The acquisition of magical items lifted much of the war’s gloom from Lin Ke’s heart.
But it did not mean Lin Ke was relaxed.
He arrived again at the neighboring iron mine realm.
At this moment, the extraction of the iron mine had stopped, and the slaves were fully engaged in mining sulfur.
Bald Jack stood idly by the edge of the mine with a whip in hand.
Ever since Lin Ke implemented the Azanen Coin and the workload law, along with the performance assessment system,
Bald Jack found that his role as the chief overseer had become quite redundant.
The slaves worked tirelessly, with no laziness in sight, eliminating any need for his urging!
When Lin Ke came by, Bald Jack’s eyes lit up, and he quickly jogged over, bowing awkwardly: "Young Master Lin Ke, you’ve arrived?"
"How much sulfur is there now? Also, how are the slaves faring?" Lin Ke nodded slightly, noting that among the entire castle’s servants, only this Bald Jack was literate—a rarity indeed.
"Master, we have mined approximately two tons so far. Previously, we transported to Granny Hisai about two hundred kilograms. Today, someone informed me we are going to war, and another five hundred kilograms were sent over... Master, are we going to war?" Bald Jack first reported seriously, but the last sentence was asked with a face full of curiosity.
"Oh? Do you want to join the fight?" Lin Ke heard and looked at Bald Jack with a half-smile.
"No, no, I’m happy just to remain by your side and do whatever is necessary... um, anything at all..." Bald Jack broke into a sweat under Lin Ke’s gaze.
Inquiring about war matters was somewhat out of place.
"Alright, it’s normal for everyone to aspire to rise in status. Having aspirations is normal, and I appreciate honesty..." Lin Ke smiled and patted Bald Jack on the shoulder.
Afterward, Lin Ke couldn’t help but be somewhat impressed with Bald Jack, who lowered himself completely, his head and shoulders bowing to that of a six-year-old child’s height.
Lin Ke did not object to a degree of flattery, as long as one did their work seriously. Such individuals are merely dealing with style issues, or perhaps emotional intelligence issues.
Lin Ke grinned: "Work hard, if after this war, you encounter no issues on your side, I’ll give you an opportunity."
This time, black powder will be an incredibly important resource in the battle.
Niter isn’t hard to handle; although there isn’t a niter mine, just collecting from Azanen Castle and several villages suffices.
As for sulfur, it relies on the sulfur mine.
Therefore, for the literate Bald Jack, Lin Ke is also willing to give him an opportunity, letting Ove enlighten him once.
If his aptitude is good, along with decent lineage, Lin Ke would happily gain a formidable follower.
"An...an opportunity?!" Bald Jack trembled and stammered upon hearing this.
"Alright, focus on mining diligently, and ask the slaves to work overtime..." After Lin Ke instructed, he turned to leave, not saying more.
Bald Jack stood there with a bent waist for a long time before reacting, then harshly slapped himself: "Darn, work hard! Must work hard!"
He straightened himself and excitedly headed towards the mine.
A group of slaves were rapidly transporting dross and raw ore, faces filled with something called hope, full of vigor.
Seeing Bald Jack, they did not show fear or dread.
They were slaves of the great Young Master Lin Ke! A chance existed they could become like Bald Jack!
Of course, this is because Bald Jack did not excessively mistreat the slaves, otherwise there would still be fear.
Bald Jack arrived at the mine, shouting excitedly into it: "Listen to me! Young Master Lin Ke is in trouble and needs us to mine ore with full effort! Overtime hours can be extended indefinitely and included in the performance assessment!"
Bald Jack understood these slaves well. Ever since Young Master Lin Ke granted hope to the slaves, they had a belief in their hearts.
That belief was in Young Master Lin Ke!
Young Master Lin Ke was practically their deity, their legend!
And now, plus there being no limit to overtime hours...
The eyes of the slaves in the mine instantly turned green.
To rise above others, to earn more money, go for it! Work hard, slaves! Work hard!
For Young Master Lin Ke!
Leaving the dungeon, the castle was still bustling as ever.
According to the original plan, Lin Ke should have finished handling trivial matters by now, then dined well with Fulon and the others.
Even if nobility visited, it would at most turn into dining together.
Who knew, a divine downfall.
Reaching the top floor, Antova was sorting project materials, with Fulon assisting beside her.
On the floor, two feline pets were being teased by Little Lucky.
Seeing Lin Ke arrive, Little Lucky chirruped happily, flapping wings that had grown some downy feathers.
The Deep Blue Giant Tiger cub and the little leopard cub looked at Lin Ke with some trepidation, sensing the "powerful" aura around him.
Fortunately, they had some intelligence to know who Lin Ke was, so they weren’t particularly afraid.
"Little Lucky, be good, alright?" Lin Ke crouched down, allowing Little Lucky onto his shoulder, before moving next to Fulon and the others.
"Little Lin Ke, you’re here." Fulon lifted her head, her face full of exhaustion, while Antova did not even look up, clearly too busy to greet, dealing with various tasks.
"Mother, you’ve worked hard." Lin Ke felt a stab of heartache as he looked at Antova, then turned to Fulon and said: "Mother, can you make me a cup of Gula Milk? I want one made by your own hands."
Hearing Lin Ke’s words, the delicate hand holding the pen in Antova’s hand trembled slightly.
Fulon, however, did not agree to Lin Ke’s request, gently placing her right hand on Antova’s shoulder, speaking softly to Lin Ke: "Say what you have to say, no need to send me away."
Lin Ke was silent for a moment, before speaking: "Mother, I really want to drink..."
"Little Lin Ke, you are my treasure, always opinionated and smart from a young age... but, I am your mother, do you understand?" Fulon spoke softly.
She crouched down to meet Lin Ke’s gaze directly, her eyes tender: "Perhaps there are things you can hide from me, perhaps you understand much, and are very capable... but, I am your mother."
"Mother, I..." Lin Ke couldn’t help the tremor in his heart, momentarily lost for words.
"Sister, say no more."
At this point, Antova lifted her head from a heap of parchment, leaned her head back against the chair, gazing at the starry sky beyond the window, and sighed: "Little Lin Ke, I have always seen you as my offspring."
Hearing this, Lin Ke pressed his lips together tightly, not speaking.
Antova also paused for a moment, then rose from the chair, moving to Lin Ke’s side, crouching to look at him.
In her eyes, clarity, and tranquility shone.
Lin Ke looked at Fulon beside him, then at Antova, and after a moment’s silence, he said: "Saying it out loud is of no benefit to you."
Fulon heard and smiled, shaking her head: "Little Lin Ke, I know when you were young, your aunt often disciplined you, it was for your own good, concerning a certain plan..."
Lin Ke fell silent for a moment, then...
"Lady Antova, do you remember that time I was an infant, you held a dagger in your hand..." Lin Ke’s voice was low.
In an instant, silence enveloped the room.