well-dressed dragonman nodded his dragon head up and down.

In response, the dwarf man called Kobald, who had cultivated a rich beard, nodded with a serious expression.

“Our Empinada territory avoided human casualties from this eruption, but our main industry—mining and refining operations—has come to a halt.… Read more

“This [Philosopher’s Stone] has the property of recording and storing specific magical power, then generating magical power that reproduces it. If we record and store the family heads’ magical power with this, the problem will be resolved.”
 
“…Hmm, an application of the magical inheritance performed by Eisenhud.”
 
“Yes. However, currently it’s extremely difficult to make contact with the Six Ducal Houses, particularly the family heads, and if we fall into a situation where we must take action, we’ll likely be crushed by overwhelming military force.”… Read more

However–
 
“–But if it’s a [deal], that changes things.”
 
Edel answers with a fearless smile.
 
“When things move, [money] moves greatly at the same time. If Kurtz creates that movement, then I currently have the option to enjoy profits on the front lines.”
 
“That’s right. Edel understands better than anyone the profits that first movers in business opportunities gain.”
 
“Yes. That’s how I was able to build a solid position within the Mercator family.”
 
The great merchant house Mercator, which controls northern trade flows, decides successors based purely on meritocracy.… Read more

Trakia-Blaskas was Feiyu’s grandfather and, in the past, as head of the Blaskas family, he had also handled diplomacy with the adjacent demi-human nations, as well as the Empire and northern countries.
 
Before becoming head of the family, Trakia had been dispatched to Felmund on his father’s orders just after reaching the age of just over one hundred, which for an elf corresponded to being a young adult.
 
That had been a polite way of getting rid of a troublesome person, as he wrote in his own records.… Read more