Chapter 191 : Chapter 191
Chapter 191. Chaos and Mining
William was speaking with the King of the Dragon Kingdom. The Communication Crystal in his hand emitted a faint glow.
“William Kroll, the Blackgold Empire on the Central Continent has already sent people over. Judging by the situation, the Holy Light Aresos Empire has likely taken action as well.”
William nodded in silence.
“What do you mean?”
The King of the Dragon Kingdom hesitated for a moment.
“I have already asked Dragon Island for their opinion. They want the Dragon Kingdom to reject the Blackgold Empire’s proposal outright.”
The light of the Communication Crystal flickered in William’s palm, reflecting the solemn look in his eyes.
The situation on the Central Continent was like a net tightening by the moment. The Blackgold Empire’s move had been expected, but the Holy Light Aresos Empire’s movements made his heart sink.
That was an empire that worshiped the Holy Light and regarded all non-human forces as heretics. Their intervention would only make the waters of the Eastern Continent even murkier.
“Reject them?”
William tapped his fingertip lightly against the edge of the crystal.
“The Blackgold Empire’s envoys came with a human alliance. Is Dragon Island not afraid that they will fly into a rage and join forces with the Aresos Empire to exert pressure?”
A sigh came from the other side of the crystal. The King of the Dragon Kingdom’s voice was hoarse, like metal grinding against metal.
“Those stubborn old fools on Dragon Island said that the Blackgold Empire’s Shadow Magic pollutes dragon veins, while the fanatics of the Holy Light Aresos Empire are always trying to slaughter dragons and take their scales. Neither of them is anything good.”
William fell silent.
He understood Dragon Island’s pride. Those Giant Dragons that had lived for thousands of years looked down on the schemes and treachery of human empires from the depths of their bones.
But the current situation was not something they could avoid simply by hiding.
He suddenly spoke, his voice steady.
“Dragon Island can keep everyone at arm’s length, but the Dragon Kingdom cannot. The Blackgold Empire has already come to you. Can you really avoid them?”
The breathing on the other side of the crystal paused.
“How about this?”
William continued, “Reject the Blackgold Empire on the surface, but secretly guide their envoys toward the Barbarian Tribes.”
“Agula urgently needs external support, while the Blackgold Empire needs a foothold on the Eastern Continent. Let them tear each other apart.”
He paused, then added, “As for the Holy Light Aresos Empire, I will have Despair Fortress release news that the Barbarian Tribes are hiding Fragments of the Divine Remains and are colluding with shadow forces.”
“Those fanatics will definitely rush over. When the time comes, the three sides will fall into a melee, and we will be able to catch our breath.”
The light of the Communication Crystal flickered a few times, as though conveying the king’s hesitation.
A moment later, the king’s voice rang out again, now carrying a trace of resolve.
“We will do as you say. But William, the Dragon Kingdom cannot compare to the Kroll Kingdom. Dragon Island… will not help me a second time.”
“I hope you do not lose control of this.”
“Rest assured.”
William put away the crystal, and the light went out in his palm.
“All I want is the territory of the Barbarian Tribes.”
The horns of Despair Fortress pierced through the morning mist. The replenished Kroll Kingdom legions had already finished forming ranks, their armor gleaming with a cold, hard light beneath the rising sun.
William stood on the raised platform and looked down at the army below, which resembled a surging torrent of steel. His fingertip pressed heavily on the “southern Barbarian Tribes” region on the map.
This was the boundary drawn by the Dragon-Lion Legion. To him, it was not much of a restriction. The southern mines and strategic routes had been his primary targets to begin with.
He could not swallow any more than that anyway.
“Pass down my order. The vanguard will set out.”
He turned and gave the order to Kru.
“Remember, operate only in the south. Do not touch the red line in the Central Region.”
Kru accepted the order and left. The clashing of armor and the thunder of hooves merged into a deafening roar as the army shot eastward like a loosed arrow.
Over the next three days, the news William had the Shadow Guards spread seemed to grow wings, quickly sweeping through the neighboring kingdoms and empires.
“The central region of the Barbarian Tribes is hiding the Core of the Divine Remains, which contains power sufficient to allow a mortal to ascend to godhood, and it has been polluted by Shadow Energy…”
A few pieces of “evidence” were deliberately mixed into the rumors.
Several pieces of ore contaminated with Shadow Magic, which had been dug out from the storerooms of Despair Fortress, were disguised as “fragments of the Divine Remains that had flowed out of the Barbarian Tribes.” Through black market channels, they entered the border regions of the Holy Light Aresos Empire.
Sure enough, at dawn on the fifth day, scouts sent back news.
The “Holy Radiance Legion” of the Holy Light Aresos Empire had crossed the border, passed over the Sea of Despair, and was now advancing toward the Barbarian Tribes.
Their leader was a bishop known for his fanaticism. It was said that his armor was covered in Runes reading “purify the heretics.”
William stood before the map and watched the red marker representing the Holy Radiance Legion draw ever closer to the central region of the Barbarian Tribes. The corners of his mouth curved into a smile.
Since the Dragon-Lion Legion had given him the south, he would occupy the south.
The lunatics of the Holy Light were focused on the “Divine Remains” in the center, which suited him perfectly. They could pin down the main force of the Barbarian Tribes for him.
“Order the main force to speed up its advance.”
He said to Kru, “While the Holy Light Legion and the Blackgold Empire are tearing each other apart, seize every mining area and strategic route in the south.”
The three Gold Legions immediately increased their speed. This time, however, things were different from before.
The armor of the Gold Legions gleamed dazzlingly under the sunlight, yet it looked somewhat out of place beside the hoes and pickaxes slung over their shoulders.
More than twenty thousand knights were no longer sharp blades charging into battle. Instead, they had become the most efficient miners.
William’s order was simple and direct: dig whenever they encountered a Mineral Vein; replace the tools when they broke; stop and sort everything once the Spatial Rings were full.
“Clang! Clang! Clang!”
The sound of metal striking rock echoed through the valley. The knights swung their tools in perfect unison, sweat dripping down the edges of their helmets and splashing onto the exposed crimson-gold rocks of the Mineral Vein.
Experienced veterans could judge the direction of a Mineral Vein from the sound of each strike, directing their comrades to bring their hoes down with precision.
In less than half a day, a gold Mineral Vein hidden inside the mountain’s belly was opened. Glittering gold ore tumbled out and was swiftly packed into Spatial Rings.
“Change shifts!” the Squad Captain roared. The first batch of knights, their arms aching with exhaustion, withdrew to the side. Someone immediately took their tools and stepped forward, and the rhythm of hoes striking the Mineral Vein did not slow in the slightest.
The faint light of Spatial Rings flashed constantly. Once a batch was full, a designated person carried it to the rear, then returned with empty rings, like a conveyor belt that never stopped moving.
By the end of the day, when the last piece of ore was stored inside a ring, more than half of the once-bulging mountain had actually been hollowed out, revealing honeycomb-like mining tunnels within.
The knights collapsed onto the ground and watched as the ore piled up like small hills was sorted. Seventy percent was packed into Spatial Rings marked with “Dragon-Lion Legion,” while thirty percent went into the Kroll Kingdom’s pocket. No one complained.
Everyone knew that the value of this thirty percent alone was enough to fill the fortress treasury.
Moreover, along the way, they discovered that the Dragon-Lion Legion was actually helping them attack the Barbarian Tribes, with no missions to hinder them.
When they continued advancing, the knights’ steps became much lighter. Every time they encountered a new Mineral Vein, their digging efficiency increased further. Sometimes, they could even complete a “sweep” before they had set up camp.
Spatial Rings circulated through the ranks. The heavy ore inside made the rings grow faintly hot, yet no one considered them a burden.
A few days later, scouts from the Dragon-Lion Legion arrived with a letter of thanks from their commander. The Wax Seal on the letter was still warm.
“The mineral resources delivered by your army have far exceeded expectations. We hope to continue our cooperation and share the profits.”
Attached to the letter was also a chest of rare magical beast materials seized from the Orc Tribes, which counted as an additional gift of thanks.
William read the letter, then casually handed it to Kru. His gaze, however, fell on the ever-expanding “already mined region” marked on the map.
“Distribute the materials. Give double shares to the knights who worked hardest at mining.”
He said calmly, “Tell the commander of the Dragon-Lion Legion that this ‘cooperation’ has been pleasant.”
Under the setting sun, the shadows of the Gold Legions stretched long across the ground. The tools on the knights’ shoulders were still stained with mineral dust, while the wealth inside the Spatial Rings was silently changing the strength of the Kroll Kingdom.
“Continue forward.”
William mounted his horse, his longsword pointing toward the valley farther east.
“The next Mineral Vein is said to contain obsidian that can be used to forge knights’ swords.”