Inheriting a Lost Bloodline, My First Task is to have heirs?!

Chapter 426: Chapter 426 - Meeting the three chiefs

After explaining the situation of Kolyer to me in a summarized way, the middle aged miner asked curiously who I was. I gave him a sweet smile and asked again, ”Can you tell the three chiefs to meet me as soon as possible? If they ask who it was, tell them it’s the royal envoy from Hoffen.”

The miner’s face gradually paled after hearing who I was. He hurriedly bowed his body forming a perfect 45 degree angle then afterwards he ran towards the northern part of the open area. As for me, I conjured some soft grass and water for my horses then I also brought out a soft cushioned chair to sit on while waiting.

It did not take even 15 minutes before three panting uncles were seen running towards my direction together with the uncle that I asked earlier for directions. They stopped right in front of me and then bowed in perfect 45 degree angles again while greeting me loudly. There goes my intention of keeping this visit a secret flying out the window.

I still gave them instructions to rise and asked if there is a place where we can have a meeting in private since the things we would talk about will be about the real status of the whole territory. As expected of a place that instead of having one focal leader, had three leaders that never see eye to eye, they started arguing right in front of me. They started saying good things about their own parts of the territory while throwing mud at the other two. They kept saying that their side of the territory is the best choice for the meeting venue.

I slowly stood up from my seat and stored my chair. I crossed my arms in front of my chair and observed their arguments quietly. At the 5-minute mark, I realized that this noise would never end so I spoke coldly, ”You all settle the venue among yourselves. I will just do my observations on my own for now.”

I went inside my wagon for a bit and placed an illusion spell on myself so each person that I encounter sees me in a different way. As for my clothing, I changed it to something that can help me blend in with the crowd here in Kolyer.

I teleported then discreetly appeared at a secluded corner of the open area which I saw earlier. I walked out as if I belonged to this place all along. I decided to check on the areas one by one on my own and here the opinions of the workers and citizens themselves about this place. Those comments will surely be as honest as they can get.

Once I have successfully joined the crowd, I introduced myself as a newbie miner from Ersha that came here to work due to poor living conditions in our place. I made up this story so that the other miners will see it as the reason why I ask a lot of questions about the territory. Through this method, I was indeed able to gather more information instead of listening to the three leaders bickering among themselves.

According to the workers, the three regions were controlled by three old rich families that have been dabbling in the mining industry for several generations. The three founders were originally friends which built this territory from the ground up. After several decades though, the current heirs did not share the same sentiments as the founders. Coupled by several failed marriages among the three families, the relationship has continually soured until it was unrepairable, its result is what I just witnessed today.

The one that controls half of the territory was the Erdene household. The northeastern side of the territory is controlled by the Ferreira household while the southeastern side was controlled by the Oriol household.

Each household produces their own specialty products but there are many products that are being produced in small amounts by all territories. This is due to the fact that the mines in this area come from the same veins and sources.

When asked, the workers shared their thoughts about which area they loved to work for based on how the leaders treat their workers. They ranked the three from best to worst employers in this order: Ferreira, Oriol and Erdene.

In this light, I decided to observe Erdene first since they have the largest area and produces the most valuable products out of the three. I want to experience first hand what the other miners mean by ”worst employer” in the eyes of a regular worker like me. I think this experience would be very interesting for me. I also want to get samples of the gems and precious stones being produced in this area.

The second one I will be visiting will be Oriol’s area and I will put Ferreira last. I am confident that I would discover other minerals in the mines that the current world have not identified yet. Discoveries like this can earn me a new patent so it is a win-win for me.

I plan to work as a miner in each area for a day or two to get a feel and look of the management and profitability of the mines. I also want to check if any improvements can be done to increase mining efficiency and if possible, increase the total production. The higher the production, the more money goes around in the territory and the better the quality of life in the area.

Another thing that has also been bothering me which is one of the reasons that I decided to do a solo observation is that I sense strands of weak mystique mana in this territory. This is a first, given that this is already the fifth territory I have visited. Most likely, this place has been bountiful all these years due to the existence of a guardian but I can’t help but be worried that their existence might be in danger given that their presence is this weak.

I thanked my newfound miner friends for all the information they have provided me. I also discreetly gave them some of my own creations like meat jerky and a bottle enchanted with cooling magic which I filled with cold honey water.