Iron mine

  The night had passed, and Eldric woke up the next morning. He was happy for not only had the sigil and everything else been completed he had gotten a system notification that left him stunned. Remembering what had appeared made Eldric dance around in joy- well, obviously in his thoughts. 

*Ding* 

Hidden Mission completed 

Congratulations to the House of Snow for creating their own sigil and motto. 

Reward: Iron Mine 

Even though it could not directly affect their strength, if they could finish the forge and start producing iron weapons and tools the construction and mining as well as hunting would go exceptionally smoothly. 

So once more, the group was gathered but today the group was divided so that only two people did most of the cleaning chores and other tasks so that the majority could focus on finishing the forge. And with the addition of the knights, it went extremely quickly. In one morning thanks to the physical strength the knights possessed they were able to finally finish the forge, now they only needed to find the mine, but Eldric was in no hurry as they prepared for their hunt. 

The hunt this time was another big haul as with Galen and the groups strength they killed a pair of Thunderhoof Bisons. They are known for their massive, hulking frame and powerful hooves. They roam the mountains in herds, their hooves creating thunderous echoes in the valleys. These majestic beasts are adorned with magnificent, spiraling horns that crackle with electricity during storms. They are seen as a symbol of strength and resilience in the mountainous realm. 

And the group had killed two mid stage dire beast cubs. That in itself was a feat, the Bisons were caught all alone which was strange considering that they usually roamed in herds. But thanks to that, the group was able to kill them. Every dire beast meat would not help boost a knight's senses or energy, but it could help with their physiques, to polish and sublime them and for lower-level knight it could boost the bodies' function and only raises its strength by a little. 

Nonetheless everything went quite well, and the night was once more a joyous occasion as they laughed and ate. And just like every other night it passed. The next morning Eldric woke up to the morning rays that shone into the cavern. The sound of birds could be heard singing. 

He slowly got used to the sun and walked toward the House through the cavern tunnel. As soon as he appeared in the House, Lachlan's shout reached his ears. "Eldric! Eldric!" Eldric saw Lachlan rushing towards him and asked," What's the matter?" 

"Come quick! We found an Iron mine!" As soon as Eldric heard the words, he remembered his reward and a smile crept up on his face. He quickly followed Lachlan to an area passed the crop fields and there a group of people could be seen standing. Eldric approached and they all greeted him. He greeted back and asked Caspian for the details," How big is it?" 

"It is incomparably huge; I have never seen such a big mine" he said with excitement. "That's good. How long before you could start forging?" 

"As soon as you give me a few pieces." he said. "Then what are you able to forge?" Eldric asked as he had never asked, and he was curious. "I can forge all the hand tools and farm tools we need, but I will need blueprints for weapons and armor. Lucky for you I have a weapon blueprint for an axe, spear and sword all of which are Rank 1 mid-grade weapon blueprints. I unfortunately have no armor blueprint." Caspian said. 

"Armor blueprint?" Eldric stared dumbstruck at Caspian as he finally remembered that the system had given him an armor blueprint as a reward. "I have one, it's a rank 1 high grade armor." he said as he took out a piece of blue paper and gave it to Caspian. 

Caspian was left speechless as he stared at the blueprint in his hand. He did not how Eldric could have an armor blueprint, but he refrained from asking and only examined it. "It's a wonderful piece of armor. Whoever created such armor was quite a craftsman." he commented. 

"That's good. Then since we have finally finished the forge and we have an iron mine I suggest we get to work. How quicker we can get iron ore the quicker we can get some better equipment. 

"Aye!" They all shouted and immediately went to work. Eldric turned to Caspian and said, "Go to your forge and prepare for some ores to come your way soon." 

Caspian left without delay and the men started working and by the time afternoon came by, they were able to send Caspian a big load of iron ore that they mined. Caspian had said that if all went smoothly all the proper steel and iron tools would be finished tomorrow with this number of ores and that he could then start on their weapons and armor. 

Then when they were finished mining, they went on the hunt, but this time without much success. "Patriarch, I noticed that the number of wild animals had decreased substantially and seeing the tracks we found through the woods I think dire beasts have begun to set their eyes on the basin." Evander said. 

"Aye, Patriarch I agree. Something is ever chasing away the wild beasts or it is eating them all. I think before we go hunting tomorrow let me and Solen go investigate the surroundings. We don't want a repeat of the first time." Galen suggested. 

After some thinking Eldric agreed with Galen, "Fine, only you and Solen shall go. But you must stay out of harm's way, report back anything that could endanger us immediately."