Chapter 7 The Dig
And so the dig began.
My goblin minions scrapped and salvaged what they can from their equipments to make makeshift shovels and pickax.
And they began extracting tons of earths and dumped it outside.
The trees outside were cleared to make more space for the excess earth, and the trees were also used as support beams.
Not that beams are needed though.
But a little bit of ornamentation for the cave won't hurt, would it?
They were only able to make three makeshift picks and four shovels.
So I only give 7 gobs the work.
I'll have them round up the digging between the 13 of them so when the first diggers would get tired the other set could take over.
"Master. We've made the picks an' shovels, Master. Shall we start now?"
'No start next year. Of course you start now you dimwits! The earlier you dig the earlier you'll finish!'
"Yes Master! Alright you gits! Start diggin'"
It was the goblin who Barathrum almost wanted dead.
Out of the thirteen goblins, five were females.
So the first set of diggers were four males and three females.
And they dig.
They dig the whole day through.
And more they dig.
Is what I'd like them to do.
They dig.
From ealy morn till night.
They dig.
Everything in sight.
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
Heigh-ho
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
It's home from work we go
[Whistle]
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho,
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
[Whistle]
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
Heigh-ho
And the first seven
I had the goblins rest when the two moons were already at its peak.
How do I see the moons? Well, through Barathrum of course.
By the end of their excavation, we've already advanced by almost six meters.
The dig was only leveled to the ground floor. Because whatever my minions do, they cannot damage the ground floor.
I guessed, it was probably because I can only have one floor at the moment.
Well, we were able to make room for the wolves and the goblins at last.
No, not actual rooms. I mean space. I only instructed the gobs to dig straight ward.
And instructed them to excavate one small room that would house the rats.
The main hall of the first floor would still be farther deep inside.
For now, just excavate deeper into the mountain.
And I think that I am at least, properly a dungeon now. Not just a shallow cave by the mountain.
With the excavated earths and stones, there were also these black stones which were coals.
They'd be pretty useful in later days.
For now, the goblins used the logs from the trees they felled to make a fire spit.
Barathrum stood guard by the entrance while all others rested.
Earlier while the gobs were digging, the wolves went hunting except for Barathrum.
In their hunt, I recovered all miasma I used in subjugating the goblins. And some more.
The games were then stockpiled for the goblins to cook.
Food is much better when cooked. And so that the wolves would also tasted cooked foods. Right? Yum yum.
So tonight the wolves rest. The rats, its their time to hunt and scavenge since they're naturally nocturnal.
They just hunted other small critters, picked up berries and herbs. For the goblins also.
Since we have a witch doctor who can make potions for later days.
The whole duration of the night, Spartacus mostly did hunting. He hunted rabbits.
He's been training with the two rabbit minions I have ever since. So he's pretty much used to fighting rabbits now.
Tomorrow became today.
The dig continues.
Since the wolves have brought games and the rats some berries and herbs,
Baasdokt or Dokt the elder goblin prepared meat stew and give everyone. The rabbits though preferred the juicy herbs and berries.
"Ahhhh thanks thee Master fo' the delicious an' yummy foods. After so long of runnin' without stoppin', wes finally gets some rest an' fulls tummy. Wes can works mo' betta' mo' fasta'."
It was Krukz the Soldier Goblin. Krukz was the name of the goblin that Barathum pounced yesterday.
"Master, if you might, would you allow me to melt all the equipments we have brought and make iron tools?"
Crugdoz suggested, he's a blacksmith. Or what he prefers, "Tinkerer". Well what do I know of these goblins?
'No. It's such a waste of time and resources. Later on we should be able to acquire iron ores. That's where well be getting our iron tools.'
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"Understood Master."
"With foods in wes tummy, wes be more working effeshently. Let's get diggin' you gits."
Dokt picked up the stone pick and heads to the dig area.
While the goblins were digging yesterday, I have learned that I, the glowing shard stone could move about inside the dungeon.
Yeah, I was able to float. But just for a moment.
I still needed to attach myself to the ground or the walls for support.
So I just stuck myself on the wall of the room for the rats.
With all the miasma I've got, I was able to subjugate all the rats now.
Their pups needs no subjugation for they are already my minions if their mothers were already my minions.
Spartacus intently stared at me, as if wanting to say something.
Wanting to ask for answers for his questions that's been bothering him.
I think he's been gaining intelligence and wisdom. I could only look at him with pity.
As if I have eyes. He would not know it.
The problems is I could not converse with him. I could only force or let him know of my will.
If he was like Barathrum it would've been much easier. I don't even know if he would be able to reach that stage.
And so another day was finished.
The wolves as usual, rested for the night even though they could hunt well in the dark.
And the rats do what they do.
By the end of the day, the dig had progressed much farther than what was accomplished yesterday.
The goblins were able to dig for about 20 meters. We have extracted more coals from the mountain.
No metal ores so far. But it won't be long. Soon.
End of the day.
New day rises again. And we continue to dig.
So far, we're still just about thirty meters deeper. I want at least fifty meters deep till the main hall for the first floor.
The dig began after breakfast. Just five meters into the dig, we've hit it. Metal ores.
There were iron and copper ores. Maybe we're near the heart of the mountain. That's good.
Crugdoz immediately took the extracted ores and built an impromptu smelter so he could process the ores.
The processed ores produced three iron picks. Which were handed to the other goblins.
Now, more ores were extracted and was sent to Crugdoz.
Crugdoz became busy with his "workshop". In his workshop he now produces shovels and buckets to fill with excavated earths and minerals.
'Why not make wooden carts? There's plenty of wood out there to make planks for the cart.
Excavation would be much more faster and efficient.'
"Ooooooh! Brilliant idea Master! I's makes saw blade then Master, for the sawmill. Hehehehehe. Blukt! Oi Blukt! Go get woods out there."
With an idea of his own he laughed then called to one of the goblins, Blukt.
Blukt is a wood cutter goblin. So it's only reasonable Crugdoz called him.
So we are now mining the mountain, not just excavation or something.
And its gone much more faster and easier than before after Crugdoz produced more picks and shovels.
The goblins made another room for workshop and the smithy.
Soon enough, I would have Crugdoz make armors and weapons for themselves.
Would it be also fine if Barathrum gets an armor? A little upgrade?
To be continued...