By the time Ashveil returned to Ashen Hollow, the sun was already beginning to set.
Fortunately, his Forgotten Kobold had also returned from the northern mine, although the creature looked considerably less enthusiastic than when it had departed that morning.
Its clothes were covered in dirt, and a fresh bruise had appeared across its shoulder.
Ashveil frowned upon seeing it.
"What happened to you?"
"Bad boss. Hit."
"Did they discover you?"
The kobold shook its head before explaining that the mine’s overseers frequently struck workers who failed to carry enough ore. Apparently, receiving a beating was such a common occurrence that nobody had questioned its presence.
Ashveil wasn’t sure whether to consider that fortunate or depressing.
After giving the creature its promised meat, he gathered Ria and Rowan to discuss what it had discovered.
The mine contained fifteen ordinary kobolds and two stronger overseers. One was a Tier 2 Brute responsible for supervising the workers, while the other was a Tier 2 Hexcaster who occupied a chamber near the main excavation site.
More importantly, the kobolds followed a strict working schedule.
Ore was transported outside every morning, and the two overseers rarely remained together during that period.
Ashveil studied the rough map he had drawn from the scout’s descriptions.
"Then we don’t need to fight them inside the mine."
Ria looked toward him with interest.
"What are you planning?"
"Something considerably cheaper than losing ten soldiers."
He pointed toward the narrow passage leading to the entrance. The kobolds had been transporting ore along a wooden loading platform outside the mine, where several carts waited to be filled.
If Ashveil could disrupt the operation, the overseers would have to investigate.
And outside the mine, his spearmen would actually have enough room to fight.
"You’re planning to lure them out?"
"That’s the idea. Although I’d prefer not to fight both at once."
Ria examined the map before nodding.
"A sensible approach. The Hexcaster will be the greater problem, especially if it has enough room to cast its spells."
"Then we’ll make sure it doesn’t."
Ashveil glanced toward the Forgotten Kobold, which had already finished its meat and was looking hopefully toward the remaining portions.
"Looks like you’ve earned another job."
The creature immediately straightened.
"More meat?"
Ashveil sighed.
"At this rate, you’re going to eat better than your Lord."
*
The following morning, Ashveil departed with eight spearmen, Ria, and the Forgotten Kobold. The remaining two soldiers stayed behind to protect Ashen Hollow while Rowan continued supervising the villagers.
Their destination was the northern mine.
Upon arriving, Ashveil positioned his spearmen among the trees overlooking the loading platform. From there, they could observe the workers without being seen.
The Forgotten Kobold was sent ahead with one final instruction.
Disrupt the loading operation and return immediately.
Fortunately, the creature proved surprisingly capable.
A short while later, an angry commotion erupted near the mine entrance. One of the loaded carts had overturned, scattering iron ore across the narrow path and sending several workers scrambling to recover it.
The cause was rather simple.
Someone had removed the wooden pin holding one of its wheels in place.
Ashveil watched from the trees with considerable satisfaction.
"Not bad. I should’ve recruited a carpenter instead of a soldier."
Ria glanced toward the wobbling cart.
"Your little kobold seems quite talented at causing trouble."
"Good. That’s practically a requirement for working under me."
As expected, the commotion soon attracted the larger overseer.
The Tier 2 Kobold Brute emerged from the mine carrying an enormous club. Upon discovering the overturned cart, it immediately began shouting at the workers and striking anyone unfortunate enough to stand nearby.
Several kobolds hurried to retrieve the scattered ore.
However, the Brute was too furious to notice the small figure slipping away from the loading platform.
A few moments later, Ashveil’s scout returned to the trees.
"Master! Done!"
"Excellent. Stay here."
Ashveil raised his hand toward the waiting spearmen.
"Get ready."
The soldiers quietly advanced toward the passage, using the surrounding rocks for cover. Meanwhile, Ria stepped forward and extended her hand.
Several violet threads shot toward the Brute’s legs.
The creature barely had time to react before the magical bindings tightened around its ankles, causing it to stumble forward.
"Now!"
The spearmen rushed from their hiding places and formed a defensive line across the passage.
The Brute roared angrily before charging toward them.
Unfortunately for the creature, its enormous size became a disadvantage in the narrow approach. Its club struck one of the wooden supports beside the path, sending splinters flying as the soldiers retreated behind their shields.
Ashveil immediately shouted for them to hold their formation.
The first exchange was violent.
The Brute’s club smashed against a spearman’s shield, knocking him backward and sending his weapon spinning across the ground. Another soldier quickly stepped forward to cover the opening, while the others thrust their spears toward the creature’s exposed legs.
Blood splashed across the rocks.
The Brute roared and attempted another swing, but Ria’s violet threads tightened around its injured arm.
Although the bindings couldn’t restrain a Tier 2 monster for long, they delayed its movements just enough.
Three spears struck almost simultaneously.
The Brute staggered before collapsing onto one knee.
Ashveil immediately seized the opportunity.
"Finish it!"
The soldiers thrust their weapons into the creature’s exposed chest. After several desperate struggles, the enormous kobold finally collapsed.
[Tier 2 Kobold Brute Defeated!]
Ashveil released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Unfortunately, the fighting had already attracted attention from inside the mine.
Several ordinary kobolds emerged carrying weapons, followed by the Hexcaster.
The moment the spellcaster saw the Brute’s corpse, its staff erupted with orange flames.
"Ria!"
"I see it."
The Hexcaster raised its weapon toward the spearmen.
However, before it could release its spell, Ria’s crimson eyes flashed.
[Sovereign’s Gaze Activated!]
For a brief moment, the Hexcaster’s movements became rigid. Its staff turned sideways, sending the gathered flames crashing against the rocky wall instead.
The resulting explosion sent fragments scattering across the entrance.
Ashveil immediately ordered his soldiers forward, but the Hexcaster broke free from Ria’s influence faster than expected.
A second fireball struck the advancing formation.
One spearman raised his shield to protect the others, only for the explosion to throw him violently against the rocks.
"Fall back! Get him out of there!"
Two soldiers dragged their injured companion away while the remaining spearmen struggled to contain the ordinary kobolds.
Ria extended her hand again, sending several violet flames toward the Hexcaster. The creature attempted to defend itself with another spell, but the attacks collided in a violent burst of magical energy.
The explosion forced both sides backward.
Ashveil noticed Ria’s expression tighten.
Her magical energy was limited, and repeatedly using Sovereign’s Gaze against stronger opponents was clearly exhausting her.
They needed to end this quickly.
Fortunately, the Hexcaster had made one mistake.
In its haste to attack, it had stepped beyond the mine entrance.
"Spearmen! Surround it!"
Four soldiers immediately advanced from different directions, forcing the creature to retreat toward the loading platform.
The Hexcaster attempted another spell, but before it could complete the incantation, Ashveil grabbed a loose piece of iron ore and threw it directly at the creature.
The rock struck its shoulder.
The attack barely caused any damage, but the unexpected interruption ruined its concentration.
Ashveil grinned.
"Who needs magic when you’ve got free ammunition?"
Ria seized the opening and sent a concentrated violet flame toward the Hexcaster’s chest.
The spell struck directly.
The creature collapsed with a scream as violet fire consumed its robes.
[Tier 2 Kobold Hexcaster Defeated!]
With both overseers dead, the remaining kobolds quickly lost their willingness to fight.
Several attempted to escape into the mine, while others threw down their weapons and begged for mercy.
Ashveil immediately ordered his soldiers to stop attacking those who surrendered.
By the time the fighting ended, six ordinary kobolds had survived and been taken prisoner.
Unfortunately, one of his spearmen had suffered a serious injury during the battle. Although the soldier remained conscious, the burns across his arm and shoulder would require proper treatment.
Ashveil frowned as he examined the wound.
"Get him back to Ashen Hollow. Martha can prepare clean bandages until we find a better solution."
Ria approached with a tired expression.
"My, little lord. Your first mining expedition was rather eventful."
Ashveil looked toward the damaged loading platform.
"Don’t remind me. I came here for iron, not a hospital bill."
Nevertheless, the operation had succeeded.
With the remaining kobolds restrained, Ashveil ordered his soldiers to inspect the mine and gather whatever supplies had been left behind.
The results were rather satisfying.
[Ding! Northern Iron Mine Secured!]
[Territory Resource Site Acquired!]
[Battle Rewards Distributed!]
[Gold Coins ×95]
[Source Stones ×2]
[Tier 1 Recruitment Voucher ×1]
They also recovered six iron pickaxes, forty units of iron ore, and a Basic Smelter Blueprint from the overseers’ storage chamber.
Ashveil examined the rewards with a satisfied smile.
Finally, something had gone according to plan.
However, while inspecting the abandoned loading platform, he noticed several crates bearing a faded territorial emblem.
The markings were too damaged to identify, but the crates themselves were clearly of human manufacture.
Ashveil frowned.
Someone had operated this mine before the kobolds.
And judging from the wagon tracks leading away from the northern hills, whoever that was might still be interested in it.
"Ria, I think we should prepare for visitors."
The succubus followed his gaze toward the damaged crates.
"My, little lord. You’ve barely acquired your first mine, and you’re already expecting trouble?"
Ashveil sighed.
"Considering my luck so far, I’d be more surprised if nobody showed up demanding it back."