Chapter 69: Training the Kobolds

  News of the victory at the logging camp quickly reached Bay Vilge.

  The anxious vilgers rexed and fidently told the newers:

  "I told you, there’s o worry. The lord and the soldiers will always e out on top!"

  "It’s just a few gnolls! The lord has a dragon, after all!"

  "I heard from Captaihat clearing out the various monsters in the Gloomy Forest is only the first step in the lord’s pn…"

  "Victory is certain, but I’ve heard the gnolls are numerous. Will the casualties be high?"

  "I don’t think so. The lord takes great care of the soldiers. They have excellent ons and equipment, and there are alchemical potions as well…"

  "We’ll know ohey return…"

  "…"

  Steward Ralph, having received a full report, breathed a sigh of relief, admiring and marveling at the lord's decision to prioritize military strength.

  "Indeed, in this dangerous, untamed nd, having a reliable armed force is the most important thing…"

  With this thought in mind, Ralph did not rex in handling the other affairs:

  "Uhe prote of our lord, we’ll never have to worry about our safety."

  "W hard is the best way to repay the lord's care!"

  Ralph's strong fidence helped ease the newers' aies.

  The vilgers of Bay Vilge had long grown aced to such victories. They greeted the newers and got back to work acc to pn.

  Seeing them so at ease,

  Those curious about the lord began to ask questions.

  With pride aement, the vilgers spoke i detail.

  From how Matthew led the caravan,

  To crossing the treaisty Marsh,

  Nearly fag an attack from a bck dragon,

  Surviving the aberra tide of the Scarlet Moon,

  Capturing four live trolls,

  Clearing the dangers around the Gloomy Forest,

  And dealing with the sver raid on the vilge,

  To taming hundreds of kobolds.

  "…"

  Hearing these almost legendary tales, the image of a mysterious and powerful lord became even more ingrained in everyone’s minds.

  Their unease gradually faded.

  Many even thought that if Bay Vilge’s policies of developing the nd tinued, bringing their families here might be a good choice.

  After all, it was difficult for ordinary farmers and oo acquire nd for perma use and lease.

  Plus, in Bay Vilge, there were more paths to success than just farming.

  Learning a trade, joining the reserve soldiers, or w in one of the newly established logging camps, livestock farms, pntations, or other factories offered plenty of good opportunities.

  pealed to most people was the lord's focus on developing the children.

  All children uen years old were given vocational training to prepare for the path of a professional.

  Even if a child didn’t have the talent to bee a professional, they could still learn literacy or practical skills during the process.

  This offer was irresistible to everyone!

  Now, with the safety s seemingly resolved…

  Gloomy Forest.

  Outside the logging camp.

  Goldfang and Silverfang were anding the kobolds to up the battlefield.

  The gnoll corpses were buried deep underground to prevent mutations from the Scarlet Moon’s influence.

  This kind of precaution had already been necessary several times.

  In this battle, four soldiers had died.

  Their bodies would be returo Bay Vilge for a memorial service, after which they would be cremated and buried.

  From now on, Ange would hahese memorials and reward ceremonies.

  "Ding! Your forces have killed a total of 367 gnolls, earning 16,500 experience points and 2 skill points!"

  "Ding! You’ve achieved a great victainst superior numbers, earning 2,000 bonus experience points and 2 skill points!"

  "Ding! You’ve ged the fate of 536 individuals, earning 820 Fate s. Your current Fate total is 1,500!"

  Matthew was extremely pleased with the experience points gained from this battle.

  Experience points were being increasingly valuable, though their accumution had some unusual limitations, f Matthew to be cautious.

  After all, he couldn’t simply provoke fights just to farm experience points, leading to the loss of his soldiers and subordinates.

  They could gee far greater value alive!

  After mentally calg how to allocate his experience points, Matthew turo see the kobolds feasting noisily.

  The sound of whips crag filled the air.

  Goldfang and Silverfang would need several more days to fully tame these kobolds.

  However, ohis thousand-strong kobold force roperly trained, Matthew was fident he could begin developing the kobold mine.

  Due to their unique physiology, using humans to mine would iably lead to various occupational diseases.

  So, kobolds were destio py a critical role in Matthew's development pns.

  With that in mind, Matthew carefully instructed Goldfang and Silverfang, following the guidance provided by the system:

  "Kobolds may prefer dark enviros, but liness is still important. Ensure regur ing to prevent disease."

  "Maintaining a living enviro will reduce the spread of germs and signifitly improve their lifespan and overall health."

  "Make sure all kobold eggs are trally monitored and cared for. This will greatly increase their survival and hatg rates."

  Goldfang and Silverfang tried their best to uand, f themselves to remember Matthew's words.

  After witnessing how easily Matthew destroyed the once-powerful gnoll tribe,

  They had already begun to pce him on the same level as Yaya.

  Matthew didn’t expect them to fully uand, but he wao establish the cept so they could better mahe kobolds.

  Naturally, specific tasks would be handled by Ralph, who would select specialized personnel for the job.

  However, finding a proper home for over a thousand kobolds was essential.

  Matthew had initially sidered assigning the kobolds to Bay Vilge’s sewer system, having them maintain and expand it.

  But now, he believed that to rapidly expand the kobold popution, he o provide them with a more fortable and spacious living enviro.

  Notig Goldfang and Silverfang’s fusion, Matthew patiently drew out a blueprint for an underground structure and used the Copy Spell to make several duplicates.

  "Start digging acc to this pend the excavation deeper into the valley."

  "Food and supplies will be delivered soon. For now, focus oing the kobolds to cooperate. This arra will be both sides…"

  Goldfang and Silverfang hough they still didn’t fully uand. With their limited intelligehey couldn’t quite grasp Matthew’s diagrams.

  heless, Matthew's respectful attitude toward the kobolds, showing no disdain or disregard, deeply moved them. They eagerly thumped their chests and promised:

  "We’ll get them in line right away!"

  At the sound of food being promised, the kobolds burst ied cheers. Even those who were whipped seemed tent.

  Seeing the average intelligence of the kobolds was no higher than four, Matthew refrained from expining further and simply nodded.

  Perhaps there was some truth to the saying: "Ignorance is bliss."

  FAL