Chapter 358 Exclusive Rights

Her name rang familiar. Brodric’s trusted spymaster had mentioned her in his most recent reports. She was a curious figure, this Helen—an individual whose recent exploits had begun to ripple through the kingdom’s undercurrents. Brodric’s network had noted her acquisition of lands deemed worthless by many, including a mountainous region that had seemingly vanished overnight. The phenomenon had piqued his interest, and he had quietly dispatched agents to investigate.

Outwardly, the ruler maintained a facade of polite curiosity. He gestured for his advisor, a tall man, to step closer. The advisor leaned down, whispering in the ruler’s ear with a voice too low for Suzuka or Isaac to hear.

“Your Grace,” the advisor whispered, “she is the one we’ve been monitoring—the great mage with land acquisitions, the mountain disappearance, the town constructions, close connection to one of MIS top seats. There are whispers about her… unusual capabilities.”

The ruler nodded slightly, acknowledging his advisor’s words before dismissing him with a wave of his hand. He leaned back on his throne, feigning a lack of familiarity.

“Helen... I must admit, your name sounds familiar, though I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you before. Please, continue.”

“Your Grace. I’ve come to seek your support in an endeavor that, I believe, would not only benefit my town but your lands as well. I propose the construction of a road that will connect your town, through the lands, to mine. My town, as you may know, lies at the heart of three neighboring towns. With this road, we can forge a trade network that will link these communities, forming a chain of commerce and travel.”

The ruler arched a brow, his interest piqued. Suzuka took it as a sign to continue.

“As it stands,” she went on, gesturing slightly with her hand, “the current routes are treacherous, winding through dense forests teeming with monsters. It’s costly and dangerous to transport goods or travel between these towns. However, this road will cut travel times significantly, allowing merchants and people to move freely and safely."

“Furthermore,” she added, “with these new routes, the adventurers’ guilds will have steady opportunities to take escort jobs, generating revenue for them and ensuring that the roads remain protected. It will foster not only economic growth but also stability across these regions.”

The ruler nodded slowly, though his expression remained thoughtful and guarded. Suzuka pressed on, sensing she had more to offer.

“That’s not all,” she said. 

“My town is home to three Magic Boxes, artifacts that, as you know, hold immense power and potential. As it stands, they are difficult to access due to the dense concentration of corrupted mana and monsters in the area. But once the town’s defenses are complete, I intend to make safe access to these Magic Boxes available. However, access will come with exclusivity to those who support the development of my town—including the building of these roads.”

“Exclusive rights? And what guarantees can you provide that these roads and the access to the Magic Boxes will be as valuable as you claim?”

Suzuka met his gaze without flinching. 

“Your Grace, the road project would not be a solo project. I will work with the guilds and the craftsmen of my town, as well as any you might recommend, to ensure its construction meets the highest standards. And as for the Magic Boxes—once the walls are complete, I will personally oversee the creation of a secure system that ensures fair and safe access to them. My offer of exclusivity is not made lightly, and I will honor any agreement forged here today.”

The ruler leaned forward slightly as he regarded Suzuka with a skeptical gaze. 

“Your words are bold, Helen, and your ambitions admirable. But I must ask—how do you plan to address the greater issue that plagues your lands? Monsters, as dangerous as they are, can be managed by adventurers, guilds, and well-trained guards. But the corrupted mana that permeates the land around your mountain is a far more insidious threat. It seeps into the soil, poisons the air, and corrupts anything it touches giving birth to new abominatios.”

The ruler gestured to an advisor, who promptly stepped forward, holding an open scroll. The ruler tapped it with a finger, indicating a section marked with symbols. 

“Reports from my scholars suggest that your land is tainted with corrupted mana—it is volatile and could even attract far worse threats than monsters. How do you intend to build roads, encourage trade, or even sustain a safe settlement in a place where the very essence of the land can kill you?”

 He leaned back in his throne, folding his hands as he studied Suzuka. 

“Tell me, Helen, how will you tame a force that even seasoned mages fear to approach? If I were to invest in your vision, I would require more than promises—I would require a plan. A credible solution to the corrupted mana that threatens not only your lands but could spread to mine through these very roads you propose—”

"It's dealt with," Suzuka interrupted. 

The ruler’s eyebrows shot up, and for a moment, he simply stared at Suzuka, his composed demeanor cracking to reveal genuine surprise.

“Dealt with?” he echoed, leaning forward in his throne, “You mean to tell me that the corrupted mana—something that has plagued those lands for generations—has been resolved? Just like that?”

His gaze narrowed, a flicker of suspicion creeping into his tone.

 “You’ll forgive my skepticism, but such a claim is... extraordinary. How could you have possibly managed such a feat? Even our most skilled mages have struggled to contain the effects of corrupted mana, let alone cleanse it entirely. What did you do, Helen?”

“The source of the corrupted mana was the mountain itself. It acted as a font, constantly spewing tainted energy into the surrounding lands. There was no containing it, no purifying it—not while the source remained intact. So, I destroyed it. Using my magic, I eliminated the mountain entirely, and with it, the corrupted mana.”

The ruler leaned back in his seat, his expression shifting between shock and awe.

 “You destroyed an entire mountain?” he asked, almost in disbelief.

Before Suzuka could answer, one of the ruler’s advisors stepped forward and leaned down to whisper in his ear. The ruler’s eyes widened further as he listened. When the advisor straightened, he turned back to Suzuka, his voice now carrying a note of astonishment.

“My advisors confirm the reports. Spies in the region observed the mountain’s disappearance, though the details of how it happened remained unclear—until now.” 

He studied Suzuka, his gaze now filled with both respect and a hint of caution.

 “If what you say is true, then you’ve achieved something beyond even the capabilities of many of the most powerful mages in this kingdom.”

“Your Grace, I wouldn’t call it a matter of power, but rather necessity. When your home and the lives of those who depend on you are at stake, you find a way. My magic may not rival the might of your kingdom’s greatest mages, but it gets job done—and it was precisely what was needed to rid my lands of the corruption.”

She clasped her hands in front of her, her golden eyes glinting with determination.

 “I acted not for glory or recognition but for the survival and prosperity of my people. The mountain’s destruction was no act of recklessness; it was calculated, focused, and executed with the utmost care to minimize harm to the surrounding lands. The corrupted mana is no more, and in its absence, my town and the lands beyond can finally flourish.”

 The ruler leaned back on his ornate throne, stroking his chin as his eyes studied Suzuka. His expression, which had been carefully neutral, shifted to one of thoughtful consideration. He tapped a finger rhythmically on the armrest as a faint smile curled at the corners of his mouth—a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Well, Lady Helen, you present a most compelling case. The destruction of that cursed mountain and the eradication of corrupted mana from your lands is no small feat. If what you propose can truly connect my lands with Rockmine’s and yours, then the prosperity it could bring is undeniable.”

He paused, his sharp gaze flickering to his advisors who returned a subtle nod before returning to Suzuka. 

“Trade routes, safer roads, and access to these Magic Boxes you speak of… it’s a vision of growth that would be foolish to ignore.”

He leaned forward, clasping his hands together. 

“You’ve given me much to consider, and I must admit, I am impressed by your initiative and determination. Many would shy away from such ambitions, but you’ve embraced them with remarkable resolve.”

The ruler’s smile widened, and his voice took on a tone of feigned magnanimity.

 “I see the potential in your proposal, and I am inclined to support your cause. You have my commitment to provide resources for the road construction and, of course, the necessary endorsements to ensure smooth coordination between our territories. Of course, within reason.”

His eyes glinted with a hint of greed as he continued. 

“In return, I trust you will honor your promise of exclusivity to those who lend their support. And I expect that this partnership will secure my kingdom a prominent position in the flow of wealth and influence this project will undoubtedly generate.”

He stood, his robes flowing as he extended a hand toward Suzuka.

 “Let it be known that the ruler of this kingdom stands with you, Lady Helen. Together, we shall ensure the future prosperity of our lands—and, of course, reap the rewards of such a bold endeavor.”

Though his words were regal and supportive, it was clear to Suzuka that behind his polished exterior, his mind was already spinning with schemes to capitalize on the opportunities her town would bring.