These mercenaries are no ordinary people. The strongest Mercenary Captain, Valen, even possesses Silver Low Tier strength, a power considered top-notch in some cities on the borders of the Southern Countries. The entire Mercenary Corps is not just any ordinary group; simply binding them with ropes makes it easy for them to break free and escape, hence a considerable amount of manpower is needed for their guard.
Only a new material, one more resilient than rope and suitable for making shackles, can reduce the need for a large number of Beastmen to guard them.
Regarding that material, Austin recalled a certain plan from not long ago — refining copper!
The initial conflict with the Blood Claw Tribe Branch was over a Copper Ore vein near the Blood Claw Tribe's mountain. After the Blood Claw Tribe was defeated, Austin fell into slumber, delaying the commencement of copper refining due to personal reasons.
