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The Gehenna Mine is a mine operated by the Ruelberta Family. Located in the Mochabi region, rich in iron ore deposits, this mine is responsible for over 50% of the country’s iron production. For the Ruelberta Family, it was like a golden goose.

However, within the Ruelberta Family, it held another meaning. It was a place where criminals, heinous offenders, or those who defied the family head’s orders or committed grave mistakes were punished. It was a place of exile.

From the moment one entered the Gehenna Mine, they became nameless slaves. Surrounded by mountains, the mine was completely isolated from the outside world, with tight security.

The slaves working here had to provide labor until their death, with no hope of escape. Compared to the harsh conditions of Gehenna, the Empire’s underground prison might as well be a hotel.

“Welcome, my lord! You must be tired from the long journey.”

“Hmm.”

Upon arriving at Gehenna, I was greeted by the mine’s warden, dressed in a black uniform. This pot-bellied man was a distant relative of Tristan.

“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t expect your sudden visit, so I couldn’t prepare anything…!”

“Don’t worry about it. I came unannounced… Warden.”

“Ah, it’s Brock!”

“Right… Warden Brock.”

The unfamiliar Warden Brock was sweating profusely, seeming quite nervous. Or maybe it was just me. The sudden visit from the highest authority in the family must have felt like an unexpected inspection by a legion commander.

“Are you here for an inspection, my lord?”

“That’s right.”

“I-I see. Hey! Guards!”

“Yes! We’ll prepare immediately!”

Without any specific orders from Warden Brock, the guards scattered in perfect order. They must be rushing to prepare for the inspection.

Come to think of it, calling them guards instead of overseers suggests that the Ruelberta Family views this place more as a prison than a mine. Although the prisoners here, unlike in a real prison, have no sentence and must stay here for life…

“While they prepare, would you like to have some tea with me, my lord?”

“Hmm.”

Following Warden Brock’s lead, I entered Gehenna.

Creak, creak, creak.

The massive iron gates of Gehenna opened, revealing the world inside.

My first impression of Gehenna was that of a fortress in a mountain valley. High walls and towers with guards stationed at every corner—it was a far cry from what one would expect of a mine.

Since this was my first actual visit to Gehenna, everything seemed strange and fascinating. The interior, in particular, was quite different from what I had imagined.

The first thing I saw was a massive hole carved into the rock—a vertical shaft dug to mine iron ore. Just the diameter of the hole gave a sense of its immense depth.

Around it were carts loaded with iron ore and ragged people pushing them. The shackles on their feet made it clear they were the prisoners here.

“Mother… in a place like this…”

Helga, who had been silently following me, muttered under her breath. She hadn’t taken her eyes off the prisoners since entering Gehenna. It must be unsettling for her, knowing her mother is imprisoned here.

But Maible will be fine. For someone who committed treason, this place might feel safer than the outside world.

Leaving the bustling crowd behind, I followed Warden Brock into the reception room.

“Thanks to your generous support, my lord, we’ve discovered additional veins this year, and production is expected to increase by about 15% compared to last year!”

Sipping my tea, I half-listened to his briefing. My purpose for coming here wasn’t to check on the mine’s status.

“Of course, if we make the prisoners work day and night, we could achieve even higher production! The problem is, these scum keep trying to cheat…”

“Warden Brock.”

“Yes? Yes, my lord.”

“That’s enough explanation. I know you’re managing this place well without any major issues.”

“Oh, no! You flatter me…!”

“I came here for another reason besides the inspection.”

“Yes? Wh-what is it?”

“I’m here to find a prisoner.”

“A… prisoner?”

Brock’s expression turned微妙.

“Uh… I don’t know which prisoner you’re looking for, my lord… but all the prisoners here have had their identities erased, making it very difficult to find them. Ah! If you could describe their appearance, I’ll have the guards cross-reference it!”

“No. That won’t be necessary.”

I leaned back on the sofa. Telling Brock directly that I was looking for Maible would only complicate things. Besides, she was elusive, and the more we tried to find her, the more likely she was to hide. So, I decided to use a different approach.

“I enjoy finding pearls in the mud.”

I took a sip of tea and continued, wrapping my words in the elegant tone befitting a high noble like Tristan.

“If there’s talent here that can serve me and the Ruelberta Family, it would be a waste to let it rot in a place like this. I—”

“Ah… I understand.”

“Huh?”

What? Brock cut me off after just a few words.

“My lord, you mean… you wish to show mercy even to these scum!”

Huh?

“Truly, our lord! Your determination to not give up on even a single talent! Even reaching out to these scum if there’s a chance to redeem them—that is the duty of a noble! I, Brock, am moved by your generosity!”

Brock’s eyes sparkled as he exclaimed.

Well, that was the reaction I was aiming for, but his over-the-top enthusiasm was a bit embarrassing.

“That’s right, Warden Brock.”

Helga chimed in from the side.

“Our Count is the most magnanimous among nobles. Truly deserving of the title ‘Great Noble.'”

I had told Helga about my plan on the way to Gehenna, but she seemed eager to join in when the topic turned to me.

“You’ve grasped our Count’s intentions perfectly, Warden Brock. Well done.”

“Oh, no! It’s my honor to assist someone like you, my lord! Hahaha! I’ll gather all the scum—I mean, prisoners—right away!”

Warden Brock hurried out to call the guards, leaving just the two of us in the reception room.

Things were going well, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit itchy from all the one-sided praise in front of me.

“Helga, from now on—”

“Shh.”

Helga put a finger to her lips and winked.

“My lord, you don’t need to say anything. I already know.”

Know what?

About 30 minutes later, all the prisoners of Gehenna were gathered in the square.

“Line up straight!”

“Look at the person in front and beside you to align the rows!”

The shouts of armed guards and overseers echoed throughout.

There must have been over 2,000 prisoners gathered, making Gehenna feel crowded. Seeing their faces covered in dust, it seemed impossible to find Maible by checking each one individually.

“Quiet, you scum!!”

A booming voice that could tear the sky silenced the prisoners momentarily.

“Listen carefully to what I have to say!”

The owner of the voice was, surprisingly, Brock. Gone was the nervous man from earlier, replaced by a stern figure glaring down at the prisoners.

“Your master, Count Ruelberta, is here! From now on, listen carefully to every word he says!”

Brock pointed at me, and murmurs of disbelief spread through the crowd, likely due to my youthful appearance.

“What? He’s just a kid.”

“Some brat who hasn’t even dried behind the ears thinks he can do something?”

“Maybe he’ll tell us to eat properly.”

“Crazy guy. Heh heh…”

“Hey, what’s that kid gonna say?”

Most of the prisoners here were hardened criminals, so they didn’t hesitate to make snide remarks even with me present. Despite Warden Brock speaking, they continued to chatter, showing their disregard. Many were likely resigned to rotting here for life, and most probably hadn’t heard of me.

Honestly, I wasn’t angry at their comments. In fact, it felt refreshing. Given Tristan’s notorious reputation in the country, such reactions were almost welcome.

As evidence, even my ‘Pride’ didn’t react to their words. They weren’t even worth considering as ‘opponents.’

I slowly stepped onto the platform.

And looking down at the innocent prisoners who knew nothing of Tristan, I spoke.

“Shut your mouths, you maggots.”

With ‘Wrath’ in my voice.

 

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