Chapter 119

The Great Vein. The lifeline and backbone of the Kingdom of Jugend, and the world’s largest mining zone. Within it lay untold quantities of both common minerals—iron, copper, gold, silver—and rare ones like mithril, orichalcum, and adamantium.

It was three and a half centuries ago that the dwarves, recognizing the land’s true potential, joined forces with the humans and began to dig. What started as a small village quickly grew into a territory, and from there, into a full-fledged kingdom.

The ever-abundant vein, combined with dwarven prowess, was like giving a pair of wings to a ferocious tiger. It propelled Jugend into the ranks of the great powers before its neighbors could even think to stop it.

That was how vast the Great Vein was. Even Jugend itself had yet to fully grasp the scale of its underground riches.

There were eighty-four iron mines alone, seventeen mithril mines—each one a fortune in itself. And as if that weren’t enough, there were five or six more of the even rarer orichalcum and adamantium mines.

Naturally, the tunnels and mining shafts expanded to match. It wasn’t just wide or large anymore—the underground was quite literally vaster than the surface.

“

Hmm

...”

A man stood before the third entrance to the Great Vein. Towering in both height and bulk yet dressed in a crisp ceremonial robe and wearing a surprisingly gentle expression, the man exuded presence from the moment one laid eyes on him.

This was none other than Irexana, the strongest in all of Jugend, and the same man who held the twin titles of Grand Meister and Cardinal.

They’re running a bit late.

It had been four days since Leon received permission to enter shaft B38-5 and began his preliminary scouting and short-term training.

The shadows under their eyes grew darker with each day, but Irexana could see it—the power that once spilled out of them was now being drawn inward. They were learning how to fight inside a narrow, fragile mine.

And then, as if right on cue, two figures entered his sensory field from several hundred meters away. Their footfalls were even, their centers of gravity steady. From their gait alone, he could tell they were no amateurs.

“

Hm

.”

Leon and Karen crossed the horizon and arrived before Irexana. They were different again from how they looked just a couple of days ago.

“Sorry we’re late, Your Eminence,” Leon said with a sheepish smile. “We passed out the moment we got back last night, so we didn’t get a chance to check in with you.”

“No need to apologize. Rest is far more important,” Irexana replied with a smile, glancing at the two in turn. “You’ve tempered your energy beyond what I hoped for. It’s clear you’ve taken several steps forward since five days ago.”

He wasn’t wrong. Leon’s overflowing energy—once difficult to control due to the four Stigmata he bore—had settled into something calmer. His presence wasn’t as intense, but it now carried depth. It was the same principle as a master who appeared ordinary only because they had surpassed a certain level.

Karen, on the other hand, had changed in a different way. Her once faint presence had become clear yet blended so seamlessly with her surroundings that even Irexana would lose track of her if he wasn’t careful.

As expected of the companion handpicked by the Hero.

Smiling to himself, Irexana turned and began walking.

“Come. The rest of the team has already assembled in the plaza.”

***

Leon and Karen quietly followed him into the third entrance of the Great Vein. The path opened up into a vast space, fed by hundreds or thousands of branching shafts. If someone shouted here, it would echo for ages.

“This way,” Irexana said, leading them past a few more doors until they reached the plaza. He gestured for them to go in first so he could keep them from being too closely associated with each other.

Karen led the way. Scouting ahead was a rogue’s job, and after a few days in the mines, it had become second nature to her again.

Leon followed her in and was immediately struck by the swirling pressure of energy. It wasn’t just one or two people.

“

Ugh!

”

There were dozens, maybe over a hundred individuals. Each one gathered here was strong enough to be considered an elite anywhere in the world.

This was a group of A-rank adventurers and mercenaries, including dwarf warriors—Jugend’s finest—and Holy Iron Inquisitors clad in radiant full-plate befitting the Holy Church.

They’re all A-rank or higher, without exception!

Leon thought in awe.

As expected from a gathering of so many seasoned warriors, their very presence weighed heavily on the air. None really looked unbeatable, but by no means did they look easily beatable.

They were veterans who, depending on time and terrain, could pose real threats. It was a relief that they were allies, not enemies.

Noticing Leon and Karen, the gathered elites turned their sharp gazes on the pair, evaluating them with practiced eyes.

“

Hmm

? Don’t think I’ve seen those two before.”

“Must be the new blood.”

“Look at those baby faces. But... they’ve got something.”

“Wait. The girl’s not purely human. She smells ‘mixed.’”

“Wexler, please keep your perverted sniffer to yourself.”

“What!? That’s not what I—”

The atmosphere was rowdy, but it was brewed from confidence and discipline. Chatter coming from a force vast and elite was a world of difference from the noise made by a mere unruly mob.

Ordinarily, elite individuals were best in small groups, but Jugend had made it work. This alone was enough manpower to topple the capital of a mid-tier kingdom in half a day.

At that moment, distinguished footsteps rang through the plaza, drawing everyone’s gaze in the same direction. The earth trembled, and the air shook.

One step silenced the noise. Two overwhelmed the crowd. On the third, a man ascended the podium. Irexana met their gazes and began to speak.

“First, allow me to sincerely thank you all for answering my sudden summons.”

His deep voice echoed across the plaza, pulling everyone’s attention toward him. A voice without a hint of hostility or malice—yet it held the power to command a space.

And that was

presence

. The kind that made a difference in sheer quality obvious. It was because they themselves were powerful that the difference hit so hard.

“All of you gathered here today will be participating in the search and elimination of an unidentified entity believed to have fled from the Mirror Canyon and taken refuge within the Great Vein. You’ll be entering through a total of six shafts, focusing on the most likely hideout...”

The operation briefing was short. They were given the infiltration routes, mission objectives, and action protocols.

Since the identity of the monster hadn’t even been uncovered yet, there were too many variables to provide detailed instructions. Those would only get in the way.

That was also why only adaptable elites had been gathered. Irexana had summoned people who could fulfill their roles in any situation, but were also powerful enough to complete the elimination on their own if necessary.

“We’ll organize squads of four based on the size of each shaft, deploying a minimum of three and a maximum of five teams per section.”

Irexana calmly divided them into twenty-seven units using a chart prepared in advance. With the squads arranged to balance offense, defense, and scouting, no one raised any objections.

Leon and Karen were assigned to Unit 8, tasked with clearing Shaft M13-2. As it was a four-person team, two others joined them.

“We meet again,” said the A-rank mercenary Garlond, grinning and stroking the chin where his beard used to be.

He had shaved his beard, but it seemed he still hadn’t managed to grow back the singed moustache.

“Have your wounds healed?” Karen asked.

“Doesn’t interfere with fighting. It does sting a little, but I can’t lie in bed when we’re going after the source of that cursed sword that took over me.”

Garlond also mentioned that he bought a new sword using his gold plaque as collateral and tapped the sword belt at his right hip. The smooth hilt looked fresh, as expected of a new weapon.

At that moment, the final member of Unit 8 approached with an impassive expression.

“You three seem to know each other already.”

She wore a luxurious but loose-fitting robe, and her forearms and hands—visible beneath the sleeves—were soft and free of calluses. She was clearly not someone used to hand-to-hand combat.

“A-rank adventurer, Hazel the Witch. A pleasure to meet you.”

She held her pointed hat in place and gave a polite bow to the group. She was a foreign beauty with red hair, deep brown eyes, exuding a distinctive presence.

“A-rank mercenary, Garlond the Gale. Pleased to work with you.”

“A-rank adventurer, just Karen. No nickname. I’ve always worked solo, so my name’s not exactly out there. Nice to meet you!”

Lastly, Leon spoke cautiously.

“B-rank adventurer, Leon. I look forward to working with you.”

“B-rank...? You?”

Hazel blinked in surprise and tilted her head, puzzled by his introduction. Her eyes were filled with questions, but she wasn’t asking why a B-rank had been summoned.

She asked, “That’s strange. I can’t speak for Karen, but you’re definitely stronger than Garlond or me. Why are you still at B-rank?”

Astonishingly, Hazel had accurately gauged the strength of every member of their unit and even ranked them accordingly. Insight: It was a different kind of strength from combat ability.

Whether it came from being a witch or from something else, the ability to recognize someone stronger than oneself was immensely useful.

Trying to dodge the question would only breed distrust. Leon answered honestly that he lacked the track record and thus was still officially B-rank.

“

Ah

, I only registered as an adventurer recently.”

Fortunately, Hazel seemed to accept the explanation.

“I see! Then it’s just a matter of time. With your skill, you’ll earn your gold plaque soon enough. I look forward to working with you as a teammate, regardless of rank.”

“Thank you.”

“

Hehe

, no need to be so formal.”

Like Unit 8, the rest of the expedition squad maintained a rather amicable mood. No one here was foolish enough to start trouble with someone they’d just met. That sort of person wouldn’t have made it to A-rank in the first place.

More importantly, no one in this plaza was weak. With everyone aware of each other’s strengths, trust formed naturally and quickly.

A human warrior teamed up with a dwarf warrior was laughing and making plans to grab a beer. Another group with a Holy Iron Inquisitor politely clasped their hands and greeted one another.

The teams joining us in M13 are...

There were three squads assigned to the M13 shaft: Units 8, 11, and 14. Leon used Rodrick’s Vision to survey the plaza and checked their tags to identify the members of each unit.

Unit 11 consisted of a Holy Iron Inquisitor and a spirit mage, and Unit 14 was a small mercenary company assigned together as one team. Both looked more than capable. While each team would enter via a different route, they would likely intersect at various points, so it would be beneficial to coordinate their pace.

That way, we can share supplies and support each other where needed.

Even balanced teams weren’t perfect. Some lacked offensive power, others defensive. Some were great at detection but poor at healing. Some had excellent combat ability but lacked adaptability. That’s why it was important to establish a support system.

A mercenary, reviewing the briefing document, carefully raised a question.

“Excuse me, Commander?”

Irexana turned to him and responded, “Yes?”

The mercenary double-checked the manual before asking, “If this is accurate, Commander, you’ll be entering the largest shaft of A5 alone. Is that correct?”

“That’s correct. Is there a problem?”

Even seasoned veterans had to double-take at that arrangement. The danger level of ore-based monsters increased with the richness of the mineral deposit. Iron mines were dangerous, but black iron mines were worse. Mithril mines even more so.

In orichalcum mines—where mana density and conductivity were high—monsters were capable of casting magic. And in adamantium mines—renowned for the strongest durability and elasticity—they were not only agile but highly magic-resistant.

The estimated danger level was S+ or higher. Even five full units might struggle with a successful subjugation.

Irexana explained, “I won’t need backup. I’ve been in and out of that shaft alone several times before.”

“...”

“It seems there are no further questions. Then we will now begin our entry into the Great Vein. All unit leaders, please double-check your communication artifacts.”

Leon, unintentionally made team leader by unanimous consent, clipped the artifact onto his ear. The device had a limited range, so they couldn’t contact other shafts. For Unit 8, communication would be limited to Units 11 and 14.

—Hey, can you hear me? Unit 14, this is Berger. Just call me Ger.

—Unit 8, this is Leon. Nice to meet you, Ger.

—Unit 11, Geoff here. Wishing both of you the best of luck.

—

Gahaha

! A blessing from a Holy Inquisitor? That’s something to be optimistic about!

After confirming the artifact worked through brief comms with the two leaders, Leon began moving toward M13.

It was then—

—Hero Leon.

A voice reached him from Irexana, who was now over a hundred meters away.

—Don’t reply. Just listen.

He was transmitting a voice over that distance with Aura alone. It was a technique Leon hadn’t even imagined. As he marveled at it, the voice continued.

—I’ve had all the blacksmiths in the kingdom begin testing weapons with blood over the past five days. One troubling report has come in.

Leon tensed, expecting to hear that more cursed weapons had surfaced.

—It seems there were people who intentionally tested weapons with blood and purchased them before we began our inspections. We sent out a pursuit squad immediately, but the implication is clear.

No way...

—The monsters infiltrating the Great Vein, the corrupted ore, the spread of cursed weapons—someone is behind all of this. It’s highly likely that a shadowy force is orchestrating these events.

Irexana paused briefly before concluding, —I believe the culprit is... Chaos.