Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 218 The Haunted Gold Mine

After a fierce battle, you successfully defeated the illusionary spirit and seized the haunted gold mine.

Haunted Gold Mine (Level 3 Resource Site): Converts 2000 Cursed Gold Coins per night. This gold mine is haunted by ghosts, which will reduce the maximum health of living beings. If enough undead reside here, convert an additional 1000 Cursed Gold Coins.

The gold mine is shrouded in a night sky, making it impossible for enemies to discover the resource site by using magic to observe the land or scout; they must get close to observe it.

Comment: Rumor has it that someone died here, and gold stained with blood is even more valuable.

"3000 spell power coins!"

Liliana stared in disbelief at the information about the resource location condensed by magical energy.

She wasn't a complete novice anymore; she had a certain understanding of the resource production in Kuraki. Where could there be such a high-yield gold mine? It might not even be found in the entire kingdom.

As for the inability of living beings to exist, surely the undead can? This place clearly needs graveyard units to act as miners and fortifications. As for a sufficient number, surely that won't be a problem for a hero with necromancy?

"500? No! 1000 skeleton soldiers! Leave this to me!"

Seeing Liliana take on so much, Su Mu waved his hand and said, "Just leave 500 skeleton soldiers. Go north and find a city in Isildur. Once you've converted enough, bring them over."

3000 gold coins is indeed a huge sum, but Su Mu values ​​the ability to conceal his wealth even more.

Hero magic can detect underground resource sites. The ability to see through the earth is a level 1 magic, which is quite useful and many heroes possess it.

Therefore, in the current national war, all resource locations within the kingdom are open secrets, making them key targets for Isildur's attacks and occupation. Especially during the Gold Rush month, with gold mines appearing frequently, Isildur will undoubtedly plunder these resources.

The haunted gold mine inherits the features of the cemetery architecture, and has upgraded the night sky effect, gaining the ability to hide.

This is somewhat similar to the treasure map on the boundary stone; both require reaching a certain location to detect the existence of the resource site. However, unlike a treasure map, it doesn't require digging. When a hero enters the narrow area of ​​the gold mine, they can use their magical power to explore it.

But who would come to check out this Ghost Valley? Do they really think Bear Fort's defenses don't exist?
"Quick, collect all these converted magic coins! This is a treasure!"

Liliana directed the vampires to collect the fallen gold coins. Including the coins from the Illusionary Spirits, they amassed a total of over 30000 gold coins. Even with the Dream Investment Technique, this was a huge sum.

"Sir, there is another cave here!"

After the illusionary spirit perished, the golden platform fell and connected with the stone wall.

During their collection, the vampires discovered a mysterious cave, and the two heroes ventured out together to investigate.

The cave was sealed off, with a rune inscribed at the very top, symbolizing the element of gold. There was a recess at each end, seemingly for placing some objects.

"It looks like two hearts! Just a little smaller."

Liliana compared her left breast to her chest and made a guess.

Su Mu was somewhat speechless. "Your mind is so open-minded, how can ordinary people compare? Can't you see the way those noblewomen are looking at you? Don't you have any self-awareness?"

The depression does indeed resemble the heart; one side is like air, ethereal and intangible; the other side is like earth, indestructible and unyielding. When these two hearts become active, the cave can be activated.

[Gilded Altar: Requires Heart of the Gale/Heart of the Rock to unlock the building]

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be a building for recruiting and converting gold elements, but it requires a special treasure to activate!"

This was truly an unexpected delight. They had just clashed with the Gold Elementalist and witnessed its terrifying strength; they hadn't expected to find such a structure in the wilderness. If Ouling were to lead the Gold Elementalist team, coupled with the Phantom Bow, how powerful would they be?

Of course, it's just something to be tempted by. Judging from the requirements of the gilded altar, these two treasures shouldn't be easy to obtain.

Su Mu did know about the movements of the Frozen Heart, which was the treasure of the Salman family. Perhaps they had news of other treasures?
Although this generation of Salman's heir is utterly foolish, the family is still an ancient ducal family with considerable resources. If it comes to information, they certainly know more. However, the relationship between the two sides isn't very harmonious, so getting information from Rhodes might be difficult. Su Mu isn't in a hurry. There are so many nobles in the kingdom; he doesn't believe only Salman knows. He'll ask Conrad next time; perhaps he'll get some information.

The gilded altar is located next to the haunted gold mine and is naturally concealed by the Night Curtain, so there is no need to worry about it being discovered by other forces for the time being.

Moreover, even if it is discovered that a building that requires undead to guard is somewhat useless for humans and for the Bastion, it is only useful for heroes like Liliana.

"Let's seal it off with stones for now, and deal with it later when we find the treasure."

After the soldiers sealed the cave entrance, new news arrived: "Deep inside the rock face, there is another withered tree, exactly the same as the one on the ground. You should go and take a look."

The two walked deep into the rock face and saw again the withered tree where the rotting corpse had been hanging. Blood was spreading around them, and there were vague signs of an impending uprising.

Su Mu stared at the corpse for a moment, then unleashed a barrage of meteor fire, blasting the entire area into the ground.

Surprisingly, the body was not damaged and remained intact.

Su Mu stepped forward and pulled the gold nugget out of its mouth. Below it was a blood-stained bag that emitted a strong wave of magical energy.

[Golden Bag (Level 3 Treasure, Sealed): Provides 750 gold coins daily. The wearer will have nightmares and their magic value will decrease by 10% the next day.]

Sealing method: Fill the corpse's abdomen with a gold bag, and every so often send seven people near the corpse to fall asleep together. They may die in their sleep. If all those who fall asleep die, the treasure will go out of control.

Evaluation: A noblewoman, separated from her companions, seeks your help. After you safely escort her home, she pulls a bloodstained gold pouch from her mouth as a reward.

No wonder it's a haunted gold mine; even the seals on the treasures are so unique.

After Su Mu took the gold bag, the female skeleton completely disintegrated and vanished.

Liliana stared at the blood-stained golden pouch, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Treasures are not naturally occurring; they are formed into a sequence of treasures based on rules. Some are successfully forged, while others are created through the loss of control and mutation by heroes, and there may be other ways they are formed.

The path of magical cultivation is never smooth sailing; the slightest misstep can lead to utter destruction.

This further solidified Liliana's resolve to follow him; becoming stronger is a hero's unwavering pursuit. With Su Mu around, vampires have limitless potential.

[Having experienced this arduous battle, your understanding of the power of soul magic has deepened. +1 Defense, and you have learned Intermediate Soul Summoning Technique.]

[Intermediate Summoning Spell: Summoning effect +20%.]

Loyalty +5

Su Mu glanced at Liliana, who bowed her head slightly in respect.

Although Su Mu claimed he didn't care about etiquette, the cemetery was a power that strictly adhered to a hierarchical system, where high-ranking heroes could even directly determine the life or death of lower-ranking undead. Therefore, Liliana maintained this habit, her obedience to those in higher positions running deep.

"You did a good job this time. Go to the Star Axis and the Marit Tower to continue your training."

"Thank you Lord Lord!"

Liliana was overjoyed; this was the benefit of following a faction—a lone wolf would never receive such treatment.

Of course, what made Liliana even happier was that Sumu was gradually accepting her, which was definitely a good sign.

As long as she is used in battle, Liliana is confident that she will be able to secure a place in Kuraki.

(End of this chapter)