Mage Legend
Chapter 69: Episode 15 Trade_2

Chapter 69: Episode 15 Trade_2

"So you’re the city’s Governor? My name is Kalinchi, but you can just call me Lynch if you prefer. I’m here in the Underdark for a small experiment and to check out the environment."

"Ah, a traveler and adventurer. Smart choice to stay with us. However..." Koravos scratched his cheek with his right hand. "I wonder if you might need any help; we Gray Dwarves are known for our hospitality."

Hospitality? Lynch chuckled coldly. The Gray Dwarves were indeed very "hospitable" when it came to the possessions of their hapless victims.

"No need. There’s no reason for you to accompany me in dangerous experiments. As a Mage, I don’t enjoy being constantly watched."

"A Mage?" Koravos was startled. Since the disappearance of the Magic God, the number of Mages had remained very low. Yet, even so, every Mage was still a powerful individual, and the Mage Guild controlled most of the advanced Magic Items on the Anriel Continent. Although they did not partake in any earthly wars (mainly because no one could afford to invite a Mage for assistance, as Mages were the wealthiest group on the continent), their deterrence remained strong.

"Fantastic, a Mage, you’re a Mage!" Koravos suddenly clapped and jumped. "Now we can solve the problem in the northern tunnel."

Just as Lynch had anticipated, they indeed came to ask for help. "We didn’t come to the Underdark for sightseeing, nor to solve your problems," the Mage intentionally put on an annoyed expression.

"Ah, I understand. Sir, oh, Mr. Mage..." The Gray Dwarf stepped forward. "We will offer you suitable compensation for any inconvenience to your schedule and the time we’ve taken." His little eyes squinted, and his mouth stretched into a grin wide enough to reach his ears.

Lynch extended his Refined Gold arm and placed it on the table. Though he intentionally laid it down lightly, the heavy metal still made a "thud" upon contact with the wooden tabletop.

The eyes of Koravos and the other four Gray Dwarves widened instantly. They were about to step forward and touch the strange metal arm to feel its texture, but felt the aura of threat emanating from Lynch. They dared not take a second step.

Lynch’s right hand let a thin stream of soft sand trickle from between his fingers. He had just used the Spell of Eagle’s Majesty to enhance his influence over others. The few Gray Dwarves were startled by the sudden "aura." Additionally, the long-standing terrifying tales about Mages led the Dwarves to mistake it for a sense of threat.

"What kind of compensation can you offer?"

Koravos swallowed hard, realizing now that the artificial arm was entirely made of precious Refined Gold. Its value might require selling half a city’s worth of goods to exchange for it. Mages were indeed the wealthiest group on the continent. Others might settle for a wooden prosthetic wrapped in iron plates; only wealthy kings could have golden limbs; above-ground Dwarves and the elders of Gunn’s Hammer Mithril ore vein might use Secret Silver Alloy for hooks as prosthetics. But this Mage before him had an entire arm forged from Refined Gold!

The Gray Dwarf thought for a moment. There wasn’t much in the city that could pique a Mage’s interest. But Koravos’ eyes darted around, his hand tugging at his big beard. "Mr. Mage, we have some ancient Magic Books here, treasures from ancient Mages that were circulated while they ruled terrifyingly above ground. These scrolls and Magic Books should be worth a little of your time, right?"

"Just Magic Books. How do I know the magic inside can’t be found at the Mage Association?" Lynch leaned in towards the Dwarf, speaking mysteriously: "I can’t accept such an uncertain promise."

"We’ll add five thousand of the finest gemstones. How about that, Mr. Mage?"

"Hmm, why don’t you tell me what’s happened in the northern cave first," Lynch spoke softly. "I’ll listen first..."

It wasn’t until noon that Koravos finally left. Deluo didn’t let them go either and forced them to provide a fine Two-Handed Greatsword. Nimo, however, was kind and didn’t ask for anything. Lynch sat by the table, his eyes closed, contemplating the words spoken by the Dwarves.

"The northern cave used to lead to the next level of the Underdark, and we had a decent silver ore vein there. But for some reason, starting three months ago, strange wailing noises began coming from there. The sound was a bit like a dying rooster croak. At first, it was nothing unusual; hearing strange noises is common in the Underdark. But soon after, our silver yields decreased. The ore wasn’t depleted; it was that ore we clearly saw yesterday clinging to the rock wall would disappear the next day. Those silver-rich stones turned into ordinary rocks. We took a big risk leaving some guards there overnight to see what was happening, which was unexpected..."

"Those guards we sent reported seeing nothing. It only took a blink, or a moment of daze, for the silver in the veins to vanish, leaving nothing but worthless rubble. The strangest part is that all the returned guards fell ill one after another and are still bedridden. Since then, the richest and largest vein slipped from our hands. Moreover, this route connected several of our main customers. Particularly the Minotaurs, who bought our products in large quantities every year. But now, no one dares go there. Mr. Mage, could you please help..."

Lynch remained quietly seated by the table. His right fingers tapping rhythmically against the surface. After a while, he opened his long-closed eyes, gazing through the room’s window at the bustling city of Hanmosidun. His eyes seemed to pierce through layers of rock, seeing all the way to the northern passage.

Meanwhile, Koravos hurriedly instructed his group after leaving the Red Mushroom: "Quickly, find some clever fellows and have them lie in the clinic, pretending to be the weakened guards returned from the northern tunnel. Remember, the Mage mustn’t know the truth of what’s in the north. Be sharp! Understand?!"

......

This is just another ordinary day in Hanmosidun City.

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