NOVEL NEXT Chapter 49: Unknown Miners.
Chapter 49: Unknown Miners.
*Celia’s POV*
Back in reality, I only now realize that I completely ignored her question. What should I even tell her? That I spent hours chopping down some wood for no reason? I mean, I can’t tell Lia about my System, so she might just think that I am insane…
Lia: “Celia… you can’t just leave me hanging here! Why is this high quality lumber in your dungeon? Does this place produce it?” She asked with an extremely interested tone.
Celia: “No? I just chopped it all down, and then teleported it back to here.” I reply.
Lia: “Chopped it down? There is a farm for it, not even my family knows where it is, though…” She said with a thinking pose.
Celia: “I didn’t steal it, if that’s what you’re implying.” I say with a raised eyebrow.
Lia: “That wasn’t what I was implying… Look, the only place where these kinds of trees grow, is in that dangerous forest in between Leretia and Evaclearian.” She said with a serious tone.
Celia: “Good eye! This dungeon is located in that forest, and I chopped down those trees in said forest.” I reply with a thumbs up.
Lia: “…”
The cute girl seemed to be lost in thought, as she walked around my dungeon, and looked at the Mana Crystals, and those logs. It’s not like I even planned to do anything with those logs, though… But if she’s making such a fuss about them, maybe I can sell them to some rich person?
Lia: “Who… I see those weird vent things, but who is mining the Mana Crystals?” She asked with a grim tone.
Celia: “Oh, just Primal Goblins.” I reply with a nonchalant tone.
Lia: “Celia… slavery is illegal, but a lot of powerful families still utilize such methods of labor. You don’t have to hide such a thing from me.” She said with a hurt tone.
Celia: “I am being one hundred percent truthful!” I exclaim.
Without giving her time to reply, I walk over to the mining door, which seemingly got bigger, for some reason, and opened it up for her to see. The sight before us, shocked even me… What the fuck!? No, really. What the flying fuck happened since I was gone!?
The Goblins… they were wearing safety vests, and hardhats… How… and why? Where did they even get the damn things from? They were so organized as well… While I was so confused, one of them walked up to me…
Miner Goblin: “Ah, Mistress! It is good to see you! The mining operation is on schedule, just like always.” He said with a bright tone.
Celia: “Umm… Good? Uh, keep up the good work?” I say with a confused tone.
He bowed to me, and then went back to mining. Oddly, the deposits would reappear after only a few minutes after it was mined out of Mana Crystals… This place is like a resource dungeon in an MMO… With no words spoken between us, I closed the door.
Celia: “Lia… I swear to every God or Goddess in existence, they were just Primal Goblins when I first acquired this dungeon. Why they’re even capable of speech, I have no idea…” I say with an utterly confused expression and tone.
Lia: “I believe you.” She said with a warm tone.
Celia: “But… the only reason I was fine with the dungeon enslaving those Primal Goblins, was because they had no intelligence to speak of…” I say with a remorseful tone.
Lia: “Dungeons evolve with their owners. They aren’t Primal Goblins anymore, but some kind of smarter new race.” She said with a thinking pose.
Celia: “Then… I have to release them. I cannot just enslave them anymore…” I say with an unsure tone.
Lia: “I wouldn’t suggest doing that. The moment they leave this dungeon, they might revert back to Primal Goblins.” She said with an urgent tone.
Celia: “Really?” I say with a head tilt.
Lia: “Yes. For now, we should just let them do as they please. They didn’t seem to be upset with their lot in life, regardless.” She replied.
Celia: “Okay… I guess you’re right.” I say with a sigh.
I mean, I don’t really know what to do in this situation… Lia even acted like slavery was something that she didn’t mind. Well, if those Goblins decided they want freedom, then I will just let them leave. But she was right that they looked happy…
Lia: “We should head back to the academy now.” She suggested.
Celia: “Sure, how many Mana Crystals will you be taking with you?” I ask with a curious tone.
Lia: “How many can I take?” She asked with an excited tone.
Celia: “As many as you want. I gave the same deal to Amelie as well.” I say with a giggle.
Lia: “Are… are you planning on selling the Mana Crystals, and that lumber?” She asked.
Celia: “I had considered it, but Amelie gave me a lot of funds, so I am not lacking in Celestium at the moment.” I reply.
Lia: “If you would prefer, I could set up a company for the Mana Crystals, and safely sell off the lumber for you. Selling them on your own, will get you killed. They’re just too valuable.” She offered.
Celia: “That would be great, but you should focus on your studies.” I deny.
Lia: “Thanks to you, I have the time to set all of that up. With classes being delayed for a week.” She said with a laugh.
Celia: “…Fine, I accept your offer.” I reply.
Lia: “Can you transport all of it?” She asked.
Celia: “I can just put it all in my pouch.” I reply with a shrug expression, before doing just that.
When I finished, Lia once again had a shocked expression on her face. Oops? Was this pouch that Yona gave me, really that amazing? I mean, I haven’t even come close to filling it up yet…
Lia: “That pouch… you know that something like that is worth at least, like a few Orichalcum Celestium, right?” She said with a conflicted expression on her face.
Celia: “Is it? It was a gift, so I don’t know how much it cost?” I reply with another shrug.
Lia: “Why is that a question?… Celia… you give me a headache sometimes.” She said while rubbing her head.
Celia: “Really? I am told that I have that effect on people.” I say with a smug tone.
Lia: “…”
Before we left, Lia had a tour around the main area of my dungeon. Once again… that kinda sounded like innuendo… Regardless, she seemed interested in it.
Lia: “Did you design this place, or was it always like this?” She asked with a thinking pose.
Celia: “Before I took it over, it was just a creepy cave system. For some reason, once I became its owner, it transformed into this oddly regal place.” I answer with a sigh.
Lia: “Hm… you must have a good imagination, then.” She said with a laugh.
With that done, she grabbed hold of my hand, and we teleported out of the dungeon. Teleporting is never fun… What was even less fun, was what awaited us when we got back to the academy…