Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 382 - 382 183 Ancient Tunnel

382: Chapter 183 Ancient Tunnel 382: Chapter 183 Ancient Tunnel Even without any special attention and tracking, as everyone obediently followed the guidance of the Earth Vein Spirit Lamp, they all noticed that the traces of Wild Goblin activities were heading in the same direction.

Just a few hours later, a rock outcrop surrounded by a forest suddenly appeared in front of Leon and the others.

Leon raised the Spirit Lamp in his hand, its emerald-green light dazzling and intense.

The brightness reached its peak, almost rivaling that near the Earth Vein node of the Mage Tower, even conspicuous in the sunny environment.

Either this place was another Earth Spiritual Vein node, or it was a place with a large amount of Spirit Vein Ore.

Temporarily unconcerned about the whereabouts of the Wild Goblins, Leon directed everyone, “Split up and search; the Spirit Vein Ore might be just around here.”

The Earth Vein near Kosos was shallow, and Spirit Vein Ore was usually generated by the Magic Power diffusing from the Earth Veins, also influenced by the Spirit-like Field environment.

Even if the veins were not exposed on the surface here, they likely wouldn’t be too deep.

If it was really here, he might just dig up some exposed ore with a bit of effort.

Olivia set down her backpack of tools, picked up a Fine Steel Ore Pickaxe along with Leon and Lokhak, while the other three grabbed Prospecting Shovels and split into pairs to search.

Leon came to a rocky area and swung his Fine Steel Ore Pickaxe with full force toward the bare rock.

A crisp sound followed, and the rock shell on the ground shattered.

Kicking away the broken rocks, Leon swung the pickaxe again.

With the mighty force of the Knight, the lower layer of rock was smashed into fragments.

After just two strikes, Leon saw blue mineral crystals filling the fractured surface of the rock layers, and his heart filled with joy.

Haha!

Got it!

He picked up a piece to examine and looked at the spiritually-imbued body of the Spirit Vein Ore among the rock layers.

He felt a slight regret that he was not living in the era of Ancient Lorelette thousands of years ago.

Otherwise, owning a deposit of Spirit Vein Ore would have been a considerable fortune.

Unfortunately, for the current human civilization on the continent, aside from being useful in the hands of the rare Spellcasters and Alchemists, these Spirit Vein Ores were merely some rare mineral crystals with impure appearance.

Nowadays, they had another ordinary name, “Green Death Stone”.

Although they were primarily found near the Earth Veins and were scarce, if the Spirit Vein Ore was not specially processed after being mined, its spiritual qualities would gradually fade over time, turning into worthless grey raw stones.

Even unscrupulous jewelers who sold fake gems wouldn’t spare a glance at this rare mineral that couldn’t retain its qualities and served no purpose.

Weighing the ore in his hand, Leon pondered over its value beyond making Netti Cards.

A single ore deposit, just for himself and Kovis to use, would last till they died.

Perhaps export some and sell it to the Spellcasters of the Northern Wizard Association?

Leon sighed.

He had just gotten into a big dispute with the Society due to Met’s incident, and Hilgard was probably still under house arrest in the Trosa army.

Going to the Northern Society to do business with the Magicians would be difficult.

Then, what about sending someone to ask the Alchemist Guild in the Capital?

Even if the Alchemists’ demand wasn’t high, he might be able to sell a bit for some extra household money.

Leon felt like he was an ancient person who had discovered a rare earth mine or natural gas—although in a technically advanced age it would be a precious resource, in the “ancient times”, it was practically useless to others…

—Boom!

With a loud bang, a large piece of rock beneath Olivia’s feet cracked open.

The girl caught the splintered flying rocks with her hands, and seeing the characteristics matching the descriptions in the Magic Guidebook, she couldn’t help feeling elated.

“Leon, look~!

Is it this?” Olivia shouted to her lover not far away.

Leon dropped the ore, ran towards her with a smile, “That’s right, these are the ones.

Alright, everyone can stop digging now.

Just pick up a few raw ores, and let’s go have a look around.”

After speaking, he also called out to Lokhak and the others.

Once they returned to Avalon, they would organize some Soldiers and workers to carry out further development and long-term excavation.

Olivia nodded, squatted down, picked out one with the largest and most beautiful crystal on the fracture surface, and stuffed it into her backpack.

But just as she was about to stand up and leave, she suddenly felt a slight vibration spreading under her feet.

With a muffled sound of rock layer fracture, the next moment, the cracked rock shell collapsed, instantly causing the astonished girl to fall into the ground.

“Olivia!!”

Seeing his lover’s figure sinking with the collapsing ground, Leon broke out in a cold sweat and rushed over.

However, just after hearing a light shout from the girl, Olivia grabbed the edge of the rock, used it to swing her body, and threw herself back into the air above the hole.

The girl flipped mid-air and landed steadily, then, still in shock, quickly got up and retreated to the gathered crowd.

It was just a scare.

Leon took her hand and breathed a sigh of relief, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, just got a bit scared.

Sorry, I was pounding on the rock too hard; I didn’t expect there to be a hollow space underneath,” Olivia apologized ruefully.

She was particularly thankful as she glanced at Treya, who had moved aside to avoid the flying debris.

The pit could have been much deeper; if it had been a profound cavern, it would have been a big trouble.

“Hey, how strange, Leon!

Come and see, there seems to be a tunnel down here.

What’s that on the ground?

It looks man-made…?”

Hearing his companion’s surprised exclamation, Leon turned his head and noticed that Lokhak had somehow made his way to the edge of the pit, peering down into the opening.

“Why have you come closer?

Get back, watch out for more collapses,” Leon warned with a frown.

“It’s fine~ Falling down won’t matter, it’s not that deep.

Just come and see for yourselves,” Lokhak, brimming with curiosity, beckoned to Leon.

Assured by his indication that it was safe, the group curiously joined Lokhak.

Leon also leaned over and widened his eyes in slight surprise.

Inside the collapsed rock layer, the cavity indeed wasn’t particularly deep; beneath was a tunnel.

At this height, except for Treya and Lokhak’s attendant who might twist their ankles, everyone else could jump right in without getting hurt due to their abilities.

But what really surprised Leon was the sight he caught with the sunlight coming from outside; he could see between the chunks of rock that had fallen in.

There was indeed a narrow iron track, clearly man-made, covered in rust.

Looking along the track that extended far into the depths of the tunnel, resting on sleepers, that rusty rail, Leon touched the back of his head.

It seemed to be a track for carrying mining carts.

Was there an ancient mine below?

However, since it was underneath the Nightmare Forest, it definitely couldn’t have been constructed by people of this era.

“Did we bring any ropes?

I’ll go down alone,” Leon said, turning back.

“I’m coming too,” Olivia quickly said.

“No, you stay up here.

I’ll tie the rope around my waist, and if anything happens, you pull me up,” Leon shook his head.

The girl thought for a moment and agreed, realizing this would protect him better.

Without wasting time, they brought a rope and secured it tightly around Leon’s waist.

Drawing his long sword, Leon leaped into the underground tunnel through the cavern.

The heavy body clad in plate armor landed with a thud.

At the same time, Kovis’s Flying Sword lit up beside Leon, illuminating the tunnel.

While still straightening his knees after the cushioned fall, Leon utilized the light from Kovis’s Flying Sword to spot faint footprints on the ground.

Three-toed claw marks…

undoubtedly those of the Wild Goblins.

Judging by the depth of the impressions, they seemed to have been made recently.

Standing up, Leon kicked aside the loose soil and rocks, examining the ancient, rust-covered rails.

Regardless, the Wild Goblins couldn’t have constructed the rail track, considering both the era and the creatures’ intelligence level.

But those light-fearing creatures might well have turned the underground tunnel into their lair; they did prefer living in caves and underground.

Leon shouted up, having Kovis control the Flying Sword to accompany him, then continued walking a few steps forward.

The tunnel was very long.

Even the light from the Rune Sword couldn’t reach the end.

Leon didn’t continue venturing blindly deeper.

He turned around and returned to the entrance, letting Olivia pull him back to the surface.

He was quite curious and wanted to investigate more, especially since this place would be his future mining field.

All hazards had to be eliminated.

He couldn’t allow his workers to face the risk of being attacked by Wild Goblins while working here.

But Leon wasn’t about to recklessly lead everyone into the depths.

He was now the lord ruling over this land, not a struggling adventurer who rushes into danger alone from the stories.

“There might be Wild Goblins nesting below.

Lokhak, you go back to Avalon and summon our army to come and clear them out—remember to bring Knight Larian,” Leon ordered.

“Alright, and you all be careful here,” Lokhak nodded.

“Oh, and on your way back, try to find my ‘teacher’ and ask if she knows anything about the mines here,” Leon mentioned, hoping to glean some information.