Synopsis

The chapter begins with the protagonist, inspired by historical lessons, deciding to develop silver mines to increase trade, using the idiom "He who saves for tomorrow saves for the cat" as his motivation. He receives a gift of a bellows from an ally, which will help with the mining process. Later, it is revealed that a corrupt official has taken control of silver mines, while mercenaries at the border are neglected, starving, and waiting for an expected barbarian attack, contemplating the reward for killing enemies.