I Raised A Black Dragon

Most of Noviscosha’s land, which is the largest province in Laurent but has the smallest population, is covered with rugged mountains.

However, Novicosha is a well-known mining district not only in Laurent but also throughout the continent, as it is also a place where large quantities of Mane Ore were buried, and iron ore and gemstones of all kinds were excavated.

It was not simply a myth that three generations of a family would be able to make ends meet by owning a small mine in Novicosha.

Naturally, Noviscosha has always been a crowd of businessmen from all over Laurent, dreaming of a bonanza, a sudden rush of wealth or good fortune. There are far more undeveloped areas than advanced ones, and hence they always hired miners to knock on the unknown mountain ranges where no one set foot.

Since the mines in the undeveloped areas were recognized as their assets once they had a flag bearing their name on them, the city government of Noviscosha even encouraged the development of mines with the slogan “Dream of life, come to Noviscosha!”

Of course, there weren’t many private businessmen who really found a chest with bars of gold idle inside.

Most of the time, they did not have the resources to follow the aristocratic families who hire large-scale workers based on huge capital, and the powerless commoners did not have the ability to operate a mine if they discover one, so they were paid by aristocrats and imperial families to hand over ownership of the mine.

However, there is only one mine where a middle-class businessman is responsible for the discovery, mining, and distribution of mines for three generations: Maobiana, a large-scale mine in the heart of Noviscosha.

“Maobiana? That’s where there’s a nasty rumor going around these days.” The engine operator of the freight train tilted his head and kept talking. “Since last month or so, there’s been a rumor that mine slaves are mysteriously dying. That’s why the owner of the mine is in trouble. There’s no one who wants to work even though they’re willing to double their daily wage.”

Mine slaves did not mean actual slaves, the lowest class that existed in the ancient past. It was a word that spread from the self-contradictory disparagement of the miners working in the mines, who were born in the dark mines of Noviscosha, foreigners to the sun’s light.

“It’s a serious problem that mine slaves, who have been doing pickaxing all their lives, have died in droves. The Noviscosha Bureau of Defense couldn’t resolve it, so it ended up asking the capital for help, and the Tezeba investigators are also struggling.”

“I see.”

“It’s a big deal. Maybe Mr. Culton, he’s already blacked out. The amount of Mane Ore that Tezeba is asking for is a few tons, but we’re not going to be able to meet the volume. They’re increasing the paycheck and forcing us to work.”

Puff. Gray smoke billowed up in a donut shape from the end of the pipe between the operator’s lips. He gazed down at the bright young man standing over the car window, giving off a tremendous amount of smoke towards him.

“But you must be a master of a noble family, and you’re not going to get a job at Maobiana this time. What’s the matter?”

“Is there a job available?”

“Always hiring. No, you’re really going there?

“Yes.”

The engine operator looked at the man as if he was crazy, who was wearing a coat with a fedora on top of his head, which looked luxurious at first sight.

He couldn’t see his entire face as the hat covered his eyes, but he could guess that the man before him had a very elegant appearance just by looking at his slim jawline. The engine operator lowered his voice and whispered.

“You look like a million bucks in the future. Why would you want to go to Maobiana? If you want to run a mining business, contact Leonard. That family has three gold mines.”

The young man laughed at the mention of ‘Leonard’.

“I’m not interested in Leonard’s gold mine. What I’m interested in is the Mane Ore mine.” 

Under the fedora, the man’s lips painted a faint smile. Then, he gestured a light salute to the operator. “Thanks for your advice anyway. Is the road to Maobiana that way?”

“Yes… yes. That way. If you go straight and turn left, there’s a short train for Maobiana. You’ll see Culton’s office when you get off at the last stop.”

“Thank you, then.”

The engine operator stared at the young man’s back as he burned his pipe. He shouted back, “Take care of yourself! There’s a sound of monsters living under the mine! It eats mining slaves!”

It was unclear whether his words reached the young man. With a long sigh, the engine operator sucked the pipe once more and returned into the locomotive. The clock pointed at exactly two o’clock. Now that he had filled up the fuel, it was time to run the train again.

In Noviscosha, a train connecting Central Edman to Tezeba slowly began to move along the tracks.