The entirety of Agard was located at the edge of the Ulha Kingdom.

  Sharing borders with the notorious mountain range that was filled with Beasts and mysteries.

  A place where even the strong hesitate to set foot. The entirety of this mountain range was dubbed “Daze”.

  Be it a daze occurring as a result of experiencing or witnessing a mystery… or it was one that came before the call of death.

  Much could be speculated from its name. Without actually delving in, only hearsay about Daze would thrive.

  This mountain was closest to the southern quarter of Agard, not so far from Marcus's estate.

  Out of all the nobles in Agard, only his estate remained in proximity to this place.

  Many of them had long moved to the eastern district before Marcus's advent.

  As the eastern section is the closest to the nearest state outside of Agard.

  However, despite this, the main hub and buzz of Agard had remained the southern section.

  It was once the most prosperous, whether in craftsmanship or agriculture.

  If one wanted to make some coins in Agard, the southern section was the go-to.

  But, all of it seemed to have changed in a few years.

  Marcus sighed in his heart.

  It took his carriage a bit over an hour to reach the eastern district.

  And the moment they got to the bumpy main road of this district, his gaze fell on quite a few luxurious carriages speeding past his own.

  The roadsides, though less populated than the south, had quite a number of merchant shops.

  Even the air didn't carry the stench of dirt and poverty.

  But there's something in common… This place is just as lifeless.

  If not corrupt.

  This was just Marcus's feelings.

  “Not only do I have to think of a short-term solution for Agard, but a long-term plan needs to be tabled.”

  Marcus thought as he felt a lot of pressure and fear filled his mind.

  Even after acquiring possible solutions from his [Advanced Technological Knowledge], one thing still remained glaring to Marcus.

  Capital. Funds. Money.

  He lacked the resources, financial power, and aid to attempt these ideas in his mind.

  “Should I visit some old nobles and request a loan from them?”

  He wondered, nibbling his lower lip a bit as the thought of taking a loan from these sharks didn't sit well with him.

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  But what else is he to do?

  After crossing a few streets, a thought crossed his mind.

  After assimilating with the Lv1 Advanced Technological Knowledge, Marcus received a bonus skill;

  [Inspect (Lv1): Gain basic information on an object or person observed at the expense of your mana].

  Just before Marcus could properly entertain the thought of testing this skill, a commotion drew his attention ahead.

  His carriage came to a sharp stop, causing the young Viscount and his steward to jolt from their seats.

  “Seize this foolish peasant and execute him by the gutters where he belongs!”

  A sharp and clear authoritative voice reached Marcus's ears.

  Curious, he looked out the window and all he could see were a few people gathering ahead.

  Apart from that, there were a few carts carrying some heavy cargoes, with leather skins covering their contents.

  Marcus stared at a little gap and activated his [Inspect]

  A few seconds went by, as well as a few points of mana from his reserves before he received a response.

  [Iron ore, mined from the Daze mountain range. Purity: Moderate. Estimated Value: 2,500 silver coins per cart. Unauthorized extraction - no mining permit on record.]

  It was simple, and short.

  However, this was enough to send sparks roaring through Marcus's mind.

  Since when did the Daze mountain range possess iron ore!?

  If what his [Inspect] showed was true, then wasn't this a solution to his financial problems?

  More so, it was one of the major resources he required after absorbing advanced technological knowledge.

  “Wait,” Marcus uttered as his brows furrowed.

  Even though this iron wasn't mined from Agard, such an important thing would normally be reported to his office first, requesting a permit to mine and import such a commodity.

  Iron has always been a resource that the Ulha Kingdom has prized.

  Finding an ore could make one rich, but failing to report it to the kingdom could spell one's downfall.

  Marcus looked at Bradley for a few seconds before shaking his head.

  Is the young Viscount giving up? Bradley's brows furrowed with worry as he wondered.

  “If they had reported and requested a mining permit, the tax from the mined iron ore would have been enough to do a few things… 2,500 silver coins a cart. And there are 4 of them! Tsk! That's enough to purchase some grains and wheat for cultivating and feeding.”

  Marcus reasoned and the sides of his nose flared in anger.

  Those greedy nobles have been earning quite a lot under my nose!

  Despite his anger, much of it wasn't portrayed in his face. With a resolute idea in mind, Marcus opened the door of his carriage and stepped out.

  Since they had erred, he had every right to confiscate all 4 carts.

  As Marcus set his foot on the ground, barely a dozen people noticed him.

  In their eyes, a tall, young man with black hair and milky brown skin–dressed in simple, but clean clothes–just came out of a carriage.

  Apart from his good looks, there was nothing noteworthy about him.

  They only spared him a glance mixed with a look of disdain before looking at the commotion ahead.

  If it weren't for the armed men on horses that ushered the carriage, they wouldn't have spared him a glance.

  To them, it seemed like another insignificant noble scion.

  Surprised, pained, and even a bit embarrassed, Marcus blinked and mummured; “Perhaps because I haven't been in the public’s view for a while, none of them recognize me.”

  Looking to his left, Marcus saw one of his knights approach him.

  A man in his mid-30s had his blonde hair put in a rough ponytail. He was roughly Marcus's height.

  “Lord Viscount,” He saluted.

  Marcus quickly recalled his name. “Knight Brown, what seems to be the problem?”

  “A dispute between a noble and a commoner,” Brown said with no enthusiasm in his tone.

  He sounded as if he was tired and wanted to rest.

  Marcus knew that asking this man wouldn't give him the answers he required, so he stepped forward himself and pushed through the crowd.

  Before long, Marcus reached the front.

  Already, there was a guard in leather armor resting his sword on the back of the neck of another man, struggling to escape from the suppression of a second guard.

  Just as the one with the sword raised his hand, Marcus's voice cut through the commotion.

  “Stop!”

  This abrupt command did as it intended and drew the attention of everyone.

  People expected to see a person with authority, however, upon seeing who it was, most people expected the drama to escalate.

  “Who are you to dare to give my men orders!”

  Another young man spoke, and from the look of things, he was the cause of this commotion.

  “Marcus Sirdi. Lord and Governor of Agard! Who are you?”

  Marcus spoke with the calmness and confidence of a Viscount as he glared at the young noble across the road.