These words instantly piqued the interest of both the dwarves and the goblins.

  They exchanged glances, and in each other's eyes, a fierce competitive spirit blazed.

  Although they were currently Gorgin's slaves, such was the norm in the endless desert.

  If there was one thing more crucial than mere survival, it was to live a decent life.

  And despite their reluctance, they had to concede that Gorgin always made good on his promises.

  He was a brutal yet cunning ogre chief, but one who honored his word.

  “Chief, we goblins can handle this task single - handedly. Our goblin - made machinery is famed throughout the desert,” Coin hastened to declare.

  Kolber hadn't planned to show his hand so soon.

  He had come to terms with the harsh reality, yet the rapid and extreme shift in his status, occurring just days after the fall of the city, still felt unreal.

  However, upon hearing Coin's boast, he felt compelled to assert himself.

  After all, he had numerous dwarf children relying on him, and the rest of his tribesmen were toiling away in what was now called Dragon's Lair Giant Sand City.

  “Indeed...” Kolber's unexpected agreement with the goblin surprised both Gorgin and Coin.

  But his subsequent words turned Coin's green complexion dark with indignation.

  “Goblin machinery's unrivaled explosive might is truly renowned in the endless desert. I must admit as much,” Kolber said.

  Coin was so enraged that he nearly leaped into the air.

  He screeched in a high - pitched voice, “You think you're so special? Can your cannons hit a target beyond fifty meters? All you dwarves know is to pile on armor and increase its thickness. What other tricks do you have up your sleeves?”

  “At least we don't expose our cockpits on the exterior, sentencing our pilots to certain death,” Kolber retorted with a derisive sneer.

  “Do you want to fight, you puny dwarf?!”

  Coin yanked a wrench from his crotch and brandished it menacingly.

  A faint silver glow began to radiate from Kolber's body.

  He arched an eyebrow and fixed a cold stare on the goblin, who was hopping around belligerently.

  The goblin immediately deflated. He wasn't foolish; he was well - aware of the dwarves' ability to call upon the power of their gods.

  “I curse you to never earn a single coin!” Coin muttered resentfully as he stowed away the wrench.

  Gorgin refrained from intervening in this farce.

  This was precisely why he had summoned the goblins and dwarves together.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Competition was the key, for only through competition could things be refined and progress achieved.

  “I'm going to be blunt with you. My words may sting, but both of you listen closely,” Gorgin clapped his hands to draw the attention of the two rivals, who were locked in a fierce glare.

  “Both your goblin and dwarf creations have their redeeming qualities, but overall, I'm far from satisfied!”

  “Kolber, your steam tank has thick armor, but it's sluggish. Its attack options are limited, the cannon loading process is agonizingly slow, and its accuracy is abysmal!”

  “Coin, the mechas you goblins crafted back in the Hot Sand Consortium - well, they were technologically advanced, I'll give you that. I can't fathom how you managed it. But in my eyes, they were a complete disaster!”

  “Your goblin technology does possess powerful explosive capabilities...”

  Gorgin's mind flashed back to that idiotic goblin craftsman who had blown up his temporary vehicle during the battle against the dwarves.

  The memory still left him shaking his head in disbelief.

  “But you can't just fixate on explosions! And since you're capable of developing weapons like the Gatling gun, why not mass - produce them? What's the point of constantly tinkering with mechas and bombs that detonate at the slightest provocation?”

  Coin hung his head in shame under Gorgin's scathing criticism. Although intimidated, when it came to his area of expertise, he couldn't resist defending goblin technology.

  “Chief, you and your ogre tribesmen deem our goblin technology fragile because you and your people are incredibly powerful. For other races, our most basic goblin mining machines are quite formidable. ”

  “One goblin mining machine can take on several orcs simultaneously without being overwhelmed! And don't even get me started on these dwarves.”

  True to his reputation as a wily goblin, Coin managed to flatter Gorgin and his tribesmen while making his rebuttal.

  “Alright, I'm not impressed with either of your offerings. I'm not asking you to construct weapons of war at the moment. First, present me with a concrete and viable plan!”

  “Also, choose a suitable location outside the tribe to erect a docking tower for the airship. Design it to accommodate the size of the ogres.”

  “You two also need to formulate a modification plan for that airship. ”

  “My requirements are straightforward: it should be able to carry ogres and their equipment, and its firepower and bombing capabilities should be beefed up. ”

  “In short, it should be big, powerful, and full of that 'waaaagh' energy!”

  “Understood?!” Gorgin issued his final instructions.

  “Both of your races' technologies have their own strengths. ”

  “I expect you to combine your advantages and eliminate your weaknesses to complete the task to perfection! ”

  “Despite your different racial origins, I don't care about race. I only care about loyalty and competence! You two are now members of the Dragon's Lair Tribe.”

  “ I encourage healthy competition, but I won't tolerate malicious rivalry. Clear?”

  The dwarves and goblins promptly dropped to their knees. “We will unswervingly follow the will of the great chief.”

  “That's more like it. Take the airship, for instance. It should have the dwarves' armor and the goblins' firepower, and at the same time, boast a large capacity! ”

  “But forget about the instability of goblin technology. I don't want to plummet from the sky while on board.”

  “Alright, that's all I have to say. Figure out the details on your own. My objective is to connect the three oases to enable the seamless exchange of resources.”

  Then Gorgin took a sip of water and waved his hand dismissively.

  “If there's nothing else, you may leave. Stupid dog, resume your usual duties.” Gorgin was referring to his role as a supervisor.

  Gorgin might seem laid - back, but he wasn't naive. Currently, he was solely focused on the Branding of the Rock.

  “Er... Chief...” Captain Dog tentatively raised his hand.

  “Hm? What is it?” Gorgin regarded the jackal with a puzzled expression.

  “Hehe~” Captain Dog flashed his sycophantic grin.

  “Chief, now that our tribe controls three oases, don't you think we should have our own tribe flag or insignia? ”

  “When we plant it on the oases, every creature will know that this is the Dragon's Lair Tribe led by the great Chief Gorgin!”

  As soon as Captain Dog finished speaking, Kolber was taken aback, and Coin inwardly cursed himself for not thinking of such a simple yet flattering idea.

  Coin's face was a mask of regret.

  Even Gorgin was momentarily startled.

  “Hahaha, you little dog have some creative thoughts.” Gorgin laughed heartily.

  “Since you proposed it, you come up with a design later. You're so crafty, and if I'm not pleased with the design, I'll be thoroughly displeased.”

  The jackal smiled obsequiously and nodded vigorously.