hotmtlnovel Chapter 82 Don't Be Surprised (2)
Chapter 82 Don't Be Surprised (2)
He thought it wouldn't be bad to look for such a treasure before going to Arabion.@@@@
Of course, such things weren't readily available just because you wanted them.
Lost in such thoughts while flying for three or four hours.
After repeatedly landing on several islands they passed to ask directions, Turan arrived at Parayan Island.
Known as the source of saltpeter, it was a moderately sized island several kilometers long, and looking down from above, there seemed to be a village.
After descending to an appropriate height and concentrating on his sense of smell, he detected the peculiar ammonia-like scent of saltpeter from somewhere in the center of the island.
Having Bize land in a suitable spot, Turan walked toward where the smell was coming from.
After walking through thick vegetation for a few minutes, he saw a cave under a huge cliff, its walls and ceiling supported by wooden pillars.
From inside came the sound of something being struck repeatedly.
'Is this it?'
With no one guarding the mine entrance, Turan went straight inside.
Soon he saw miners extracting white ore from the walls by flickering torchlight, but their complexion and clothing looked quite poor.
'While mining isn't exactly a clean profession, this seems a bit extreme...'
Miners with gaunt faces and clothes reeking of grime, with bruises all over their bodies.
Moreover, they all had shackles on their legs.
Looking more like slaves than anything else, they saw Turan suddenly appear among them and fearfully bowed their heads.
"We're working hard, Supervisor!"
"...Supervisor?"
When Turan questioned with a puzzled expression, the miners' expressions changed.
Now that they looked, the young man's appearance and attitude were quite different from the supervisors they were used to seeing.
"Are, are you not here to supervise our work...?"
"I'm just someone who came to get saltpeter after hearing it's found on this island. Is there someone in charge of sales here?"
"Did, did you come with others?"
"No. I came alone."
At Turan's answer, the miners cried out in alarm.
"Quick, run away! No, however you got here, please take me with you too. Please!"
"Were you all brought here by force?"
"We were all brought here against our will! Those bastards..."
Just as one miner was shouting heatedly, there was a sharp crack of a whip from behind.
Hearing this, all the miners frantically prostrated themselves.
"Shut up! Why so talkative? Can't even wait while I take a shit... huh?"
"There, there are knights under his command here too! I'll try talking to them..."
"Thanks, but that won't be necessary."
Originally, like with the sulfur before, he'd planned to mine it himself if it was just lying around, or negotiate a reasonable price if there was an owner.
But seeing this situation, that thought vanished.
What nonsense would it be to pay kidnappers for their goods?
Turan quietly ordered the miners.
"Everyone, this way."
Though he hadn't used any animal control magic, the miners walked toward Turan as if entranced, without exception.
Their total number was thirty-five.
It wasn't particularly difficult to open the shackles on their ankles with lock-picking magic.
"It's, it's off..."
"Thank you, thank you!"
"Please send me home, master wizard!"
Some marveled at their shackles being removed, some cried and expressed thanks, and some grabbed his pants begging to be sent home.
Turan politely removed the hands grabbing his pants and said.
"I'll go deal with the village first, so I'll leave things here to you."
"When you say deal with..."
"That one."
When Turan pointed at the supervisor, he tried to run away in surprise, but simple telekinetic magic was enough to knock down someone who was just an ordinary human.
Turan took away his only weapon, the whip, threw it aside, and walked out of the mine.
Horrible screams echoed from behind.
==
The coastal village was an hour's walk from the mine, but that distance was nothing to Turan riding Bize.
Being daytime, the black eagle and Turan's shadow cast on the ground, and the pirates quickly noticed their presence and pointed at the sky.
"There's someone riding a bird! No, hanging from a bird...?"
"Is it a wizard? Someone report to the village chief!"
While the pirates were in confusion at the sudden appearance of an unknown figure, Turan looked down at the pirates on the ground while putting his hand in and out of his pocket.
In his fist was a handful of pitch-black powder.
"This is the first time using it in actual combat. Remember, Bize? Don't be surprised."
After hearing a chirp in response meaning she understood, Turan scattered the fire spirits over the village.
Explosions occurred on the ground along with the casting of ignition magic.