Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 1390 Suddenly Feeling Empathy?
"Isn't Ling Ge going to agree to her request?"

On the way back, Ovira asked the young man beside her a question out of curiosity, which also aroused the interest of the others, who all turned their attention to her.

The elevator ascended steadily through the deep mine shaft, its rumbling sound accompanied by dust kicked up from the cliff face, quickly disappearing from sight. This rugged and cumbersome behemoth had been serving in the mine for nearly half a century. The old steel cables and rusty iron platform gave it an unreliable feel, yet it was surprisingly tough, making one think of the owners of this land.

Of course, the history of Atorica is as unpredictable as a sandstorm in the desert, with the powers claiming sovereignty over it constantly changing. From the ancient Atorica Kingdom, which established civilization here at the behest of heroes, to the Yaras United Empire, which ruled this region for a thousand years, and then to the Holy War Army, which sought to fight for true freedom and peace for the Atorica people, who can say for sure who its rightful master is amidst these complex relationships? It's all just a matter of sentiment.

Based on what he had seen and heard along the way and his personal experiences, Ling's feelings were undoubtedly inclined towards the Holy War Army. This was not only because people are naturally inclined to favor the weak, but also because all the Holy War Army members he had met so far, whether it was the group of Anor who had traveled with him for half a month, Commander Kailo who had only exchanged a few words with him, or Cheryl, the owner of the fairy sword Sidras, had left him with a fairly good impression.

Undoubtedly, emotions can influence a person's judgment. There is no one in the world who can escape the influence of emotions and remain impartial; it's just a matter of degree.

So, after having an open conversation with Cheryl, the young man felt it was a pretty good deal.

“At least, both sides got what they wanted,” he commented. “That’s fair, and in fact, we benefited more, since the Holy War Army does have intelligence about Paradise Country Assyria, while we may not be able to find the lost Nibelungen.”

The locations Cheryl marked were merely suspicious; there was no evidence that the Nibelungen had actually crashed there. In fact, before Ringer and his group arrived at the Feather Mine, Cheryl had already sent members to investigate some of the suspicious locations, but to no avail. The difficulty of pursuing legends is unimaginable to anyone. It was precisely because of this uncertainty that Cheryl made it clear that as long as they accepted the deal, even if they found nothing in the end, it wouldn't affect the outcome.

His words only confused Auvila more: "Then why didn't you agree just now?"

Instead, they used the excuse that they needed to "go back and discuss it before making a decision" to temporarily avoid the issue. But what was there to discuss? The young queen, who was closely involved in this matter, was present. As for the few people left on the island, the countess was uninterested in anything other than her granddaughter and never participated in any decision-making. Sister Livia respected Medien's opinions, and the three fairy traveler sisters were the epitome of slacking off. Their attitude of "as long as everyone's happy" was hard to describe as either easygoing or simply going with the flow...

Huh?
Ovira seemed to understand what Linger was worried about.

The others belatedly realized what was happening and turned around to look at the girl huddled in the corner of the elevator.

Meanwhile, Ieta was staring blankly at the dark cliff outside the elevator, looking completely lost, unaware of the gazes directed at her.

At this moment, everyone knew what she was thinking, but no one spoke up to disturb her or offer comfort.

The last surviving winged elf and the ancient winged elf hero, the legacy of the fairy sword Sidras, and the deep-rooted karmic ties between the winged elves and the traveling fairy race dating back ten thousand years... Miss Angel is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information she's received.

Moreover, Cheryl's request to them was essentially based on her interest in the maneuverability and speed of the Cloud Whale Sky Island, which was controlled by Ietta, making her opinion crucial. Although the angel usually lacked her own opinions and simply followed the crowd, this time was different.

Lin Ge hoped she would think things through before making a decision, not only for herself but also for her companions.

Of course, whatever decision she makes, everyone will respect it.

The descent felt slow, but the ascent seemed to accelerate a thousandfold. Soon, accompanied by a piercing shriek and violent tremors, the steel cable tightened, the gears gradually stopped turning, and the elevator came to a stop on the third level of the shallow section. Outside lay the warehouse area storing minerals and various tools. From here, the rest of the journey required walking along a circular walkway built into the mine's cliff face, a journey that would take about an hour to return to the surface. Of course, using the minecart tracks would be faster, but apart from the most experienced miners, no one dared to risk their life on those suspended tracks and with the unprotected minecarts.

Looking down from the road they had come from, the mine resembled a vast abyss, concealing endless darkness. The faint light was insufficient to illuminate the suffocating atmosphere. Therefore, the ascent was an escape. Finally, when they escaped that gaping maw, even the most carefree Alice couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Surely, those miners who rose in rebellion against tyranny must have felt the same way when they reached the surface. It is said that many of them had lived their entire lives in the mines, never allowed to leave. When they first saw sunlight, their eyes were stung, tears streamed down their faces, yet they refused to close them.

History has miraculously come together at this moment.

As they stepped out of the elevator, Arnor was waiting outside, cradling the small, cat-and-lion-like beast in his arms. It had been perched on Arnor's head, but upon seeing the strangers, it jumped down, ignoring their stares, and nonchalantly walked into the elevator, seemingly intending to return alone. Alice was taken aback by its arrogant attitude, clicking her tongue in surprise, and asked in a low voice, "Who is this, so cocky?"

“The Serphis Beast is the guardian beast of the ancient Atorica Kingdom, and also a calamity beast in ancient legends that can stir up storms. It is said that those winds are stored in its belly and controlled by it. There is also a legend that it swallowed 100,000 people during a disaster, moved them to a safe area, and then spat them out, saving their lives,” Arnor explained.

That's definitely a very powerful background.

Alice snorted twice, and taking advantage of the fact that the elevator had already descended again and the other party couldn't hear her, she added two more sarcastic remarks: "But the Kingdom of Ancient Atorica still perished. Didn't it leave nothing unprotected?"

Arnor smiled and said, "Therefore, some say it is not the guardian of the kingdom, but the guardian of the fairy sword Sidras. We first discovered it because it wanted to take the sword from Lord Sigurd, but was eventually persuaded by him and stayed in the Holy War Army. However, it did not participate in the war and always obeyed only Lord Sigurd's orders. After Sigurd passed away and Lady Cheryl became the new owner of the fairy sword, it stayed only by Lady Cheryl's side."

“The guardian of Hydras?” Ovira tilted her head slightly. “But the legends don’t mention any other beings by the side of the hero Italos.”

Arnor couldn't explain this either, since all he knew was from Cheryl. Lorena, however, offered an interesting hypothesis: "Perhaps they were born later? Ordinary beasts become magical beasts because of their spirituality, and magical beasts become calamity beasts because of their magic power. The magic power contained in the fairy sword Sidras certainly has the potential to evolve magical beasts into calamity beasts. And, doesn't the ability to control the wind seem familiar to you?"

That's the symbol of the Feathered Spirits.

Everyone came to their senses. Ietta, who was still in a daze, also snapped out of it slightly upon hearing the familiar name. A strange expression appeared on her face, but she still didn't say anything.

"If any of you are interested, you can ask Lady Cheryl; she should know the most about this," Arnor said. "But before that, please allow me to give you a tour of the Feather Mine, as Lady Cheryl requested. We are guests from afar, so please allow us to do our part as hosts."

This was also a way to deepen mutual understanding and enhance friendship, so everyone agreed.

Led by Yanor, Ling and his group slowly made their way along the circular walkway in the shallow section. The wooden planks under their feet creaked slightly with each step, as if telling a story of years of bearing weight and resilience. The outer edge of the walkway was a simple railing, pieced together from rough wood and recycled metal strips; though it looked flimsy, it was surprisingly sturdy. Looking down, the bottomless mine shaft resembled a gigantic maw, swallowing any gaze that dared to peer into its depths. Occasionally, a minecart rumbled past on the tracks below, sparks from the friction of its wheels against the rails briefly piercing the darkness like meteors before being swallowed by the boundless gloom.

As Yanor walked, he introduced the facilities and fortifications along the way to the crowd. His voice echoed in the huge hollow, intertwining with the distant roar of machinery, the sound of chisels, and the indistinct shouts, forming a never-ending underground symphony.

“This is the eastern warehouse layer of the third mining area,” Yanor said, pointing to a huge cave carved into the rock wall. “It was mainly used to store raw ore after preliminary screening. After the Jihad Army took control of the Fesser Mine, they renovated and expanded the original storage system. Now it is not only a material storage point, but also a place for workers to change shifts and rest.”

The cave was spacious, with several fluorite lamps hanging from the ceiling, casting a cold light. Piles of ore, resembling mountains, covered the ground, gleaming with a dull sheen. Some miners were pushing wheelbarrows, hauling in freshly mined ore, while others rested on simple benches in the corner, drinking water and wiping away sweat. Most wore tattered work clothes, covered in mine dust, their faces etched with weariness, yet their eyes held an indescribable determination. When they saw Yanor and his group pass by, they merely glanced at them, nodded slightly, and then continued their work.

“They look…very tired,” Medion said softly.

“Yes,” Arnor readily admitted, “working in the mines has never been easy. Even though the Holy War Army abolished the Empire’s slavery system and improved working conditions, mining is still an extremely arduous task. The difference is that now they are working for themselves, for their families, and for Atorica’s future, not for the greedy Imperials.”

Ling observed all of this in silence. He noticed that despite the rudimentary conditions, the warehouse maintained basic cleanliness and order. It had everything from temporary rest areas to dining areas, and there was even a small altar in the corner with a few dried wildflowers and a rough stone on it. It seemed that the Cult of the Creator Goddess had a broad base of faith within the Holy War Army.

Continuing on, the walkway gradually widened, connecting to a platform. Dozens of tents and simple huts were set up on the platform, forming a small living area. Some women and elderly people were hanging clothes to dry and mending tools, while children ran and played in the open space. Their laughter sounded particularly crisp in the oppressive mine, like a ray of sunshine in the darkness.

“This is one of the settlements in the shallow zone,” Janor explained. “Many miners’ families live here. During the Imperial period, miners were not allowed to bring their families, and many never saw their families again in their entire lives. After the Jihadist uprising, we brought the workers’ families to the mines as much as possible. Although the conditions were harsh, at least they could be reunited.”

A little girl in a patched dress ran over, curiously observing Ling and his group, especially Ieta's wings. She blinked, seemingly wanting to reach out and touch them, but also hesitant. Ieta slightly curled her wings, but seeing the innocence and curiosity in the girl's eyes, she eventually relaxed and even gave her a faint smile.

"Are you from outside?" the little girl asked timidly.

“Yes,” Alice crouched down and answered with a grin, “we came from a very far place.”

How far? Farther than the sun on Earth?

"Further than the sun."

The little girl stared wide-eyed, seemingly unable to comprehend such a distance. She wanted to ask something more, but a woman who rushed over pulled her away. The woman smiled apologetically at Yanor, whispered a few words of advice to the girl, and then led her away among the shacks.

“The children in the mines rarely see outsiders,” Janor said softly, “especially those from afar. Most of them were born and raised here; the sunlight and sky above ground seem like legends to them. After things stabilized, we encouraged the residents to move to the surface and build new homes, but… they seem to feel safer underground in the darkness.”

Upon hearing this, Ovira quietly clenched her fist, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She recalled the long years she had spent in the castle, the isolation and loneliness, the feeling of being lost in the darkness—something she understood better than anyone else. Yet, for some reason, when Arnor said that the residents here felt safer in the dark, she subtly found herself able to understand.

After leaving the residential area, Yanor led the group to a mining site in operation. Huge drill arms, driven by manpower and gears, pounded against the rock walls, producing a deafening roar. Miners, wearing fluorite headlamps and wielding picks and shovels, worked busily amidst the billowing dust. Their movements were skilled and precise, as if born of instinct. Upon Yanor's arrival, a man who appeared to be a foreman approached, exchanged a few words, and then pointed to a newly discovered vein on the rock wall.

“This is the Seventeenth Mining Site, where a rich ore vein has recently been discovered,” Yanor explained to Linger. “It mainly consists of chalcocite and a small amount of associated magic crystals, which are crucial to the Holy War Army. Chalcocite can be used to forge weapons and ammunition, while magic crystals are associated minerals of chalcocite and are excellent materials for conducting magic.”

The discovery of a rich mineral vein can often bring the Jihad Army profits for up to ten years. It sounds astonishing, but when you think about the history of the entire Feather Mine's mining and excavation, you can't help but feel a pang of regret as to how much blood the Empire has sucked from Atorica, yet refuses to give the people of this land even the most basic respect.

Everything depends on the miners' own efforts.

After touring the mining site, Yanor showed the group the mine's water system and ventilation facilities. These facilities largely retained the framework from the Imperial era, but had been modified and reinforced by the Jihad Army. Huge waterwheels slowly turned in the underground river, pumping groundwater up to cool machinery and irrigate underground farms; ventilation ducts, through complex bellows and fan blades, sent fresh air from the surface deep into the mine, offering limited relief from the heat and pollution.

Finally, they reached a higher platform, from which they could overlook most of the shallow subsurface area. Countless firefly-like lights flickered in the darkness, the roar of machinery mingled with the miners' chants, and massive derricks, tracks, and pipes stretched out like a steel jungle, supporting this vast city buried deep underground. All of this was both a miracle of human industry and will, and a testament to the centuries of suffering and struggle of the Atorica people.

“This is the Fesser Mine,” Arnor’s voice carried a hint of pride, yet couldn’t hide his exhaustion. “The stronghold of the Holy War Army, the land of hope for the Atoriga. To you outsiders, it may be ugly, rough, and full of suffering, but it is our home, and I believe it will be the home of many more in the future!”

A complex mix of emotions welled up within everyone. Ieta, too, leaned against the railing, silently gazing at the scene before her, her heart overflowing with mixed feelings. She recalled the legend of the evil dragon, the evil god, and the hero; she remembered how the fairy sword Hydras had witnessed the long history of this land; and finally, she remembered how the great hero, after fulfilling all his missions, had drifted away to embark on his own journey.

For some reason, she suddenly felt a sense of empathy.

Give me some cats