The Giant Wolf was covered in wounds, too.
Its thick fur had been slashed open, exposing the bright red flesh beneath.
Zong Shen focused and checked their attributes.
Colby had two-thirds of his health remaining.
The adult Giant Wolf Fenrir was in the same condition, having lost about a third of his health.
Fenrir had a whopping 35 points of armor and 435 health. He was an out-and-out tank, built to soak up damage.
The fact that he had lost over a hundred health showed just how fierce their battle had been.
"What happened to your injuries?"
Zong Shen narrowed his eyes and asked in a cold voice.
"My lord, I made several important discoveries during this exploration!"
"My injuries came from a Goblin Tribe in the mountains north of our territory! The tribe is quite large, and they've built a Sentry Tower outside. I couldn't get close enough to observe them!"
"Also, there are experienced scouts in the Goblin Tribe."
"I was discovered by one while circling the outskirts. Then I was surrounded by their Goblin Archers, Goblin Axethrowers, and Goblin Mages."
"I immediately chose to ride Fenrir into the woods. After leading them on a chase for a while, I finally managed to escape."
"To be safe, Fenrir and I took a long detour before making our way back here."
"I sustained these injuries in just one encounter..."
Colby knelt on one knee, head bowed, looking somewhat dejected.
Zong Shen nodded and patted his broad shoulder.
The Wolf Cavalry really could explore a vast area.
"Get up. Let's talk in the Thatched Shed. You can slowly recover your health there."
"Luna, take an empty clay jar and fetch some Moon Spring Water for me."
At his words, Luna immediately rode her Black Panther into the courtyard.
The Farmers also sensibly stepped out of the Thatched Shed and gave them room.
Zong Shen led Colby and the Giant Wolf into the Thatched Shed.
Resting there restored one point of health per hour. It was better than nothing.
By then, Luna had brought the Moon Spring Water and handed it to Zong Shen.
"Here, let's each have a little."
Luna had brought about 150 milliliters of Moon Spring Water. Each milliliter restored 1.2 health.
That was the Moon Well's entire production for three hours.
Since the Moon Well had been built at noon, it had produced only about 300 milliliters so far. This would use up half of it on Colby and Fenrir.
Yet Zong Shen didn't feel the slightest pang at the thought.
Colby was a capable warrior who had been injured carrying out the exploration mission Zong Shen had assigned him.
So Zong Shen wasn't about to treat him poorly.
No matter how precious the Moon Spring Water was, it couldn't compare to a loyal warrior.
Colby accepted the clay jar solemnly.
But he didn't drink any himself.
Instead, he first fed most of it to his mount, the Giant Wolf Fenrir.
The Moon Spring Water truly was miraculous.
Its effect was almost immediate.
The wounds on the Giant Wolf began closing at a visible rate.
At that moment, Colby drew the Wolf Rider Scimitar from his waist and chopped off the arrowhead embedded in his shoulder.
Then he gritted his teeth, set down the scimitar, and grabbed the arrow's tail with his other hand. With a fierce tug, he yanked the broken shaft out of his muscle.
Blood sprayed out at once.
Colby tensed his arm, forcing the muscles together to hold the wound shut.
Only then did he lift the clay jar and gulp down the last little bit of Moon Spring Water!
"What a beast. Even tougher than a tough guy!"
Zong Shen stared in shock. Colby's method of treating his wounds was hardcore.
And he hadn't made a single sound—not a groan, not even a grunt. He hadn't so much as furrowed his brow.
His face was like stone, rugged, resilient, and brave!
Once they had finished tending to their wounds,
the Giant Wolf curled up on the wooden floor of the Thatched Shed and fell into a deep sleep.
Colby sat cross-legged.
Then he began reporting the results of the day's exploration.
"My lord!"
"Besides that Goblin Tribe, I also found some ruins."
"In the northwest, in the woods beside the mountain path, I found an abandoned temple."
"It was right in the middle of the woods, completely covered in vines and moss. I saw two chests inside, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't open them or carry them away."
"Also, at the top of the northwest mountain path, there's an abandoned Outpost with a Watchtower. A group of traveling merchants has occupied it. I haven't approached them yet."
"Between the northeastern mountains and the grassland, there's a mine near the cliffs. We might be able to put it back to use, but there's a five-meter-long Blood-Toothed Wild Boar wandering outside. That place seems to be its territory."
"As for the Goblin Tribe, it's deep in the mountains due north, and well hidden. I stirred up a hornet's nest this time. I don't know whether they'll send anyone to explore this grassland."
Colby sounded worried.
Zong Shen nodded and waved dismissively.
"Colby, you did well."
"As for those goblins, we should be fine for now. The two places are a considerable distance apart. Even if they send scouts, it'll take them several days to find us."
"As long as they don't send a large force, we can handle them."
"Hmph. Once our territory grows a little stronger, we'll have to go teach those goblins a lesson."
Zong Shen clenched his fist, his voice steely.
Damn goblins. They'd dared to bully his subordinate!
It looked like that group of goblins had claimed the mountains to the north.
After all, two tigers couldn't share one mountain. As the territory expanded, they were bound to clash sooner or later.
The sooner he found out, the sooner he could prepare!
Zong Shen had already quietly added that Goblin Tribe to his list of enemies.
He had been in this world for a whole day now.
He was growing more and more accustomed to it.
In a world with Wolf Cavalry and Night Huntresses, the existence of goblins wasn't all that surprising.
Goblins were legendary humanoid creatures with green skin.
They looked much like orcs and green-skins.
They generally had long, pointed ears.
"Goblin" was a creature from Western mythology, described and chronicled in many games, cartoons, and stories.
Humans were often hostile toward humanoid creatures.
And vice versa.
By then, the Roasted Wolf Meat in the Stove was ready.
Cooking in the Stove required no effort on his part.
All he had to do was provide the ingredients and select a dish, and it would cook automatically.
Zong Shen took out the cooked wolf meat.
He handed a piece to Colby, then left a bucket of clean water and a piece of Unknown Dried Meat.
They were for Fenrir.
"Colby, you did well. Get some rest tonight."
Zong Shen gave Colby a few words of encouragement.
Then he walked out of the Thatched Shed, ready to hand out the food.
Before you continue