Nyx's eyes gleamed with excitement as he surveyed the progress on their underground base project. The advancements they'd made filled him with a sense of pride and possibility. With renewed energy, he and his clones set to work adapting their original drill design into something more practical and efficient.
"We need to streamline this," Nyx mused, sketching out ideas on a scrap of parchment. "Fewer people involved means less chance of discovery."
Over the next few days, a new machine took shape in their makeshift workshop. It was a marvel of magical engineering an oversized wheelbarrow transformed into an earth-moving wonder. Multiple drill heads protruded from its front, powered by a compact battery box of Nyx's own design. The steering handles boasted a clutch on one side and a throttle on the other, allowing for precise control.
Beneath the contraption, they installed a clever dirt catch. As the drills churned through the earth, loose soil was flung backwards into a detachable barrel. A layer of chicken wire separated rocks from usable dirt, making the excavation process far more efficient.
"It's like a mechanical mole," one of Nyx's clones remarked, admiring the finished product.
To complement their digging machine, Nyx crafted an alchemical mortar stirrer. This device would allow them to quickly mix the stabilizing compounds needed to reinforce their tunnel walls.
As Nyx stood back, surveying their creations, he felt a swell of satisfaction. What had once required a small army of workers could now be accomplished with just three people. It was a testament to the power of innovation and a significant step towards realizing his grand underground vision.
"We're one step closer," Nyx murmured, patting the side of the earth digger. "Soon, we'll have a sanctuary beneath their very feet."
The week had been productive, with Nyx and his clones making steady progress in the workshop. One evening, as shadows lengthened across the farm, a knock at the door broke the usual rhythm of their work. Nyx quickly dismissed his clones before answering, caution overriding curiosity.
To his surprise, Elder Oak himself stood on the threshold, his weathered face a mask of determination. Nyx had anticipated visitors after the success of the well-digging project, but the village head's presence carried an air of significance.
"Greetings, Elder Oak!" Nyx said, trying to keep his tone light.
The old man's eyes crinkled, but his voice was all business. "Let's cut the pleasantries, young man. You know why I'm here."
Nyx nodded, leading Elder Oak on a brief tour of the well-digging machine before guiding him to the newly completed well. The elder took a long drink, savoring the cool, fresh water.
"I'll say this much," Oak admitted, wiping his mouth. "It's one of the finest water wells in the village."
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A moment of silence stretched between them before the elder spoke again. "How much would it cost to dig some wells for others around here?"
Nyx had been waiting for this question. He thought of Rose, the curious young girl, and Granny Hazel, who had welcomed him so warmly when he first arrived. He knew the humble means of most villagers.
"Oak," Nyx said carefully, "we both know the villagers could hardly afford such a machine. And I'm sure you didn't come unprepared. What's your offer?"
The elder coughed, a hint of discomfort crossing his face. When he spoke, his voice was steady, despite the meagerness of his proposition. "I can offer you two wagon carts and four horses."
Nyx considered the offer, aware of his retainers gathering to watch the unfolding drama. The pause grew long, tension building in the air.
Finally, Nyx spoke. "Alright. I can lend the machine with a few of my men to help out. You decide the order of when and where the water wells get dug. You'll also need to figure out payment of the extra man power. I'm sure you've heard it took about twenty people to operate."
Elder Oak's eyes widened, clearly shocked by Nyx's quick acceptance without negotiation. The young mage had surprised him once again, leaving the elder to ponder the unexpected generosity as the deal was struck.
Elder Oak stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes meeting Nyx's with a newfound respect. "You know," he said, his voice low and measured, "I don't think tall tales of your workshop and creations will be traveling very far outside of this village."
Nyx nodded slowly, reading between the lines of Oak's carefully chosen words. The implication was clear the elder would ensure that any gossip about Nyx's magical innovations would remain strictly within the confines of their small community. It was an unspoken pact, and a gesture of trust.
"I appreciate your discretion," Nyx replied, matching Oak's tone.
The old man's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. "Oh, I'm sure I can have a word with the others. You'd be surprised how little our village chatter tends to travel."
As they walked together towards the main driveway, the setting sun casting long shadows across the farm, Nyx felt a sense of relief wash over him. Oak's promise of secrecy was a valuable commodity, one that would allow him to continue his work without fear of unwanted attention.
"The carts and horses," Elder Oak said as they reached the end of the path, his voice carrying a note of finality, "they'll be here first thing tomorrow morning."
Nyx nodded, appreciating the elder's promptness. In the fading light of day, the two men faced each other, a moment of mutual understanding passing between them. Without a word, they extended their hands, clasping them in a firm handshake.
The simple gesture carried the weight of their agreement a promise of discretion, an exchange of resources, and a strengthening of community ties. As their hands parted, both Nyx and Elder Oak knew that the deal was well and truly sealed, bound not just by words, but by the age-old tradition of a handshake between men of honor.
Nyx watched as the elder made his way back towards the village, the weight of their agreement settling comfortably between them. It was a reminder that in this small corner of the world, Nyx had found not just a home, but allies who understood the value of discretion.
As weeks of tireless work passed, Nyx's ambitious underground base project finally reached completion. The excavation had transformed the earth beneath his farm into a secret sanctuary, a testament to his growing mechanical prowess and ingenuity.
The heart of the complex was a small main hall, cleverly designed to double back towards the farmhouse above. This winding approach added an extra layer of security, making the base's true extent difficult to gauge from the entrance.
At the corridor's end lay what was once a humble root cellar, now expanded into a spacious 3-meter squared room. Nyx couldn't help but smile, remembering their initial excitement over the simple dirt dugout they'd first discovered. The transformation was remarkable.
Branching off from the root cellar, a new corridor led towards the living quarters of Nyx's loyal retainers. In recent weeks, they'd thrown themselves into a friendly competition, using the old map of magical herb locations Nyx had given them. Their enthusiasm for herb-gathering had proven unexpectedly fierce. Turning into a competition to see who could gather the most. They were also extremely helpful in the village water-well digging project as too.
The main hall gave access to several key chambers. A generously proportioned room, measuring 12 by 3 meters, stood ready for future projects. Adjacent to this, Nyx had created a modest library, 9 by 3 meters in size. Here, he'd relocated his impressive collection of books, arranging them on sturdy adobe brick shelves. The sight of his accumulated knowledge, now properly organized, filled him with a sense of accomplishment.
The crown jewel of the complex was an immense chamber, stretching 60 meters wide with a soaring 6-meter ceiling. There was a balcony at one end that over looked the chamber. As Nyx stood in this cavernous space, his mind raced with possibilities for its use.
Surveying his completed underground base, Nyx felt a surge of pride. What had begun as a fanciful idea had become a reality, a secret world beneath his farm.