Via Argentum is the 17th main quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. To save Hans Capon, you must first help Kunzlin Ruthard dismantle his rival Vavak's power by proving he is embezzling silver and running a secret counterfeit mint.
Kunzlin Ruthard is also the rightful owner of the Maleshov fortress, where Hans Capon is being held. He is unhappy about being ousted and will assist you, if you help him first.
Ruthard Mansion
The first step is to make your way to the first quest objective, the Ruthard mansion located in the southern parts of the city, to meet Kunzlin Ruthard, an important nobleman and council member, also one of the few supporters of Wenceslas in Kuttenberg.
Before entering, make sure you are wearing your armor. You can also drink an Artemisia potion; a difficult combat section will start right after.
Step into the mansion to be greeted by a cutscene where Mintmaster Vavak blackmails Ruthard into selling him his silver mines.
You will also be introduced to his daughter Rosa, a potential future romance option, but you currently cannot do anything to help this.
When Rosa comes to the scene, she shoots one of Vavak's men.
Mintmaster Vavak doesn't take it well and a combat scene starts in which you must help Ruthard defeat Vavak's men. Vavak has 6 soldiers with him; Ruthard only has 3 men and most will retreat to the house when the combat starts.
After you defeat them, a long dialogue sequence begins. Essentially, Ruthard wants to find a way to blackmail Vavak so he gets off his back. Ruthard believes Vavak is counterfeiting coin, so your job is to meet Christian of Pisek, a contact close to the mining operation near Horschan.
You can loot the bodies of the defeated guards before leaving; they have some nice armor to sell and about 100 Groschen. Enemy bodies are free to loot even after the guards arrive.
Step 1: The Mining Investigation
Meet Christian of Pisek at the Horschan mines (northwest of Kuttenberg, on a road between Grund and Horschan). He was supposed to lead investigation into the fake silver but didn't have much time.
Follow him and he will share more information; you will then have to help him with the investigation.
He suspects the mining books from a specific mining operation are being faked and filled with misleading information.
You must interview three foremen about the haul from the Feast of St. Petronilla, a mining event that happened recently. Every foreman was leading one shift.
First Foreman: Samko
Found at the above-ground camp, just next to where you find Christian.
Beat him at dice, bribe him (200 Groschen), or pass a Speech check.
Result: 34 corves
Second Foreman: Frank
Enter the mine and go straight until you encounter him. He either wants 10 beers or you can pass a Medium Charisma check before he reveals the information.
Result: 36 corves
Third Foreman: Paul
Paul is located deep inside the mines. Continue through the caves in the direction of the marker. You can also ask nearby miners and they will offer directions.
He is praying in a tunnel marked by a bathing tub.
Offer to pray with him to gain his trust and talk to him further. Then exit the caves.
Result: 30 corves
The miners total 100 corves, but the official record only shows 90.
Report this to Christian, who points out the discrepancy.
Then confront Hermann and Fett near the mine office. Use skill checks to learn the truth.
Ore merchant Hermann will first deny, but you can use a Medium Charisma, Medium Speech, or Easy Intimidation check and he will tell you what he knows.
Fett first blames the yackers. Then again, use Medium Charisma, Medium Speech, or Easy Intimidation to learn everything.
Unfortunately, neither Hermann nor Fett can connect Vavak to the missing silver. Talk to Christian again to wrap this part up and get your next objective.
Step 2: Infiltrate the Smelter
Christian wants you to pose as a nobleman to get close to Buresh, the smelter owner.
You must wear high-charisma clothing (no armor) and be clean. Perfume like Mintha or Lion also won't hurt.
Speak to Buresh in Grund; he will likely be at the tavern. Convince him you want to buy a smelter to get a Letter of Safe Conduct. If you press him with more questions, he will say that according to his knowledge, 90 corves were hauled from the Horschan mines.
Talk to the worker Shima inside the smelter. The game only gives you a large area, but he is working in the main smelting building, carrying sacks.
He will lead you to a private spot. After a complicated skill check, he will reveal that you should confront Volkmar, the head smelter.
Step 3: Confront Volkmar
Volkmar is at the stud farm on the east side of Grund. Equip your combat gear before talking to him.
Volkmar will call three lackeys. Pass a timed check to demand a one-on-one duel with Little Nary to make the fight easier.
After the fight, Volkmar will confess that Buresh is the mastermind and give you a map to a secret mint. You can kill him or take a hefty bribe to keep him alive, pictured below:
Map to the secret mint:
Step 4: The Secret Mint
The mint is hidden in an abandoned shaft east of Grund. Look for a hole in the ground with a ladder near a horse named Agro. It is exactly here:
We recommend saving the game before entering.
Deal with Buresh
Descend into the shaft using all four ladders and simply continue straight. You will find Buresh guarded by three soldiers. You have two main paths:
The bribe (peaceful): Accept Buresh's “Large Bribe” (475 Groschen) to walk away. This allows you to explore the rest of the mine without combat.
Combat: Refuse the bribe and kill the guards. Funnel them into the narrow tunnel to fight them one at a time.
If you are struggling with the patrolling soldiers, two or three good shots from a bow or crossbow can dispatch them from a safe distance. This is also much safer with a Nighthawk potion.
Don't forget to loot all the bodies. Buresh's body has two incriminating letters and a very expensive golden crucifix.
Gathering the Evidence
Regardless of how you handle Buresh, you must secure the evidence.
Grab the Secret Preghaus Key from the table in the main chamber. There is also a dice on the table.
Go to the back room and use the key (or lockpick) to open the chest.
Loot the Secret Mint Ledgers and the Minting Die (quest item, not actual die). This chest also has blacksmithing sketches, 2 Saviour Schnapps and 200 Groschen.
Optional: Talk to the imprisoned minters. If you killed the guards, you can free them for bonus reputation. They will refuse to leave at first, but then still go after passing an Intimidation or Charisma check.
You can then leave; the only efficient way is to climb the ladders back up and exit the same way you used to arrive.
Christian of Pisek Decision, Rewards & Conclusion
Return to Christian in Grund with the ledgers and the die.
Christian will offer to keep the minting operation running under his own management and asks for your partnership.
- If you accept: You will get 625 Groschen and his help in a later quest.
- If you refuse: Nothing happens immediately, but you will later have to kill him in a future quest.
Whatever you choose, the Via Argentum main quest ends here. If you didn't complete The Devil's Pack yet, use our guide to tackle it next.
Finishing both Via Argentum and The Devil's Pack will then progress the story to saving Hans Capon from Maleshov in Taking French Leave.
Reward: Accepting his offer nets you 625 Groschen immediately and completes the quest, leading into Taking French Leave.
Via Argentum FAQ
Do you need Artemisia for the mansion fight?
It helps; wear armor and be ready for six hostiles while Ruthard's guards fall back.
Fastest way through the foremen?
Samko: dice, bribe, or Speech. Frank: beer or Medium Charisma. Paul: pray with him.
Is Buresh's bribe worth it?
475 Groschen buys a quiet mint and time to loot; fighting works if you prefer no deal.
Should you partner with Christian?
625 Groschen now plus future aid; refusing saves gold short-term but forces a later fight with him.
What unlocks Maleshov rescue?
Complete this quest and The Devil's Pack, then continue to Taking French Leave.