Two days later, Louis, accompanied by Bradley, master craftsman Valentine, and a team of professional miners, followed a mountain path deep into the Red Tide Territory.
Bradley remained skeptical, convinced there couldn't be a large-scale magic marrow mine here—and that Louis was overstating the case. After pushing through the forest, however, they emerged into a vast mining site.
Knights stood guard at its perimeter, clad in heavy iron armor and scanning the surroundings for threats. When they spotted Louis and his party, they bowed and saluted. "My Lord, everything is secure at the mining area."
Louis nodded and led his group deeper inside.
As they stepped into the mine, everyone couldn't help but gasp at the sight. The reserves of magic marrow were staggering. The mine's internal temperature was noticeably warmer, and the ore walls glowed with a faint warmth.
The rock walls shimmered a dark purple, infused with magical energy. Faint pulses of arcane power drifted through the air. Valentine, a seasoned miner, barely controlled himself as he reached out and pressed his hand against the wall.
His fingers trembled, and his eyes shone with excitement. "Oh my god…" He turned to Bradley, voice trembling, "This mine could rank among the top twenty magic marrow mines in the whole Iron-Blood Empire!"
The other craftsmen whispered in awe:"The reserves are unbelievable!""The purity is incredible—if we dig deeper, high-grade crystallized magic marrow might show up!""My Lord… this is a fortune sent from heaven!"Several senior craftsmen traced their fingers along the shimmering walls as though touching silk in the imperial capital. Bradley quickly silenced them, chastising: "Quiet down. Don't treat this like a market!"
Under his glare, the craftsmen fell silent, though their eyes still glittered with excitement. Bradley himself felt a surge of greed—there was truly so much marrow here. Louis hadn't exaggerated.
He began to reconsider the value of this territory. Magic marrow wasn't just a component for magical explosives. It could also be ground into powder and fused into weaponry, sharpening blades to cut through armor easily. Alchemists required it for potent potions. High-purity marrow essence was essential for magic arrays. Its strategic worth far exceeded that of ordinary magical minerals—this mine alone could reshape the Northern Region's fate!
Bradley looked at Louis earnestly. "Young Master, we shouldn't let too many people know about this mine."
Louis observed Bradley's expression calmly, waiting for him to continue.
"Though the Calvin Family is among the Eight Great Families, common rogues won't dare target you. But this is the Northern Region—far from the family's influence. Some will take risks. This mine is valuable enough that they might." Bradley's eyes sharpened.
He watched Louis closely for a reaction. Louis's expression stayed composed, a gentle smile on his lips.
"I understand," Louis replied softly. "I've only informed my father—via a letter. No one else knows."
Upon hearing this, Bradley relaxed. He believed Louis meant every word. Inwardly, he vowed to report this to Duke Calvin and urge him to dispatch more knights. This mine was too precious to leave lightly guarded.
On the other side, Valentine approached Louis. "My Lord, based on our preliminary surveys, the reserves are phenomenal—but this mine is far more dangerous than typical deposits. We need to map its boundaries and identify the most stable zones for initial extraction."
"Very well, I'll leave it to you," Louis nodded.
Valentine led several craftsmen into the mine. With mining hammers in hand, they tapped on various sections of the rock walls, listening intently to the echoes.
"The darker purple ore indicates rich magic marrow content," Valentine explained, crouching beside a glowing vein. "These crystallized areas are very high purity—but also fragile. They could shatter at the slightest impact."
He tapped another layer—its echo deep and solid. "This section is stable and safe for excavation."
After moving further, he tapped again—a hollow sound. "But here, the structure is weak. Reckless mining could lead to a collapse."
The craftsmen nodded and marked the walls to chart the safer zones. Meanwhile, Louis listened, arms crossed, impressed by Valentine's professionalism—even without deep mining knowledge.
"It seems the Calvin Family has sent real experts this time," Louis praised. "Your skill has truly opened my eyes."
The craftsmen, stunned by the praise, beamed with pride. A direct compliment from their lord meant a lot.
Bradley nodded subtly, admiring Louis's tact—it was clear that this young master knew how to win hearts.
Valentine continued: "Magic marrow mines emit arcane energy, which can cause poisoning for miners stationed there too long. We must design a proper ventilation system to disperse the energy."
"How?" Louis asked.
"We'll dig ventilation shafts at strategic points," Valentine explained, sketching on parchment. "These will allow fresh air in and harmful gas out. Inside, we'll build partitioned tunnels to prevent energy build-up."
He drew a diagram: support frames made of black birch, placed every five meters to prevent collapse. The main shaft, three meters wide; the secondary ones, 1.5 meters—enough for smooth transportation.
Louis nodded, clearly impressed. "Your plan is very thorough."
Valentine straightened, pride in his voice: "I've been a miner all my life—I can navigate a mine blindfolded!"
Louis smiled and patted his shoulder. "Then I entrust this mining operation to you."
Valentine grinned. "I'm honored, my Lord."
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