The Arathi Highlands were a land surrounded by mountains.
Other than a stretch of coastline south of the Stromgarde currently under construction that was suitable for building a harbor, nearly everywhere else consisted either of mountain ranges stretching for thousands of miles or steep cliffs that dropped almost vertically downward.
Since the Dwarves had not yet begun building Darrowshire Bridge and Stone Dam, humanity's connection to the southern continent remained extremely weak. They only vaguely knew that across the strait lay a vast land filled with swamps, slimes, crocodiles, Fish-Men, and Gnolls.
Such land was neither suitable for farming nor grazing, and was essentially not worth occupying or developing.
In comparison, the northern territories were far more fertile.
This was also the Root of the irreconcilable conflict between humans and Trolls.
Looking at the steep rock walls around them and the mine tunnel ahead that had been dug into the mountain, Allen asked without turning his head, "This is the place?"
Lyle hurriedly nodded. "Hmm! That's right! This is currently the mine with the richest reserves and highest-quality ore we've discovered. Before we were forced to seal it off, it supplied nearly seventy percent of the iron and steel ingots throughout the territory. It could also forge extra weapons, armor, farming tools, and arrows to sell to other lords and merchants. In addition, our miners have dug up some bright-red ore here. It is said that the energy within can occasionally grant weapons the effect of glowing and heating up when they strike during forging. It is especially effective against the Trolls' powerful Regeneration Ability."
"Bright-red ore? Bloodstone Ore?"
The name of that ore instantly surfaced in Allen's mind.
Or rather, it should have been called Lesser Bloodstone Ore.
It was a type of elemental ore that was relatively easy