Man With Super Medical Skill (Matthew)

Early the next morning, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Matthew woke from his rest. Watching the rising sun outside, he began contemplating the current predicament. The lack of building materials was a critical issue. Even dismantling the other two docks To proceed, they would need to purchase materials from other islands. However, Matthew wasn't particularly familiar with the layout or resources of the West Montiria Islands. Bram, with his local expertise, was the best person to consult.

wouldn't provide nearly enough for the construction of a new mega-port.

At the Island Watch headquarters, Bram was sitting in the courtyard, sipping tea.

"Mr. Roth, I need to ask you something," Matthew's sudden voice startled Bram, making him almost choke on his tea.

Cough, cough! Bram hurriedly wiped the tea from his lips with a piece of napkin, then smiled sheepishly. "Mr. Larden, what brings you here?"

"We don't have enough materials to build the new mega-port, do we?" Matthew asked directly.

"Correct. I was just about to inform you." Bram nodded, then turned grave, elaborating, "The materials we currently have in storage are nowhere near enough to build such a large structure. Timber isn't an issue, but steel and other resources are another matter. Even if we dig up every inch of this island, we won't find what we need. The project simply cannot move forward with the resources we have."

Matthew glanced at the materials list Bram held out, comparing it briefly before nodding. However, he remained silent, waiting for Bram to continue. From the way Bram spoke, it was clear he hadn't given up and likely already had a plan in mind.

Sure enough, Bram added, "However, there's a large iron mine on Ore Island, the neighboring island. You could arrange to purchase materials from them, Mr. Larden. We still have some reserve funds available for use." Bram spread out a map and pointed to a specific location on it.

"Why isn't the mine controlled by Ore Island's governor? A resource as strategic as that should be under his authority, right?" Matthew asked, his brow furrowing.

Bram chuckled as he explained, "Iron

is indeed a strategic resource, but this particular mine was discovered by several stone merchants working together. Even the governor couldn't claim it all for himself. In the end, he took half, while the rest went to those merchants."

Matthew nodded thoughtfully before asking, "Would it be possible to purchase directly from them?"

A sly grin spread across Bram's face

as he shrugged theatrically. "Years ago, I was acquainted with one of those merchants, a man named Angus Lopez. Back then, we roamed the islands together for a short time. I was much slimmer in those days, just like you are now, Mr. Larden."

Bram's expression took on a wistful, almost tragic air as though lamenting the passage of time.

Matthew cast a quick glance at Bram's figure, his ample girth a clear testament to a lifetime of indulgence rather than exercise. For a moment, Matthew wasn't sure what to say.

Shaking himself free of nostalgia,noveldrama

Bram noticed Matthew's silence.

"Mr. Larden I've written a letter for you. When you find Angus, hand it to him. He'll know what to do. That said, haven't been in touch with him for years, so I'm not sure where exactly he is. You'll likely need to search the stone market on Ore Island to locate him."

Bram pulled a sealed letter in a brown paper envelope from his pocket and handed it to Matthew.

Taking the letter, Matthew responded quietly, "Alright, got it."