49 – The Mine
＜Chapter 49 – The Mine＞
“It seems like this is our area of expertise.”
Compared to mercenaries, hunters are weaker in terms of combat strength.
However, they excel in abilities such as stealth and tracking.
“What’s your plan?”
“I have sleeping pills. I plan to turn them into smoke and put them in the mine.”
It should be effective if the mine is blocked from all sides.
We adopted Uncle’s plan
and immediately started preparing.
We cleared the entrance of the mine from the orc corpses,
gathered dry branches, and started a fire.
With the sleeping pills.
“Hit harder! Let the smoke penetrate into the mine!”
As they began to introduce the smoke,
they were tense for a few minutes.
However.
“The orcs aren’t coming out?”
“That’s expected. After inhaling this smoke, they’ll be sluggish rather than feeling pain. They might not even realize they’re under attack.”
After forcefully pushing in an excessive amount of smoke,
mercenaries were sent inside.
.
.
The number of orcs brought out from the mine exceeded two thousand.
Combined with the number killed outside, it was a large-scale orc den with over four thousand.
“Lord Elwin, all the orcs have been cleared.”
“Good job.”
They eliminated the internal threat,
deployed mining experts.
And after a while,
the awaited notification came.
[Mission]
Mine Owner (Complete)
The mission I thought would be difficult was easily completed with the help of Alencia.
[System]
Mission completed.
1 skill point is awarded.
Adding the saved skill point, it makes two.
“First, safety comes first.”
Safety First (Lv1)
Increases the safety of owned facilities.
After considering efficiency-related skills and safety-related skills, I chose “Safety First.”
In the case of a mine, accidents can cause significant damage and recovery operations take a long time.
[System]
Analyzing the situation, appropriate missions are suggested.
[Mission]
Construction of a mining village.
“This time, our thoughts align.”
**
We began the construction of the village in earnest.
First, I sent a letter to Russell.
To acquire as many slaves as possible who have experience working in mines and workshops.
Furthermore, they brought slaves who had been involved in the Alp construction to work in the mines.
While maintenance of the mines required experts, the construction of the village could be done by ordinary slaves.
And so,
From Noble mtl dot com
Maintenance of the mines and construction of the village began simultaneously.
.
.
“Hmm…”
“Do you have concerns?”
As I turned my head, there was Hans.
“Can we defend this place with slave soldiers?”
He couldn’t answer readily.
Terra and Alp villages, along with the rest of the outposts, are located in goblin and orc territory.
But this place is different.
It is on the border with orcs and trolls.
Even during the construction of the village, trolls attacked several times.
‘What if we entrust it to mercenaries like Terra?’
Terra’s defense was entrusted to a mercenary corps.
The Alp also plans to appoint another mercenary corps as the lord.
‘But here…’
An industrial city with mines attached.
Different from a regular agricultural city, the income itself would be different.
Will you share the goose that lays golden eggs with the mercenary group?
Or will you claim it for yourself?
“Lord Soyoung, if it’s defense, it can be done with slave soldiers.”
The battle between slave soldiers and trolls.
I simulated it, but it was challenging.
What if slave soldiers die while protecting the industrial city?
“We can’t sacrifice the slave soldiers.”
“It’s a different story if there’s a weapon.”
“A weapon?”
“With a regular spear or knife, it’s difficult to kill a troll. Arrows are the same. But with a ballista, it’s different.”
Ballista.
Also known as a crossbow.
A weapon that shoots large arrows, spears, stones, etc.,
an enlarged version of a crossbow.
“Shall we make a ballista?”
“Currently, the ballista is a highly developed form after a long time. It’s difficult to make it from scratch.”
According to Hans,
the ballista has been used for a long time.
Continuous improvements have been made over time, and now it has become something that ordinary craftsmen cannot create.
“How can we find a skilled artisan?”
“It’s managed by the high nobility. Realistically, it’s impossible.”
The improved ballista technology is monopolized by the upper class in this world, meaning the high-ranking authorities control it.
To obtain it, one has no choice but to pay a hefty price.
‘I’ll need a lot of these in the future. Should I buy them all? No…’
There’s another way.
It’s through skills.
The Guidance of the Designer skill.
According to the description, it assists in designing.
“The problem is the active skill, though.”
Except for the magic removal skill, all the skills are passive.
Learning multiple active skills with limited mana is inefficient.
By using the Guidance of the Designer skill, the usage of the magic removal skill decreases accordingly.
“Do I keep strengthening agriculture, or do I foster industry?”
The contemplation was long, but the conclusion was clear.
Agriculture alone has its limitations.
If the farm grows to supply the entire island with food?
After that, you have to compete with the farmers on the continent.
It’s challenging to achieve the same high profits as now.
“Contact Russell. Tell him to purchase a ballista.”
“May I have a word?”
“Sure.”
**
While focusing on the construction of the mining village,
the one he had been waiting for finally arrived.
“Russell!”
“Master!”
Russell and his daughter, Sarah, approached on foot.
Sarah, as if embarrassed, hid behind Russell and greeted.
“Hello.”
“Yeah, how have you been?”
Sarah nodded and completely concealed herself.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. You’re cute. Now, about the goods?”
“I’ve purchased all the slaves with experience in mining or workshops. The number is approximately 700.”
It was fewer than expected.
In this world, where agriculture is fundamental, experts in the industrial field are rare.
“And, we’ve also brought the ballista you mentioned.”
A huge crossbow, filling one cart, came into view.
“That’s it. Move it to the central workshop.”
The slaves moved the ballista to the workshop.
I examined the ballista placed in the center of the workshop.
“I have to make this…”
“Master.”
Russell and a man were at the entrance.
“We acquired this slave at great difficulty; he’s a dwarf hybrid.”
“Dwarf hybrid?”
Dwarves, one of the races.
Individuals with exceptional talent in crafting.
“Well, take a look at this.”
He pointed to the demonstration part of the ballista.
However,
The man didn’t even flinch.
Russell looked puzzled.
“According to the trader, he has an uncooperative personality. However, his skills are certain. I’ve personally checked the items he made.”
A slave with an uncooperative nature…
It seemed marketable.
I moved towards the man and stood in front of him.
“What’s your name?”
…”
“I am Dobe,” Russell replied on my behalf.
I gestured for him to wait, meaning to convey that he was being uncooperative.
“If I release you from slavery, will you help me?”
…
“What do you want?”
…
For the first time, he showed a reaction.
He didn’t speak, but he lifted his gaze to look at me.
“Be honest. I need a skilled artisan. If you have any desires, I will fulfill them.”
“Three hours. I will work for you for three hours.”
“And the rest?”
“I will do what I want.”
He didn’t see himself as a slave.
Even asking for three hours of break time is impolite,
yet he was willing to work for just three hours.
Even so…
“Fine. If you have the ability, then go ahead.”
“Do not forget the promise.”
Dvega rolled up his sleeves and walked towards Ballista.
Energy returned to Dvega’s lifeless eyes.
He carefully examined Ballista.
He tapped on the wood and pulled on the strings.
When exactly three hours had passed since he started inspecting,
Dvega stood up from his seat.
“It has been three hours.”
Just as he was about to leave the workshop,
Thump.
Someone blocked his path.
“You have to show your ability.”
“It won’t be difficult to create the body. Just cut and paste it to maintain the same size. The problem lies in the demonstration. The applause and overall impact will depend on how the demonstration is created.”
They took a step aside and cleared the way.
So that he could pass through.
Until the sun set, they examined Ballista.
The overall situation was as Dvega had described.
The body of Ballista was not important.
No special skills were needed.
Just find good wood and recreate the same shape.
“Is the problem indeed the protest?”
Guide of the Designer (Lv 1)
Provides assistance in drawing up designs.
Used the skill and re-examined.
But still couldn’t sense anything.
“What on earth is this made of?”
The next day.
Dveb showed up at the workshop.
He also focused intensively on the protest.
“It’s difficult to know the material just by looking at the appearance.”
“Then what should we do? Is there a way?”
“To be honest, even if you know the material, it’s not easy to make it the same way. You need to figure out the ratio of materials and the method of making them. Even then, it will take several years to become skilled.”
“It seems impossible.”
Even if all conditions are met, it takes several years.
“Instead, if it’s similar, you can make it. After all, it’s about making a rope with excellent elasticity.”
Dveb’s words were a solution too.
If you can’t make it the same, you can make another rope with excellent elasticity.
“It doesn’t need to be as excellent as the modified ballista. As long as it meets a certain standard, we can catch trolls in quantity.”
With the cost of buying dozens of modified ballistas, hundreds can be made.
“Alright. Can you get the materials?”
“From ropes to monster sinews. Or perhaps even fur types are fine. Please fetch as many as possible.”
Dve bowed and left.
It must have been about three hours.
The next day.
From ropes to goblin, orc, and troll sinews, Dve brought them all.
“Now, what do we do?”
“We try making it ourselves. After dozens, hundreds of attempts, we might find a good combination.”
Dve did exactly as he had said.
Twisting ropes and goblin sinews, he created a makeshift cord and conducted elasticity experiments.
Next was ropes and orc sinews.
Then orc sinews and troll sinews.
After several attempts, he stood up from his seat.
“Three hours have passed.”
Dve left,
leaving the workshop empty.
“If we leave it to Dve, it might take months.”
He twisted various sinews into cords, just like he did.
Tick.
It didn’t seem to be made properly; there was almost no elasticity.
“This is tricky. Do you need a basic skill even for experiments?”
Designer’s Guidance (Level 1)
Aids in blueprint creation.
The only thing I trust is the system’s ability.
I haven’t even tried making a small tool before.
“Do I have to draw the blueprint for it to activate?”
Until now, it only consumed mana with no effect.
I unfolded the paper and picked up the pen.
And there, I drew a picture entwining goblin sinews and cords.
[Completion: 13]
“What’s this! The notification!?”
