To corroborate her claim,
Susie focused intently, her claws pressing against the ground.
As the magic power elements resonated, the surrounding soil entered a state of minor frequency vibration, becoming faster and faster, until translucent crystal stones of varying sizes emerged from the ground, piling into a small heap.
In just a few minutes, the mined spirit crystal ore included chunks as big as a baby’s fist, with the smallest even finer than grains of sand.
Gaven had every reason to believe that all the spirit crystal stones in the land just vibrated by Susie had been completely sifted out.
Not only were Gaven’s eyes wide with awe, but Zack, also a gnoll, was utterly dumbfounded.
This mining method completely surpassed their understanding.
Taking a deep breath, Susie gathered the sifted spirit crystals, held them in her palm, and handed them to Gaven, saying, "This is called crystal resonance screening. It is a technique we at the Pitfall developed over the past century to mine spirit crystal stones, ensuring a one hundred percent retrieval rate."
"Can all your tribespeople do what Leader Susie just did? Sift crystal stones directly from the earth?" Zack inquired eagerly.
"That’s not possible," Susie shook her head and said, "There are only a few who can achieve this extent. But if we excavate the earth and multiple people cooperate, it can be done. Our mining technique is a combination of physical extraction and spell-based screening."
"Leader Susie, you should have told me earlier about your tribe’s unique mining method. If I had known sooner, I would have taken back the spirit crystal mine and entrusted it to your tribe for mining," Gaven spoke earnestly.
Susie modestly replied, "Our Pitfall has escaped annihilation with your help, Leader. We are alEnjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform."
Gaven made a dismissive gesture, "Let’s not dwell on that. Your nature is different from that of the goblins. You’re not just mining here, you are also taking root, turning this place into a fortress, a bastion. This will become Blackwell’s strategic depth, and in times of war, this will be the stronghold of the Blackwell Tribe."
Hearing this, Susie’s expression grew solemn, feeling the weight of the task on her shoulders, "Don’t worry, Leader. We promise to make this place another Pitfall. As long as our people are here, we won’t let it fall."
Having spent time together, Susie had long realized that this young half-elf before her was playing a grand strategy, and they were but pieces in his game.
When she led the Pitfall Tribe to relocate here, her move was made, with no way back, only forward.
"Good," Gaven turned to Zack and said, "Can you spare two hundred miners from your side to come here and help the Pitfall with the mining?"
"No problem, I’ll see to it as soon as I return," Zack swiftly replied.
With the Leader’s explicit instructions, difficulties had to be overcome.
"Leader, we don’t need, we..."
Gaven cut off Susie, "Leader Susie, the Pitfall Tribe’s ability to swiftly create traps is very useful to us. They will be needed in many places, and who knows when we might have to call on a large number of your people for assistance. Mining here can’t just stop then, right? These two hundred miners will be transferred here to stay permanently, aiding you with regular mining operations."
After pausing briefly, Gaven continued, "The population of the Pitfall Tribe should have increased. It’s good to maintain pure bloodlines, but such a slow pace of development. Even if it means sacrificing a bit of bloodline purity for a sufficient population base, it’s acceptable. These two hundred miners are just the beginning; more will be gradually sent your way. In future allocations, I’ll prioritize those who have awakened the Earth Series Dragon Seeking Ability."
Initially, Gaven preserved the Pitfall Tribe’s independence due to their innate stone and earth control abilities.
After learning much of this ability stemmed from postnatal modifications from the Dragon Seeking Ritual Ceremony, his perspective shifted.
Sometimes, quantity has a more significant effect than quality.
"Leader has thought this through carefully; we will give this serious consideration," Susie clearly had her plans.
"The first batch of supplies will arrive tomorrow morning. You just need to proceed boldly; leave the logistics to me," Gaven promised.
"We will follow the Leader’s arrangements in all things."
Although Gaven would not control the Pitfall Tribe’s neck with food rations as he initially did with the goblins, the supply would not be unlimited; it would be distributed as needed, with a minor delivery every ten days and a major delivery every month.
The mode of resource allocation from the Blackwell Tribe would only last for a while. Once the Pitfall Tribe was fully settled, certain things, like Bitterleaf Oil, would need to be self-sufficient, managed locally.
The goblins’ downfall at the Spirit Crystal Mine and the Hobgoblin Tribe Blood Claw’s hasty escape,
had elevated Blackwell Tribe’s reputation among the surrounding Gnoll Tribes to new heights.
The Blackwell Tribe saw another surge in population growth; within just two ten-day periods, eight Gnoll Tribes migrated to join, nearly increasing the population by eight hundred.
Gaven allocated the new population to the Pitfall Tribe at an eight-to-one ratio, choosing personnel inclined towards trap-setting and mining professions.