Persuading the Minotaur

The Minotaur blacksmith, Black Bull, also sensed something was wrong. He had studied under the Dwarf blacksmith master Forgefire of Sun Sail Port, and over the years, he had dealt with all sorts of people, so he considered himself worldly.

But he had never felt like this before. Just smelling the aura made him tremble with fear. If not for the reason still present in his mind, he would have turned and fled.

"Damn merchant! What exactly did you hide?!"

When the Boarman merchant first approached, he said a Kobold tribe was looking to hire some blacksmiths to teach them blacksmithing skills and to forge a batch of ironware.

Black Bull had wanted to refuse, but the Boarman merchant offered him an irresistible incentive – food. It was enough to make up for the Minotaur tribe's winter food shortage, with plenty left over.

Under the expectant gazes of the tribe's chieftain, elders, and children, Black Bull's heart softened.

The Kobolds were weak. He could bring a few capable apprentices with him, and if they weren't satisfied, they could leave anytime.

With that thought, he accepted the Boarman merchant's offer. Now, he regretted it deeply, silently praying in his heart.

"Mother Earth, please protect us."

Turning a corner, Black Bull saw a colossal beast enveloped in flames. The boiling fire illuminated the entire cave, and the rocks on the ground showed signs of melting.

"What... what is this? A Balor?!"

"Mm, guests have arrived~," the fire elementals dispersed throughout his body flowed back into his heart. Jose returned to normal, looking at Ergou, the Boarman merchant, and the Minotaur group entering.

In fact, everything they had seen on their way was meticulously planned by Jose.

The ordinary Boarmen were kept in Living Area Number One, attended by dedicated personnel, and forbidden from going to other areas. Because once everything was over, they would leave with Hulk. Measures had to be taken to prevent the ordinary Boarmen from leaking information if they went outside.

Everything that followed was a display of power, intended to intimidate. It was meant to keep the Boarman merchant in line and to force the Minotaur blacksmith to face reality.

Incidentally, the moment the Minotaurs stepped into the Bloodtooth Mines, Jose had no intention of letting them leave, at least not in their original state.

He stood up from the ground, looking down at the group entering.

The Boarman merchant quickly stepped forward and stopped five meters in front of the Red Dragon, bowing respectfully. "I offer you my sincere greetings, my master."

"My servant, I hope the blacksmiths you brought will satisfy me," Jose's voice was low and hoarse, like the grinding of rough iron blocks.

A chill went deep into his bones, and the Boarman merchant couldn't help but tremble. He took a deep breath to regain his composure.

"Of course, please allow me to introduce them."

The Boarman merchant pointed to the leading black-skinned Minotaur. "This is Master Black Bull. Master Black Bull studied under the renowned Dwarf blacksmith master Forgefire of Sun Sail Port. Although Master Black Bull himself is not yet a master, he is not far from it. The others are all Master Black Bull's apprentices, and they can all forge military-grade weapons."

Jose looked at the Minotaurs. His lava-like eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.

The Minotaurs had the heads and tails of bulls, backward-jointed goat-like hooves, and were covered in fur. The rest of their bodies were similar to humans, but much more robust. Their bulging muscles were thicker than an adult's waist. Some Minotaurs even wore iron rings as decoration on their noses and horns, exuding a primal, wild aesthetic.

These hulks, who could easily outshine any bodybuilding champion from his past life, trembled like chicks in a cold wind before the Red Dragon.

Only one person was an exception. The leading blacksmith, Black Bull, took a deep breath and stepped forward, intending to flatter the Red Dragon to get the conversation off to a good start.

"Respected True Dragon, seeing you, I feel so... so... so..."

"Surprised, unexpected, and scared," Jose finished the Minotaur's unspoken words, understanding that he was facing a traditional good bull who wasn't good at lying.

"That's right, I ordered Hulk to trick you all here."

The Red Dragon's frankness made Black Bull uncomfortable. He didn't know how to respond, so he could only lower his head and listen to what the Red Dragon had to say next.

"But you don't need to worry, much less be afraid. I invited you here only to forge weapons and armor to arm my army."

"And I am different from ordinary Red Dragons; I am a reasonable dragon. I will pay Hulk the agreed-upon price to the last cent."

The Minotaurs were deeply skeptical. It was common knowledge that dragons were greedy. The only way to get gold coins from a dragon was to defeat him.

"Perhaps you doubt my words, but honestly, it's useless for you to doubt," Jose brought his head, as large as a small car, close to the Minotaurs, looking as if he had them cornered. "Understand?!"

Black Bull's wet bull nose exhaled white steam, and his fists clenched tightly.

"Dragon! You are powerful! But do not attempt to enslave a free Minotaur! Minotaurs! Fearless!"

Sensing the aura erupting from Black Bull, Jose realized that this Minotaur was actually an Intermediate Stage Warrior, and a rather strong one at that.

He retracted his leaning head. "I have no doubt about the courage of Minotaur warriors to face death, but look behind you. If you are not afraid of death, are you sure you want to bring them with you and implicate your tribe?!"

"Ugh!"

Reduced to a bargaining chip for the Red Dragon to coerce their leader, the six Minotaurs' eyes turned red, and they let out low roars. However, Black Bull in front of them relaxed his fists and sighed.

The Blackhoof Minotaurs were few in number, and the apprentices he brought were the elites of the tribe. If they were lost in the Kobold mines, Black Bull felt he would have no face to meet his ancestors.

"As you've seen throughout your journey," Jose paced around the Minotaurs, his massive body stomping the ground with a thud, "my strength grows daily, and my army is ready. In a few years, the entire Triangle Plains will be shrouded in the shadow of my wings!"

As he spoke, Jose spread his wings, displaying his massive body and powerful muscles. His long neck curved into a circle, bringing his eyes to the same level as Black Bull's. His gaze was piercing, and sharp fangs appeared and disappeared as he spoke.

"At that time, what will become of your tribe, your kin?!"

Hearing this, Black Bull felt a pang of bitterness.

He had to admit that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, what the Red Dragon said would surely come true. There was no force on the Triangle Plains that could stop a dragon, over a dozen Petrification Lizards, and an army of thousands of Kobold warriors.

"But if, instead, you join my ranks now and contribute to my rise, when the fruits of victory are harvested, you will be honored. I promise you that you will receive my rewards, and your tribe will also be treated favorably for your achievements."

At this point, the Minotaurs had lost all will to fight, but they were still angry about being deceived.

"I am very lenient with talented individuals. You don't need to give me an answer immediately. Go down and think it over."

Jose waved his hand, signaling Ergou to lead the Minotaurs away.

After the Minotaur left, only Jose and the Boarman merchant remained in the spacious cave.

The Boarman merchant lowered his head, like a prisoner awaiting judgment.

PS:

1. Extra chapter for recommendation tickets! Investment requests! Character likes!

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