Chapter 206: Who Said Border Nobles Are All Paupers?

With the matter of recruiting the caravan settled, Gervas began searching for the "Autobiography of the Elf Ranger Zoro" mentioned in the intelligence.

Gervas used the excuse of inspecting the items the caravan had for sale to conduct his search.

Upon learning this, Steward As was extremely enthusiastic and began introducing his caravan's goods to him.

Gervas pretended to listen while occasionally touching the goods.

"My lord Viscount, the merchants behind us are not part of the As Count family's own caravan, but rather scattered peddlers who followed along with us for safety."

"Of course, we will also screen their goods, so there will basically be no scammers or the like."

At this point, they reached the rear area of the caravan, arriving at the location of the scattered peddlers who traveled with the caravan.

Coincidentally, the first peddler was selling books.

"This is my lord Viscount Gervas, who is now the new master of Baron Kane's territory!"

"Greetings, Lord Gervas!"

The peddlers were accustomed to dealing with nobles; aside from respect, there was little sign of nervousness.

"Welcome to Storm Territory. I just shared some good news with Steward As: any caravan or peddler heading to Wheat Town..."

"... can exchange a single gold coin for a standard-sized Glow Pearl, and no tax will be charged for up to ten pieces!"

"Of course, perhaps you haven't brought enough money this time, but this exchange rate in Storm Territory is valid indefinitely!"

"So, when you come next time, remember to bring enough gold coins!"

"Lord Gervas is generous!" The peddlers had varied expressions; some might have brought enough money but dared not show it.

Yet, for such generosity from Storm Territory, they expressed their respect.

Gervas smiled and nodded, then casually picked up a copy of "The Autobiography of XX Count" from before him.

After flipping through it, he picked up a yellowed book lying beside it.

Written on that yellowed cover were the words "Autobiography of the Elf Ranger Zoro."

After flipping through a few pages and reading for a moment, Gervas immediately confirmed the existence of the "Swift Movement Technique" within.

"This story of the Elf clan's adventure is quite interesting. How much is it?"

The bookseller was a tall, thin man of middle age. Upon hearing this, he immediately bowed respectfully. "Lord Gervas, books of this thickness in your hand are three silver coins each; others that are thicker are five silver coins."

"Then pick out a book worth one gold coin for me!"

"One gold coin?" The bookseller trembled violently, somewhat excited.

"That's right. I am very interested in reading. Since you have one book that interests me, perhaps there are others that will interest me as well!"

"Then... then, my lord, which few do you like? I will pick them for you! One gold coin is enough to buy several dozen!" The bookseller spoke cautiously, worried that this noble before him might not understand the value of a gold coin.

"I am not so idle as to pick them one by one. You pick them out for me, and I will read them slowly in the future!"

Magnificent!

This is a truly wealthy noble!

Who says border nobles are all poor as church mice?

Here stood a noble who did not treat gold coins as gold coins.

All the surrounding peddlers cast looks of awe toward Gervas.

The bookseller had no more hesitation; completing this single transaction was worth traveling through more than ten territories.

"Lord Gervas, the books you requested are picked! A total of thirty!" The bookseller spoke cautiously.

Compared to the books obtained at a low price from that destitute viscount's family last time, this price was several times lower.

However, bankrupt nobles are rare and cannot be sought out; this is the normal price for purchasing books.

Gervas directly took out a Glow Pearl.

"It is rare to encounter something I like, so let's pay with a Glow Pearl!"

Whoosh!

The peddlers all widened their eyes; this was the first time they had ever seen a Glow Pearl with their own eyes.

The bookseller hesitated somewhat, not because he was unaware of the Glow Pearl's value, but because he could not confirm its authenticity.

"Why are you still standing there? This is a gift from my lord Viscount Gervas. The premium alone is worth several silver coins!"

Steward As, being well-traveled and knowledgeable, spotted the authenticity of the Glow Pearl at a glance and immediately signaled the bookseller.

This single Glow Pearl carried a premium of at least two or three silver coins.

What difference is there between this and finding something for free?

"Thank you, my lord, for your generosity!"

Only then did the bookseller feel relieved, accepting the Glow Pearl with tears of gratitude.

At this moment, the other merchants looked at Gervas expectantly, hoping he would also pick something from their stalls.

Unfortunately, Gervas encountered nothing else that interested him afterward, leaving these peddlers deeply disappointed.

And Gervas's tactic of spending a thousand gold to buy a horse's bone proved extremely effective.

Before noon, As and the peddlers decided to head to Wheat Town first.

The goal was obviously to exchange for Glow Pearls.

"I am the humble Luo Ni, greeting my lord!"

"Luo Ni, I ask you, has anything special happened at the Iron Mine recently?"

At the Iron Mine, upon learning of Gervas's arrival, Steward Luo Ni, who was in charge, hurried over to greet him.

Gervas did not beat around the bush and asked directly.

However, Luo Ni clearly did not know the reason for Gervas's arrival.

After thinking for a moment, he shook his head cautiously. "My lord, everything at the Iron Mine has been fine recently, and the daily output can reach the minimum standard of one thousand kilograms!"

"Is that so? Then why have I heard that Iron Mine Mountain seems to have encountered some trouble?"

Luo Ni's heart gave a thud, his body began to tremble uncontrollably, and his mind raced, wondering what exactly had happened, or if someone was trying to frame him?

"My lord, have mercy! I... I truly do not know what happened; I have always managed the iron mine excavation honestly!"

"Then I will give you a hint!" Looking at the trembling Luo Ni, Gervas felt it was enough.

"I heard that recently, the miners reported seeing black shadows darting through the mine tunnels, and that the ore they mined frequently went missing?"

Luo Ni was startled; my lord actually knew even about this matter.

Back then, he had indeed received reports from several slave miners.

But he thought it was certainly an excuse made by some lazy miners, so he scolded them and did not believe it.

After all, the Patte Viscount family had been mining this cave for decades; how could there be anything strange?

Moreover, he had only recently defected from Baron Kane to serve Viscount Gervas.

If he reported such an unproven matter, would it not make him appear incompetent?

"My lord, spare my life! A few days ago, several slave miners did report this matter to me, but since there was no evidence, I did not report it!"

"I truly did not intend to conceal it; please, my lord, have mercy!"

"Luo Ni, I said before that if anything happens at Iron Mine Mountain, you must report it to the castle."

"Regardless of whether it is true or false afterward, the castle will send someone to verify it! Nor will they blame the fault on you!"

"You deliberately concealed this matter; that is the error you committed. I will fine you half a month's salary; do you have any objection?"

Gervas naturally understood Luo Ni's thoughts; after all, he had just joined the Storm Domain, did not know Gervas's character, so it was somewhat understandable.

Of course, a lesson must be given to prevent such mistakes in the future!

"Thank you, my lord, for your mercy; I have remembered!" Luo Ni felt as if he had been granted a reprieve.

"Very well, then lead us into the tunnel to take a look! Confirm whether the miners' report is true or false!"