As the frost giants' corpses were dragged away, the bloody smell finally gradually dissipated from the battlefield.
But for Vaerik, the true goal of this operation was just beginning: mining magical marrow.
Magical marrow, as a core material for explosive alchemical substances, was extremely rare.
Even in the entire Northern Province, or the entire Iron Blood Empire, such mineral deposits were few and far between.
Fortunately, this deposit was buried very deep, so it had never been discovered; otherwise, it wouldn't have fallen to Vaerik.
And if not for the guidance of the Daily Intelligence System, Vaerik would never have found it.
Knights guarded the perimeter while a team of residents, holding iron picks, gloves, and simple protective gear, slowly entered the mining area, beginning to carefully excavate.
Shovel after shovel of rubble was dug away, and with a crisp "ding," the deep purple crystal hidden beneath the mineral layer finally revealed a corner.
It was a mineral emitting a faint glow, radiating mysterious energy waves.
"Take a small portion first, according to Hilco's suggestions, to adjust the magical soil formula," Vaerik instructed. "Seal the rest for now."
He didn't rush to order large-scale mining.
After all, this required professional personnel—tunnel reinforcement, mining techniques, alchemical refining—none of these were easily solved.
In the letter he had previously sent to his father, he specifically mentioned these needs.
If his father was willing to send talented people to assist, that would be the best scenario.
Otherwise, Vaerik would have to find ways to recruit experienced craftsmen from outside.
...
Spring sunlight fell on the farmland of the Crimson Tide Domain, the breeze carrying the fresh scent of new sprouts.
Vaerik stood at a high point, overlooking this land gradually returning to life.
A few weeks ago, this was a newly sown wasteland.
Now rye had broken through the soil, potato buds peeked above ground, and turnip seedlings swayed gently in the wind.
"It seems this year's harvest shouldn't be too bad," a satisfied smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Just then, urgent footsteps came from the distance.
Mike hurried over, carrying a bit of nervousness.
Although he had successfully proposed, he hadn't formally reported to the lord yet.
As a former slave, Mike still harbored a certain fear of masters.
Although he was now a free person, in his view, matters of marriage still needed the master's approval.
What if Vaerik was unwilling? What if he disapproved?
These thoughts circled in Mike's mind, making his steps heavier than usual.
However, before he could speak, Vaerik already showed a faint smile and said loudly: "Mike, congratulations on your successful proposal."
Mike was completely stunned.
He hadn't said anything yet! How did the lord know?!
Shock, fear, disbelief—various emotions churned in his heart, and he even instinctively wanted to kneel.
However, a fair hand steadied him.
Vaerik frowned, his tone brooking no argument: "Mike, you're now the Agricultural Superintendent. Stop kneeling all the time."
Mike suddenly came to his senses, his eyes slightly reddening, his lips moving as if wanting to say something.
But he was interrupted by a gift handed over by Vaerik.
It was two smoked fish.
Tied with a thin string, even with a crooked butterfly knot.
Mike was stunned.
"This is a wedding gift," Vaerik said plainly. "Although money is tight recently, I still think I should give a little something."
"..."
Mike gripped this gift tightly, his lips trembling, and finally couldn't hold back; tears fell drop by drop.
He had never imagined that he would be blessed by the lord like this.
He had thought he would need to carefully request the lord's consent, perhaps be reprimanded, or even be required to pay some price.
"Stop crying," Vaerik patted Mike's shoulder. "Isn't this a good thing?"
Mike sniffled, nodding desperately, trying to calm himself down.
"Alright, adjust your emotions. I have important matters to discuss with you."
Hearing this, Mike took a deep breath, wiped away his tears, and stood straight: "Please instruct me!"
Vaerik tilted his head slightly, gesturing for him to look behind.
Mike instinctively looked in that direction, and then his eyes widened suddenly, taking a sharp breath.
Four enormous bodies lay by the farmland, their broken forms hacked full of wounds. The frost-covered skin had begun to melt, revealing dark blue flesh.
"These... such large corpses..." Mike's Adam's apple bobbed, and it took him a while to find his voice.
"Don't be dazed, I want you to process these corpses into fertilizer," Vaerik smiled.
"Fer-fertilizer?" Mike was so shocked he almost bit his tongue.
When had he ever heard of using frost giants' corpses as fertilizer?!
But Vaerik's tone carried a certain matter-of-factness: "Frost giants' muscles are rich in minerals. Put to good use, they might bring miraculous effects to crops."
Mike's mouth twitched, but his brain had already started running at high speed, considering how to process these four "fertilizer mountains."
But his shock hadn't completely subsided when Vaerik's next words made his mind tense again.
"And this," Vaerik took out a small cloth bag from his coat, solemnly handing it to Mike.
The bag contained half of the Frost Blood Crimson Berry seeds. Because they were so precious, Vaerik didn't dare risk everything; he could only tentatively cultivate a portion first.
The reason for entrusting them to Mike was because the intelligence system had once mentioned that Mike possessed an amazing talent for planting.
Vaerik believed that as long as he gave him the planting method, Mike would grow them at least several times better than himself.
Mike hurriedly reached out to receive it, carefully opening it to find what looked like ordinary fruit seeds.
"What... what are these..."
"Frost Blood Crimson Berry seeds," Vaerik didn't explain in detail. "Anyway, they're extremely valuable, one seed worth several hundred gold coins."
Mike's eyes suddenly widened, his breathing becoming rapid.
One seed could buy several hundred slaves like himself!
"These things... you're entrusting them to me?" Mike's hands were shaking a bit, afraid that one careless moment might ruin these precious seeds.
Vaerik nodded and said: "These seeds are very rare and must be carefully cultivated. If you have any problems, you can come to me anytime.
I've already had people research suitable magical soil formulas, but it still needs time. So your task now is to first bury these seeds in ice to develop their activity."
"Y-yes!" Mike hurriedly cradled the seeds carefully. "I will definitely take good care of them, absolutely won't let them suffer any damage!"
Just then, a guard came running, saying to Vaerik: "My lord, the girl we rescued before has woken up."