Chapter 292: The Prince’s Request – Revised
Drawn in by the allure of the Rainbow Crystal, Rodel decided to assist Andrew with road maintenance in his territory, as requested. Fortunately, this task was one he was already accustomed to. Not only would he acquire a splendid gift for his fiancée, but he would also be creating a favor with the Second Prince, who would one day become a Duke. Though it was a bit of a hassle, he believed it was a deal that wasn’t too unfavorable.
However… once the road maintenance was completed and it came time to receive the Rainbow Crystal, he would come to realize that he had been outmaneuvered.
“This is the mine where the Rainbow Crystal was discovered. Feel free to take as much as you like.”
“The mine? But… there are monsters down there, aren’t there?”
Guided by Andrew, Rodel found himself at the entrance of a five-meter-wide pit. Originally dug for a well, it was said that the Rainbow Crystal had been discovered by chance. However, peering down into the hole, he was met with a writhing mass of creatures.
“Centipedes… right?”
At the bottom of the pit lay a horde of large centipede monsters. They measured about three meters in length, and dozens of these crocodile-sized centipedes squirmed together at the pit’s base. The sight of these monsters, larger than any human, not only invoked a sense of visceral disgust but also a profound sense of danger.
(If I were to fall into that pit… just thinking about it sends chills down my spine…)
“What does this mean? Can you explain?”
With half-lidded eyes, Rodel glared at Andrew, who smiled awkwardly and spread his hands wide.
“As I mentioned earlier, we discovered the Rainbow Crystal while digging a well. We continued to dig deeper, but it seems we’ve accidentally unearthed a monster nest. A large number of centipede monsters have started to overflow, and it’s become quite the predicament.”
“……”
“Fortunately, it seems they are averse to light. They don’t venture out too often. Some workers engaged in the digging were attacked and sustained injuries, but thankfully, there have been no fatalities. As long as we cover the pit with a metal lid at night when there’s no light, we should be fine.”
“You can’t be serious… you aren’t suggesting that I deal with them, are you?”
“Of course not! I would never say such a thing. We’ll hire adventurers to handle the situation.”
Andrew maintained his smile, speaking with an air of nonchalance.
“However… we don’t know how many centipedes are down there, and if we leave them unchecked for too long, they might damage the Rainbow Crystals. That would diminish their value, and it would be quite troublesome.”
“……”
“Honestly, it would be a great help if a skilled magician could address this promptly. Is there no talented and kind magician around?”
His intentions were crystal clear. The urge to punch him, disregarding status and position, surged within Rodel.
“If you can somehow take care of this, you can have as many Rainbow Crystals as you want. Feel free to take as much as you like.”
“Ugh…”
Rodel bit back the complaints that were on the tip of his tongue. While he was indeed frustrated, the prospect of unlimited Rainbow Crystals was enticing. The supply of these crystals was limited, and even with a fortune, they weren’t easily obtainable.
(Though I feel like I’m being used… when I consider the overall picture, it seems I’m the one benefiting…)
Both road maintenance and monster hunting were tasks that, to be honest, Rodel didn’t find particularly burdensome. They required time and effort, but they weren’t overwhelming.
(He has a knack for this sort of manipulation… If he made an unreasonable demand, I could easily refuse, yet he pushes just to the edge of what I might accept…)
Is this the talent of a ruler? It was impressive how well Andrew managed people, unlike Rodel’s brother.
“…Fine. I understand.”
Rodel let out a deep sigh before giving his consent.
“However, if the amount of Rainbow Crystals isn’t sufficient, I will genuinely be angry.”
“In that case, I swear I’ll procure more Rainbow Crystals from elsewhere, no matter how much it costs me. I would stake the Royal Family’s name on it.”
“…If you’re saying that, it seems like it should be fine.”
With a furrowed brow and a sense of reluctant acceptance, Rodel took on the task of dealing with the centipedes.