The Umbrilium Mining Facility
Falael rose to his feet, motioning for Bell to come along. The trio, comprised of Bell, Falael, and Hanna, exited the meeting room and made their way through the corridors of the townhall. They descended a flight of wooden stairs, their footsteps resonating within the historic building.
As they stepped outside the townhall, Bell couldn't help but notice that the snowfall had grown heavier, draping the cobblestone streets in a thick, pristine white quilt. The armed patrols continued their vigilant rounds, well-prepared for any potential husk threats that might emerge amidst the wintry landscape, thanks to their sturdy cold-weather gear.
Falael and Hanna mounted their horses, while Bell hopped into the JLTV where Eldrin eagerly awaited. The vehicle trailed behind the horses, effortlessly plowing through any snow in its path.
Finally, they reached a spacious, desolate area situated to the north of the town. No houses surrounded it, and it bore no resemblance to any residential area. It was merely an expansive plot of land.
"How far is this place from the town?" Bell inquired.
"About forty kilometers, give or take," Eldrin replied.
"That's a bit farther than I expected," Bell noted.
"This spot has its advantages, Bell. According to the RAA, there's a risk of attacks from the Southern Coalition through the port, so it's a good idea to put some distance between us and the port," Eldrin explained.
"Our FOB is about thirty kilometers away, right?"
"That's correct."
"Alright, I'll take my leave then, Bell. After all, the husk wiping session isn't finished yet."
"No problem, see you later," Bell exited Eldrin's vehicle.
After stepping out of the vehicle, Bell and Hanna walked side by side toward the empty plot of land. Hanna had mentioned that this vacant land was a hotspot for Umbrilium.
However, when it came to deciding what should be built first, Bell had little to no idea. Managing civil affairs at this level was unfamiliar territory for him. Nevertheless, he knew that this blank canvas held great potential for the town in the long run.
"Do you have any proposals for me, Hanna? I believe Sylva might have briefed you," Bell inquired.
As they surveyed the snowy expanse, Hanna shared her proposals with Bell, who had them open on his phone in PDF format. "We'll need a team of 30 experts, including geologists, engineers, and safety officers," she began. "For the mining operation, we estimate that sophisticated equipment costing around 15 million EPs is essential. Additionally, constructing support facilities like an admin building and worker housing will come to about 5 million EPs. We must also upgrade transportation routes and procure heavy vehicles, which will cost roughly 3 million EPs. So, the total comes to around 25 million EPs, at the very least."
"And what about the personnel? I don't think 30 people will be enough to manage this spot," Bell asked, referring to the attachment of the proposal on his phone.
Hanna concurred with Bell's observation. "This figure includes miners, machinery operators, logistics, and support staff. Hiring locals can help reduce costs and benefit the community. In total, a team of 270 people will ensure efficient and sustainable operations, from extraction to administration."
"And how much will that cost me?" Bell inquired further.
"At the very least, forty million EPs," Hanna replied.
"EPs? Sylva briefed you quite thoroughly, didn't she?" Bell remarked.
"The girl you sent is very persuasive," Hanna commented.
"Rossovento?" Bell confirmed.
"Yes, that's the one," Hanna replied.
Hanna and Bell distanced themselves from Falael, giving the elf some space so they could discuss the proposition privately. Whether they liked it or not, Sylva's intervention in town administration had played a crucial role in making this all happen.
Strangely enough, Hanna welcomed the system with open arms, primarily because of its sheer power, especially in terms of transforming individuals into an educated workforce. She also saw the potential for personal gain by further exploiting it.
"How did you end up here, Hanna?" Bell inquired.
"It's a long story, but the demonic refugees all flocked into the town," Hanna explained.
"And they chose you as their representative?" Bell asked.
"That's correct," Hanna nodded.
"That's fortunate."
Turning the conversation to Umbrilium, Bell asked, "What's so special about it?" He had a rough idea that this mineral or ore held great value, potentially enough for Saven to sustain itself just by selling it. However, he was curious about its uses and how he could make the most of it, especially since he wasn't familiar with Umbrilium.
"To put it simply, Umbrilium is compacted aether with numerous ways to exploit it," Hanna replied. "A single piece the size of a glass can easily power an entire city. Currently, some traders from the south want to purchase it, and we should meet their demand."
Bell's warning bells began to ring. The idea of selling something like Umbrilium to the Southern Coalition was almost as unthinkable as selling modern weapons to them. Compacted aether had various applications, and typically, it was obtained through sacrifices from living beings.
Aether could be used to summon more undead, cast advanced magical spells that usually required human sacrifices, or even serve as an explosive payload in bombs and similar devices. In essence, providing such a resource to the Southern Coalition could be incredibly dangerous.
"Wait, are you telling me that you are selling it to them?" Bell inquired.
"Do we have a choice?" Hanna shrugged, then proceeded to show Bell the area surrounding the town. "To be completely honest, it's nearly impossible to sustain life here without some form of external intervention."
Considering Hanna's consistent focus on the well-being of civilians, Bell understood her perspective. Aligning with the Southern Coalition would likely be seen as a beneficial move, as it would prevent them from viewing the town as an enemy and potentially protect it from military intervention, which could spell disaster.
"I grasp the urgency of the situation, but my Federation, our Federation, won't readily accept any agreements with the Southern Coalition, especially given what they've done to us," Bell emphasized.
"What have they done to you?" Hanna inquired.
"They nearly wiped us off the map," Bell revealed.
"Goodness..." Hanna muttered.
"Indeed. Hanna, please don't tell me that the ship in the harbor belongs to one of the Southern Coalition kingdoms," Bell warned.
Hanna scratched her head. "You see..."
"I knew it," Bell sighed. "So, what do you plan to do with that particular ship?"
"We can leave it for now. After all, we're not trading Umbrilium with them yet, right?" Bell asked.
"No, we're not," Hanna confirmed.
"Good, let's keep it that way. I don't mind civilian trade," Bell stated firmly.
"Sure thing, Bell. Now, regarding the mine, are you willing to grant me access to the system?" Hanna inquired.
Bell hesitated for a moment. The system could only be used by officers who had undergone instant training through his system, which meant he would need to use the system on Hanna. However, he wasn't sure whether Hanna would be willing to join the military or not. Eldrin and Aurora were necessary additions for security, but Hanna posed a different question altogether.
Eldrin and Aurora enjoyed a degree of autonomy, yet they had yet to disagree with Bell. In contrast, Hanna frequently disagreed with him, particularly when it came to budgeting. His biggest concern was whether integrating her with the system would strip her of her autonomy. It was a pressing fear.
"What?" Hanna asked.
"You'll need to be integrated into the system itself. The thing is, I'm uncertain whether it's for the best or the worst," Bell explained.
"Are you worried that I'll lose my free will?" Hanna questioned.
"Yeah," Bell admitted.
"Don't be. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages by a long shot," Hanna assured him.
"Fine," Bell reluctantly agreed.
[Specialized Personnel Sub-Menu][Input Code: ___ ][EP: 704,720,000][Experience: ◄Veteran►]
Senior Officer of Public Administrations [Assign: Hanna Zinseszinsler]
[Train All Soldiers] [10,000,000 EP + 30,000 EP For Equipment + 92,800 EP For Training]
With the press of a button, Hanna vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of her presence. She would undergo paramilitary training, along with whatever "Veteran" entailed in the broader context. Whether he liked it or not, when it came to civil affairs, Bell preferred to have Hanna as his second-in-command.
[48:00:00]
Now, all that remained was to wait. Falael looked on in awe, but ultimately nodded. In his mind, he may have perceived it as a potent magic unique to the demonic race.
For the time being, Bell would direct Hanna's primary focus towards enhancing public infrastructure. Once that was in order, he could shift his attention to building the mine and the factory. Beyond those endeavors, he would attempt to persuade Falael to join the Federation as an ally. The town's port could be its greatest asset, as long as they refrained from trading weapons with the Southern Coalition.