"Bloodline Mages inherited their spells from their bloodlines. Some Mages really did gain more spells from their bloodlines as they grew in level or as time passed."
"This kobold Spellcaster can cast third-circle spells. He has decent talent and some value."
To Xim Claw, Fiana's cool voice was like music to his ears. In an instant, he was filled with gratitude toward her.
Then he looked at Loren with pleading eyes, afraid the Tyrant might say something like "execute him immediately."
Loren's expression was impassive, though he found it somewhat amusing.
Every race had its weaknesses, and the kobolds' was that they had never been a particularly strong-willed people.
Barbarians could face death without fear, and would rather die than yield.
But to kobolds, death was a nightmare they simply couldn't accept.
So dealing with kobolds didn't require a strategy as complicated as the one for dealing with Barbarians.
One playing the good cop, the other the bad, and they'd broken the fellow's will outright.
And the system's power had played a part, too.
"Xim Claw, how many spells can you cast right now? How many times?"
"My lord, two!
"One second-circle spell—Great Fireball,
"and one third-circle spell—Bloodthirsty Wonder Technique.
"I can cast Great Fireball three times and Bloodthirsty Wonder Technique once."
"Are you certain there are still spells in your bloodline that you haven't acquired?"
His mild tone put Xim under tremendous pressure. But he could also tell that Loren seemed to be softening, so he hurriedly replied,
"Yes, great lord! I can feel that there's still power waiting to awaken. I'm sure I can awaken new spells!
"I'm willing to serve you with my soul and become your most capable subordinate!"
Loren gave him a sidelong glance.
"You're reasonably clever. I'll give you a chance. Have every captured kobold kneel and swear loyalty to me. Prove your ability and value.
"Gray Eagle Territory has no use for trash. The weak have no right to serve under me."
Xim Claw had a special bond: Kobold Bloodline Mage. When there were more than 100 kobolds nearby, his mana recovery increased by 30% and his spell power increased by 20%.
This bond could only be activated with kobolds.
Besides, Gray Eagle Territory was still in ruins and needed plenty of manpower.
So Loren planned to subdue the kobolds and have them give everything they had to Gray Eagle Territory.
Captives taken in war were much better than ones bought with money. At least they cost nothing, and he wouldn't feel bad if they died.
Believing he'd earned his own chance to live, Xim was quite excited.
"My lord, I'm willing!
"These damned mongrels will find their true place only by submitting to you! You should have ruled the Claw Tribe long ago!
"Anyone who dares disobey, I'll make them taste magic right away!"
Xim Claw ground his teeth and roared.
As far as he was concerned, he'd received power granted by the gods and had long since become a high-born kobold. He was nothing like those lowly kobolds!
That was why he took such pleasure in insulting them.
Loren's mouth twitched. This idiot was a piece of work.
He said irritably,
"I'm giving you ten minutes. If you can't prove your worth, I'll have you hanged from a tree branch."
Without another word, he turned and went back to the carriage.
Only Barbarian Chieftain Yas and a group of Barbarians, all 1.9 meters tall and glaring menacingly, remained to watch Xim.
Xim was nearly pissing himself.
If he made any move to resist, those damned Barbarians would tear him to pieces the very next moment.
Only then did he realize that the safest place was beside that Tyrant.
He didn't dare hesitate. Trembling, he stepped forward and began berating the kobolds tied up with ropes.
Inside the carriage.
Fiana watched the handsome young man before her, who had undergone a dramatic transformation, her expression complicated.
She asked the question that had been weighing on her most.
"Loren, why have you changed so much lately?"
Loren turned his gaze from the window and looked at the girl beside him, smiling faintly.
"Because of you."
Fiana's heart gave a flutter, and her face instantly flushed.
She felt both embarrassed and annoyed. What a jerk! How could he say something like that to her?
She was just about to flare up when Loren continued in a quiet voice,
"Because after you brought those five hundred thousand Puck into the room, I saw myself clearly. I regained the pride of a descendant of the Orchid Family, and began trying to look at things from a different perspective and approach.
"So far, it seems to be working."
He even winked at her.
Why did he have to make her wait for the rest of the sentence?
Fiana's chest rose and fell several times, but she still couldn't calm down. She gave a cold snort and turned to look out the carriage window, not wanting to see this increasingly infuriating fellow.
Loren laughed, then said nothing more. He continued to secretly watch Xim Claw through the glass.
With Yas, a Barbarian Chieftain, there, he wasn't worried about Xim escaping.
He didn't know what Xim Claw had said to the kobolds, but soon they were all trembling as they got to their feet. Led by Xim, the mass of them came to Loren's carriage and knelt on both knees.
"Great lord, I, Xim Claw of the Claw Tribe, lead all the kobolds in submitting to you. We ask to join Gray Eagle Territory and become your most loyal servants."
Yas, the Barbarian Chieftain, who was as burly as a young bull, looked at the spineless kobolds and curled his lip in disdain.
In his view, they should all be hanged, except for the Spellcaster.
Barbarians had no interest in associating with trash.
"Ding! Xim Claw, Chieftain of the kobolds, is leading the Claw Tribe to join you. Accept?"
After hearing the system prompt, Loren chose to accept, but didn't even get out of the carriage.
He looked down at the crowd through the transparent window.
"Yas, divide the Barbarians and kobolds into ten groups, with one group of Barbarians overseeing one group of kobolds. You'll personally keep an eye on the kobold Spellcaster.
"Once the groups are organized, set out for the territory at once.
"Xim Claw, keep these kobolds in line.
"If they cause trouble, I'll hold you responsible. Don't disappoint me."
Hearing Loren's words, Xim immediately looked overjoyed. His life was finally safe.
"Thank you for your mercy, great master!"
Once he was on his feet, he glared at the dispirited kobolds.
"You lowly fools! Anyone who dares defy our lord, I'll kill with my own magic!"
The remaining kobolds let out a wail, not daring to object.
Xim was the gods' chosen representative, and his standing in the Claw Tribe rivaled the gods themselves. Who would dare defy him?
With the kobolds divided up and placed under the Barbarians' watch, they were no longer a threat.
The group soon set out again.
The thirty or so gravely wounded Barbarians traveled alongside the human slaves in the carriages. When there wasn't room, they were placed on makeshift stretchers and carried by the kobolds.
As it turned out, capturing the kobolds hadn't slowed the convoy at all. On the contrary, the sharp-nosed creatures could smell enemies in advance, helping them avoid a great deal of trouble and greatly increasing their speed.
On the evening of the fourth day after leaving Decker City.
April 11.
Loren finally returned to Gray Eagle Territory with the convoy.
This territory belonged to him and him alone.
Looking at the distant walls, Loren's dark, deep eyes held an emotion outsiders could hardly understand.
This would be the starting point of everything.
The future would bloom here.
Before you continue