A misty morning enveloped the beautiful manor. The expansive lawns were meticulously manicured, shimmering with a soft green hue in the sunlight. The main building, constructed of greyish-white stone, had a pointed tower that reached for the sky, and its window frames were carved with intricate vine patterns.
A gravel path meanders through the garden, flanked by blooming flowers whose fragrance drifts on the breeze. In the distant orchard, the trees are laden with green and red fruit, and several serfs are bending over to pick them. Behind the estate, a dense oak grove stands quietly, with birdsong occasionally drifting through the dappled shadows.
The stone fountain pool murmured, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. Ivy climbed the manor walls, and the heavy oak gates were ajar, revealing glimpses of busy servants and snorting horses in the stables. The entire manor exuded both aristocratic grandeur and pastoral tranquility.
"Oh! My noble master, your most loyal servant has finally come before you again. I miss you terribly even for a day without seeing you, and I have lost a lot of weight in the past few months!" Arthurs bowed his head humbly and gave a greeting.
Count Vouchis smiled as he looked at his servant, whom he was quite satisfied with. Although the ore sample sent later was of good quality, the servant Arthurs' anger had dissipated.
This ore is extremely important. He's now preparing to wage war against the neighboring territories. Despite their kingdom being called the Green Kingdom, they have very few truly valuable territories, and he happens to own one. Others are already eyeing it covetously, so he must strike first. If conditions allow, expanding his territory further isn't out of the question—after all, he's occupied a prime location.
"Arthurs, you've barely redeemed yourself this time. If you do it again next time, your head will no longer belong to you."
"Ah! My esteemed master, there will absolutely not be a next time, please rest assured." Arthur continued to bow his head.
"Arthur, what brings you here?" Count Vorsis did not believe that his servant would return without a reason.
"It is like this, my esteemed master. The weather is getting colder. Should we continue mining, or transport the ore back to the manor? If we continue mining, you may need to prepare a lot of heating supplies and a lot of food."
Arthurs hoped Earl Worthy would bring back the ore; after all, nobody wanted to stay in such a place, especially in the cold winter. Look how nice the manor is outside. The castle has everything; it's so much more comfortable than outside.
"Arthurs, I heard that many miners have died, is that right?" Count Vouchis did not answer his question, but instead asked something that he was more afraid of.
A few worker deaths aren't a big problem, but too many deaths will cause issues. Who will go mining? Buying slaves is very expensive, and too many serfs in the territory need to work the land.
"My esteemed master, they were all there for the first time. The valley environment is unpredictable, and the mines are fraught with danger. That's why some of them died."
Arthurs spoke steadily, trying his best not to tremble.
"Well, I'll let it go this time. But be careful next time you go back, or you'll have to watch your head." Count Vorsis looked at the servant who had his head down.
Upon hearing the Earl's words, Arthur was delighted. It seemed that Earl Worsis intended to transport the ore back and then go again next spring.
"Yes, my esteemed master, I will be more careful next time and will make sure your property is not damaged." Arthur was somewhat pleased, finally free from that godforsaken place.
The more Earl Worsis looked at the servant, the more satisfied he became.
"Okay, go and make preparations. Go back and bring all the ore back right away."