Daily News: Insect Girls' Heavy Dependence

I'm too lazy to say much more, but fortunately these miners were wearing masks before going down into the mine, which should protect them from any possible fungal fog.

As for that water-filled Tier 4 Centaur-type mushroom man? Richard believed it wouldn't be able to unleash its full charging power in the confined environment of a mine!

As I pondered this, the Time Bug, which had been on strike for several days, finally sent word!

[The Time Worm warns you: You have entered the territory of the fifth-tier ultimate form of the colossal insect beast, the Lord of the Forest! Because you collected the essence of the insect fluid, its malice is now engulfing you!]

What the hell?!

Richard was bewildered again. Wasn't I at my own mine? When did this place become that thing's territory?

A chill ran through him, but he didn't show it on his face. He quickly scanned the surrounding miners to make sure they were all wearing their masks.

"Everyone, check your masks and stay close." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable tone of command.

Although Captain Patton was puzzled, seeing Richard's sudden serious expression, he dared not ask any more questions and immediately urged the miners in a low voice to maintain their formation.

The lantern's light flickered in the narrow tunnel. The expected attack or fog did not materialize.

Time ticked by. Richard kept an eye on his surroundings while subtly sensing his surroundings. The Time Worm's warnings felt like icicles hanging overhead, but the actual sense of threat wasn't particularly strong.

"Young master, this way!" A miner called out in a low voice from a narrower side passage, pointing to the ground, "There are drag marks here, and... more shards of glass."

Richard stood still, clearly unable to pass through such a narrow passage given his size.

"Barton, take two men over and take a look," he ordered briefly.

Barton immediately agreed and selected two miners to examine the area. They quickly confirmed the traces and debris.

"You stay here," Richard ordered Patton after hearing the report. "Send two men in to scout ahead. Report back immediately if anything seems amiss."

"Yes, young master."

Patton quickly selected two small but experienced miners. The two took the lantern and tools and squeezed sideways into the crevice.

Richard remained where he was, leaning against the rock face, waiting. The surrounding miners maintained a guard formation.

More than ten minutes have passed.

A noise came from the crevice. A miner who had been scouting emerged, quickly walked to Richard, and reported in a low voice:

"Young master! There's a huge cave inside! It's filled with those glass bottles! All of them contain a white liquid! There are countless of them!"

Richard's eyes narrowed: "Explain clearly. How were the bottles stacked? What else is in the hole?"

The miner struggled to organize his thoughts: "They're piled up like small mountains! At least two hundred! There are glowing stones on the cave walls. There are also some stone slabs with patterns I can't understand. There are even more colorful mycelia growing on the walls, some coiled into rack shapes, supporting several bottles... There are also traces of things being dragged on the ground."

Richard remained silent for a moment.

"You, and you," he pointed to the miner who had scouted ahead and another seemingly quick-witted one, "go in again. Get fifty bottles back. Be quick! Don't touch anything else! Barton, you and your men guard this place."

"yes!"

The two miners crawled back into the crevice. About fifteen minutes later, they emerged carrying several burlap sacks filled with glass bottles containing the essence of the insect fluid.

Richard's brow was furrowed with worry, but he saw that the two men had managed to evacuate safely.

He glanced at it and nodded.

"Got the supplies. Evacuate immediately." He turned and ordered, "Notify the higher-ups that this area is a restricted zone. No one is allowed to enter this mining area without my order."

"yes!"

Richard, carrying the fifty bottles of the essence insect liquid, left the depths of the mine without looking back.

The team quickly retraced their steps. Along the way, Richard remained silent, only occasionally glancing back at the deep, dark depths of the mine.

Back at the upper level of the mine, dusk was approaching. Richard glanced at the unloaded essence insect fluid and instructed Barton, "Take this to my quarters and keep a close watch on it."

"Yes, young master."

Richard said no more and left.

Outside the mine, a cold wind howled. Richard glanced back at the entrance to the pit, which resembled the maw of a giant beast, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

The dark tunnel behind him resembled a gaping maw ready to devour anyone. The faint, pervasive sense of being watched, along with the Time Worm's warning about the "Land of the Forest Lord," sent chills down his spine.

"Several hundred bottles..." He repeatedly pondered the information the miners had brought back, a mixture of indescribable frustration and vigilance swirling within him.

It's not that he didn't want to take it all, it's that he simply didn't dare to!

He had glimpsed the scene inside the cave from afar.

Piles of bottles, glowing stones, stone slabs carved with strange patterns, and colorful mycelium that seemed to be alive, coiled into shelves to support the bottles... all of this exuded a carefully arranged, unnatural, and sinister aura.

Especially when considering the title "Lord of the Forest" and its intricate connections with the mushroom people.

Richard was almost certain that the cave was a trap, or rather, a "bait".

Those hundreds of bottles of essence insect liquid were the bait, lying there quietly, emitting an alluring scent, waiting for the greedy to take the bait.

Richard might need the essence insect fluid, but he valued his life more. Before figuring out the true intentions and methods of that fifth-tier ultimate being, getting away immediately was the wisest choice.

"Damn it, it won't leave." He cursed under his breath, quickening his pace, wanting to get away from this marked, haunted place as soon as possible.

Back in the upper mine, the twilight light barely shone through the huge pit opening, bringing a false sense of warmth.

Captain Barton arranged for people to carefully pack the fifty bottles of essence insect liquid into boxes, ready to be transported to Richard's temporary residence.

Richard didn't linger, nor did he even look at the boxes. He simply told Patton, "Keep an eye on the stuff. As I said, seal off that area. No one is allowed to approach without my order."

"Yes, young master!" Barton replied. He could sense the oppressive and heavy aura emanating from the young master after he emerged from the depths of the mine, so he naturally dared not ask any further questions.

Richard nodded and, with his fifty pioneers, left the mining area and returned to the August family's camp.

He needed to calm down, process what he had just discovered, and more importantly, get away from the source that made him extremely uneasy.

However, no sooner had he stepped into the camp than trouble came knocking—or rather, it was the expected trouble that finally broke through his defenses.

A cacophony of shouting, cursing, and shoving erupted from the perimeter of the camp, far more intense and heated than the usual commotion at the end of the workday.

Captain Barton had just finished arranging the Essence Insect Liquid when he heard the noise. His expression changed, and he rushed over, his face showing suppressed anger and a hint of helplessness.

"Young Master, it's the Lituo family! They're here again! This time they're even more outrageous, blocking the junction of our main transport route. They say our people crossed the border and mined their vein a couple of days ago, and they demand half of the mithril ore we're mining today as compensation, or they won't let us pass!"

Richard was tilting his head back and gulping down a large mouthful of cold water when he heard this. Without stopping, he lazily lifted his eyelids, swallowed the water, and then slowly wiped the corner of his mouth.

"Oh," he responded, his tone as flat as if he were listening to today's weather report. "And then?"

Barton was taken aback, not expecting this young master to react this way. He had anticipated that this distinguished young master might be furious or order a strong response, but certainly not with such indifference.

"Young Master, our men certainly don't admit it! The two sides are locked in a standoff, arguing fiercely, and it looks like they're about to come to blows..." Barton continued, forcing a smile, his eyes pleading for instructions, "What do you think...?"

"What am I looking at?" Richard interrupted him, put down his water glass, and looked calmly at Barton.

"Captain Barton, you are in charge of this Mithril Mine No. 18, you are the captain here. The daily management of the mine, the scheduling of workers, and... these minor neighborhood disputes are your duties assigned by Yekaterin, not mine."

He stood up, walked to the edge of the tent, and casually lifted a corner of the curtain to peek outside.

Not far from the mine entrance, two groups of people were on the verge of a fight. The August family's miners were furious, gripping their pickaxes and clubs tightly; the Littor family's men were aggressive, hurling insults and pushing forward relentlessly.

It's a typical conflict at the bottom of society, something that can't be brought to the forefront, yet it's annoying enough, like a stubborn skin disease.

Richard lowered the curtain, turned around, looked at Barton who looked anxious and somewhat helpless, and forced a smile that lacked warmth:

"My mission was to gather what I needed and, incidentally, check out the mine. Now I've got the supplies and seen the mine."

He deliberately emphasized the word "look" slightly, recalling the unpleasant discovery deep within.

"As for the Lito family..." Richard paused, a hint of undisguised contempt flashing in his eyes, "They've lost an heir, yet they only dare to cause trouble in these backwaters and harass the working class. Do they think they're worthy of my personal attention?"

He walked up to Patton, patted the man's sturdy shoulder—a light but firm touch, yet carrying a peculiar meaning:

"Barton, you're the captain here. Your men, your territory, are being bullied with their doors blocked. Do I need to teach you what to do? The August family has never established itself in the North by tolerating insults."

His voice was lowered, his pace slow, but every word was clear:

"As long as they don't all die, and the situation doesn't escalate to the point where the family needs to formally intervene... let's have a fight, let's vent our anger, let's show our power, let them know that it hurts, that touching the August family's things will come at a price, so that they won't dare to extend their claws so easily in the future."

Patton's eyes gradually changed. His initial hesitation and concerns were slowly replaced by the implicit permission and incitement in Richard's words, and a surge of the courage and ferocity of a miner's leader rose within him. His chest puffed out slightly, and his breathing became heavier.

Richard observed his change and continued, "Think about it, what are your brothers sweating and bleeding in this dark, sunless mine for? For the family, and so they can live with their heads held high! For 50 Dior coins a day! Enough for their families to eat and drink!"

"Now some people are taking advantage of you, blocking your path, stealing your mine, and ruining your reputation, which might make it impossible for you to survive... You should take your brothers and use your pickaxes and fists to tell the Lituo family who really calls the shots in this mine. That's called the rule of the mine."

Barton took a deep breath, his eyes hardening, and nodded vigorously. "I understand, young master!"

"Hmm," Richard withdrew his hand with satisfaction and sat back down in his chair, as if he had just given a trivial instruction.

"Go. Fight well. After you're done, remember to take good care of the wounded brothers, treat those who need medical attention, and reward those who deserve it. As for the Lituo family..."

He picked up his water glass, blew on it to remove any non-existent heat, and spoke in a calm tone that carried a hint of coldness:

"If they can't afford to lose, and a high-ranking knight or steward dares to jump out and try to escalate the miners' fight into a 'family conflict'... then it will be my turn to occasionally pass by and not stand by."

Patton said no more, a ruthless glint in his eyes, and strode out of the tent. Soon, his rough roar and the angry clamor of the miners echoed from outside.

Richard leaned back in his chair, listening to the rapidly escalating noise and roars outside, followed by the clanging of pickaxes, dull thuds, groans of pain, and even more offensive curses. He slowly took another sip of water.

He really couldn't be bothered with such trivial disputes.

Miners' problems should be resolved by the miners themselves using the rules of the mine. Sometimes, the line drawn by fists and sweat is more effective than any written document.

He only needs to make sure that when the other party tries to overturn the table or break the rules, he has enough strength and reason to put the table back down, or simply kick the other party's table and person into the mine.

The fighting outside lasted for about half an hour before gradually subsiding.

Instead, there was the suppressed excitement of the August family miners and the pathetic wails and fading, blustering curses from the Littor family.

A while later, Patton returned with a fresh bruise on his face, but his eyes shone brightly and he walked with a brisk pace.

"Young Master, it's settled! We drove the Li Tuo family members back, leaving behind a few harsh words, but they didn't dare to block us anymore. We injured more than a dozen of them, all with superficial wounds, while the other side had more lying on the ground, at least twenty or thirty."

"Hmm," Richard nodded, not surprised by the outcome. "Good, handled well. The brothers' medical expenses and rewards will be handled through the mine's accounts; just report back to Yekaterin later. You know what to do here from now on."

"Yes, sir!" Barton straightened his back and said in a loud voice.

Richard waved his hand, indicating that he could leave.

After Barton left, Richard let out a soft breath, his gaze falling on the twilight outside the tent and on the boxes of essence insect fluid piled up in the corner.

The trouble with the mine was temporarily resolved according to the rules, but the deeper trouble concerning the Lord of the Forest weighed heavily on his heart like a dark cloud.

Taking those fifty bottles of insect essence wasn't exactly a pleasant experience.

"I need to process this information as soon as possible, and then... I need to figure out how to deal with those damn mushrooms."

He muttered to himself, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.