-

"You're inviting me to be your staff?" Opal asked.

Mo Shi looked at him.

"Don't swallow the leaves. He reminded.

So Mo Shi looked around, looking for a place where he could spit out the fibers in his mouth.

"Here. Opal gestured to the small medicine mill on the table.

“...... I remember telling you that there is no reason for 'oral pills'. "Oral medicine is one of the most practiced methods of medicine by the snowwalker doctors, who believe that the body's chewing itself can give the herb its effect—a method that Moshi prefers to call a "witch doctor".

"I just want to make the medicine according to the prescription, not a bunch of weird ideas like you. ”

Mo Shi spit the chewed sweet leaves into the medicine mill. And remind yourself not to use any snowwalker-made potions in the future.

"Then again, you don't have to be a minister to have a staff member," Opal said, "as long as you can support you, you can hire as many people as you want to serve you." ”

"You mean, you're willing to help me do something as long as I pay my salary. ”

"Of course. Opal replied, without bothering to explain why, "Actually, if I had enough income, you wouldn't have to give me money to send me — but since I didn't, if you wanted me to go on a long trip, I would need travel expenses." ”

Mo Shi laughed.

He liked the indifference and determination that Opal showed.

Nor did he bother to delve into the factors behind this dedication.

But he had to mention a little trouble afterwards: "I need you to investigate the currency circulation in the Goldmane and Scales Domain, as well as a mine." ”

"A mine?"

"A mine that may not be registered. "Perhaps it is located at the junction of two counties, and it may produce gold or silver—and I suspect that it has not been mined with the approval of the king (the old king, or the new king)." ”

"If it's not approved...... No nobleman was allowed to take any mineral for himself, and if he discovered any mineral deposits in his domain, he should report them to the king. ”

"That's against the law. Mo Shi nodded, "That's what I'm looking forward to." I want to know why the two rivals in front of the king, the golden mane and the scales, but the personal relationship is unexpectedly good. I think 'that' deposit will be the biggest reason. ”

Opal Zirconium was silent for a moment and nodded slowly.

"So, Mo Shi, how do you know that there might be such a thing?" Opal said cautiously.

Mo Shi exhaled lightly.

The leaves seem to have a sweet taste and a slight irritating effect. He was feeling high spirits now.

Or maybe it's just a sense of victory that makes him a little fluttery.

Mo Shi suppressed that feeling and replied in a calm and restrained manner, "The 'sixth brother' and 'seventh brother' you caught—their fathers were the retainers of Goldmane and Scales respectively. When I asked why the two families were so close, they told me a few things about mineral development. ”

At this point, Opal Zirconium was truly silent.

Mo Shi stared at the edelweiss on the table.

The Edelweiss still bouncing carefree, too well cared for, not in the slightest bitter and melancholy from not being able to fly.

After a while, Opal turned back to face the medicine table and looked at the bird.

"It seems that they still have at least some use. "That's why you forgive them, right? ”

“...... So to speak. ”

"Good. Opal quickly regained his composure, which was what made Opal Zirconium unique, and said in a decisive tone, "It seems all the more that I should do you this favor." But I'm afraid I can't be sure of my own safety, and it's not advisable to travel alone—do you have anyone else you can trust?"

Mo Shi blinked.

“......”

Opal raised his eyebrows slightly: "So no? But it's not necessary." But if you can find at least one or two reliable guards, you'll have a much better chance of seeing me again. ”

That's not a joke to laugh at.

"I can go and ask. Mo Shi thought thoughtfully.

-

At the beginning of spring, Moshi and Dino regained two private rooms in the palace. And the mansion that had been rewarded by the king was almost renovated - if it had to entertain any guests, it could be counted as a decent place.

The astrology house is where the so-called king's astrologers work.

There were about ten astrologers (some of whom had other jobs, as were most of the courtiers, who were named in various places), some from the spinel academy, some from noble families, and some from the Platinum Temple. There are more than two or three of the older ones, and only two or three of the younger ones.

The astrology house is located in a southeast-facing tower with a wide platform on the outside, and there are some intricate instruments that show that mathematics has a place here.

But in reality, sunny days in the northern kingdom are very rare, so most of the time astrologers are not "astrology", and it can almost be said that it is an idle job. However, astrologers also have other divination responsibilities, and even some of the duties of doctors.

All in all, on a normal day, the astrologer's job is to record the angle of the sun, the cloudy and sunny conditions of the day, and then make certain guesses and calculations. The "retrospective divination spell" here is quite interesting, and Mo Shi decided to study it if he has time.

But for now he has something else to do.

-

The castle in the central highlands is known as the "Amber Palace" because of the amber decoration and the amber windows of the king's and queen's residence.

Legend has it that it was built by the first Golden Lion King to commemorate his beloved wife. Later, when the weather was clear and the sun was shining, the sun shone through the amber, and people could see the figure of the ancient queen in the golden light.

- This is the story that every centrally-born child hears from a young age. But......

Nagao changed the spear from his right hand to his left, leaned on his shoulder, and sighed.

For a low-ranking guard like him, only walls and marble could be seen in this palace. He was so old that he had only seen a small speck of amber on the clothing of some dignitaries (not to say that he had seen other gems from time to time, after all, he had never been able to get a single gold coin in his entire net worth together in his life).

Nagao has a passion for the extravagant landscape.

"If only I could see it once in my life. He sighed. Of course, these thoughts were inevitably ridiculed by the guards who were on duty with him.

He was now assigned to guard the side gate of the southwest corner, which was a side gate that was not usually frequented, where the shepherds went out in the morning to graze the sheep and in the afternoon closed before sunset, the only thing to be supervised was the number of the sheep, and the side gate, which was only used for the purchase of goods during the festival, was a little more lively—unfortunately there were no festivals lately.

Nagao boredly crushed the sand on the ground with the tips of his shoes.

He noticed a pair of leather shoes walking towards the neighborhood. The tanning is well done, the stitches are fine, and the bottom is thick.

This is quite unusual. No adult would normally want to come and walk through this door.

A soft voice asked, "Is it Mr. Ochre?"