In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

Chapter 85 Reopen The Mines

A dozen or so individuals hesitated before stepping forward.

"I plan to reopen the mines. Those who return with me to Iron Valley will be provided with housing based on their family size, farmland to cultivate, and wages for their mining work. Does anyone wish to return home?"

After a moment of hesitation, one brave soul asked, "My lord, will we be allowed to choose our houses? I don't want to live in the village near the castle."

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The others nodded in agreement, confirming what Michael had already suspected based on the old woman's earlier comments.

"That can be arranged," Michael replied. "Wages will start at a minimum of three silver a month. Take your time to consider."

The murmurs in the square grew louder. Three silver coins a month? For comparison, peasants with farmland typically earned between 1.5 to 2 silver coins a month.

The one who had asked the question stepped forward again. "I'll go, my lord! But it'll take some time to bring my family along. When do we need to be ready?"

His declaration triggered a chorus of eager responses as others clamored to join.

Even those who weren't miners but hailed from Iron Valley looked on enviously. Seizing the opportunity, Michael continued, "You don't need to have mining experience to join. Anyone originally from Iron Valley may register. Simply give your name and mark to my squire. Soldiers will come to collect you later."

The square erupted into a bustling crowd as people lined up to register. Michael's squire, Alex, worked diligently to calm the crowd and maintain order.

Watching Alex, Michael approached Marcus, intending to head to the next territory. However, Marcus seemed deflated.

"[Michael... Do I lack dignity? The humans didn't offer any jewels...]"

Michael patted Marcus reassuringly. "Don't worry, Marcus. You were plenty dignified. Next time, I'm sure someone will bring jewels."

With those comforting words, Michael urged Marcus onward.

The scenes in the other two baronies unfolded similarly. Despite Marcus's impressive roars, no one brought jewels. As their journey ended and they returned to collect the squires, Marcus's spirits visibly waned. Even his once-mighty wingbeats lost some of their vigor.

Upon reaching Crassus Castle, Michael approached the sulking Marcus and handed him a small box.

"Here, Marcus. This is your reward for all the hard work you've done. Open it."

Marcus's eyes widened with excitement, and he quickly opened the box. Inside was a finely crafted gold necklace.

Overjoyed, Marcus picked it up with his claws and licked it to confirm its authenticity. It was real gold. His elation was evident as he admired the gift, while Miaomiao muttered under her breath, "[What a fool...]"

Michael and Alfred stood in the clearing before the Iron Valley Castle. The gloomy weather cast an even darker aura over the place.

"Let's go in. Shall we, Grandfather?"

Michael took the lead, holding the silver crossbow Leonardo had specially crafted for him. Miaomiao and Marcus perched on his shoulders, and Alfred followed, pulling back the black hood of his cloak as they entered the foreboding castle grounds.

Crossing the dried-up moat and passing through the still-sturdy castle walls, Michael and Alfred entered the inner courtyard of the castle. Unlike the Crassus estate, the castle walls enclosed only the fortress itself, not a surrounding village.

A heavy silence lingered in the courtyard. The first structure that caught their attention was a well in the center.

"They say fingers occasionally emerge from that well. Have you ever heard of such a type of wraith?" Michael asked, moving closer to the well with Alfred.

The well's edge was covered in moss, and the structure was built from ancient stone. The water inside was still and clear. Without hesitation, Michael pulled on the rope connected to the pulley, drawing water up from the depths. Fortunately, no fingers emerged.

"I've heard of cases where heavy rains caused underground tombs to flood, washing bones into wells. But fingers? And intact ones at that... That's a first," Alfred remarked.

Michael nodded. According to the old woman's story, the fingers weren't skeletal but appeared as if they still had flesh attached. He peered into the well, lost in thought.

"Do you think there's something wrong with this castle?" Michael asked.

"It seems likely. Should we head inside to investigate?" Alfred replied, removing his hand from the edge of the well.

"Yes. If it's a wraith or something similar, that might actually be better. I can simply absorb it."

"If only things were always that simple," Alfred said with a faint smile.

Perched on Michael's shoulder, Miaomiao interjected, "[Alfred, don't you think something feels off? I can sense an ominous energy coming from beneath the castle.]"

Alfred nodded in agreement. "I do. We should head straight to the underground level."

The group crossed the courtyard, searching for a staircase that would lead to the castle's underground chambers.

The old basement was dark and damp, with cobwebs draping the ceiling. Michael lit the magical lamp Leonardo had crafted for him, instantly illuminating the pitch-black surroundings.

As they descended, the air grew colder and carried a musty scent that prickled their noses. The moment Michael set foot in the underground chamber, he could feel that the place wasn't ordinary.

The basement was flooded with water—but the strange part was how unnaturally clear the water appeared. Despite being stagnant, it was pristine, without a single speck of debris floating in it.

Faint light shimmered beneath the surface, as though hiding a secret.

"This water is unusually clear. Was it always like this? Or did it become this way after the castle was abandoned?" Michael asked.

"Hard to say," Alfred replied.

Miaomiao pointed to a nearby stone with her paw. "[This castle was built using materials from an ancient temple, if not constructed over the temple itself. Look at that stone.]"

The stone bore strange inscriptions, unlike anything Michael had ever seen before.

"[I recognize those ancient characters from old traditions, miao. They refer to the Goddess of Ashes and Fire—one of the ancient deities who disappeared when the Radiance overthrew them 10,000 years ago.]"