Expansion Policy

"Alright, then I'll explain."

"First, the tribe must continue to grow stronger. I'm sure that is the shared long-cherished wish of everyone here."

The Trolls nodded in agreement. No one wished otherwise.

"However, although there is no concrete evidence for 'the Will of the Black Forest's revenge,' the precedents left by the ancient overlords tell us that powerful tribes really have been destroyed beneath beast tides."

"Better to believe it exists than to believe it does not."

"Therefore, steady, step-by-step linear growth is inadvisable, because we cannot be certain whether that 'revenge' will truly descend once we cross the line."

"Given that premise, our growth must be sudden yet concealed. How can we keep ourselves within a certain boundary while still growing stronger without pause? That will be the new question before us."

"So, expansion is certainly necessary. But for all the reasons above, such expansion cannot rely solely on force—at least not in the later stages."

"How should we do it? I have a few ideas. Listen first, then we can discuss whether they are feasible."

"First, annex several neighboring tribes to bolster our population base. This is to give us a visible foundation of deterrent power, as well as the reserves needed for our own development."

"Second, we must diligently build our soft power."

"Witch Doctor Blade Tusk, what is soft power?" a young one asked in confusion.

Blade Tusk turned his gaze toward the questioner and nodded.

"Having questions is a good thing, but the prerequisite is that you first think for yourself. So before I tell you my answer, tell me your guess."

The young Troll scratched his protruding tusks. Only after a moment did he cautiously answer, "Uh, since it's 'soft,' then it should correspond to 'hard.' If hard power can be extended to mean the number of warriors, the strength of witch doctors, and the tribe's population... then soft power would be things like writing and technology?"

"Mm, very good. Whether right or wrong, only a question asked after thought has value. The rest of you little ones should do the same."

Blade Tusk had already entered his prime, and his physique alone was immensely imposing. Moreover, everyone seated here was a "cultured person," and thus understood even more deeply the contributions he had made to the tribe.

Therefore, his words carried great authority. Whether newly promoted witch doctors or young apprentices, all of them nodded in agreement.

"If we were to make a tribe's strength tangible, I would divide it into two aspects: 'hard power' and 'soft power.'"

"As for hard power, Leaf Tusk's earlier guess was partly correct."

"I define it in three areas: combat strength, resources, and technological capability."

"They respectively refer to the number and physical strength of warriors; the size of the hunting grounds and gathering grounds we occupy, and whether food is sufficient; and our research into runes, along with the various applications derived from it."

"All of these fall within the scope of 'hard power.'"

"As for soft power, I will introduce a new concept here—'culture.'"

"It is the sum of our inner spirit: what we possess, inherit, create, and develop."

"So-called soft power is the attraction born from this."

"What we consider beautiful or ugly, what we consider right or wrong, the language and writing we use, our institutions—all these things must make other tribes acknowledge us from the bottom of their hearts and naturally yearn for us."

"Imagine this: one day, when we raise our arms and call out, all Trolls—even if their rulers object—will willingly become part of us; when we declare their rulers 'evil,' they will be willing to overthrow them at once; when we are threatened, they will feel our pain as their own and willingly fight for us of their own accord."

"What a sight that would be. In that way, while keeping the strength of Headquarters within certain limits, we could spread our influence outward without ruling, yet rule all the same."

"Can that really be done?"

Even with the level of trust they now had, the Trolls present were half-believing and half-doubting of this idea—and there was even more doubt than belief.

It could not be helped. No matter how intelligent they were, the limits of their experience were unavoidable.

"I believe it can."

"Even taking ten thousand steps back, the prerequisite for possessing such 'attraction' is that our own civilization has already reached a certain height."

"And isn't developing civilization already part of our plan? On that foundation, no matter what new purpose we add, as long as it does not go against 'development' itself, it can be attempted."

"What do you think?"

The Trolls wore grave expressions and pondered in silence for a long time.

Perhaps it was the incomparable future possibility spoken of by Blade Tusk;

Or perhaps the plan itself truly would not cause fundamental harm to the tribe.

Thus, the Trolls gradually relaxed and turned their gazes toward the three other witch doctors seated at the highest place, apart from Blade Tusk.

Sensing those gazes, the Old Witch Doctor, Head Witch Doctor, and Middle Witch Doctor exchanged looks. They understood that it was time to state their positions.

The Middle Witch Doctor, the youngest and most radical among the old witch doctors, spoke first.

"Although I still think it would be best to flatten them head-on, the beast tide is indeed a factor we cannot ignore. So, I approve."

Next came the Head Witch Doctor's voice, carrying hidden concern yet seemingly touched with some relief.

"...I do not like war, but as the tribe grows, the eyes of the younger generation will one day turn outward. Now that we have a gentler plan, let it be so."

Finally came the Old Witch Doctor's unusually simple statement.

"I am nearly dead. Cough, cough... The future is yours."

Blade Tusk rubbed the Old Witch Doctor's back, easing the pain brought by his coughing, and said softly, "How could that be? You just want to be lazy and toss everything onto us."

"Haha! Good, good. Cough, cough... This old man will hold on a little longer."

The meeting continued. What had been decided earlier was merely the general direction. The flourishing of "culture" and the advancement of civilization were no simple matters; far more still needed to be discussed and slowly explored through practice.

"First is the establishment of institutions. The tribe's current mode of rule contains enormous hidden dangers."

"At its core, the 'Chieftain' is the leader of the warriors. But in the tribe now, aside from warriors, there are youths who aspire to become warriors, or elderly Trolls who were once warriors."

"This situation has allowed the 'Chieftain's' influence to expand without limit."

"It may be fine for now, but what if one day, the 'ambition' of whoever occupies the position of 'Chieftain' grows further along with that influence?"

"To put it bluntly, should 'wisdom' let 'brute force' ride roughshod over its head? What's more, we possess not only 'wisdom'—we have strength. We would inevitably resist. What do you think? And if we did resist, what impact would that have on the tribe?"

After hearing Blade Tusk's string of remarks, the witch doctors and witch doctor apprentices could not help imagining how they themselves would inevitably react under such circumstances, as well as the possible consequences.

In the end, the expressions of nearly all the spellcasters unconsciously turned grave.

"Witch Doctor Blade Tusk, would the 'Chieftain' truly dare? Knowing full well what kind of power we possess?"

The Head Witch Doctor asked, half believing and half doubting. It was also what many of the Trolls present were thinking.

"Head Witch Doctor, power is a breeding ground for ambition and blindness. I do not wish to gamble the tribe's future on whether other Trolls are 'wise.' What do you think?"