Transmigrated as a Ghost

With his initial explanation about celestial platinum and amethros concluded, Thabon began explaining what he wanted Marcus to do next.

"So now that you know the secret to enchanting with the use of celestial platinum, I would love to let you have a go with it, but unfortunately, I am currently running low. I normally would have gone to restock while it was still summer, but I was busy making a new spear for the crown prince. So, as your first assignment as my new disciple I will have you go and mine some for me."

Marcus looked at Thabon with a confused expression. He had know idea where or how to mine celestial platinum and thought it was odd that Thabon even if he was busy had not sent someone else earlier.

Thabon seeing Marcus' expression said, "No need to fret, the mine is only around a weeks travel from the capital and is not too difficult to get to. I just do not want to disclose its location with anyone other than my direct disciples, and it also… has a unique security system."

Thabon then described how he had filled the mine with a type of lizard monster that propagated fast and was very territorial.

The only problem was that it worked a little too well and now the mine was crawling with these monsters.

Hearing this Marcus looked over towards Gurrom and said, "Why haven't you sent Gurrom then, I am sure he could have handled it, he is a higher level than me anyway."

Gurrom hearing this said, "NO WAY, I DO NOT CARE HOW MUCH PLATINUM IS IN THAT PLACE I AM NEVER GOING TO THAT HELL HOLE AGAIN."

Marcus could see visible fear appearing on Gurrom's face and was beginning to feel a sense of apprehension about going to this mine.

However, Thabon simply rebuked Gurrom saying, "There is no need to be such a wuss, last time you went was four years ago, and you went alone and were only level thirty-six at the time. As you are now you would be fine, even the strongest lizard I saw the last time I was there was only level twenty-eight."

Unfortunately, the trauma from Gurrom's previous experience was still lingering in his mind and nothing Thabon could say would sway him.

Sighing Thabon gestured towards Gurrom and said, "See Gurrom will not do it and my other disciple is currently on a journey gathering materials for themselves. So that leaves only you. But really you do not need to worry, Gurrom is making it out to be worse than it really is, and besides when he went, he went alone. If you want you can take a group of adventures with you, just make sure to make them sign this agreement first."

Thabon then took out a number of papers that were a magically binding contract that made it so if anyone who signed it disclosed the location of the platinum mine, they would suffer a powerful backlash.

Marcus after reading the contract looked at Thabon dubiously and said, "You said that you were not able to get any during the summer like normal, why do you not just go now."

Thabon hearing this winced before explaining to Marcus that he had a unique constitution that made him basically invulnerable to fire but extremely susceptible to the cold.

Marcus began rubbing his temples and thought, 'If he has such difficulty with the cold why did he set up shop in a northern kingdom that is only warm for around a little more than a third of the year.'

However, this question was not going to be answered right now as instead Thabon seeing Marcus' trepidation decided to bribe him.

"Okay Irene how about a deal. I normally only let a disciple keep ten percent of the celestial platinum they mine, but I will let you keep twenty percent instead, and when you get back, I will personally teach you for a full week without any interruptions."

Marcus hearing this readily accepted, the alure of the extra platinum and the week of uninterrupted lessons was too much for him to refuse.

Thabon with a satisfied expression then said, "Good now that you have agreed follow me."

Marcus curious about where they were going, followed Thabon and soon they were standing inside a large storage room with a few pieces of mining equipment in it.

Thabon rummaging around picked out a nice pickaxe that Marcus could see was made from mithril as well as a funny looking compass.

Bringing the two items over to Marcus, Thabon told him that the compass would point at areas that had celestial platinum, while the pickaxe was enchanted and would automatically mine so long as Marcus supplied it with mana.

Taking the two items Marcus stored them in his item box when Thabon said, "Now why don't you empty you item box of all unnecessary items so that you have as much room for the celestial platinum as possible"

At this point Marcus realized another reason Thabon was so desperate to have him go was because of his item box.

Certainly, with it Marcus could bring back much more than the average person since even the largest magic bags normally only had around half the storage space as Marcus' medium item box.

Sighing Marcus began emptying his item box of unnecessary items, until all he had was a few gallons of water, some rations, a small tent and bedding, a few potions, and the black sword he had obtained from the vampire.

Thabon with a surprised expression stared at all of the items Marcus had in his item box, mainly focusing on the few mithril bars and the magic cores from the shadow demon and vampire.

"Where did you get the core from a vampire, and judging by the depth of color on the red lines it must have had a powerful bloodline. And this I have never seen a core like it, what kind of creature did you get it from."

Marcus seeing Thabon nearly drooling over the rare magic cores he had, decided to store them back into his item box since he had a feeling that they may disappear should he leave them here.

Thabon visibly sad, said, "I promise I would not do anything to compromise your cores I just wanted to do a few tests and find out what special properties they had."

However, Marcus was not going to relinquish either of the cores he had acquired from incredibly strong monster that would normally be the peak of their level.

Thabon grumbling said, "Fine, do what you want. Ah and here take this as well."

Thabon tossed a magic bag over towards Marcus who could tell it was of a high quality and probably had around a third of the storage his item box had.

"Fill that up as well, I am going to need a decent amount in order to fulfill some orders I know are coming up soon."

Marcus happy to have the extra bag that would increase his overall profit smiled before saying, "Now, how much money are you willing to give me to pay for support during this request."

Thabon grumbling saying under his breath "I was hoping she would forget." Took out three hundred gold and handed it to Marcus.

"That should be enough right, if whoever you hire wants more just tell them that they can have any of the materials from the monsters they kill."

Nodding his head Marcus was pretty happy with the sum he had received especially since he already knew what party of adventures he was going to hire.

'Now I just need to find Bridget and the rest of the Eternal Queens and get them on board. Well as long as they are not extremely busy, they will certainly help me.'

With his plan forming in his mind, Marcus bid farewell to Thabon and Gurrom before leaving the Blazegram forge and heading back to his residence.

Passing through the gates of his estate Marcus headed up to the main building and when he entered, he was quickly greeted by one of the maids.

Smiling Marcus told her to find Clara for him and soon Marcus was sitting in the dinning room informing Clara that he would be going on a trip for a couple of weeks.

"So, would you inform anyone that comes that I am presently out and make sure that everything is good with Lilia."

"Yes, as you wish Lady Irene."

Smiling at Clara, Marcus then quickly finished off his dinner before heading out with Blitz to find the Eternal Queens and ask them to accompany him to the platinum mine.

Running through the streets of the kingdom on Blitz's back, it was not long until Marcus was in front of the Cozy Respite and walked into the building.

Looking around Marcus searched for the Eternal Queens and soon found them in their usual spot having a drink in the inn's attached restaurant after a successful mission.

Seeing them there, Marcus approached and when they saw him, they all cheered loudly since he was pretty much an unofficial member of their party at this point.

Bridget with a massive smile said, "Irene, have you finally decided to give up forging and join us as an official member."

Marcus happy to see his friends smirked at Bridget and said, "Sorry I am still focused on becoming a forgemaster so I will have to let you down."

One of the other members a halfling girl with short brown hair named Jesnay said, "Aw come on Irene, you have been adventuring with us on and off for five months now, if you joined us, we could easily get to platinum rank and become one of the top parties in the city."

Marcus looked at Jesnay with an apologetic look before saying, "Sorry I am not the kind of person to tie myself down, but I do enjoy adventuring with all of you so while I am in the city you will always be my go-to. And speaking of adventuring I happened to have request for all of you.

Marcus explained the details of what he was going to do, and once he was done allowed everyone to read the agreement that they were going to need to sign.

However, before they even read it, the members of Eternal Queens signed and said, "We trust you Irene, and while your boss may need this for his own safety you can always count on us."

Smiling Marcus took back the magically binding agreement and said, "Then we leave tomorrow, and I am glad to have all you with me the."

The eight of them then enjoyed a night of merriment before Marcus headed home and went to sleep for the first time in over a month, since he wanted to be at his best when he headed off on his journey to the platinum mine.