NOVPUBChapter 934: 292. Behind the Scenes_2
Selena couldn’t help but feel a slight sinking in her heart.
“Splash splash~~~”
The Miniature Ocean rippled with spray.
Selena raised her hand and shot out a water pillar, activating the teleportation function of the Miniature Ocean.
The spray churned, and from within the sea water emerged a tall and imposing figure, none other than Selena’s elder brother, Lonco.
He was clad in deep blue Magic Battle Robes, his steps steady as he crossed the office and sat down in the chair beside Selena.
...
Lonco leaned back in the chair, one thick leg crossed over the other, arms folded across his stomach, tightening the lines of his face as he spoke gruffly,
“I am Lonco Pomida, one of the Deputy Deans of the Deep-sea Branch, and also an Enforcement Wizard. You question the source of the Deep-sea Branch’s Nonmetal Mineral Distribution Map? Well, I permit you to question it, but please present your evidence.”
Dietrich Fegan unhooked the Magic Pouch from around his waist and placed it on the tabletop, opening it up.
Four scrolls appeared before everyone’s eyes.
The seals of the scrolls were affixed with the Pangula Family’s emblem in wax.
Binding the scrolls were Magic Ribbons and Magic Locks.
The outside of the scroll tubes and the ends of the scrolls were inscribed with the date and location of the scrolls’ sealing.
“These are four Exploration Reports that were sealed three years ago, secretive documents of the Pangula Family.”
Dietrich Fegan picked up one of the scrolls, showing Lonco and Selena the sealing dates.
He unlocked the Magic Lock on the scroll, removed the Magic Ribbon, and spread it out on the table.
The scroll was a composite of characters, blueprints, and dynamic patterns, detailing the distribution of mineral resources on a certain small isle. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
Selena and Lonco glanced over the content of the scroll.
The distribution of the metallic ore that Dickler Fegan had mined was shown on the scroll.
The non-metallic ore distribution provided by Noland Lee was also identically described on the scroll.
Moreover, metallic ores that had neither been mined by Dickler Fagen nor appeared in Noland Lee’s Exploration Reports were also listed on the scroll.
This was the most detailed of all the Exploration Reports for the island that Selena and Lonco had ever seen.
“As you both can see, three years ago, the Pangula Family had completed the exploration of this island. We documented the island’s mineral resources in this scroll and intended to sell them when the time was right.”
Dietrich paused for half a second:
“We had planned to sell this Exploration Report for a good price, only to find that the Deep-sea Branch disgracefully stole the crystallization of the Pangula Family’s wisdom.”
Lonco countered stiffly,
“You can’t possibly believe that the Pangula Family is the only one capable of exploring mineral resources. The Exploration Reports you’ve produced only prove that you discovered those resources, but do not prove that others haven’t discovered them. Don’t play word games here.”
Dietrich let out a cold laugh,
“Hah, Mister Lonco. The Pangula Family’s expertise in the field of rocks and metals is well recognized. But you’re right, the Exploration Reports I hold can only prove that the Pangula Family discovered these resources. But I must tell you that the act of exploring mineral resources inevitably leaves traces in the material world.”
Dietrich paused for another half second, his laugh taking on a sinister tone,
“I can affirm that before you hired Mira Faar from the Deep-sea Branch to mine for you, the Deep-sea Branch had not conducted exploration for non-metallic ore on those four small isles. No trace of the Deep-sea Branch’s exploration, as seen when mining, existed there.
“Tell me, Mister Lonco, how did you discover the non-metallic mineral veins hidden 1355 meters below ground without having conducted any prior exploration?”
Dietrich exchanged glances with the Rock Bone Enforcer beside him and continued,
“Beyond stealing someone else’s Exploration Reports, I frankly can’t think of any way that a wizard force specializing in deep sea could accurately find underground mineral veins. Don’t you agree, Mister Lonco?”
Lonco fell into silence.
Selena spoke up,
“Dietrich, your argument only proves the incompetence of the Pangula Family and nothing else.”
Her words made Dietrich stiffen.
Selena continued,
“Just because the Pangula Family leaves traces in the material world during their ore exploration, you presumptionally assume that all wizard forces will do the same. What a naive thought, Dietrich. Is magic just a hammer and wrench to you?”
“What are you talking about?!” Dietrich clenched his teeth, his gaze fixed intensely on Selena,
“Are you provoking the Pangula Family?!”
Selena crossed her arms and tossed him a cool look,
“We have our methods of exploration that don’t leave any traces, and we are under no obligation to explain them to you. It’s a secret of the Deep-sea Branch. If you dare to question the Deep-sea Branch with such minimal so-called evidence, then we must ask you to leave.”
Lonco followed Selena’s lead, adding,
“That’s right, Selena is correct. Her attitude reflects mine, as well as that of the Deep-sea Branch and the Pomida Family. The evidence you have provided is ridiculous, childish, and utterly delusional. I expect to see something more substantial, or else, please leave.”
Dietrich braced himself against the edge of the table, his head bowed slightly as he began to laugh quietly, his laughter tinged with an inexplicable tone:
