When the Cavalry Guards immediately began working overtime to mine and produce, Charlie brought Tara, guided by Chance, to the underground mine where thousands of dead soldiers and their families were imprisoned.
This underground mine had three entrances in total. Originally, two were designated for mining and transporting phosphate ore to the surface, while the other was intended solely for ventilating the entire underground facility. Now, the mine’s ventilation shafts were completely sealed off by iron fences as thick as an arm, ensuring that while ventilation could occur, no one could escape from this place.
Additionally, the two exits initially meant for transporting phosphate ore were both securely blocked by heavy iron doors. The Cavalry Guards of the Third Battalion had designated personnel stationed here, and they controlled the elevator as well. With the gates shut and the elevator inactive, the deceased soldiers below had no chance of escape.
Furthermore, while the dead soldiers and the Cavalry Guards functioned as prisoners and guards respectively, their fates were essentially the same.
The deceased soldiers couldn’t leave the mine without permission, while the Cavalry Guards only had a marginally larger area in which to move. Bound by Duke Mining‘s territory, neither group could freely escape their confines. Because of this, the dead soldiers seldom contemplated escape; it was futile. Once the antidote wore off, they would surely meet their end.
As the trio arrived at the entrance, Chance Yarrow addressed the cavalry guards stationed there directly, “Open the elevator; we need to go down.”
The cavalry guards complied with his orders, not daring to show any hesitation. They quickly opened the gate and powered the elevator.
The lights inside the elevator flickered to life, and Chance promptly said to Charlie and Tara, “Mr. Wade, Ms. Decker, please enter!”
Charlie nodded and stepped into the elevator first, followed closely by Tara.
Chance entered last and pressed the signal button. The Cavalry Guards who saw the signal immediately activated the elevator, which swiftly descended to the mine’s depths.
As the elevator plummeted, Chance asked Charlie, “Mr. Wade, do you want to gather all the dead soldiers and their families later?”
Charlie replied, “First, gather the leaders of the dead soldiers. I’ll explain the situation to them so they can communicate it to their comrades and families personally. That will be more persuasive. Moreover, I won’t be able to detoxify everyone today; I can only treat the leaders first to gain their trust and then let them organize the evacuation. Once we’re to a safe place, I can detoxify the others.”
Charlie then inquired, “When did everyone last take the medicine?”
Chance promptly answered, “Mr. Wade, everyone took the antidote the day before yesterday, so there’s still plenty of time.”
Charlie nodded, “Good, that gives us enough time.”
After about a minute, the elevator reached the bottom of the mine, and a man approached.
Upon seeing Chance, favonovel.com immediately said with respect, “Commander Yarrow, what brings you down here personally?”
Chance replied, “I have some important matters to discuss. Please summon your commander and all the thousand households and flag chiefs to the front hall.”
The dead soldier immediately responded, “Commander Yarrow, please go to the front hall for a moment, I will inform the commander!”
As they moved through the mine’s tunnel, the three arrived at the front hall of the deceased soldiers’ station. This area was originally part of the phosphate mine but had been repurposed by the Warriors Den, transformed into the main entry route to the station. The working face had been supported and reinforced.
Now, it was the venue for meetings among the deceased soldiers and the location where the Cavalry Guards assigned tasks.
The front hall was well-lit, designed like an ancient government office, featuring a wide open space in the center with three armchairs at the front.
At that moment, two deceased warriors were also on guard in the hall.
Upon seeing Chance Yarrow, they stepped forward and respectfully stated, “We greet Commander Yarrow!”
Chance nodded and told them, “I have summoned a meeting of your commanders and leaders. You may leave for now.”
They both replied in unison, “We obey your orders!”
Immediately, they turned to exit.
Noticing that the warriors displayed genuine respect for Chance, with admiration rather than fear in their eyes, Charlie curiously asked him, “Do you have a good relationship with these warriors?”
Chance explained, “Mr. Wade, we, the Cavalry Guards, Indeed maintain a good relationship with the warriors. Although we are tasked with guarding them here, l have consistently emphasized to all the Cavalry Guards that no one should exploit, humiliate, or trouble the warriors and their families…”
“After all, we share a common fate and should support one another. These warriors also understand that we’re in a tough spot, and we strive to provide them with help and convenience, so we get along well.”
Charlie nodded, reflecting, “In society outside, a hierarchy has long been established between classes, with exploitation and oppression often filtering down the ranks. Many who suffer injustices from above tend to vent their frustrations on those below. It’s commendable that you recognize the bond between the dead soldiers and the Cavalry Guards and choose to support one another.”
Tara, standing nearby, felt a slight flush of embarrassment at Charlie’s words. She realized favonovel.com was among the “many people” referenced by Charlie.
The Decker family had been controlled and oppressed by the Warriors Den for centuries, yet after coming to Duke Mining, favonovel.com had shown no sympathy or compassion for the Cavalry Guards. Instead, favonovel.com had been harsher towards them and even wronged innocent people. Reflecting on this now, favonovel.com felt a deep sense of shame.
Soon, synchronized footsteps echoed from the passage behind the front hall.
A burly middle-aged man with a beard led a group of more than twenty people, all running swiftly.
Most of these individuals bore Asian features, though some belonged to other ethnicities. These people had been captured by the Warriors Den years ago and forced into becoming deceased warriors, with their descendants also indoctrinated through a unified education.
The group approached the three, and the leader, noticing Charlie, exclaimed in surprise, “I, Jon Jones, greet the deputy minister and the commander!”
Charlie looked at Tara and asked, “Have you met them before?”
Tara nodded and replied, “Mr. Wade, I came down the day before yesterday to distribute the antidote.”
She continued, “The special envoy was supposed to handle this, but I came to oversee the major transition, so I didn’t send the envoy.”
Charlie nodded understandingly.
At this moment, Chance looked at Charlie and asked, “Mr. Wade, would you like me to introduce you to the brothers?”
Charlie answered, “Yes, please do…”
Seeing that Tara and Chance held the young man in high regard, the group of deceased warriors grew a bit anxious.
Initially, the highest-ranking official they expected to encounter here was the special envoy.
After meeting the deputy minister two days prior, they sensed something strange, and now, with another person arriving who commanded such respect, doubts arose. They silently wondered if Charlie was indeed the deputy general of the Warriors Den, or even the Governor.
Chance then addressed the group, “Everyone, Mr. Wade beside me has brought you an opportunity to completely free yourselves and your families from the Warriors Den. I hope you are willing to accept it.”
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