Beef Rump Shield

"So, Lord, you need us already?" Moa asked, as always hidden within his hooded robe, his voice somewhat eerie.

"What can I do? You've seen the combat strength of my subordinates. Within this territory, there's no opponent they can handle," Landen spread his hands, looking rather pathetic.

At this point, Landen could approach these Mind Flayers freely. The Contracts recorded on those sheepskin scrolls were no joke. The magic on them, let alone against these few Mind Flayers, could inflict severe damage even on Silver or Gold tier powerhouses. With such guarantees, the effectiveness of these Contracts was well-assured.

"Then, who is your target, Lord?" Moa inquired.

Landen chuckled, "I said I wouldn't let you participate in overly difficult battles. So, and this is our first battle together, let's pick a simpler target. How about we start by practicing on that group of Hobgoblins?"

"Hmph," Moa snorted, "The individual combat power of those Hobgoblins is indeed weak, but there are over a hundred of them. Moreover, they never leave their nest except to hunt. In such a complex environment, they are the true kings. Are you sure this tribe is the weakest, Lord?"

Landen shrugged, "They're strong in their nest, so why not force them out? As for their numbers, to be honest, a hundred or so, for you, it's just a matter of using one or two more Mind Storms. Oh, right, I must tell you beforehand, you absolutely must control the power of your Mind Storms. They are my citizens, just like you. I don't want to see any unnecessary deaths."

Moa replied, "You don't need to worry about that, Lord. You should focus on how to 'invite' those Hobgoblins out of their nest."

Ever since Landen dragged him to the Alchemy laboratory and kept him busy all night, Aila hadn't seen Landen for nearly a week. He was becoming more and more unable to fathom the Lord's thoughts. However, he clearly remembered that the Lord's unusual behavior that night was still vivid in his memory.

Am I the alchemist, or is he? This question still bothered Aila, even making him feel a bit inferior.

The stone door was pushed open, but Aila didn't look up. For the past few days, those Dark Elves would bring him food on time, and then stare at him with their scarlet, murderous eyes for a long time. He simply curled up when they came, until they left.

But this time, their stay seemed to be excessively long, which made Aila a bit confused. Just then, Landen's voice sounded in his ear, "Are you striking this pose because you're tired of this food? Or because you don't want to see me?"

"Lo-Lord!" Aila was startled and quickly looked up.

Landen clearly had no intention of wasting time with pleasantries. He got straight to the point, "You completed the last mission very well, so you survived. Now, I have another mission. If you can complete this one just as well, hmm... I'll grant you the freedom to move around in this room. How about that?"

"No... No problem!" Whether it was because he hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time and had forgotten how, or because he was too excited, Aila's words were a bit stammered, but exceptionally firm.

"Very good, then follow me."

This group of Hobgoblins was precisely the first they wanted to conquer when the previous Landen led his subordinates. They were also the ones they assessed as the easiest to deal with. Of course, the actual situation at the time had given the previous Landen a harsh slap in the face.

However, this time, the situation was different.

"Old Niu."

"Here, Lord."

"Go, collapse that entrance. Remember, seal it completely. I need not even a wisp of air to escape from inside."

"Huh?"

"What 'huh'? You have the biggest physique and the greatest strength here. If you don't go, who will?"

"Yes, Lord."

Landen, with his "army" that had finally reached double digits, stood before a small mountain. This mountain wasn't particularly small; it was at least several thousand square meters and over a hundred meters high. Inside this mountain was the Hobgoblin nest.

The last time Landen came here, he charged in with a few subordinates. Before they could even find the Hobgoblins, they were already disoriented by the complex, winding terrain inside, and then ambushed.

With a rumbling sound, the Minotaur Butler, acting as a laborer, completed the task according to Landen's orders. Landen nodded in satisfaction and led his troops forward.

Ten minutes later...

"This entrance is the same. Go on, Old Niu."

"..."

For half a day, a group of people circled the small mountain, destroying multiple entrances – these were the entrances and exits to the Hobgoblin den, all marked in the Lord System.

"Alright, Aila!"

"Here!"

The Alchemy Apprentice, imprisoned for nearly a month and finally released, looked very clean. When Landen called, he immediately scurried over to Landen, completely ignoring the slightly lighter chains on his feet.

"It's here," Landen pointed to a half-human-height entrance in front of him. "Remember what I told you before? I don't care how you do it, but you must pour those things in for me, understand?"

"I will not fail you, Lord!" Aila nodded vigorously, then began to take things out of a large cloth bag he carried on his back.

"Lari Brothers, and Mikhail, you three guard here. No matter what comes out from inside, force it back. Don't let even a mosquito escape. Anyone who tries to force their way out will be killed. The rest of you, follow me."

Soon, the remaining people, led by Landen, arrived before another cave. This cave was about the same size as the previous ones, roughly half a person's height.

"Hmm..." Landen looked at this student, then turned to look at the Minotaur Butler. Feeling Landen's gaze, the Minotaur Butler couldn't help but shiver.

"Old Niu," Landen continued, "I remember you have a piece of armor. Is it the pride of your Minotaur tribe?"

"Yes, Lord!" Speaking of this, the Minotaur Butler couldn't help but proudly say, "It's a unique armor of our Minotaur tribe, woven from the fur of the Great Yaks that only our Minotaur tribe can tame. Its defensive capabilities are even stronger than ordinary steel armor."

"Very good, very strong. Come, take it off."

"Ah? Lord, you want to..."

"It's not me who wants it, it's you! Hurry up! Hmm, come, wrap it like this, yes, just like that, very good. Come, walk over slowly, turn around, yes~ sit down, it's okay, don't be scared, come, sit down, done!"

Under Landen's persistent guidance, the so-called Minotaur pride armor was wrapped around the Minotaur Butler's perky backside, and then... he sat down on the entrance.