"......, that's why."

"I see."

Jin had just finished explaining the situation in the office of King Cesar, as he had discussed with the old man.

"So, the ruins were buried under the collapsed rock?"

"Yes, I'm very sorry to hear that."

...... can't we dig them out?"

Maybe someday, if you don't mind the cost and the number of days it takes to get there.

We have no idea how long it will take, Jin added.

As for the location, he suggested the hole where the giant eladite was dug out.

In fact, the hole would look like that because it was filled with rock debris, and in fact there was a 60 0012 facility was located there.

But it was still not an easy place to get to.

"Well, I guess so."

King Cesar looked disappointed.

"But how did you manage to get there, Master Gin?"

"Yes, half by chance, I suppose. I was lucky."

Ramburo, the First Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, opened his mouth to Jin, who nodded.

"The Eradolite is also a great achievement. It's definitely the biggest ever."

Nothing was said about the fact that the application was not filed on the spot. That was to be expected.

King Cesar then opened his mouth.

"Hmmm. ...... Lambreaux, what is the price?"

"It's a little bit out of my price range. ...... What can I do for you?"

With all the recent influx of goods, even the Kingdom of Celuloa was having financial difficulties.

Then Jin interrupted.

"Excuse me, but can I have it in the form of materials instead of money?"

"It depends. ......

"Well, I would like to have it in copper."

"Hmm."

The copper-colored Golem 7410 that Reiko had dealt with at the facility had left some scattered fragments on her clothes when she had destroyed it.

A quick examination of it revealed that it was an alloy based on copper.

And copper production is < low on Horai Island.

Elsa found out that the current storage capacity is about 10 million tons. This is the result of mining 10,000 tons per year for 1,000 years. Other metal resources (structural) are much larger. Iron is one order of magnitude higher and light silver is two orders of magnitude higher.

Hence, they asked if they could receive a reward in the form of copper.

Incidentally, the Kingdom of Cerroa and the Shoro Kingdom are two of the largest copper-producing countries on the Laurentian continent.

The total annual output of the two countries is approximately 500,000 tons. This is equivalent to the production of Mexico on Earth.

As a different topic, there is a theory that the use of metal resources began with the use of naturally occurring resources.

Natural gold, as represented by gold sand, is the best example. Another naturally occurring metal is copper.

Copper is the most abundant naturally occurring metal on the earth, and is relatively widely distributed and produced in large quantities, which is why so many copper and copper alloy tools were made in the past.

The natural gold, on the other hand, was produced in small quantities, so it was used for coins and jewelry.

In the recent Ars world, the number of metals that can be used has increased, and copper has lost its place to the tougher iron and lighter lightweight silver, and demand for copper has decreased, even though its production has not changed much.

Let's take a break from this story.

Hearing Jin's request, Mr. Lambreaux, the First Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, took out a document from a shelf in his office and flipped through it.

"Well, we have about 1.7 million tons of copper in storage. I don't care how much you want, but how about .......1 million tons?"

"Eh?"

100,000 tons of copper would be 2500 billion dollars. That's 2500 billion dollars.

As well as the amount of money, 100,000 tons of copper has a specific gravity of 8.6, which is 1162.8 cubic meters. That is equivalent to 10 50-meter pools (50 meters x 15 meters x 1.5 meters). That is the equivalent of 10 50-meter pools (50 meters x 15 meters x 1.5 meters).

The problem of how to transport the ingot will arise.

It would be easy to transport the ingot through a warp gate, or even easier with a transfer gun, but that is not an option.

"I can't put a price on that Eladrite. Besides, he saved eight of our soldiers. Plus, the gratuities from the other day. I'm afraid that's not enough.

"Your Majesty."

You said it was priceless, but the exchange rate for a gram of El Ladroit is 50,000 Tall.

The huge Eladrite weighed about 200 kilos, so that's 10 billion Tall, but considering its rarity and size. But considering its rarity and size, even ten times that amount would not be enough, Lambreau explained.

"Thank you."

Jin and Erza thanked him. Erza then made a request.

"If possible, could you please make an inventory and an account book for us? We can't do it all at once, so we would like to receive a few tons each.

"I see. So that you can keep track of the amount you have delivered and the amount remaining?

Yes. And the date.

King Cesar nodded.

"Yes, I see. Ramburo, make the arrangements."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Thus, the payment of the gratuity was settled.

Since there was about half an hour before lunch time, King Cesar offered Jin to continue the meeting.

Yes, whatever you say.

"Yes, as you wish. I've been wondering about the recent end of the Claud Fort riots and the change of government in the Kingdom of Franz.

"Yes, I am acquainted with the former Duchess of Lafayette, the new king, but that's about it. As for Fort Crowe, I know nothing more than hearsay ......."

"I suppose you are right. But the Lafayette family ......, ah, Catherine, is it?"

Yes, I had the opportunity to make her acquaintance when I visited the town of Loron on a trip.

King Cesar nodded in agreement.

"That may be so. I have met you several times and I must say that you are a friendly person and you take good care of your people. Frankly speaking, if the Lafayette family established a dynasty, it would be a peaceful one."

King Cesar smiled as he said that he had traveled around the country as much as possible during his time as crown prince.

"The best thing is for the countries to settle down and be at peace.

Jin smiled back.

"Indeed. Some say that technology advances as a means of war, but it is an ungrateful progress.

"I agree."

Jin's wish is for a peaceful world.

"Yes, the meeting of the heads of state was very useful. I hope we can have such a meeting again in the future.

"Yes, really."

While they were talking like this, it was time for lunch.

Jin and Elsa were accompanied by King Cesar.

Unlike their predecessors, the meal was quite simple. However, the ingredients were not too unbalanced, and meat and vegetables were used evenly. The taste was also quite good, showing the ingenuity of the cooks, who believe that good food is not only a matter of spending money.

After the meal, Elsa paid a visit to Richard the First.

"Well, thank you very much for your hospitality, Miss Elsa.

Elsa was greeted by her maid of honor, Merve.

Elsa had been Richard's doctor for a short time, so she and Merve had gotten to know each other quite well.

(......How is Richard's condition?)

(Yes, his face has become calmer recently. (Yes, his face is calmer these days and he is able to move around a lot.)

After asking about his condition briefly in the corridor so that the patient would not hear her, Elsa went into the hospital room.

The room was furnished more like a living room than a hospital room.

"...... Oh, Dr. Elsa, how have you been?"

Richard's nutritional condition had improved considerably during the short time he had been away from her, less than half a month.

His complexion had improved and his chapped cheeks had gained some flesh.

On the other hand, the fierceness he had shown during the struggle for the throne of King Cesar seemed to have disappeared.

"His nutritional condition is good. Please continue to take good care of her.

Elsa, who had finished her examination, now told Merve in a voice that even Richard could hear.

(If this continues, even under house arrest, the former king will be able to live a peaceful ...... and happy life for him?　...... for the rest of his life).

Waving her hand to Merve, who thanked her again and again, Elsa left the hospital room.