[Book 1 Completed] Industrial Mage: Modernizing a Magical World [Kingdom Building LitRPG]
B2 | Chapter 34 – Back in Holden

Dead leaves that had likely been decaying for months or maybe years got crushed beneath the carriage wheels. With a strange interest that came from knowing something was seriously wrong but not understanding what it was, Theodore moved his face closer to the window and watched the Deadwoods roll past.

Even if you had a carriage and enough power to make the majority of casual threats become footnotes, Theodore had to acknowledge that the Deadwoods weren't exactly a place to go into with confidence. The reason was rather simple, while the things he'd encountered were glorified zombies and they could be dealt with quite easily, the issue with the mysteries this place held. A Rank 5 had vanished here once, and since, no one had dared venture. He wasn't scared but there was something strange about the surroundings. Mana didn't ordinarily move that way. Like watching water flow toward an invisible plughole, it was subtle but unmistakeable with [Arcane Awareness].

It was always inward, too. Additionally, it was purposeful rather than merely directed, as if it were being dragged by something.

He had seen it before. He had brushed it off back then. Because of course he had. There were only so many hours in a day, and he didn't exactly have time to snoop about in a place that exuded this much disinterest in visitors coming about and wandering.

But ever since he had first observed the strange behavior of mana at its boundaries, he had been interested in this location. Yes, most forests had mystical ecosystems of their own, but this one was unique. Here, the mana moved purposefully, and Theodore had grown more and more certain that knowing why may be crucial to his larger study of magic.

It wasn't exactly ideal, of course, to travel in a wooden box and investigate enigmatic magical phenomena, but it was better than spending another hour in Ashton's camp listening to the man go on about profit margins. Some questions were worth pursuing even when the circumstances weren't perfect.

"Take us deeper."

The driver obeyed, and the deeper they went, the more pronounced the effect became. Like the forest as a whole was somehow consuming magical energy from the surroundings, mana was constantly streaming inward.

It was fascinating, really. To cause such a large disruption in the ambient mana's normal flow, whatever was at the center of this place had to be extraordinarily strong. Theodore found himself genuinely excited about the possibilities.

The carriage's wheels caused twigs to snap, and the horses appeared more restless than usual. Twitchy. But they were trained so they continued to do their job.

Something changed.

Theodore straightened his back and pressed both hands on against the carriage window as he extended his magical senses as far as they would go. The flow of mana had changed. It hadn't happened slowly, nor quietly—it had completely shifted course, as if someone had flipped a switch.

It wasn't natural. Now he knew for certain. This was not how mana concentrated unless it was being intentionally made it act this way.

He leaned forward to see the mana shifting, and the mana flow reversed.

"What the hell?"

Theodore was genuinely confused.

No, it wasn't right. That wasn't supposed to happen. The inward flow began spiraling outward, and the feeling that followed was less of a shift and more of a recoil. As if the forest had suddenly changed its mind or spat something out.

Leaning back in his chair, Theodore frowned, trying to make sense of what he was going through.

Was there something in here that was consciously directing the flow of mana?

There was a part of him that wanted to go further, to discover what was creating this disruption. However, another part of him, the one that had kept him alive, was indicating that perhaps this was not the appropriate moment or location for such inquiries. With the exception of his driver, Roland, and the other guards, he was alone in a basic carriage that had no magical defenses or attacking prowess.

If whatever was in charge of the mana flow in this forest decided it didn't like tourists, Theodore could find himself in a very troublesome situation very quickly.

With a sigh, Theodore made what he knew was likely the proper choice, though he wasn't quite satisfied with it. Even while he really wanted to know what was going on here, he had too many other things to focus on back in Holden. He had a lot more to accomplish, the tournament was approaching, and he needed to supervise his numerous business endeavors.

Whatever was going on in the Deadwoods, he'd deal with it when it became a problem.

"Turn us around. We're heading back."

***

The ride back gave him enough time to dig into the question that had been nudging at the back of his mind since the Slime King debacle. Theodore took out the mana stone he had taken from the Slime King and flipped it over in his palms as they returned to the main road and headed toward Holden. There was a gentle shimmer on the mana stone, but otherwise it was completely inert. He couldn't spot any pulses in the mana, or any activity.

For several days, he had been carrying it around, periodically pulling it out to inspect it, but he had never discovered anything really interesting about it. It was just a good mana stone, the type you might get in any reputable magical supply store in the capital. But Theodore was troubled by it precisely for that reason.

Because that couldn't be right.

The Slime King had demonstrated the ability to create clones. Theodore had assumed that such ability must have come from some kind of unique magical artifact or something else. This mana stone would have explained how it had managed to learn such advanced magic.

But this mana stone, as far as Theodore could tell through both [Arcane Awareness] and his thermal sensing capabilities, was completely ordinary.

So what the hell did that mean?

If the mana stone wasn't responsible for the creature's magical capabilities, then where had those abilities come from?

Theodore held the stone up to the carriage window, letting the light shine through it.

Theodore didn't mind being wrong, but he despised uncertainty. If you told him he was wrong, he could fix that. But this was different.

Slimes weren't known for that kind of magic. That is, unless the Slime King hadn't acquired such skills on its own. Theodore settled back in his seat as the familiar landmarks of Holden's approach began appearing through the carriage windows. It would be pleasant to return home, to his workspace, his notes, and the comfortable routine of productive work.

***

Holden looked—well, it looked better, which was the strangest part. It was weird to think that Holden looked different than when he had first transmigrated, but it wasn't that he wasn't pleased that things were better now. Theodore had been here long enough to observe the changes that spoke of rapid growth and increasing prosperity, and he liked those changes.

For starters, roads were more crowded. More people traveling, more commercial wagons. With modern construction and fresher paint blending in with the older buildings that had long characterized the town. Everything appeared better kept and maintained as well.

Some of the businesses that had fled during the guild exodus had returned now, and he noticed stores shining with fresh paint and banners he didn't recognize. Even the dirt roads were suspiciously well-kept, and that alone made him happy.

And there were people as well, too many people compared to before. It was packed, but not overcrowded. He shouldn't be shocked, Theodore supposed, Holden had seen unheard-of levels of wealth thanks to the soap business, and money had a way of drawing more money. Where they'd previously avoided the town completely, the [Merchants] were now setting up shop here permanently now. Guilds had returned, providing fresh trade possibilities and experienced craftsmen, after having left Holden during its impoverished years.

And soap was responsible for everything, every last bit of it.

It was gratifying to see, really. Theodore had worked hard to lay the groundwork for Holden's economic development, and the outcome was just what he had hoped for. For the first time in years, if not longer, the town was prospering.

Of course, there were challenges associated with success. A larger population meant more politics, more interests, and the possibility of factional arguments that may upset the delicate equilibrium Theodore had tried to create. He would have to watch out for it.

Upon exiting the carriage, Theodore was met with the sight of Jack approaching him, who was obviously grinning.

Which was... odd.

Because Theodore had expected Jack to look like death. The man was in charge of half a dozen projects, the kilns being the most time-sensitive. The fervidite logistics alone should've driven him into a weeklong stupor.

But no. Jack was clean-shaven. Healthy, well-rested, and exuding a calm assurance that suggested he was not just handling his obligations but also taking pleasure in them. There wasn't a single ink stain on his robe.

He was almost glowing, actually.

Theodore stared at him.

Suspicious.

"Lord Theodore! My raven informed me about a carriage, I knew it had to be you."

"You look like someone who just got promoted and had a religious awakening in the same afternoon," he said instead of hello.

"Good to see you back too." Jack rolled his eyes. "How did things go with Baron Ashton?"

"Successful enough. The slime operation is established, the fervidite shipments are secured, and Ashton is sufficiently impressed with our capabilities to agree to very favorable terms."

"Everything's going better than expected? Also, wait, what? Slime operation?"

"Later."

"Sure. Excellent news, by the way," Jack said, and Theodore could hear the sincere pleasure in his response. "The kiln operations have been progressing well in your absence. We've got production running smoothly, and the workers have adapted to the new processes better than I expected. We're ready for the fervidite shipments whenever they arrive—once we have them, we can begin full-scale brick production immediately. For now we've got production running in moderation."

Theodore nodded, pleased but not surprised by Jack's competence. The man had always been reliable, always capable of handling complex projects with minimal oversight. But there was something different about him today, something that went beyond professional satisfaction or job-related confidence.

"Jack… Did something happen while I was away? You seem... unusually pleased with yourself."

Jack smiled but didn't answer. Theodore shrugged.

"Well. I suppose I won't have to fire you today."

"Generous."

Theodore paused.

"I'm glad to hear things have been going well. Because we need to have a serious conversation about some changes to our ongoing projects. Plans have shifted somewhat during my time with Ashton, and there are new possibilities we need to explore together."

***

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