Chapter 35: The Mountain Copper Mine and the Disbursement of Military Pay

The date was September 1st, marking the beginning of a new month. It had been five months since he left Windsor Castle in April. Unconsciously, his retinue had grown from the original fifteen to now a territory with over four thousand people.

“All of this has been worthwhile,” he mused. “One day, I shall become the master of these wild lands.”

The Greyglow Wasteland, according to the legendary royal magician Hyrelle’s investigations two centuries ago, covered an area greater than two kingdoms combined. This meant the wasteland itself was the foundation for a kingdom.

At the same time, the wasteland teemed with monsters, and the combined strength of its legendary champions from various races was thrice that of the Kingdom of Ilia. However, because these races were mortal enemies, alliances to resist outside threats were only temporary; any attempt to push back into the wasteland was utterly impossible.

Furthermore, several nations bordered the Greyglow Wasteland, making these monstrous champions even more hesitant to act rashly. In response, the Kingdom of Ilia implemented the Pioneer Knight Codex, gradually encroaching upon the wasteland—success meant vast new lands and greater strength for the kingdom; failure merely cost a handful of bronze or silver-ranked pioneers, a small price to pay.

This policy had persisted for one hundred and fifty years, and a century ago, a great upheaval occurred, eventually giving birth to the Cadro Province, the Cepro Province, the Duchy of East, the Lensa Province, and the Dani Province, which together formed Ilia’s western realms.

As he pondered the road ahead, time slipped by, and soon it was eight o’clock. The familiar, melodious voice sounded once more:

“In twenty days, two hundred mountain dwarves will escort a shipment of mountain copper one hundred and fifty kilometers southwest of Lake Starprayer. The strongest among them is a high-ranking Silver.”

“Mountain copper, mountain dwarves—are they returning to the Ironforge Dwarf Mountain Kingdom from the wasteland, or traveling from Ironforge into the wasteland?” At the first moment he heard the news, Verin fell deep into thought.

Had the dwarves discovered a mountain copper mine in the wasteland and were secretly transporting the ore home? Or were they engaging in covert trades with the monster races of the wasteland?

“No matter what, I am determined to claim this mountain copper,” he decided.

A dozen minutes later, Verin abandoned his doubts and resolved to seize the shipment.

Relying on his own household alone would be nothing short of suicide. But he had family—three kinsmen—which gave him confidence.

The following morning, three knights each carried a letter as they left Lake Starprayer, heading to the three territories established in Cadro Province by the Ex family scions.

In the meantime, Verin set himself to work. He launched the northern development plan, opening up nine thousand acres of farmland in preparation for next year’s crops. He summoned craftsmen to reforge the armory’s weapons, mixing in a little mithril to enhance quality and strengthen the army.

From time to time, he personally oversaw military training, asserting his authority as lord and ensuring his soldiers knew whom they served. And when it came to the most effective means of securing their loyalty—paying their wages—Verin involved himself directly.

At that moment, in one of the camps, hundreds of soldiers stood at attention, gazes fixed ahead, admiration clear in their eyes.

“Eden, first batch of freed serfs. In two battles, you slew seven serfs—reward: seven silver coins. Three soldiers—reward: nine silver coins. Two months’ wages, totaling sixteen hundred pounds of yam and twenty-two silver coins. Is that correct?” Verin explained with a smile to the bashful apprentice warrior before him.

“My lord, that is correct.”

Eden respectfully accepted the food vouchers and silver coins, then returned quietly to the ranks to await further orders.

Once the wages were distributed, Verin ordered Orlando to post the new proclamations before taking his leave.

At the officers’ dismissal, a crowd of soldiers swarmed the notice board to read the lord’s latest edicts.

“Eden, you’re literate. Read that out for us,” a young soldier said, pointing to the proclamation.

“All right, make some space.”

The group stepped aside, giving Eden room. He cleared his throat and read aloud: “The lord declares: Any soldier who submits ten gold coins may receive a woman, for the purpose of bearing children.”

“What? Such a benefit exists?”

“I heard freemen need fifteen gold coins to obtain a wife. Being a soldier is truly worthwhile—not only can we train as warriors, but we also get such privileges.”

“It’s not that being a soldier is good—it’s that our lord is merciful. With our pay alone, in two years at most, any of us can afford a wife.”

All the soldiers present were former slaves. For them, forming a family and having children of their own held a special meaning.

Eden, meanwhile, began calculating his wealth. Sixteen hundred pounds of yam, at the rate of one copper per pound, equaled sixteen hundred copper coins, or sixteen silvers. Added to his latest twenty-two silver wages, he now possessed thirty-eight silver coins. Including previous earnings, his total reached sixty-two silver coins.

That meant in three, perhaps four months at most, he could afford a wife of his own.

He had heard that upon advancing to Bronze Warrior, one also received a gold coin as a reward. With this goal in mind, Eden felt a surge of motivation and fighting spirit.

Orlando, following Verin, harbored some doubts. Summoning his courage, he asked, “My lord, why post such a proclamation?”

Verin stopped, replying with a smile, “To give them something to strive for—a goal. Only when a man has something to pursue will he keep climbing upward. Besides, it stimulates the economy. If they’re all bachelors and hoard their money, we’ll have fewer coins in circulation.”

“Then I’d best return to training,” Orlando said, shaking his head. “I’ve just contracted three knight squires.”

“Go on, then.”

Watching Orlando depart, Verin resolved to work harder himself. His strength was still lower than his guardian knight’s—a shameful state for a lord.

Though it was nothing disgraceful, to him, it was a reason to push forward. He could sense he was close to breaking through the barrier to Silver Knight.

Afterward, Verin returned to his quarters to cultivate his battle energy, hoping to reach the Silver Knight rank before the planned operation, so he might claim a greater share of the mountain copper.

While all was busy by Lake Starprayer, the three letters were delivered one by one into the hands of the three Ex family barons.