civilwarnovels Chapter 509: Prospective Recruits For The Territory
Chapter 509: Prospective Recruits For The Territory
Chapter 509: Prospective Recruits For The Territory
"Oh! You mean that!" Drogash finally understood Leo’s additional request.
He immediately turned to the beast tamer.
"You! Go back to the tribe and get the 1 Ton Basalt Iron from the blacksmith. By that time, we will finish our discussion."
Then he turned toward Leo.
"Sir Leo, please take the treasures."
Leo nodded, walked up to the Magmacrawler, and simply swiped his hand, storing the treasures. Drogash and Xarzul noted that Leo wasn’t even bothered by the presence of such a massive beast standing right in front of him.
Among the many Lizardmen tribes, having a Magmacrawler as an allied beast was very rare. Even the presence of 1 was enough to deter many attacks, yet Leo didn’t pay it any attention at all, which meant he was simply that strong.
They felt relieved once again that Leo hadn’t taken any particular offense at the previous matter.
The beast tamer then departed with the Magmacrawler.
After that, Xarzul provided detailed information about a particular location 20 kilometers deeper into the realm—a small flank crater.
Apparently, a side vent from the main lava source beneath the ground had formed an underground lava pond where a powerful drake-like beast resided.
Within that same pond, a lotus-like natural treasure grew, one that tempered the bones and muscles of the body and strengthened them to a great degree.
It was said that a rare variant of Lizardmen, born with red scales and bright golden slit eyes, had once attempted to retrieve the treasure. At the time, the Lizardman was at Peak 3-star and barely escaped with his life, leaving with only 1 intact Lotus treasure. Yet even that was enough to make him so powerful that he began residing deep within the realm with his weak but absolutely gorgeous wife, far beyond the reach of invaders.
Lizardma—woman can be gorgeous? Well, different species, different beauty standards. Leo mused inwardly as Xarzul carefully detailed the route so he wouldn’t mistake another lava pond for the target.
But now, Leo was interested in something else.
"You see, I need some Lizardmen in my territory to make it more bustling and to use their strength to help defend it," Leo said. "I wonder if you and your tribe would be willing to do that."
He paused before continuing.
"For that, you’d need to leave this place and relocate to an entirely different region and climate. Though I can promise a warm habitat like this, you’d need to become my slaves under the laws of the Human Empire. But I promise not to treat you as such."
Both Drogash and Xarzul looked at each other before turning back to Leo.
"We are sorry, but we would rather face extermination than become slaves," Drogash replied firmly. "That would be an insult to our ancestors, who paved the path we walk upon."
Leo nodded.
"Any other tribe that might be willing? And if you know any, do tell me about those with fewer than 200 or 100 members."
Drogash shook his head.
"They are the same as us. They would face extermination rather than slavery. As a matter of fact, we have been trying to subdue a Lizardmen tribe that has been reduced to only 50 men due to continued conflicts. We even offered them the condition of maintaining their status while becoming a vassal tribe, but they still refuse and plan to fight to their last breath."
Leo fell into thought.
This is troublesome... in the end, it comes down to using force? He thought.
Though it was natural for people to resist becoming slaves, if everyone were like that, he would always need to use force first. As there was no way for him to keep other races free within his territory unless he became stronger than the Emperor.
But at that moment, Xarzul spoke up.
"If I may, I suggest you take this proposal to individuals or groups that have left their tribe or have been expelled. Much like the Red-scale Lizardman we spoke of earlier. Even if they resist, it won’t be as severe as those from established tribes, since they have already been abandoned by—or left behind—the place they once belonged to."
Then he added quietly,
"It will be even easier to subdue individuals..."
Leo shot the old man a sidelong glance. He was actually quite clever. Under the guise of helping Leo, he was reducing the competition within the realm while also increasing his tribe’s chances of occupying areas previously controlled by powerful individuals.
"He was expelled? Why would a chief expel such a valuable force?"
"He went against the rule of marrying a woman from another tribe without proper arrangements. Not to mention, the woman herself was betrothed to the chief of the strongest tribe."
"Hoh..." Leo was very interested in this Red-scaled Lizardman. The man seemed to live by his own rules and possessed the strength to back them up.
"Oh! And yes, the Red-scaled Lizardman also seemed to have stolen a valuable treasure from the strongest chief while kidnapping the woman. It is said to be a treasure that helps with fire-element comprehension," Xarzul added.
Leo nodded. By now, the Magmalurker had already appeared in the distance, carrying the dark metal.
"By any chance, do you know where the Red-scaled Lizardman lives?"
Leo had an inkling that this old Lizardman was trying to get rid of the Red-scaled Lizardman. And as expected, Xarzul seemed aware that of the location.
"So I would need to go 10 kilometres deeper after the lava lake, into the Salamanders’ territory..." Leo muttered.
Xarzul knew Leo might have guessed his intentions, so he came clean.
"It’s so our tribe can gain access to the Salamander Water Lake. Regularly bathing in it purifies a Lizardman’s blood and opens the path toward becoming the legendary Volcanic Dragonnewts. But that Red-scaled Lizardman has been guarding the area as though his life depends on it. It would also allow us to relocate deeper into the realm and create more distance from the periodic invaders."
Apparently, contrary to Leo’s expectations, the inner region contained many underground water channels that surfaced in various places, making water abundant there. As a result, many Lizardmen tribes constantly sought to move inward. However, their strength was always insufficient, and they were driven back by the large salamander beasts, which were also known as the livestock of this realm’s rulers—the Flame Wyverns.