Chapter 51 - Tax Collection Please Follow

After reading it, Gaven couldn’t help but express his sincere admiration, “Professional indeed, this is the mark of a specialist at work.However, there are a few points that need to be improved.”

“Please, go ahead.” Zack posed an attitude of eagerness to learn.

“First, separation of the mine from the living quarters is essential.

The mine is the mine, and the living quarters are just that, the two cannot be mixed.

We must do what we can to reduce the number of casualties in the event of a collapse, especially since our tribe is expanding rapidly.

There will be significant personnel changes in a short period of time; this must be fully considered when mining.”

“Second, the stability of the mine needs to be further reinforced to ensure safety during mining operations.”

“Third, a main mining shaft needs to be designed, one that’s high enough and spacious enough to at least accommodate the free entry and exit of wagons for the convenience of ore transport.”

“The above are my personal opinions.

If there is anything unreasonable, feel free to point it out.”

Gaven would naturally not be dictatorial, especially on matters as specialized as mining.

“The first two points are very reasonable and can be easily accomplished with a slight change in approach.

The last point, however, poses some difficulty,” Zack replied.

“The larger the mine, the greater the overall stress, and without sufficient additional support, the possibility of collapse will significantly increase.”

“Is there a solution?”

“There is.

Using a large amount of timber for support is the simplest method, but I do not recommend it.

It would greatly increase the mining costs and not be conducive to later expansions.

The best method would still be to have a spellcaster skilled in the Stone Shaping Spell to reinforce and remodel the mine,” Zach said with a look of regret.

“I’m just one Professional Level short; otherwise, I could handle it myself.”

The Stone Shaping Spell is a third-circle spell, and only a sixth-level Magician can cast it, while Zack is at level five.

“Just one Professional Level, keep up the good work, and I believe you’ll get there soon,” Gaven said, stroking his stubbly chin.

“Let’s proceed with the current plan.

Once your Professional Level increases, we can expand the main shaft later.

Safety comes first.”

Merciless slaughter is a shortcut he need not take, and Gaven wasn’t willing to resort to it lightly.

Another way was to arrange for a large number of Gnoll Miners under Zack to lead the transformation of the Blackwell Mine and the extraction of iron ore.

Before long, everything would fall into place.

“Yes.”

“If there’s nothing else, let’s get to work.

In the shortest time possible, mine as much iron ore as you can.

If all goes as expected, my human merchant friends will be here by the middle of the next ten-day.

They will bring more materials, and if we don’t have enough iron ore, we won’t be able to acquire their goods.

If there’s anything you need, just come to me, and I will try my best to help,” Gaven implied, entrusting the entire mining operation of Blackwell Iron Mine to Zack.

“By your command.” Zack accepted the order with joy.

He hadn’t expected such flexibility from his superior, to be entrusted with such great power and trust so soon.

He knew he had to redouble his efforts.

“Go, and on your way out, ask Gos to come see me.

I have an important task for him,” Gaven gestured dismissively.

“Yes.” Zack left to carry out his instructions.

Mentioning an important task was just an excuse.

A village couldn’t have two leaders, especially a newly merged tribe, it was important not to give orders from two fronts.

Since the mining task had already been assigned to Zack, Gos couldn’t be kept involved in it.

Gaven didn’t yet have a specific task in mind for Gos, so he decided to keep him close as a messenger, to remotely control the whole Blackwell Tribe.

For the time being, wherever he went, Gos was to follow.

Gos had no suspicions and trailed behind Gaven with delight, his life filled with sunshine, feeling as if his power and influence were advancing further.

After nearly ten days of generous nourishment, both meat and vegetables, the nutritional status of the Blackwell Gnolls had noticeably improved, far from their initial lean and emaciated appearance.

In addition to their daily work, Gaven began to train them in appropriate physical fitness and combat.

This training was certainly not one-size-fits-all; it was divided according to professional planning.

The Guard Reserve Team led by Cangya underwent the most intense and frequent regular training, with a strict elimination system in place.

If one couldn’t keep up with the basic training, it wouldn’t be long before they were pushed out and reassigned to other specialties.

Other professions engaged in moderate training, with running being the most common activity.

This included various types, such as mountain terrain, variable speed, long-distance, and weighted, in preparation for future migrations and long journeys.

Light training was interspersed with other types to alleviate fatigue.

When it came to the most intense training, Gaven was first, followed by the Half-Ogre Roar.

Even though Gaven told others he was a Magician, and not a warrior, no one believed him.

His training intensity was such that even Cangya felt inferior and was constantly trying to learn and imitate.

As for Half-Ogre Roar, it was not his choice but something he had to do under Gaven’s coercion.

If he failed to complete the training tasks, his food supply would be halved, a punishment he found unbearable.

From time to time, Gaven would join the fray, sparring with him in combat.

The Maiden Priestess, with good intentions, helped him heal, reminding him why he was here.

This made Half-Ogre Roar feel as though he was living between heaven and hell.

But his time in heaven was too short (meal times), while the rest was spent in hell.

The Half-Ogre himself might not have noticed, but outsiders could clearly see his transformation.

His large belly was disappearing at a visible rate, and the contours of his muscles were becoming more defined.

Previously, he relied more on the brute strength that came with his racial stature, with his own training being limited, yet there was still tremendous potential to be tapped into.

In actual combat, the time he could withstand under Gaven’s hand was increasing.

He no longer relied solely on brute force, learning to dodge and how to exert power, further exploiting his own advantages.

Pain is the best teacher.

Before this teacher, even a not-so-bright Half-Ogre started to become wiser and had to work hard to improve himself to minimize his suffering.

Seeing Gaven approaching, the Half-Ogre couldn’t help but shudder, trying to shrink his shoulders as much as possible.

If he weren’t so tall, he would have wished to hide under the table.

He disliked sparring with Gaven more than physical training.

What he feared most eventually caught up to him as Gaven’s footsteps stopped before the Half-Ogre.

Knowing he couldn’t escape, Roar crouched down and leaned forward slightly, “My lord, what are your instructions?”

It was not that the Half-Ogre had learned politeness, but because of his height, Gaven always targeted his lower half during sparring, severing his tendons an average of more than twice a day.

Now, whenever he saw Gaven, his feet would hurt, and he would crouch down involuntarily.

“Wasn’t your tax collection time supposed to be in these few days?” This time Gaven apparently didn’t come to torment the Half-Ogre.

“Tax collection?” Confusion spread across Roar’s face; clearly, he didn’t have this concept in his mind.

“It’s the day when you go to other Goblin and Gnoll Tribes to collect tributes.” Gaven used a more common way of describing it.

“It should be around these days,” the Half-Ogre hesitated.

He always determined his trips based on the food in his cave and the fullness of his belly.

Recently, his belly was always full, which made him lose the concept of time. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NovᴇlFɪre.ɴet

Every day seemed similar, and now, the first thing he did when he opened his eyes was train.