Chapter 35 – Getting to Know One of the Great Family
Darren is good at riding a dark horse quickly. Their journey from the capital takes at least three days to arrive on a snowy mountain at the Bedro's residence. The place where the source of hard rock mining comes from. The path they are about to take is also arduous and dangerous.
This family is the sole successor of producing valuable materials belonging to the kingdom of Rhodes. They prefer to live in a very far place from the crowds of villagers and entrances.
The first Bedros had the power of Mana. He and his cohorts declared they were standing far away from the crowds of people, so they came across quarries and challenging rock mountains in the newly formed region.
With previous experience tracking the black market, the Bedros family immediately planted their territory before the king's palace was established.
The Bedros family is the second wealthiest family after the royal family, occupying the first ownership among all Mana Controllers. Hence, the taxes and royalties they give Rhodes make up a massive share of every hard stone they sell in their raw state or not yet used as goods.
They offered to give 10% for the raw tax while 15% for the finished goods, specifically trade circulation in the empire's territory.
The snow mountains have all kinds of hard rock from worldwide. Besides having mines, they can also plant seeds like trees to grow in each place.
This magical material is often used to meet daily needs for jewelry, raw weapons, heating, directions, lighters, and others, only circulated for the people of Rhodes.
The raw stones will be implanted and filled with Mana according to the user's needs and can only be supplied by the Bedros family.
So other Mana controllers couldn't do that. The Moore and Chloe families are the VIP customers of the products.
"Come on, quickly! Put all your muscles into ordering it.!"
The place was stinging, and coals and fireplaces were the main factors when passing through the area. They would always sweat when they died. The man shouted even though he had the title of a noble. He pointed at people to move while holding the sword slung over his shoulder.
"Duke Owen, you have already supplied the hard stone in front of the warehouse." Said one of the workers who walked panting.
"Very nice! Bring it here immediately." The connection is fast. The errand boy shrewdly diverted the horse-drawn carriage carrying supplies of raw materials.
"This is the Bedros's family," Jase said, pointing his hand at a blacksmith's house.
"I know," Darren answered bluntly. Jase was embarrassed.
"Yo, young people. You want to go see Van?" asked Duke Owen found them passing by.
"Hello, Uncle."
"Hey!" Jase said, elbowing Darren in the ribs.
The man laughed at their behavior and ordered them to stop by their residence for a moment. But Darren politely refused and wanted to get to his destination as soon as possible, while Jase felt a burning backache and butt.
The families will also visit and market the mining products of buyers from outside Rhodes by complying with and following the regulatory policies if they want to buy magical objects there.
Releasing high-quality hard stones outside the territory of Rhodes also requires a very long and strict process. Besides having the king's approval, both parties' agreement by embedding the Bedros family's stamp is bound by restraint magic from the Moore family.
As curse magic, if the buyer uses their hard stone to invade Rhodes's territory. The type of magic used was spreading black smoke throughout the body like a poison that would melt the internal organs, the sensation of burning and dying slowly by the torment.
The hard rock they have will soon turn into poisonous ashes falling on the owner's family, and people will feel the same hell.
Another strict regulation is hard stones can only be purchased by people with important status or positions in their respective areas, such as kings or nobles. Not for sale other than that.
The tax-deferred to buyers was also not small, ranging from around 30%-40% depending on the quantity and quality they needed, plus the high demand for high-quality hard stone, because the magicians from outside also required it. This rule for them to be hated, and they wanted to rule the region.
Intruders often attack Rhodes from outside. How can it be that the only place with everything that lacks nothing must make neighboring countries or minor territories want that place? Conversing with gods, great mages, the strongest military, supplier of high-quality raw materials, and the most potent arsenal of weapons all in one place.
Annual demand increases by 5% to expect the existence of smuggling.
"Their family is great, huh?" Jase said inferiorly.
"Right, we need each other even though we have everything. If one of us didn't exist, maybe the world would have been on the verge of collapse." Darren replied, leaving the city center.
He sped up his mount, even though Darren knew he was carrying a man who had never touched a horse. Jase hugged him tightly, never opening his eyes, even though the places he walked were beautiful.
The Bedros family's hard stones include opal, kalimaya, rainbow stone, amethyst, Apollonius, bijoux, synchronicity, cerussite, wands, obsidian tourmaline, alchemy, nautilus, and others. Each magical material has its characteristics.
Besides the distance from the capital city, it takes up to 3 days to travel through treacherous terrain. This family also likes to put monsters and wild animals as natural protection from the owner.
Hunting wolves, grizzly bears, lions, and others treat wild animals like raising chicks.
Dense mountains constantly rained with snow, and steep and sharp terrain makes anyone reluctant to stop by that place.
Darren's black horse drove quick. The forests they went through seemed to pass by. Jase tried to suppress the feeling of nausea and wanted to throw up repeatedly. Without rest or stretching the muscles, he does not loosen his reins as long as the day is still light.
The journey they had just taken was already half a day, and night appeared. Darren stopped the horse from looking for a place to rest and finally found a suitable location to spend the night downstream of the river. He directed his horse there.
Making sure that the passengers in the back were calm, he told Jase to get off immediately if pleased. Without waiting long, he immediately jumped from above and vomited out the strange things he had held in since this morning.
'Looks like this trip will be very long and tiring too,' Darren said, looking at Jase standing beside the trees and bushes.