Once Lt. Col. Slane decided to recruit the mine guards and slave workers, Major Maxwell and a team from IDG immediately held interviews with the recruits, for digging intel and determining their character and potential.

At the end of the selection process, six guards were executed. While the rest would be assigned as mine internal security to maintain order in Terry Hill, led by former Lieutenant Tome as Chief of Security, assisted by several centurions who were appointed as security supervisors.

Meanwhile, the slave workers would become miners, led by Emil as Chief of Daily Operational, assisted by several senior slave workers who were appointed as operational supervisors.

The mine's internal security and miners were very satisfied with the salaries, facilities, and working hours offered by Amethyst Merchant. They didn't expect manual laborers to get such a high salary. Therefore, they did not object to the condition that they should not have contact with outsiders without permission for the first three years.

The training then begins. The mine's internal security undergoes training to immobilize humans with tasers, security sticks, and handcuffs, along with driving techniques and how to operate radio communication. While miners were being introduced to modern mining techniques.

For a few days everything went smoothly. However, the miners suddenly requested that more than half of mine internal security had to be executed. The reason, the previous inhuman treatment they gave to the miners was crimes not worthy of forgiveness.

Lt. Col. Slane then responded by summoning Emil, Tome, and supervisors who were assisting the two. With a casual tone, he opened the meeting, "Before getting into the main agenda, I would like to ask Chief Tome about his trip to Lionel Region yesterday.

I've read the report from Sergeant Liam who escorted you, but I'd like to hear a direct report from you."

Tome nodded before replying, "The merchants who were supplying food staples still assume that Terry Hill is the base for Gray Wolf hunters. The fur, fangs, and claws that Amethyst Merchant cultivates are also of better quality than the previous product so there is an increase in demand.

I don't know if Sergeant Liam wrote it down in the report or not. But I brought him to meet some of my colleagues in Lionel Guard to find out if there was a mobilization after what happened in Terry Hill."

Lt. Col. Slane smiled before saying, "Chief Tome, in the next visit to Lionel Region, you're the one who will write the report, since that's your job as leader of the convoy. I have ordered Sergeant Liam to teach you."

"Sir."

Lt. Col. Slane then turned to Emil. "Chief Emil, I have read the request from the miners and decided to refuse."

"But Sir..." Emil took a deep breath before explaining, "The former mine guards are beasts by nature. They don't deserve a second chance."

Lt. Col. Slane gave a small nod before saying, "I know my decision was unfair to the miners. Personally, I also sympathize with the mistreatment you guys have endured. However, please understand Amethyst Merchant is not a law enforcement organization.

Amethyst Merchant is a trading company with the goal to make a profit. When we meet a group of people who need help, it's a pleasure to help them if we can.

When we meet a group of people who can help us achieve our goals, we recruit them. Nothing more nothing less."

Emil took a deep breath before saying, "Ser Slane, can you reconsider it? Because the mine's internal security may betray Amethyst Merchant or cause some other negative consequences in the future."

Tome who had previously chosen to remain silent decided to say, "The people we betrayed chose to commit suicide and abandoned us. They didn't stand with us to fight until the last man."

"Then all of you should have committed suicide too."

Emil's sharp words made Tome silent, and could only sigh deeply.

At the same time, Lt. Col. Slane calmly said, "Chief Emil, believe me, Major Maxwell and his team have carefully considered who we will recruit. They have also identified six bad apples that must be removed."

"Yes, but the former mine guards are shrewd and hypocritical. What if they managed to deceive Major Maxwell's judgment."

Doubt was evident in Emil's gaze, but Lt. Col. Slane only smiled slightly. "Chief Emil, only one in a thousand can lie or hide something from Major Maxwell. Because he has a unique talent for detecting lies and trained it from the age of 10, then using it since the age of 18.

Eighty percent of TF Amethyst personnel also have to pass the examination conducted by Major Maxwell. So doubting his judgment is the same as doubting the eligibility of more than half TF Amethyst personnel."

"Sir."

Disappointment instantly gripped Emil and the operational supervisors' hearts, but they no longer protested.

Still in a calm tone, Lt. Col. Slane said, "The only compromise I can offer is that the mine's internal security will receive a 15% pay cut for the first two years, and the deduction will be put into the miners' welfare fund."

"We accept."

Tome realized that Lt. Col. Slane needed support. Therefore he firmly accepted the compromise. In addition, even with a 15% salary cut, the take-home pay received by mine's internal security is still high enough.

In the end, Emil and the operational supervisors also accepted the compromise, and the meeting ended.

- - - - -

After meeting with Emil, Tome, and the supervisors, Lt. Col. Slane then rushed to visit Vex. As soon as he entered Vex's office, Lt. Col. Slane found Vex preparing spiced wine using a portable electric stove and a small pot, on top of his working desk.

Sitting across from Vex, Lt. Col. Slane said, "I didn't expect you also enjoyed spiced wine. I thought you only enjoyed whiskey, cognac, or scotch."

Vex smiled slightly before replying, "I tried it for the first time when I finished 30-miler navigation while carrying a combat load of 30 kg. The instructors at the finish line gave me spiced wine which helped me recover my dead-tired body and soul. Since then I have had a habit of enjoying spiced wine when my mood is down."

Lt. Col. Slane nodded while in his mind he remembered the uninvited guest approaching from the east. "XO, how long will it take for our guest from the east to arrive here?"

"Two to three months, but we'll try to launch a silent disturbance to slow them down." Vex then turned to Lt. Col. Slane before asking, "But do we really not need to defend Terry Hill?"

Lt. Col. Slane firmly replied, "For local nobles, the products we bring from the earth are worth much more than gold. Therefore, with the right method we can dredge their gold without the need for bloodshed."

"I'm sure that would be ideal. Unfortunately, a massive gold mine popped up in our side yard."

"Yeah." After a deep sigh, Lt. Col. Slane then handed over a USB to Vex. "I heard you're meeting Lady Boss in two days. So I want you to deliver something to her."

"Sure."

After Vex grabbed the USB that Lt. Col. Slane handed over, the two of them then enjoyed the freshly boiled spiced wine.

*****