The First Battle of Expansion

The next morning, the entire camp mobilized, leaving behind only twenty Armed Serfs to guard it.

Thirteen Bronze Knights, two Apprentice Knights, one hundred and eighty Armed Serfs, and fifty-five Slave Cannon Fodder—two hundred and fifty combatants in total.

The marching column stretched for more than three hundred meters as they advanced in force toward the Goblin tribe twenty-five kilometers away.

Every Armed Serf in the ranks showed no panic. Instead, their faces were filled with excitement, eager to fight the Goblins.

The reason was that Velin had promised them that anyone who brought back the heads of three Goblins would be publicly released from serfdom and become a Freemen.

On top of that, for every additional Goblin they killed, he would reward them with one Silver Coin.

Freedom and private property—these were things they had never dared dream of as serfs.

As long as they risked their lives and fought, their children, grandchildren, and descendants would all be Freemen.

Riding his Red Phosphorus Horse, Velin watched the surroundings while looking at the Armed Serfs, whose hearts were full of hope for the future. He was very satisfied. Barring any accidents, this operation would go smoothly.

He knew perfectly well which was stronger: a group of cannon fodder who were like walking corpses, or a group of serfs filled with fighting spirit.

With memories from two lifetimes, Velin had a clear plan for his future Territory.

This method could be used not only in war, but in other areas as well, much like the Qin State's system of farming and warfare. Of course, it would need some adjustments, or it would be rejected by this world's mainstream.

After four hours of marching, Velin ordered the troops to stop and rest in the forest.

At the same time, the four knights serving as scouts rode off to reconnoiter the Boulder Tribe ahead, ensuring that no unexpected circumstances arose.

Under a large tree, Velin accepted the food Orlando handed him—a flatbread baked from flour—and washed it down with cooled boiled water to fill his stomach.

"Orlando, Hebrew, you two will attack last. Do not charge in recklessly." Wiping his mouth, Velin stared seriously at his two Guardian Knights.

"Yes, Lord," the two replied in unison.

Compared to the increasingly mature Orlando, Hebrew appeared somewhat timid and lacked confidence in the coming battle.

Seeing him at a loss, Velin shook his head and smiled. He would be fine after experiencing a few battles.

"My lord, the scouts have returned." Belder walked over and reported to Velin. "According to Otto and the others' reconnaissance, the number of Goblins in the Boulder Tribe has increased considerably."

Hearing this, Velin asked Belder, "By how much?"

"About one hundred."

"One hundred? That means the Boulder Tribe now has around four hundred Goblins."

Belder nodded and looked at Velin, waiting for his decision.

"Keep the original plan. I will lead the knights in a charge, disrupt their formation, and kill their leader. You will command the infantry, drive the Slave Cannon Fodder into the first wave of attack, and have the Armed Serfs follow close behind." After thinking for a moment, Velin said to Belder, "Crush them in one push."

"Understand, Lord."

After Belder left, Velin leaned against the tree trunk and conserved his strength for the battle ahead.

Meanwhile, inside the luxurious cave of the Boulder Tribe, Gry, the Boulder Tribe's leader, was engaged in a heated discussion with the leaders of six other Goblin tribes.

To entertain these guests, Gry had even brought out the fruit wine he had been saving for a long time.

Watching these country bumpkins guzzle it down, his heart bled, but he had no choice but to pretend to be generous.

"The traces of human Pioneers have appeared once again. Under the gaze of the Goblin God, offer up the hearts of these humans to Him."

At the request of many readers, the VIP member ad-free function is now available.

Click to view

The one-eared Goblin leader seated below froze on the spot. His raised wine cup stopped in midair as he cried out in shock, "What? Human Pioneers again?"

"God! Why do you not favor Bulin?"

"No, I have to hurry back and relocate. I need to leave this place."

For a moment, the six Goblin leaders attending the Banquet descended into chaos, anxiously discussing how to flee.

As for fighting against the human Pioneers? Don't make him laugh. If they had the courage to resist, they would not have run off to this damned place.

"Silence! Under the gaze of the gods, do you have no sense of shame?" Gry, leader of the Boulder Tribe, leaped up in fury and shouted at his kin.

"Shame? What's that? Staying alive is what matters most," one Goblin said indifferently.

"That's right. The Goblin God taught us that surviving and reproducing are what matter most."

"If humans wanted Goblin slaves, I wouldn't even want to run." An even worse old Goblin leader sitting farther back rose with the support of his Staff and shamelessly declared.

Seeing this bunch of scum, the Boulder Tribe's leader was so furious that smoke practically rose from his head, frightening the female Goblins serving nearby until they trembled.

Just as he was about to summon the tribe's Goblin Warriors and teach these bastards a lesson, a Goblin rushed into the cave and reported in panic, "Leader, a large number of humans have appeared outside and are approaching us. They are less than six hundred meters away."

"What? How did they get here so quickly?" The Boulder Tribe leader's expression changed drastically as he loudly ordered, "Quick, gather all tribe members and prepare for battle immediately! Under the witness of the great Goblin God, destroy these humans!"

As expected, under the forceful pressure of the Boulder Tribe's hundred-plus Goblin Warriors, the six invited Goblin leaders and their guards were escorted to the very front of the battle line to serve as cannon fodder and wear down the humans' numbers.

"Halt!"

Belder, who was in charge of commanding the Armed Serfs and Slave Cannon Fodder, shouted the order. The force of more than two hundred came to a stop and faced off against the Green-skinned monsters three hundred meters away.

Compared to the orderly formation of Armed Serfs, the fifty-five Slave Cannon Fodder were visibly panicked. Anxiety, timidity, and fear flashed rapidly across their faces.

"Belder, I leave the infantry formation to you."

"Yes, Lord."

Velin urged his horse forward, preparing to lead the remaining eleven Bronze High-Tier Knights in the first charge and break up the enemy's formation.

"First battle—victory is certain."

At the front of the formation, Velin lowered his visor, gripped his Horse Spear, and his eyes sharpened.

Behind him, the eleven members of the knight Guard Team did the same, waiting for his command.

"Charge!"

At the command, twelve Red Phosphorus Horses began to gallop.

Seeing the twelve steel behemoths charging toward them, the Goblin Warriors from the other tribes at the front, along with the Boulder Tribe's Old, Weak, Sick, and Disabled, fell into a panic. The Goblins behind them held them in place with spears, leaving them unable to advance or retreat.

"Throw stones!"

Seeing this, the Boulder Tribe leader panicked and shouted the order.

The twenty Goblin Warriors serving as slingers used all their strength to hurl the stones in their hands.

Facing the flying boulders, Velin and the others did not dodge.

Protected by full armor, the stones could do them little harm.