The worst case scenario would be if it was filled with the dirty laundry of the thieves but the wooden box was properly nailed together so the possibility of that was low. If it was trapped then I don't think it would be made to be so hard to open.
I slot a dagger in the gap under the lid and pried the lid open.
Then … inside was,
“Stone?”
“It seems to be some kind of ore.”
A large amount of stone appeared. Unlike ordinary stone, a portion shined silver so it certainly looked like some kind of ore.
Right, I'll use 「Mineral Appraisal」.
As a result, I immediately got my answer.
【Mithril Ore: Ore containing Mithril Silver. The ability of a high-leveled Alchemist is required to smelt Mithril Silver.】
As expected, this world has Mithril. Since it's a gaming staple.
Judging by this, Orichalcum most likely exists as well.
However, there were completely no Mithril-type weapons sold in the weapon shop. Is it possible that it is a considerably rare item? I consulted Haru while thinking so but the reply was even more unfavorable than I had expected.
Mithril is certainly an ore that can craft valuable equipment.
However, a person must be a high-leveled Alchemist to smelt Mithril ores.
Moreover, processing the Mithril into weapons and armor once again requires a high-leveled Blacksmith.
Due to that, many countries monopolize the production process and they even monopolize the mines that produce Mithril.
Therefore, the selling price is equal to an unattainable sum. I don't know where the thieves snatched these Mithril ores from but they must have had a lot of trouble deciding on how to deal with it. It would have been a waste to throw it away but their means of exchanging it for gold was limited …