301 Fortune Favors The Bold? (1/2)

Amidst the piles of black ash and rock-solid soil of the underground space below the dormant World Tree, palace guards and regular soldiers alike gathered before several simple constructs of rope lifts that could take them back to the surface.

Their group was tasked with exploring the unknown underground and collecting various items of value from this designated region.

Few archeologists dedicated to the study of ancient history and relics were transferred over from the Capital to join them during this period while the rest of the kingdom was busy with other concerns.

Lilith had become especially popular among these archeologists due to her profound knowledge of the ancient language.

The archeologists relied heavily on Lilith for simple translation of the ancient texts and relics unearthed in the underground and did not discriminate against her for being a beastkin.

Over time, Lilith was nominated as the head archeologist of their exploration group and enjoyed great respect from the archeologists despite her young age.

In any, when a person is passionate about their area of study, they do not concern themselves with the seniority of one's age and only have respect for the wiser.

To them, greater knowledge was the true representation of seniority and not age. The group of archeologists was precisely like this.

Lilith felt like she had found a place among the humans and fitted right in, but she knew that her current treatment and privilege were all thanks to Leon.

As she thought about Leon, she felt warm and gratified. She wondered what Leon was up to and when he would be returning to the World Tree.

”Stay in line and stick to your group! Do not fall out of order! There is no need to rush. Everyone will get their turn to use the rope lift!”

A palace guard strictly warned to keep the rowdy bunch from falling into chaos.

During this exploration and excavation period, there were two instances where they had overloaded the rope lift and caused a bunch of injuries due to the vine rope of the rope lift snapping.

It was fortunate that the accident occurred relatively early. Otherwise, no one would have been able to survive the full dive of over 3000fts.

Watching the rope lifts finished their returning descent, a palace guard said, ”The rope lifts are back. The next group may proceed forward to use the rope lift. I do not think I need to mention this again, but please follow all the safety precautions to prevent another accident.”

No one stepped forward after the palace guard made his announcement, causing the palace guard in charge to frown slightly.

”Group Three, that is your call. Please proceed to use rope lift!”

Everyone began to look around with confusion when no one stepped forward after this second call.

”Sir, Group Three is not here.” An ordinary soldier from the crowd informed.

”Alright, Group Four may proceed to use the rope lifts.” The palace guard strictly issued.

The depths of the subterranean world were unknown, and they could not account for every danger lurking.

That being said, a list of designated zones that were considered relatively safe has already been established. As long as no one left this designated zone, no punishment would be meted out for tardiness.

”Nice, it's our to turn to leave. Let's go, everyone.” Said a person within Group Four.

Large leather and hard grass-woven bags were seen being carried in each of their hands. These bags contained various items ranging from ancient relics, Transcendent Crystals, and books to black ashes, exotic earth soil, and identifiable clumps of alloys.

As every group eventually made their way back to the surface and hand in their loots to keep inventory, they were returned to their camps to prepare for dinner and rest for the day.

”Thank you for your hard work, Howard. Was there any problem with today's work?” A palace guard asked, seeing how the palace guard in charge of the underground returned later than usual.

The palace guard, Howard, smiled wryly and retorted, ”What hard work? All I did was stand around, giving orders all day. I'd take this job over looking after his Highness any day. There wasn't any problem, Jack. Just Group Three being tardy again.”

”Group Three? Them again?” Jack wrinkled his brows and said, ”Might as well let them spend the night down there. That will teach them not to be late again.”

”That was exactly what I was planning.” Howard smiled.

The two palace guards talked as they made their way over to the storage area. This was where all the loots were packaged into crates and stored away after they had been accounted for.

”We have collected quite a lot of items from the underground, haven't we? There isn't much room left. We might have to expand the storage area.” Howard commented as he glanced at the crates stacked as high as twice his own height.

”Nah, that probably won't be necessary. I heard we will be getting an airship to transfer these goodies back to the Capital tomorrow.” Jack explained.