By the time Ashveil returned to Ashen Hollow, the sun was already beginning to set.
His soldiers were exhausted, one spearman had suffered serious burns, and six captured kobolds were being escorted through the settlement with their hands bound.
Naturally, this attracted quite a bit of attention.
"My Lord! What happened?!"
Rowan hurried toward the returning group, looking particularly alarmed when he noticed the injured soldier.
"We found the iron mine," Ashveil replied. "Good news, it’s ours now. Bad news, the previous occupants weren’t particularly cooperative."
He instructed Rowan to prepare somewhere for the wounded spearman to rest before turning his attention toward the prisoners.
The six kobolds were visibly frightened. Having witnessed their two overseers die earlier that day, they probably assumed that their own executions would follow.
Fortunately for them, Ashveil had other plans.
"Keep them somewhere secure and make sure they receive food. I don’t want anyone mistreating them."
Rowan looked surprised.
"Even though they’re monsters, my Lord?"
"They surrendered, didn’t they? Besides, we’re going to need workers once the mine starts operating."
Ashveil glanced toward the frightened kobolds.
Hiring a proper mining workforce would cost money, and money was something his territory desperately lacked. Having six experienced miners available was far too convenient to ignore.
Of course, allowing them to wander around unsupervised would be foolish.
For now, they would remain prisoners.
After settling the arrangements, Ashveil finally returned to the Lord’s Hall, where he deposited the recovered iron ore and examined the Basic Smelter Blueprint.
The rewards from the mine were considerable, but putting everything into operation would require additional resources.
He had barely begun calculating the construction costs when Ria entered the room.
"My, little lord. You’re working rather late."
"Someone has to figure out how we’re supposed to build all this."
"How diligent. Perhaps you should reward yourself with a little rest."
Ashveil glanced toward her.
"You’re not about to ask for another bite, are you?"
Ria smiled.
"Would you prefer that I ask?"
"Actually, I’d prefer you didn’t."
The succubus chuckled before approaching the table. Her crimson eyes wandered toward the crude map of the northern hills, where Ashveil had marked the mine’s location.
"You’re still concerned about those wagon tracks?"
"A little. Someone was transporting ore out of that mine before we arrived, and I doubt they were doing it for charity."
"Perhaps the previous owners simply abandoned it."
"Then I’ll happily thank them for their generous donation."
Unfortunately, Ashveil wasn’t particularly convinced.
The wooden crates found at the loading platform had clearly been manufactured by humans. More importantly, the mine’s infrastructure was considerably better than anything ordinary kobolds would have constructed.
Someone had invested resources into developing that operation.
And Ashveil had just taken it.
*
The following morning, Ashveil was inspecting the newly recovered equipment when one of his spearmen hurried toward him.
"My Lord! Armed men are approaching from the northern road!"
Ashveil immediately looked up.
"How many?"
"Five soldiers, accompanied by a man and a woman. They’re carrying Silvercrest banners."
Silvercrest?
He didn’t recognize the name, but the timing was suspicious.
"Where are they now?"
"Near the outer approach. They’ve requested permission to speak with the Lord of Ashen Hollow."
Ashveil considered the information.
At least they had bothered asking permission instead of marching directly into his settlement.
That was already an improvement over most of his encounters in Eryndor.
"Alright. Keep them waiting for a moment."
He instructed Rowan to secure the recovered supplies and ensure the six kobold prisoners remained out of sight. The wounded spearman was still recovering, so Ashveil had no intention of involving him in another confrontation.
Meanwhile, the remaining soldiers were ordered to remain near their defensive positions.
Ria watched the preparations with mild amusement.
"Expecting trouble, little lord?"
"Someone shows up the morning after we capture a valuable iron mine? I’d be more surprised if they came to congratulate us."
"Perhaps they’ve heard about your remarkable achievements."
"Then they can send flowers."
With that, Ashveil headed toward the settlement entrance.
*
The visitors were waiting beside the northern road.
At their center stood a young man wearing an expensive traveling coat over light armor. His dark hair was neatly arranged, and a polished longsword hung from his waist.
Five swordsmen stood behind him, all wearing matching equipment bearing the same silver crest.
However, Ashveil’s attention quickly shifted toward the woman standing beside them.
She had long golden hair, striking blue eyes, and a beautiful face that would have attracted attention anywhere. Her white-and-gold clothing resembled the ceremonial attire of a priestess, although the sword at her waist suggested she was more than an ordinary religious attendant.
More importantly, faint divine energy surrounded her body.
Ashveil discreetly attempted to inspect her.
[Seraphina | Tier 2 | Level 3]
[Grade: C | Type: Divine Hero]
[Specialization: Healing, Divine Magic]
A Grade C Divine Hero!
Ashveil immediately became more cautious.
Meanwhile, the young man stepped forward with a polite smile.
"Lord Ashveil Sunday, I presume?"
"That’s me. And you are?"
"Adrian, Lord of Silvercrest. My territory lies a little over an hour west of here."
He paused before adding, "Grade D."
Ashveil wasn’t particularly interested in the man’s territory grade, but he nodded anyway.
"Congratulations. What brings you to Ashen Hollow?"
Adrian’s smile widened.
"I believe you’ve recently acquired something that belongs to Silvercrest."
Ashveil already knew where this conversation was heading.
"The iron mine?"
"Precisely."
Adrian gestured toward the northern hills.
"Silvercrest has been developing that deposit for some time. Unfortunately, a kobold infestation disrupted our operations, forcing us to suspend mining until the creatures could be eliminated."
Ashveil raised an eyebrow.
"So it was yours?"
"The infrastructure, equipment, and established transport route certainly were. I have the construction records to prove it."
That explained the wagon tracks.
However, it also raised another question.
"If the mine was so valuable, why didn’t you clear out the kobolds yourselves?"
Adrian’s smile became slightly strained.
"Because I had more important matters requiring my attention. Nevertheless, I understand you’ve already eliminated the infestation."
"You’re welcome."
For a moment, Adrian appeared uncertain whether Ashveil was mocking him.
He eventually decided to ignore the remark.
"Naturally, Silvercrest appreciates your contribution. I’m prepared to offer compensation for your efforts."
That sounded promising.
Ashveil folded his arms.
"How much?"
"Fifty Gold Coins."
Ashveil stared at him.
He had received ninety-five Gold Coins from the battle itself, along with Source Stones, a recruitment voucher, and valuable equipment.
Fifty Gold Coins was hardly enough to convince him to surrender an entire mining operation.
"That’s a little low, don’t you think?"
Adrian’s expression changed.
"I believe it’s quite generous considering you were merely removing monsters from another Lord’s property."
"Funny. I don’t remember signing up to work for you."
The five swordsmen behind Adrian shifted slightly.
Seraphina noticed the movement and quietly raised her hand, signaling them to remain still.
Adrian took a slow breath.
"Very well. Perhaps we can discuss a more practical arrangement."
He explained that Silvercrest possessed the resources and workforce necessary to develop the mine properly. Ashen Hollow, meanwhile, was little more than an F-grade settlement with limited military strength.
Under his proposal, Silvercrest would assume control of the mining operation while Ashveil received a small percentage of its production.
In exchange, Adrian would recognize Ashen Hollow’s independence and permit its merchants to trade with Silvercrest.
Ashveil considered the offer.
On paper, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
Unfortunately, there was one rather obvious problem.
"And who determines how much ore the mine produces?"
"Silvercrest would naturally oversee the accounts."
"So you’d control the mine, count the ore, and decide how much of it I receive?"
"That’s how such arrangements normally work."
Ashveil smiled.
"Then I have a better proposal. I keep the mine, and Silvercrest can purchase iron from me at a reasonable price."
Adrian’s smile finally disappeared.
"You misunderstand the situation, Lord Ashveil. I’m not asking to purchase something that already belongs to me."
"And I’m not handing over something my soldiers nearly died capturing."
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
Seraphina stepped forward before Adrian could respond.
"My Lords, perhaps this matter could be resolved through an agreement concerning the mine’s ownership and its existing infrastructure. There is no reason for either territory to suffer over a resource dispute."
Ashveil glanced toward her.
At least someone here appeared interested in negotiating.
"That sounds reasonable to me."
Adrian, however, looked considerably less pleased.
"Seraphina, I appreciate your concern, but this is a matter between Lords."
"A dispute that concerns armed soldiers should not be treated lightly, Lord Adrian."
Her expression remained composed, although her words carried unmistakable firmness.
Adrian hesitated before turning back toward Ashveil.
"Very well. I’ll give you until tomorrow morning to reconsider my offer."
Ashveil raised an eyebrow.
"And if I refuse?"
Adrian glanced toward the settlement behind him.
"Then Silvercrest will have to protect its interests through other means."
The threat was obvious.
Before Ashveil could respond, Adrian turned toward his soldiers.
"We’re leaving."
Seraphina remained where she was for a moment longer.
Her gaze briefly settled on Ria, and a faint trace of unease crossed her face.
Whatever she sensed, she chose not to mention it.
Instead, she inclined her head toward Ashveil.
"I hope this matter can still be resolved peacefully, Lord Ashveil."
"So do I."
She nodded before following Adrian down the northern road.
Ashveil watched the visitors disappear beyond the trees.
Then he turned toward Ria.
"Well, that went wonderfully."
The succubus smiled.
"My, little lord. It seems you’ve made your first political enemy."
"I haven’t even built a proper house yet, and someone’s already threatening me over property rights."
"Such is the burden of being a Lord."
Ashveil sighed before looking toward the defensive positions surrounding his settlement.
Adrian had given him until tomorrow morning.
That meant he had less than a day to prepare for whatever Silvercrest intended to do next.
"Rowan!"
The craftsman immediately hurried over.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Gather the soldiers. We have some work to do."
Ashveil glanced toward the northern road once more.
He had no intention of surrendering the mine.
And if Adrian believed an F-grade territory would simply roll over because a stronger Lord demanded it, then he was about to receive a rather unpleasant surprise.