"Clang! Clang! Ding! Ding!"

In the pitch-black mine, a group of bestialized townspeople swung their pickaxes, chipping away vigorously at the hard rock.

Nordix patrolled back and forth, constantly bellowing to correct the miners' techniques.

"Don't dig like that! You'll break the vein, fool!"

"Follow the grain of the stone! Yes, just like that, saves effort and goes faster!"

"You lazy oaf! No slacking off! Get back to work!"

After one round of patrols, the parched Nordix returned to the back, fanning his face with his palm while grumbling.

"These miners are truly dimwitted, though their strength is their sole virtue, albeit attained by shortening their lifespans."

Charina frowned upon hearing this: "Can your bestialization arts not be undone?"

These bestialized people were all Moonview residents, kin and countrymen. She could ignore one or two, but the entire town bestialized was simply horrifying.

Had she not temporarily needed the Frost Dwarves' might, she would have tortured out the counter spell long ago.

Yet Nordix just shook his head: "As you should know, this is sorcery, a power granted by our god. So once bestialized, it cannot be undone."

Charina was somewhat taken aback: "So many divine arts?"

In comparison, the last time the Golden God had bestowed magics so extensively was three hundred years ago.

But Nordix misunderstood her meaning, assuming she doubted the origins of the sorcery.

He chuckled: "A thousand years ago, your Golden God did possess peerless great power. But much time has passed, and others are not fools either. We can learn from observation as well, heh heh."

Upon hearing this, Charina's complexion paled slightly, fortunately hidden by her mask, escaping Nordix's notice.

He continued on his own: "Of course, true gods who wield mighty forces are still few. Most gods today remain as they were a millennium ago. Like the one hidden in these mines, I feel he has no flashy tricks."

Yet Charina slightly shook her head: "Even so, he remains a god, not to be underestimated."

"You speak true. Gods do grasp power far beyond what we mortals can reach. We must not make light of them," Nordix conceded.

Suddenly looking left and right, he exclaimed after a pause: "Where's that creepy child? Don't see him around?"

Speaking of Rosen, Charina finally regained some confidence.

"Rosen has not just great power, but outstanding intellect. Whatever you can conceive of, he has already considered."

"So I advise you against any crooked ideas, lest you forfeit your life."

Caught out on his thoughts, Nordix awkwardly laughed: "What crooked ideas? You overthink, madam."

"Humph!" Charina coldly scoffed.

Just then, a crashing sound came from up ahead, immediately followed by a damp, chilled gale blowing their way.

Nordix was overjoyed: "Broke through! Broke through!"

He ran over and bellowed loudly: "Quickly! Prop up the timbers! Don't waste any of the rocks either! Yes, prop them all up, careful with the vibrations!"

Under his direction, the bestialized townspeople swiftly reinforced the mine shaft.

Charina was also greatly invigorated. Taking a torch, she slowly walked to the frontmost spot before stopping, carefully inspecting the newly opened tunnel mouth.

The mouth was still small, barely over half a meter high, but was rapidly being widened. Beyond was dense darkness, with naught visible, as if even torchlight could not penetrate it.

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It was as if that tunnel led straight to Hell.

Charina's heart quivered as she unconsciously prayed: "God~ Please guide me~ Please grant me courage to advance~"

After about an hour, the tunnel mouth was fully reinforced. Nordix came running back, excitedly announcing: "I've succeeded in breaking through for you, now it's time you uphold your end of the bargain."

Charina shook her head: "Nordix, if I remember right, my promise was helping you deal with the evil god, not just digging an outer passage."

Nordix was instantly furious: "Damn you! That wasn't what you said before! You only mentioned digging through!"

"Fine, let me make this clear, I'm going back on my word," Charina stated bluntly.

"I not only need you to dig through, but have you and your bestialized townspeople help me against the evil god."

Nordix howled angrily: "Despicable! Shameless! Just like your gods!"

Charina let him curse his fill.

She sighed: "I know this is underhanded of me, and that I'm forcing you to help against your will, and you may not even fight with full effort."

"But first calm down and hear the full truth from me. If after listening you still insist on leaving, then go in peace."

Seeing her thus, Nordix took a deep breath, forcing down his rage: "Speak!"

Charina said gently: "This evil god's divine name is King of Endless Winter. His true form is an ancient tree."

"An extremely cruel archaic god, his roots traverse an ancient battlefield, drawing might from the hot blood of fallen warriors. He drains not just the life force of their flesh, but also the souls of the dead soldiers. If our two tribes erupt into war, then the spirits and bodies of our warriors will become nourishment for this wicked god."

Nordix's expression shifted: "You speak true?"

"The temple records of ancient history state thus," Charina affirmed.

"As Beast King, you are also your tribe's high priest. If need be, you could contact your Frost Emperor. Perhaps he could confirm the answer."

"Humph! I was just about to seek revelation from our god," Nordix harrumphed.

Turning, he strode to a corner of the mine and heavily knelt down, clutching the beast bone talisman around his neck. He then fell silent.

Roughly ten minutes later, he got back up and returned, anger drained from his face.

"Fortune smiles upon you, as my god bade me continue alongside you."

"Excellent! Time is short, so let's prepare now the tunnel is opened!" Charina declared, blowing hard on a whistle.

Nordix also gave a piercing whistle, summoning the white wolf.

Before long, Captain Hamill leading the Silver Moon Rangers, Phillip at the head of 5 exorcist knights, and Rosen all came hurrying over.

Everyone was fully armed and vigorous, clearly having made ample preparations.

The white wolf also arrived. After gorging on meat these past two days, not only were its nose wounds completely healed, but its whole body was bulkier.

Seeing all present, Charina briefly reiterated their continued cooperation, then looked to Rosen: "Sorcerer, how are you? Rested well?"

Rosen smiled slightly, his gaze brilliantly sparkling in the torchlight: "Couldn't be better."

He had made every possible preparation.

Two days of ample rest had increased his mana a bit, and his mastery of various spells greatly improved, with casting ability steadily reaching five stars and striding towards six.

Plus, with high-tier wisdom potions and the Silver Moon Focusing Sword aiding him, he should be able to exert tremendous combat power.

Lastly, he had secretly scavenged over a dozen top-grade moonlight gems from the various mine shafts, totalling over 200 silvers in value.

Of course, the Silver Moon Rangers and exorcist knights had done likewise, with Charina voicing no objections.

Seeing all gathered, Charina waved and loudly ordered: "Excellent! Light torches and march!"

The party, except for Rosen, each held a torch. Moving in single file, they headed towards the main mine district.

Along the way, Charina continued: "Captain Hamill, Phillip, your main duty is protecting Rosen's safety, even at the cost of your lives. Understand?"

"Yes, Lady Charina," the two warriors responded in unison.

Rosen keenly observed that Phillip's voice held some perfunctoriness, merely going through the motions of duty. But Captain Hamill was utterly serious, clearly wholehearted.

'When it counts, looks like I'll have to rely on Captain Hamill.'

Charina also instructed Rosen: "Conserve your mana as much as possible along the way. If issues crop up, let the warriors handle them first. Only act if truly beyond their ability."

"Alright."

Charina then addressed Nordix: "Beast King, you are not my subordinate, so I will not command you. I only hope you retain the same convictions as us, absolutely not letting our warriors become nourishment for the evil god."

Nordix nodded: "Have no fear, I will do my utmost."

He then whistled sharply at the bestialized townspeople and roared: "Dullards! Charge ahead! Scout the path for me!"

At the same time, the white wolf let out a howl.

The 60-odd bestialized townspeople immediately rushed forward, serving as fearless pathfinders.

This move left a bad taste in Charina's mouth, but no better options existed presently.

Soon the party passed through the newly dug tunnel into the main mining shaft.

The tunnel instantly widened, with most passages over five meters high and ten-plus meters wide. Many spots had natural fissures that were tens of meters high, like underground canyons.

Walking in such spacious underground made everyone seem so tiny, with the torchlight as insignificant as fireflies, barely lighting five or six meters around them.

A wind from unknown origin, very strong and chilled, also carrying a lingering bloody stench, blew at the oil torches, making the flames flicker on the verge of being extinguished.

The erratic illumination made it nearly impossible to proceed in the dark mine.

Fortunately, everyone came prepared.

Charina issued new orders: "Switch to miner's lamps."

The limited lamp oil and lamps were originally meant as backup to the torches. But that idea clearly wasn't practical now.

With the lamps, the light steadied somewhat, and everyone picked up speed.

After walking for over half an hour, shrill screams suddenly came from up ahead, followed by more, then a constant flurry.

Nordix bellowed: "Battle's joined! Something ahead!"

Charina tightened her grip on the steel crossbow. "Ready for combat!"

(Chapter end)