Evil Red Dragon

On the gentle slope on the east side of Chifengling, the houses of the Bloodstain Tribe are scattered all over the ground.

Goron's roar rang out every day at the same time, urging his people to build wooden houses and cultivate the land.

Inside Chifeng, Alekto is assessing the resources within his territory.

Oliveira lay on his back, her little paws fiddling with the silver nugget.

"Brother, do we really have enough food?"

Oliveira flicked her tail in displeasure, making a slapping sound against Alexo:

"And they eat so much."

"not enough."

Alecto readily admitted:

"With the current resources, we only have enough to eat for two months."

"Then what should we do? Eat them?"

Alecto slammed Oliveira to the ground with a single swipe of his claw:

"Don't say things that are detrimental to unity; only use them as a last resort..."

Oliveira, who had fallen to the ground, turned her head away and said arrogantly:

"Oh well, it's your job to care whether they live or die, don't make me worry about it~"

Alecto was taken aback by this sudden display of affection.

"Sigh, we can only continue to expand the scale of breeding, and also..."

He pointed to a mark on the map:

"Develop this area."

Oliveira leaned closer to look, then her face filled with disgust:

"A swamp? How annoying! Why haven't we dried it out yet...?"

"It's a wetland, and although the water there is indeed disgusting, but..."

Alecto corrected:

"A vast wetland inhabited by a large number of aquatic magical beasts, which, if developed properly, could become a stable food source."

"But trolls and orcs aren't good at naval warfare, are they?"

"That's their business. I'm only responsible for providing them with direction and protection. It's impossible for me to intervene in everything."

He continued:

"Moreover, I could enter a deep sleep at any time and break through to level six. They will have to rely on themselves from now on."

Upon hearing this, Oliveira looked at Alecto in surprise.

"Huh? Brother, you're going to fall asleep again so soon?"

At that moment, Gru's voice came from the cave entrance.

"Owner."

Alecto turned around and saw Gru leading Kula and Goron in.

"Is the camp settled in?"

"It's done."

Gru reports:

"The Bloodstain Tribe has a total of 274 people, including 148 warriors and the rest are the elderly, women and children. As per your instructions, they have established a good camp on the gentle slope to the east."

Alecto looked at Kula:

"Kula, how are your people adapting?"

"Better than expected."

Kula bowed and said:

"Most people understand the current situation and thank you for giving us a place to live."

"I'll save my thanks for later."

Alecto waved his paw: "I need you to get to work as soon as possible. Gru, tell them about the current situation in the territory."

Gru stepped forward and began his introduction:

"Currently, the main occupations in Chifeng are three: animal husbandry, hunting, and metallurgy."

"The breeding area mainly consists of argali sheep and woolly cattle, and its scale is still expanding. Hunting teams are dispatched once a week, primarily targeting level one to three magical beasts. The workshop is just starting out and can currently only craft simple tools and weapons."

After listening, Goron frowned and said:

"It sounds like...they're not very big."

"Because of a shortage of manpower."

Gru said frankly:

"The troll tribe has only seventy-three people in total, and after deducting the elderly and children, less than sixty are able to work. Maintaining so many industries is already a struggle."

"So our involvement can alleviate this problem."

Kula understood: "Please tell me, where should we begin?"

Alecto was prepared: "You two discuss it yourselves, and just let me know when you've decided."

"By the way, you guys go explore the wetlands and see if you can find anything. The mine can also be restarted, Gru, you can make the arrangements."

Goron opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to refute, but was stopped by Kula's gaze.

"Yes, Master."

The old shaman answered for him.

"There's one more thing."

Alecto looked at Kula: "Kula, what are the uses of your shamanic spells?"

Kula pondered for a moment:

"I have healing and elemental attack magic, as well as blessings that can temporarily enhance a warrior's abilities. In addition, I can communicate with ancestral spirits to make simple prophecies and track them."

Alecto's eyes lit up.

"That's enough. Select young orcs with shamanic talent and train them systematically. I need a team of spellcasters, not just for support, but also for combat."

"clear."

"at last--"

Alecto glanced at the three: "Regarding the selection of the Dragonborn..."

The atmosphere in the cave suddenly became heavy.

No one can be indifferent to this. Becoming a Dragonborn not only enhances one's strength and potential, but more importantly, it provides a sense of identity.

There is a fundamental difference between dragonborn and non-dragonborn.

If you are a dragon descendant, then you are an absolute confidant, holding more weight and having more say in Alecto's heart, and able to fight for more benefits for yourself and your people.

So even though the orcs were stronger and more numerous than the trolls after joining the trolls, they still had to obey the trolls in everything.

Only if Kula and Gronn also become Dragonborn can the orcs be on equal footing with the trolls.

But Gelu wasn't happy either. He and his people had been working hard and hadn't even gotten the next batch of conversion slots yet, and you guys just jumped in halfway and wanted to steal the fruits of their labor. Dream on.

"I know you're all looking forward to this."

Alecto said slowly, "But this is not a free lunch; it consumes my source power, so it must be allocated carefully."

"Only those who make outstanding contributions to the territory are qualified to receive my blessing. If you want to receive the blessing, you need to prove through your actions that you have the value to be transformed by me."

Gru and his group were among the first and exceptions. At that time, he needed someone to help him manage his territory, so he wasn't too picky and converted as long as he could.

But things are different now. This thing requires his life's blood and sweat. Once or twice is fine, but if it happens too often...

At best, they will drop in level and become extremely weak; at worst, they will be forced into an extremely long period of dormancy until they recover.

Alecto was determined to be selective and only convert suitable individuals into dragons.

Upon hearing this, Goron's eyes lit up: "What are the specific standards?"

"Strength, the strength that can impress me."

He continued, "Those who wish to become dragonborn must first challenge Gru. If you win, you will be qualified to challenge me."

The dragon's kiss cracked open. "Then... use all your strength to gain my approval."

"That's fair," Kula nodded. "That way, everyone will work harder."

"Well then, if there are no other questions, go and make your own preparations."

Alecto waved his paw:

"The future of Chifeng depends on each and every one of us."

The three demons bowed and withdrew.

After they left, Oliveira asked softly, "Brother, are you really going to convert them?"

"real."

Alekto said:

"Dragon blood not only strengthens their bodies, but also forges a deeper bond. Those who receive this blessing will instinctively feel closeness and obedience to me. This is the most effective way to solidify loyalty."

"But what if one day they want to betray us..."

"That makes it even simpler."

A cold glint flashed in Alecto's eyes:

"What I can give, I can take back. All the power of the Dragonborn originates from me, and I can kill them at any time through this connection if I so choose."

He looked out at the deepening night outside the cave:

"But before that, I believe they will make a wise choice. Orcs revere strength, and I can give them strength. As long as I remain stronger than them, they will never betray me."

For the next three days, the Chifeng territory entered a state of high-speed operation.

The addition of the orcs did alleviate the manpower shortage.

These big, green-skinned men may be rough, but they are very efficient at their work.

The expansion of the breeding area is progressing nearly twice as fast as expected, and the hunting team's catch has also increased by 30%.

But the problem also followed.

That day, Alecto was awakened by a quarrel.

He emerged from the cave and saw Gru and Goron confronting each other at the foot of the mountain.

"What's going on?" Alecto's voice wasn't loud, but it silenced both of them.

Gru spoke first: "Master, the orc hunting party crossed the border yesterday. They entered the northern valley, which is our reserved breeding area where hunting is prohibited."

"There's plenty of prey there!" Goron retorted. "We hunted six rock-armored boars and eight rock sheep, enough to feed the entire tribe for two days!"

"But you have disturbed the herd of blue sheep in that area!"

Gru angrily said, "The argali sheep in the breeding area were captured from there, and now they've been frightened and escaped. We've lost an important breeding stock!"

"How was I supposed to know those sheep were so timid!" Goron muttered.

Alecto understood.

He looked at Goron: "Goron, didn't Gru tell you which areas were off-limits to hunting?"

"I did tell them, but..." Goron said somewhat awkwardly, "Those kids saw a big prey and impulsively chased after it."

"A moment of impulse." Alecto repeated the word, his tone calm, yet it sent a chill down Goron's spine.

"Gru, how much damage did we suffer?"

"There are at least three groups of tagged Himalayan sheep, totaling more than seventy, and possibly more. We need to find new breeding stock, which will delay the breeding plan for a long time."

Alekto nodded and looked at Goron: "Chief, what do you think should be done?"

Goron gritted his teeth: "I'll punish those kids and make them do the hardest work."

Alecto shook his head:

"That's not enough. Punishment is necessary, but making up for the losses is even more important. Starting today, the orc hunting party will have to hand over 30% of their catch as punishment, for a month."

"At the same time, Goron, you will personally lead a team to the north to find the frightened ibex herds, and bring back as many as you can."

Goron's expression changed, but he still lowered his head: "...Yes, sir."

"besides."

Alecto added, "From today onward, all hunting parties must clearly define their activity area before setting out. Those who cross the line will receive a warning the first time, and expulsion from the territory the second time."

He spoke the last four words very softly, but the weight they carried sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"Did you all understand?"

"Understood!" Gru and Goron responded simultaneously.

"Go get to work."

After the two left, Oliveira poked her head out of the cave: "Brother, are you angry?"

"no."

Alecto lay back down and stretched his wings:

"This is expected friction. When two different races are suddenly forced to live together, conflict is inevitable. The important thing is to establish rules and enforce them strictly."

He looked towards the northern valley: "But Goron is right, there is indeed plenty of prey there. Perhaps we can try a different approach..."

"What's the thought process?"

"Turn Chatan into a dedicated hunting ground, but implement a rotation system."

Alekto said:

"Designating specific areas and opening each area only once a year to give prey time to recover would ensure a good harvest without damaging the ecosystem. However, this is premature and impractical at present."

Oliveira blinked. "That sounds complicated..."

"Managing territory is never simple," Alecto laughed.

"The methods developed by humans are ten times more complex than this; we've only just begun."

At the foot of the mountain, the orcs and trolls have resumed their work.

However, not long after, Kula arrived at Alecto's cave and reported to the guide with a grave expression:

"Master, your punishment for hunting beyond the designated boundaries... has caused discontent among some young beastmen."

"They felt that handing over 30% of the harvest was too much, and that the chief personally going to retrieve the ibex would damage the tribe's dignity."

Alecto slightly raised his eyelids:

"Oh? So what do they want?"

Kula bowed and said:

"You've misunderstood. I'm here to offer a suggestion, but if you don't want to hear it, I'll go back and make them disappear immediately."

"Are you willing to part with it?"

Kula's eyes were resolute: "For you, I'll do anything!"

Alecto waved his hand: "Alright, go ahead and speak."

Kula then suggested:

"Orcs revere strength and obey only the truly powerful. I suggest you engage Gronn in battle before all the orcs and defeat him head-on."

"This is not a sneak attack, nor a magical overpowering maneuver, but a fair and square battle. Let all the orcs witness that your strength far surpasses that of their chieftain."

Alecto narrowed his eyes: "You want me to establish my authority."

"It is to establish unshakeable authority."

Kula corrected, "If you can defeat the tribe's strongest warrior in a way they understand, then from now on, any command you give will be considered divine decree."

Alekto paused for a moment, then gently swayed its tail:

"Okay, but... include you."

Kula was slightly taken aback, but then he understood Alecto's deeper meaning.

Defeating only Gronn might intimidate the warriors, but the shaman holds the position of spiritual leader in the orcish tribe. Only by simultaneously winning the hearts and minds of the spellcasters can his authority be truly unassailable.

"I see."

Kula bowed her head deeply: "I will prepare together with Goron."

"Okay, you guys go challenge Gru first and go through the formalities."

"Yes."

Kula emerged from the cave in Alector, a mountain breeze blowing.

He walked towards the orc camp, his steps unhurried, but his mind was already making plans.

Gronn was reprimanding several young orc warriors in the center of the camp, his arms waving in the air and his voice booming:

"You bunch of brainless idiots! Do you know how precious those blue sheep are? Now look what happened, they've all run away, and I have to chase after them myself!"

"Chief..."

A young orc muttered, "We just killed a few more prey, those trolls are making a mountain out of a molehill—"

"Shut up!"

Gronn slapped the orc on the back of the head, making him stagger.

"Here, rules are rules! Do you think you're still wandering the wilderness?"

Kula's arrival caused Goron to stop what he was doing.

He glanced around at the orc warriors, some standing and some sitting, and slowly spoke to Gronn:

"My master has ordered that tomorrow you and I will challenge Gru."

"Gru..."

Goron grinned, revealing his fangs: "I've wanted to fight him for a long time."

"It's not a private fight."

Kula reminded her, "This is a formal challenge, according to the rules set by the master."

"Then let's win."

Goron clenched his fists, making a cracking sound.