After the meeting, the tribe's strength was swiftly mobilized.
Externally, three hunter squads of ten, each escorting a witch doctor apprentice, set out on scouting missions;
Within the tribe, Blade Tusk also began further coordinating logistical preparations and other matters.
"Based on the food consumption of 700 adult Trolls over ten days, we'll need roughly seventy tons of food. Can we replenish some of it through hunting along the way?"
"Speaker, based on past experience, a force of 700 Trolls will find it difficult to obtain sufficient supplies through hunting while on the march. The beasts of the forest will be frightened away before the main force even arrives. Of course, we could spread the troops across a wider area during the march, keeping each unit small enough not to alarm the prey."
"How dispersed would we need to be?"
"Fewer than thirty Trolls per group—six squads of soldiers, or three squads of hunters. And each group would need to remain at least four lamp-hours apart to ensure they can catch prey. But this manner of operation may severely slow our advance."
"I see. Thank you for clearing that up, Chief Executive."
"Not at all." The former Chieftain, who had nearly become a civilized Troll, replied with equal politeness.
"Then, Head Witch Doctor, could you modify a Vine Spell prototype to make it light yet sturdy?"
"No problem."
"Good. I'll provide a backpack design that can be carried over both shoulders. Once the Head Witch Doctor has adjusted the spell, all witch doctors should set aside their current work and focus on producing seven hundred of them. They'll become an important tool for transporting supplies."
Though the witch doctors were somewhat reluctant to put aside their individual research, they had no choice but to agree.
After receiving their response, Blade