Chapter 21 – Mana Stone Mine (1)
Amelia’s eyes were wide open as if tearing.
The shocked expression on her face showed the extent of her shock.
Mana Stone.
As the name suggests, it means a stone that contains mana.
In a way, it can be said that it is just a stone with mana.
However, due to the element of ‘mana’, the uses were truly endless.
First of all, if you are a magician, you will be fantastic.
Of course, when making magic tools,
You can perform various experiments in place of your own magic power.
It could also be used to increase one’s own magical power.
With this in mind, mana stones help not only wizards but also knights aura training.
Alchemy was no exception here.
when making potions.
When smelting various metals.
Mana stones are used enough to be said to be necessary.
Even architecture was no exception.
Buildings with mana stones boast a different level of durability than ordinary buildings.
And by using the mana contained in the mana stone, he was able to activate a convenient function.
Based on the magic contained in the mana stone, it warms the entire building.
Or conversely, cool it.
or remove damp moisture.
Heating and cooling water, etc.
It was able to provide all the conveniences necessary for life.
Of course, I had to pour almost mana stones to use all of them,
Because of that, the price skyrocketed, and you couldn’t actually use all of them.
A noble family in the empire, the Marquis of Ellandur.
I didn’t use all of those features there either.
Is it just architecture?
It was disappointing when mana stones were missing even when making equipment.
Simply put, there is no place where it is not used.
The utility value of mana stones was so great that it was easier to find a place that was not being used.
That’s why Xian didn’t know about mana stones.
but.
“A mana stone? Is this a mana stone?”
It was a little strange to see that what Grayson had just handed over was a mana stone.
First of all, the mana stone has a blue light.
However, the stone in front of him was tinged with black light.
It was similar to feeling the energy of magic, but
It was different from the Mana Stones that Xian knew.
“Wow, that’s for sure. This is a mana stone.”
Even so, Amelia was certain that it was a mana stone.
“Aren’t mana stones blue? But this…”
“Usually it is. However, mana stones do not necessarily have only blue light.”
Amelia, the daughter of Brahe’s guild, who has seen countless items while wandering the empire.
I didn’t know it, but it was clear that the number of mana stones I had seen would amount to tens of thousands.
“To be exact, the nature of the mana possessed by the mana stone. Depending on its nature, the light it emits varies.”
What is the nature of the mana contained in the mana stone?
“ah.”
It was only then that Xian could nod his head.
The mana stone was literally a stone containing mana.
These mana stones are found in certain terrains in nature.
It is also born after decades of condensation in a place full of mana.
Therefore, the mana contained in the mana stone refers to the mana of nature.
Nature’s mana overflowing with vitality and vitality.
The light was blue.
but.
“This mana stone contains mana other than natural mana.”
“that’s right.”
Amelia nodded slowly.
And he knew what that mana was without even saying it.
magic.
It was the mana of darkness that made the beasts residing in the dark forest go berserk.
That’s why the light from the mana stone Grayson held was black.
And the more mana stones are around, the more mana there is.
The longer the condensation period, the longer.
The quality of mana stones increases.
So, it is divided into lowest, lower, intermediate, upper, and superlative.
However, most of the mana stones traded were ‘lowest to lowest’.
There were few mana stones of intermediate level or higher.
From the upper level, it was almost nonexistent.
It was because it did not give them time to condense into a higher grade.
When a mana stone is found, it is mined without leaving a single one.
And the market price of the lowest-grade mana stones was about 30 gold each.
One of the lowest-grade mana stones was traded for an amount that a family of four could play and eat for a month, so there was no way there were any mana stones left.
But now.
“This is… advanced! no. This, this is top notch!”
This black mana stone was of the highest quality.
This place, where Ruben is located, is none other than the Dark Forest.
It has been untouched by humans for over a thousand years.
A taboo area that could not be precisely reached.
In a word, this mana stone was no different from condensing the mana around it for at least a thousand years.
Wait, is that so…?
“Grayson. By any chance, when you found this stone, were there many things like this around you?”
Grayson nodded at Xian’s question.
“yes. There were quite a lot of these stones around it.”
“Mana stone vein…”
Amelia murmured at Grayson’s answer.
Mana Stone Veins.
For the price of one top-notch mana stone, thousands of gold could easily be steamed.
But there are a lot of mana stones like this?
‘It’s only a matter of time to sit on the money cushion!!!’
Xian’s eyes widened and opened.
Then, the development of Yeongji was really instantaneous.
Mobile lord’s [territory facility] item.
It would have been enough if all those facilities were sloppy!
however.
“I···.”
Why, Grayson’s reaction was a bit strange.
Grayson looking embarrassed.
“What’s wrong?
When Xian asked, Grayson nodded.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
“I found this stone while looking at Ruben’s movements.”
Grayson was observing the movement around Ruben on Xian’s orders.
And thanks to Xian and the soldiers who dried the seeds of the goblins, he was able to go to places he hadn’t been to before.
“I found that the movements of the orcs were unusual there.”
“I know that.”
Xian nodded.
Grayson reported on this.
Grayson nodded once and continued.
“Since then, I have continued to monitor the orcs’ movements. And . . . found this stone.”
Grayson said nothing more.
Xian tilted his head.
So what’s the problem…
ah.
Sian slowly opened his mouth.
“You mean an orc…?”
Grayson replied with a dark expression.
“There is an orc settlement in the mana stone vein.”
“ah···.”
It was only then that Xian could nod his head.
“Have you checked how many numbers are in place?”
“I haven’t checked in detail. But I guess it was well over a thousand.”
Grayson cautiously added that it might be around 3,000.
3 thousand orcs.
This was not an issue that could be easily overlooked.
Of course, I couldn’t even apply the concept of angbal.
In the first place, Orcs are on a different level from Goblins.
Even if it’s a witch residing in the dark forest.
Ruben’s current power could not handle 3,000 Orcs.
Rather than deal with it, it would be the end if he attacked Ruben.
In a word, the mana stone was nothing more than a bright apricot.
and.
“By the way, this mana stone. It probably won’t have as much product value as you think.”
I heard Amelia’s voice.
“The product has no value?”
“yes.”
Amelia pointed to the mana stone Grayson was holding and said.
“This mana stone contains demonic energy.”
A mana stone that has condensed demonic energy for a thousand years in the dark forest.
And when it comes to magic, it refers to the mana of darkness.
Dark mana sacrifices the mind of a being.
Commonly, joy (喜), anger (怒), sorrow (哀), pleasure (樂), love (愛), o (惡), and desire (慾).
It grows by burning these seven emotions.
The more intensely the heart boils, the faster the mana of darkness accumulates.
The higher the realm, the faster the mind turns to ashes and disappears accordingly.
Like that, the mana of darkness engulfs the existence.
A characteristic of demons residing in the dark forest, OverDrive.
I could tell just by looking at how the beast became due to that berserk.
Those who are engulfed in the mana of darkness become a madman whose mind disappears.
“A mana stone that contains that kind of mana… it has very little use value.”
Amelia shook her head sadly and continued.
“If only I could refine the magic, it would be of great value, but…”
For a long time, numerous magicians.
And the so-called genius wizards rushed to study it.
“Unfortunately, the method of refining Magi has not yet been discovered.”
No one has ever uncovered the secret.
“I’m really sorry, but I think I’d better give up on this.”
Hagi Knight, it is said that it is a dark forest that no one has ever reached.
There was a top-notch mana stone, but it didn’t make sense that no one knew about it.
Ruben is the direct jurisdiction of the Marquis of Ellandur.
It was probably discovered in Ellandur a long time ago, but it seemed to be neglected because it was useless.
In a word, it wasn’t even a bright dog apricot.
It’s just a discolored apricot.
exactly.
Tring!
That is, until a cheerful alarm sound was heard in Xian’s arms.
『[George Quest] – ‘A winning strategy that even Son Tzu’s military method admired, first bread!’
▶You who have plucked the seeds of the goblins that threaten Ruben!
I must have made quite a bit of money.
Now Ruben’s future will be full of only light!
Didn’t you think …
no way
It can’t be solved that easily, can it?
This is the commanding territory, Ruben!
A dark forest infested with demonic beasts!
Goblins have too many monsters to treat as ‘something like that’.
The threat to Ruben is not over yet!
No, you can say it’s just the beginning!
I knew it!
It is said that there is an orc colony near Ruben Manor!
Even that number is a whopping… 3,000?!?!
What should I do! Auto!!
What should I do!
Of course, we have to drive out the orc colony!
If left alone, they’ll attack Ruben, right?
Aren’t you just going to get it right?
First bread victory!
Teacher Sun Tzu, who wrote Sun Tzu’s Art of War, also evaluated this first bread strategy like this!
‘Since ancient times, all the masters of the world have taken the lead.’
Are you still hesitating!
What are you hesitating about!
Strike the first bread right now and defeat the Orc colony!』
＜Reward – ‘Elodie’s Laboratory Lv.1’ open.＞
＜From now on, you can research the skills needed to develop your territory!＞
＜High-level facilities are open!＞
.
.
“·······”
Xian was at a loss for words.
‘Anyway.’
This guy’s quest doesn’t fit.
“What are you looking at all of a sudden?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Amelia asked, but Xian was vague.
Then, he carefully checked the contents of the quest.
The gist was simple.
The content to drive out the Orc colony that threatens Ruben.
However, Xian paid more attention to the reward than the content of the quest.
＜Elodie’s Lab Lv.1＞
It was clear enough to know what kind of use the word laboratory was for.
The problem is ‘Elodie’s’ attached in front of it.
‘If it’s Elodie…’
Xian knew the name.
I couldn’t know
To be precise, it was the correct expression that there was no one on the continent who did not know the name.
Great Mage Elodie.
Because she was one of the six Arnaises who saved the world a thousand years ago.
#
“Let’s talk about this later.”
Cyan sent Amelia and Grayson back.
Then he was left alone, lost in thought.
A black mana stone in your hand.
It was a mana stone of the highest quality that had possessed magic energy for thousands of years.
It was only a matter of time before he sat on the money cushion if he could sell it.
“hmm···.”
Xian took out his smartphone again.
Then, he checked the contents of the quest once again.
To be precise, the reward of the quest ＜Elodie’s Lab Lv.1＞.
Unless you’re an idiot.
He did not know that this was the laboratory of the great mage Elodie.
Elodie was a sorcerer who mastered all magic, befitting the nickname of a great mage.
So, beyond the realm of a wizard, he was a person who received the nickname of a mage.
According to mythology, the master and servant of magic, the dragon.
It is said that even those dragons gave way to Elodie.
And, of course, ‘all magic’ that Elodie mastered also included black magic.
Black magic based on the mana of darkness.
It was said that her level of black magic was not inferior to that of the Demon King.
Yet she did not become a madman,
He left his name in the history of the continent as Arnaise.
some say
Elodie knew how to control the mana of darkness. says
But Elodie was gone now.
Because she died a long time ago.
But the knowledge she possessed had no lifespan.
Many wizards coveted her knowledge, but no one knew.
Because it’s been lost for so long.
Now it has become forever unknown knowledge.
but.
“·······”
An artifact left behind by Arnaise, a smartphone.
The knowledge Elodie left behind might be recorded here.
No, it must have been recorded.
“It’s well worth a try.”
Xian was able to draw a conclusion right away.
Then, there was only one problem left.
Xian checked the contents of the quest on his smartphone once again.
“I am It’s a first-class victory. And who are the grandchildren?”
Xian burst into laughter without even realizing it.
It was an artifact left by Arnaise, but it was so… frivolous.
But it’s just frivolous.
The contents of the quest could not be ignored.
A legion of 3,000 Orcs hung over Ruben.
Right now, Ruben’s power couldn’t stop that corps.
Even if the defense facilities were expanded, it was difficult this time.
That’s why, even if it wasn’t because of Elodie’s lab.
Before the Orcs attacked, it was necessary to take care of the village first.
the problem is.
“It’s about how to clear the Orc colony.”
There was no way.
“What do you think is in the mobile lord’s manor facilities?”
There will be plenty of money too.
Xi’an rummaged through the [territory facility] item.
but.
“No…”
There were no proper facilities.
Everything related to defense facilities or general facilities.
It means that you can research the technologies necessary for the development of the territory through the research center.
It seemed that other facilities had to be developed to open again.
“hmm···.”
Xian’s worries only deepened.
How much time had passed like that?
Tring!
《Daily tasks have been reset.》
《Growth buff time has expired.》
A notification sound was heard for an instant, and a window popped up saying that the assignment had been initialized.
“Is it already this time?”
Looking up at the sky.
By now, the sun had passed and it was getting dark.
It seemed that the trouble had lasted longer than expected.
“I’ll have to watch the commercials first.”
Ads that give you a growth buff.
It’s an hour-long commercial, so it’s convenient to watch it in advance.
Of course, if you didn’t practice right away, it was just a waste of time.
However, the growth buff was a buff for the task.
And the task is something that needs to be done in one day anyway.
After a day, it didn’t matter whether the buff remained or not.
In a word, it was convenient to just watch it when the time was right.
Xian pressed the ‘▷’ button without much hesitation.
Hold on.
.
.
“You, don’t you want to be raped?”
“What, what are you talking about?”
Xian screamed involuntarily.
That’s also the voice that comes out as soon as you play the ad.
Are you saying that’s the sound of being sane?
And looking at that,
It was obvious what kind of goods would be advertised.
Are there ads for adults?
“No, even adult advertisements…”
Isn’t that a criminal ad, not an adult ad?
Has the artifact gone mad?
Xian even thought about that for a moment.
But I don’t know if I know Xian’s feelings.
The advertisement kept saying what it had to say.
“Yes? Right? Are you itching to rape right now?”
《hahahaha! Because you can’t help it either!”
『Now, I have prepared something not so great but amazing for you!』
And the items shown on the changed screen.
Voila!
《Shingijeon!》
That’s a huge cart…? something like
“huh?”
Sian tilted his head involuntarily.
That’s what s*xual assault is…?
As expected, the advertisement kept talking about what I had to say.
《A chemical terrorism weapon that burns down enemy structures and dense targets!》
《The transcendent artisans knelt at the sight! It’s a tremendous weapon that I couldn’t help but hit!”
《I wonder if their craftsmanship was demonstrated when they saw this brilliant weapon.》
《The transcendent artisans gathered together to improve, and the convenience and destructive power were maximized!》
《200 rounds at a time, firing shush-shu-shuong!》
《Then the enemies puffer puff!》
《It is truly a castle assault weapon that ruthlessly “blasts” the “castle!”
And then, sparks flew before the new god,
Countless arrows rained down like a shower across the screen.
and.
Kwa Kwa Kwa Kwa Kwam!!!
“crazy.”
scorched earth.
The whole area had become completely devastated.
“You are outnumbered and outnumbered?”
《You say you have to attack an impregnable castle?》
《Just 20,000 gold is enough!》
《Assault the castle mercilessly with this terrifying firepower!》
.
.
Tring!
《When you get stuck while proceeding, try the hyeonjil!》
.
.
“·······”
It’s been a really long time since I’ve ascended to heaven.
“…was the s*xual assault the s*xual assault?”
Xian wondered if this was indeed an artifact left by Arnaise.