Chapter 493 (1/2)

Chapter 493: The Gem Mine

Translator: TransN Editor: TransN

Roland rolled out of his bed under the glare of daylight.

He put on his coat and walked to the window. The snow covering the buildings outside had partially melted to reveal some areas of red roofs and gray walls, which brought both colors and vitality to the landscape. Inside the room, it was still cold, but if you faced the sunlight, you could also feel a little bit of warmth.

The snow had begun to melt.

He stepped into his office and saw his breakfast arranged neatly on his desk. As usual, there was a fried egg, two pancakes, and a cup of warm water. Nightingale had prepared it for him just like always.

“Thanks,” Roland said to the empty couch.

“How do you know I’m here?” Nightingale said from the couch as she gradually revealed herself.

“You’ll never sit if you get the chance to lie down.” He smiled and then put the egg between the pancakes and raised it up to his mouth. “Besides, the couch was sinking where you are sitting. How could I not know?”

“No, I like sitting, too.” She dashed to the desk and perched herself on the edge of it “Like sitting here,” she added.

Roland would never get tired of seeing her graceful, airy movements, especially the amazing ones she made when she quickly stepped in and out of her Mist.

“You look good. Did you have any nice dreams?”

“Uh-huh, Indeed, I had a very a nice dream,” she answered while raising her eyebrow a little.

“Good.” Roland hurriedly ate his egg and pancake “hamburger” and continued, “Today, you ought to follow me.”

“Because of the assassin?”

“Yes,” he replied, “If Timothy gave orders to those on the gem list, perhaps there are still other assassins in the Western Region. However, it’s impossible for us to check every single person.” He felt it was a shame that people so brave and smart and so loyal to the royal family were employed as assassins. People as capable as they should be placed on more promising positions. With this in mind, Roland became even more resolute to eliminate Timothy’s influence as soon as possible.

“As you wish, Your Highness.” Nightingale said with a smile, “Where are we going?

“The mine and the salt well. That’s one of the reasons I came to Stronghold.”

…

Having summoned Petrov and other relevant personnel in the castle, the exploration group proceeded to the suburb of the city.

Roland actually cared more about the iron mines of the Maple Leaf and Wild Rose families, but he still made the gem mine his first stop on the investigative tour, given that gem trade was the primary industry of Longsong Stronghold, and the gem mine was the closest one.

The road leading to the mine became spongy and muddy because of the melting snow, making it impossible to access with a carriage. Therefore, the group rode horses and moved very carefully and slowly. It took them almost the whole morning to get to the edge of the Impassable Mountain Range. This experience strengthened Roland’s belief in the saying that “a good road is an access to wealth”. Without a hard-surfaced road to the mine, raising its output would be meaningless since any inclement weather could easily hamper transportation of the ore.