Within Baron Kagay's Territory, the orcs seemed hungrier than ever this year.
Having learned his lesson the year before last, Baron Kage had long since fled to the nearest Blizzard Fortress for refuge.
Because of limited productivity and money, he couldn't take the people of his territory with him. They had no choice but to fend for themselves.
Not only that, but even the demi-human tribes next door couldn't escape the ravages of the orcs, who were also hunter-gatherers.
The cold wind howled.
Wails echoed throughout the Northern Border outside the fortress.
As the fighting across the grasslands gradually drew to a close, a great tribe numbering ten thousand arrived here. With their advantage in numbers, they had brought many orcs under their command.
They were the Werewolf Tribe.
Inside Baron Kage's castle, the Bearfolk Leader, Tigerfolk Leader, Minotaur Leader, and Leopardfolk Leader knelt before the Werewolf Tribe's leader.
There were also several demi-humans wearing Slave Collars.
Some were Wolfkin, while others were Dog Demi-humans, Bear Demi-humans, and leopard demi-humans.
Groups of human and demi-human slaves were also herded into the castle. The humans would serve as provisions for the winter, and the demi-humans might as well.
The Werewolf Leader had gray fur, blue eyes, and a muscular build. He stood two and a half meters tall, or two meters when hunched over.
Even so, he was an imposing figure.
He held a golden saber, and a Golden Army stood behind him.
Unfortunately, it wasn't real gold. It was copper.
After all, copper was golden in color.
The Werewolf Leader addressed the Tigerfolk Leader below him. "Mantekif, since we're all orcs, your people may join the Great Yue Clan."
"As for the rest of you, I'll let bygones be bygones."
As a leader who had fought his way to the top, the Werewolf Leader had his own ideas. The Great Khan was the orcs' Great Khan, after all, and naturally united many races. He wouldn't simply exterminate other orcs.
"Oh, and this so-called Golden Army these demi-humans talk about is nothing special. Capture all the remaining Tiger demi-humans as soon as possible."
"Yes, Lord Irimansky." Mantekif got up from the ground and left the castle.
The orcs were even more brutal than before. With food scarce, another ten thousand werewolves had joined them, each with an appetite five to six times that of an ordinary human.
What difference was there between that and suddenly adding a hundred thousand people?
The werewolves had swept through every nearby tribe and crushed them.
Only the more distant Aningsbe people to the east, and the demi-human tribes even farther east, remained untouched.
But what were the Aningsbe people doing in the meantime?
"Everyone!"
"Ready!"
"Fire!"
Ever since Lynn came up with the Javelin, he had everyone practice throwing them.
Everyone!
They were genuinely powerful.
Apart from their range, they had nothing but advantages.
As for needing a lot of iron for the heads, that was a bit of a problem, but not an insurmountable one.
For example, we were war criminals, right?
If so, why give soldiers armor?
Why not use more iron to make deadlier weapons?
The orcs killed militia with a single swing anyway.
So why bother with armor?
Put the excess iron into Explosive packs to make them into weapons of mass destruction.
Use all the rest of the iron for weapons.
It was just like not giving soldiers armor in the age of Line Infantry.
Even if the enemy wore armor, a Javelin could still get through it.
Ever heard of Middle Ages missiles?
Unless the enemy had a mage who could cast a shield, or a shield of their own.
Humans were natural long-range attackers. Their arms were made for throwing things.
After Lynn's training, everyone could use a Javelin Thrower to inflict damage from dozens of meters away. That was for sure.
And what about accuracy?
Ever played Mount & Blade?
Imagine a Javelin Rain from hundreds of people. A player's worst nightmare.
It was just like the firing lines of the musket era. Accuracy?
Who needed it? Just blanket the area with fire.
At the same time, Lynn had trained himself into a Humanoid Flying Thunder Cannon.
He could throw an Explosive pack anywhere within 200 meters with pinpoint accuracy.
Javelins fell like a downpour from the soldiers, sticking into the ground outside the city.
Lynn nodded in satisfaction.
The human body really was made for throwing things. With enough training, humans could absolutely crush the geniuses of every race at throwing things.
After that, Lynn sent people out to retrieve the Javelins.
A few more days passed, and Lynn was still working hard on the Technology Tree.
Then Lilim wheeled Dania inside. Anna followed behind them, along with a man who had once worked as a slave trader.
The Village chief, who had once worked as a slave trader, immediately fell to his knees. "My lord!"
"I'm terribly sorry to disturb you!"
"Please, take us in!"
But Lynn didn't have a moment to spare for him.
Ordinary Slimes were like rubber and acidic at the same time.
But after being burned, they could be used as cement.
What about other Slimes?
Gunpowder and the Steam Engine were both about converting matter into energy.
Before you continue