Three Tasks
"Ah! Ahhh! Ahhhh~~"
"Fate, I curse you! Why can't lovers be together in the end? Why must my hero and I be separated? The crane flies high in the rain, loyalty is gone, the wind falls and sings, and the lonely shadow mourns."
"Aaaaah—Ouch!"
In her anger, Hilude lost her footing and fell off her wheelchair.
The shouts and screams turned into wails.
It was now evening, and after finishing her work at the university, Hilude pushed her wheelchair back to Linsey's residence alone.
Just as planned.
With her teaching duties completed, her next task was to draw up the blueprints for the camp construction.
At this moment, even Hammer led his team away from the town.
With no one monitoring or controlling her, Hilude began to complain unrestrainedly.
The cries of agony puzzled the other citizens.
They looked towards Linsey's house, exchanged glances, and began to discuss amongst themselves:
"What's wrong with the teacher?"
"She's been professing her love to the Lord, and after being rejected so many times, has she gone mad?"
"..."
Meanwhile, two other teams were also moving forward on the Wasteland.
Linsey, along with Vivian, Tie Yu, and several other quick-witted citizens, headed to the Insectoid Tribe.
With the experience from last time, this trip and treatment went smoothly.
While others worked during the day, Linsey and the leader of the insectoids, Lamenter, discussed future cooperation, and in their spare time, they would head west.
Linsey is paving the way.
Despite the treacherous terrain, thanks to the inexhaustible stamina provided by the [Eternal Imprint] and the skills of the [Game Player], a safe tunnel leading directly to the gold mine is being carved out at an exceptionally rapid pace.
In three directions.
The only thing that's uncertain is the team heading to the iron mine.
It was precisely to have a better grasp of this matter that Hammer left the Banyan Forest and chose to lead the team himself.
After a full month of trekking.
They finally arrived at the location of the iron ore mine.
This area was originally a River Valley.
But with the depletion of Wasteland resources and the drying up of rivers, only a patch of dry, yellow soil remained on the desolate land.
The Human Tribe that occupied this iron mine was stationed here.
They somehow brought in sharp rocks and arranged them in a circle at the entrance to the mine, forming a hasty but sturdy and dangerous defensive fortification.
The procession of messengers from the Banyan Forest arrived at the crossroads of the River Valley.
Just a few seconds later, the clanging of metal echoed from deep within the mine.
A group of humans wielding iron weapons swarmed out, forming a defensive perimeter among the rocks at the mine entrance, their weapons facing outwards.
"Who's outside?"
Hammer stepped forward:
"Ross Camp, right?"
"We are here today on behalf of the goodwill of the Banyan Forest to discuss some important matters with you."
Hammer explained his origins and goodwill in the simplest terms.
Although the humans in the mine did not put aside their hostility, the tense atmosphere eased slightly.
They waited a few more seconds.
Seeing that Hammer and his men were simply waiting at the entrance without taking any further action, someone inside the mine finally spoke:
"You all wait outside and are not allowed to make any rash moves."
"This matter must be discussed with you by our leader! Remember, don't pull any tricks!"
Hammer also spoke up in reply:
"Of course, we come with goodwill and are naturally willing to wait!"
"..."
A few minutes passed.
A man with deathly pale skin, as if he had never seen the sun, slowly walked out of the mine.
An aura of Essence energy surged around him.
The awakened one's gaze swept over the messengers in the Banyan Forest.
He quickly confirmed that, apart from two or three guards, most of these people were ordinary people without Essence.
This number of people and their strength...
If the war were to officially begin, the mine side would likely emerge victorious.
But the enemy did have a considerable number of people, and judging from the attire of those ordinary people, most of them were wearing armor and hats and were well-equipped.
They cannot be regarded as ordinary refugees in the Wasteland.
If we insist on taking down these people, the mine will likely suffer significant losses as well.
"And, the Banyan Forest..."
The mine's leader frowned slightly.
As the leader of a small power, he was certainly aware of the recent turmoil on this land.
—A Banyan Forest.
It is said that the area is a land of abundant water and fertile soil.
On the site of the Yarrow Camp, a new leader, through some unknown means, found a huge forest and transformed the entire camp into something exceptionally perfect.
Moreover, this emerging power is quite welcoming to outsiders.
As long as you are willing to come and seek refuge, we can provide you with suitable housing and delicious food, and you will never have to worry about food and clothing again.
In Wasteland lands, such conditions are practically a pipe dream.
Even in the dark and deep iron mine.
Some of his subordinates were also restless, wanting to go to the Banyan Forest to seek refuge.
With this in mind, the mine chief made a decision:
" From the Banyan Forest!"
"Listen, I have no ill will or goodwill towards you."
"Take your people and go back!"
"We'll each live our own lives, there's nothing to talk about!"
The mine leader chose to refuse.
Regardless of the sincerity of the other party in coming to talk.
Once the two camps have normal communication, and if the situation in the Banyan Forest is true, his men will undoubtedly be moved, resulting in a large loss of manpower.
The final outcome is something he, as the leader, is definitely not willing to accept.
"Sir, please wait a moment!"
At this moment, Hammer suddenly spoke:
We apologize for our intrusion and for disturbing you. But before we do, please consider our sincerity!
"..."
The mine leader stopped in his tracks as he was leaving.
As a leader, you still need to put in some effort to maintain appearances.
He waited a few seconds and then waved:
"Your sincerity?"
Hammer gave him a wink.
A young messenger behind him immediately followed suit and stepped forward to take the gift that had been prepared in advance.
Good-looking young people are not necessarily disliked.
The mine leader let the other party approach, and he recognized what the other party was offering with just one glance.
Those were crops with plump grains and amazing growth.
And simple, cooked meat dishes.
The former is extremely rare in Wasteland lands, but the latter is even more special.
These seemingly ordinary roasted meats emitted an incredibly enticing aroma. It was a delicious flavor that even he, as an awakened leader, had never tasted before!
At the same time, the messenger who had come before the mine chief spoke again:
"Our camp can sell supplies. We are here to visit you to finalize an iron ore deal."
"My lord, we respect your rule over this territory and are willing to provide support. If you are willing to cooperate, we would be happy to see it happen; if you refuse, we will not force you and will leave immediately."
"So, please consider it."
"..."
The mine leader originally intended to refuse.
But he looked at the long-unseen sunshine outside and the tempting food in front of him.
Even the longing looks from his subordinates afterwards.
He began to hesitate.