James couldn't believe what had just happened? Some unknown guy named Theodor just came out of nowhere sang the song about his ground-breaking achievement, told that he was superior and just left. How the fuck even that works?

"Sophia..."

"Yes, Lord..."

"What the fuck just happened...?"

"Lord Theodor just showed his true colours."

"But...you said he was a friend of mine."

"Yes... He is a friend of yours, but... You saw what type of friend he is..." Sophia could say something like this because Leon had personally allowed her to say each and everything with no fear or obligations to the world. She was used to speaking bluntly in front of him and now it was just one of those many times.

"..." James said nothing to her reply. He was expecting to get along with that guy, but to his surprise, he was not a guy with whom he could even talk properly, let alone become friends. He had seen many people like this who were full of themselves and liked to brag about their so-called earth shattering achievements, but this guy he was just too much.

The least he could have done was hear what James was trying to say, but he didn't, just bragged about his accomplishments and left. And what the hell he was talking about the mines? They were theirs, then keep it. What's the point of telling that to him?

"Hey Sophia... tell me who that guy even was...?" James had to know who he was to figure why he was talking about mines.

"Theodor Aisere Von Arlet, only son and heir of Duke Augustus Aisere Von Arlet, on whom this empire depends for all economic growth. He is the richest man in the entire empire and has the most influence on nobility for his immense wealth." replied Sophia, in a single breath.

"So he is that guy's son. Hey why these people have so long names...?" James knew who that guy was because he had spent over 5 days inside the library after coming to this empire out of nowhere. But was exhausted of hearing these irritating long names. He couldn't even properly remember what his name was.

"Milord..." Sophia didn't understand why he was asking about these names.

They were long because they showed to others that they were powerful and belonged to upper nobility. Only a few people could use Von in their names, and the dukes were the few ones. Von belonged to the royal family, the most influential family in the entire empire and as their descendents, these dukes could also use that part only. No one else besides them could even dream of using that name, as it was punishable by death.

"Nothing, forget it." James also knew why these names were long, but still got tired of remembering them.

"..."

"And yes... Why was he blabbering about mines...?" James knew that the region which Leonhart's father ruled was resourceful region but was never used properly. He had a common idea about these from what he had learned in this mansion's library that this area was rich in iron resources and, at this time, iron was converted to steel to make weapons and armours for soldiers.

The Arlets got the rights to excavate all the irons and resources from diverse regions by signing various business deals. Then transferred it to their realm, where it was converted to steel and was used to manufacture weapons and other stuff. Then the Espers bought the final product at a higher price for their enormous army. A pretty shitty business model, which only and only profited the Arlets. Who even came up with this bullshit idea...?

"I am sorry milord...I have no information on that."

"No worries... I just asked..."

Knock! Knock!

Suddenly, another knock was heard on the door and Samuel, one of the people sent by the Duke, entered the room holding a bunch of papers, which needed Leonhart's sign and approval.

"Milord..."

"Yes... What is it...?" said James, fixing his demeanour. He was trying to appear stoic and confident.

"These papers need your approval. Please carefully read over them one by one and sign them after that." said Samuel in a polite tone, placing them in front of Leonhart.

"Oh..." Seeing the papers before him, James's expression became tense. He was screaming internally as to why he had to do all this?

"Anything else..."

"No milord. If you excuse me..." said Samuel, taking a couple of steps back to get out of this room, but was halted by a shout from behind.

"Samuel..."

"Yes Lord." said the man, turning his head to face Leon.

"Do you know anything about mines in this area...?" asked James. If Sophia didn't know about mines, then one of these people sent by the Duke must have to have some knowledge of this.

"Mines. I think I know."

"Tell me then..."

"Why..."

"What... Why...?" asked James in a rough tone.

"I was just asking that, why you are suddenly interested in mines." said Samuel with an awkward smile. He never wanted to get on this man's bad side, as it was the last thing he could do. But still sometimes lost control of his words because of his old habits, like for this instance.

"Nothing much. I was just curious. Am I not allowed to...?"

"No Lord... It's your realm. You can do whatever you want."

"Enough with that. Tell me, what do you know about mines...?"

"You know the region to the east, near the Selan river."

"Yes."

"This barony is at the very border of Arlets, and there is an iron mine near the border to which they are calling their own and excavating irons for several years by now."

"So..."

"Which is not under any agreements signed by either dukes...?"

"What...? Then how are they telling that is theirs?" asked James in a questioning tone. If it was not written in any contracts signed by either party, then how they were using the mines?

"It's too complicated then that."

"Explain it then..."

"So..."

Samuel explained everything to Leonhart. As he had worked with the Duke, he had known what was going on in this region. So he was able to provide every bit of info James needed.

"... It's like that. It's not that simple."

"Hmm... Yes... It's not that simple."

"Anything else you need from me, Lord..." asked the man in a courteous tone.

"No... It's enough. You can go now."

"As you wish."

With that, the man named Samuel left room, after providing some valuable information.

Apparently, this mining ownership incident started 10 years ago, when an iron mine was discovered by the people of Esvet near the border. They informed the Duke about this and somehow duke Arlet also got the info. He sent a letter to Duke Esper for allowing them to use that mine, but he declined for some unexplained reasons.

But they didn't listen and started their work, which was unapproved by the common people, so the Duke Esper interfered and stopped the work. But after another six months, they started working again. And soon this tiny incident led to a full-blown conflict between local people and Duke Arlet's guards, where many peoples were injured. This news made quiet a commotion and Duke Esper deployed his army to stop the mining, and in retaliation, Duke Arlet also deployed his army.

Both sides were in a heated situation and an all out war could have broken out at any moment, but this time the Emperor intervened and calmed down both parties. Both of them retrieved their soldiers and situation seemed to cool down a bit. But after just another year, once again Duke Arlet started digging. It was as if he was dead set on the iron of this region. Yet strangely, Duke Esper did nothing.

It was a tiny land, and he had no proper use for iron anyway, so he tuned a blind eye to the situation. As long as it didn't involve lives of his people, he said nothing, which Duke Arlet also knew very well. So he also did nothing that would harm local people. And it's still going on till this day. But it still became a heated topic between two dukes.

James had already got a mild headache after talking with Theodor, but after hearing everything from Samuel, his headache got worse. Things were not as simple as they seemed to be. They went much deeper than that. He was working to change the world, but in the blink of an eye, he was here as a freaking duke's son who had gillions of things to deal with.

"What the hell am I even doing...?" mumbled James with a long sigh, in a defeated tone, which didn't go unnoticed by Sophia, who was standing beside him the whole time.

"Milord..."

"Yes..."

"It's time for dinner."

"Really..." James had forgotten about the time completely during this whole discussion about mines and the Lord with white hair. Also, he was getting hungry.

"Yes."

"Let's go then..."

With that, the young Lord and the maid left the office room and made their way towards the dining hall. James ate the dinner and returned to his room, where he lied down a bit, but the sleep was quick to come. And soon he was completely passed out. He really was mentally tired from all the shit happened throughout the day.