Chapter 119 - Army of Captives
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The Twin-headed Ogre Braska was full of anticipation for the future, and Yang Ling was no exception.
The issue preventing the evolution of the Ogres was not the method of cultivation, but the fatal tumor. If they could find a way that could guarantee the success of the evolution, that would mean that every Ogre would be able to cultivate their unique Bloodthirsty Battle Energy and increase the speed of their evolution.
The Ogres were naturally strong and powerful. If a large bunch of Ogres who had evolved to grow two heads appeared, their incredible strength, blinding speed, and the Bloodthirsty Frenzy… They would become a group of close-range killing machines.
Now that Yang Ling had tamed the powerful Twin-headed Ogre King, there was no longer a need to bind the ordinary Ogres. Releasing their restraints, the Ogres started to bow before Yang Ling, following Braska’s lead.
The Ogres were an intelligent race. Didn’t being able to tame the Ogres with his blood mean that he could tame humans too, humans who were regarded as the master of all creatures?
Seeing the Ogres grovelling before him, Yang Ling started imagining things in his heart despite having no change in his expression. For some reason, he suddenly thought about the suited lady he had seen on the public bus in the past. He recalled her exquisite brows, her slender waist, her perky buttocks…
Perhaps taming a female servant wouldn’t be a bad idea?
An evil thought suddenly sprang into Yang Ling’s mind. The slender face of the female assassin flashed past his brain. In fact, he even recalled the capable Harribell, her silky skin and large, beautiful eyes.
Yang Ling only came to his senses after Goode had rushed over with a large group of warriors.
“Sir, are you alright?” Seeing that Yang Ling seemed to be fine, then looking at the large group of Ogres grovelling before him, Goode turned to Argus in confusion.
“Goode, I’m fine! You came at the right time!” Seeing Goode covered in dust, then looking at the panting Argus, Yang Ling did not have to think too deeply before understanding what had happened. “How long would it take to make sets of heavy armor and giant clubs for these Ogres?”
After a moment’s surprise, Goode swallowed with difficulty as he looked at the three-meter-tall Ogres. Even unarmed, the Ogres were a barbaric race whose fierce reputation had spread throughout the Ladak Mountain Range. No one could imagine their battle abilities if they were equipped with heavy armor and giant clubs.
“Sir, most of the steel ore in town has been expended. Without sufficient manpower or enough steel ore, we might not be able to make many clubs and sets of armor in a short amount of time!” Goode felt a little troubled as he thought about their increasing expenses.
“You shall be in charge of scouting for resources near Wissen Town and finding quality steel ore as soon as possible. You can count on me for manpower!” Yang Ling continued after a pause, “We will need to develop large fields during the spring to grow enough food. We will also need a large amount of tools for developing land along with a large amount of armor and weapons. Remember that!”
Terras Forest had many sources of water, and so Wissen Town had easy access to that water.
The Donau River had massive amounts of water, and it twisted and turned its way around Wissen Town until it reached the sea in the south.
As long as he had enough manpower to draw water from the Donau River, Yang Ling believed that he would be able to develop a sizeable area of arable land and grow a substantial amount of crops. With enough food, the development of Wissen Town would have a sturdy safeguard. He would be able to attract and recruit many travellers and even small tribes to live there permanently.
What Wissen Town lacked most was not crystal coins, but a sufficient flow of traffic. Wissen Town only had a population of thirty thousand, even after factoring in the troops, merchants, and adventurers who were only moving through. That was far from enough.
There were countless races and small tribes on the outskirts of Terras Forest, the Ladak Mountain Range, and the Aila Mountain Pass. Yang Ling would receive adequate manpower in a short span of time if he could attract them to stay permanently in Wissen Town.
Clearing the aboriginal tribes around the Ladak Mountain Range would ensure safe passage for merchants and provide Yang Ling with a large quantity of low cost labor. Now that he had gained a powerful Ogre army, Yang Ling’s confidence in this plan increased dramatically.
After resting in the Ogre tribe for a few days and waiting for the Ogres to recover, he ordered his army to move once again. This time, other than the Gnomes who would continue to act as bait, he now had an Ogre army three hundred men strong.
According to Braska’s memories, there were still a few Ogre tribes around them. With his guidance, Yang Ling led his army directly toward a snow-covered valley, prepared to subdue the closest Ogre tribe.
The Ogres had thick hides and powerful muscles. They could be used to both attack and defend. They were not only the most ideal laborers, they were also the most powerful infantry units Yang Ling had encountered. Even though they were not as powerful as the ten-meter-tall Withered Tree Warriors, there were many more of them.
If he could subdue a large group of Ogres and create more infantry troops, the army under his control would gain the ability to engage in three-dimensional battles.
The Evil Eyes would be responsible for powerful attacks. Even though they were slow, their firepower was immense. They were the cannoneers of the army. The Horned Bee Beasts were responsible for surprise attacks. Even though they were unable to face off directly against powerful enemies, their fast speeds and poisonous stingers gave them an advantage. They were the fighter jets used for surprise attacks and covering the other units in the army.
The Withered Tree Warriors had powerful attacks and exceptional defense. Even though they were relatively slow, they were still terrifying to face on the ground. They were the heavy tanks in the army. The Gargoyles had sharp attacks and were fast as lightning. Even though their defenses were weak and there were not enough of them, they could still carry out devastating sneak attacks.
With their ability to dig into the ground, their fatal poison, and their massive numbers, the spider army was not only highly effective in attacking targets on the ground, they could also deal with low flying enemy units. They were one of Yang Ling’s trump cards, even though they were now the only units that could fire high into the air, as well as the only land army.
The Gnomes were naturally cowardly, but they were ingenious. Yang Ling believed that they could act as excellent bait and craftsmen after a little training. This army was lacking a team of infantry. Even though the spider army was strong, they were not enough to hold off a strong enemy charging toward them.
The Ogres were immensely strong and not afraid of death. Yang Ling was sure that they would become an elite trump card after being equipped with heavy armor and giant clubs. With the addition of such heavy infantry, the abilities of the entire army had been enhanced by a whole level.
After instructing the Magical Beast army to set up a heavy ambush outside the valley, Yang Ling ordered the Gnomes to move out. The elder led the Gnomes forward, walking quickly. Despite still being nervous, they were no longer as fearful as they had been before. They felt more at ease after seeing Yang Ling’s power and the might of the army behind him.
Just like before, under the provocation of the Gnomes, large groups of Ogres chased after them, roaring. They carelessly fell for Yang Ling’s ambush.
The outcome was clear after the aerial and ground assault of the Magical Beast army!
In the short span of an hour, Yang Ling had easily defeated the main forces of the Ogres. Faced with the massive Magical Beast army, the Ogres who had no place to run off to could only kneel and surrender.
A tally showed that there were still about eight hundred Ogres in the valley. After accounting for the old, weak, and injured, there were still about five hundred fit Ogres. Yang Ling could form an army of eight hundred Ogres with the Twin-headed Ogre Braska as its leader.
After resting for a moment, Yang Ling sent the old and weak members of the two Ogre tribes back to Wissen Town. Firstly, it would eliminate any distractions for the Ogre army and allow them to fight with all their hearts. Second, he could also make use of the Ogres’ full potential. Those who weren’t fit for the battlefield could still cut wood or excavate mines. Even those who were weaker could still help pave the roads.
“Sir, according to the news from the tribe, the first cart of rations that you sent us is nearly exhausted. Do you think you can…”
Seeing the old and weak Ogres being sent into Wissen Town and not having to worry about food, the Gnome Elder’s eyes turned red with envy. But he knew that other than helping draw spell formations and acting as bait, his clansmen were incomparable to the powerful Ogres. He did not hope that his entire clan could be moved to Wissen Town. All he wished was that Yang Ling could supply them with enough rations for his clansmen to last through the long winter.
Yang Ling swallowed a mouthful of golden-brown wolf meat, then looked at the dancing snowflakes in the air and the Gnome Elder with his white beard. Yang Ling started deliberating. With Wissen Town’s remaining rations, it would not be a problem to feed two and a half thousand Gnomes through the winter. If everything was successful, Wissen Town would be able to grow huge fields of crops next year. Another couple thousand Gnomes would not be too much of a burden to him.
“Elder, have you been to Wissen Town?” After a moment’s deliberation, Yang Ling did not answer the Gnome Elder’s question. He sliced off a piece of browned wolf meat and handed it to the elder.
“Yes, more than ten years ago. I went with the elder before me!”
The Gnome Elder did not understand Yang Ling’s intentions. He mumbled, his expression a little awkward. He had indeed been to Wissen Town back then. He had been there with a large group of aboriginal tribes to steal food, but they were repelled by the powerful Anca family.
Even though the Anca family was usually violent, they went even farther when dealing with the thieving aborigines. Dismemberment, skinning, burying them alive… They employed everything, scaring the various tribes who were tempted to repeat the act during the winters. That was also the reason why the townspeople kept living in Wissen. Otherwise, the aborigines would have made life in Wissen too dangerous to be worthwhile.
“Then what do you feel Wissen Town lacks the most?” Yang Ling swallowed a mouthful of warm wine, not paying too much attention to the Gnome Elder’s awkward expression.
What does Wissen Town lack the most? Crystal coins, rations… Or beautiful women? The Gnome Elder was hesitant. It was not easy to answer Yang Ling’s question in such a short amount of time.
“Elder, what I lack most in my land is a large number of capable men!” Seeing the hesitant Gnome Elder, Yang Ling said directly, “The Magical Beast Territory will welcome anyone and protect them and their families as long as they possess a skill, no matter their race. After this, I will give you five more carts of rations and permit you to move a hundred of your clansmen to live permanently in town. If you fully prove your usefulness in my territory, I believe everyone will welcome the Gnome race into our formation.”
We might be able to move the entire clan into the Magical Beast Territory?
Yang Ling had just said this when the Gnome Elder grovelled respectfully before him. He knew that the greatest advantage his race possessed was their ability to draw magical spells. If he could draw a large number of spell formations using Magical Beast Blood Essence, he believed that Yang Ling would not go back on his word. There might truly be hope for the future of his clansmen.
The ingenious Gnomes, the powerful Ogres… Yang Ling started coming up with plans after taking a mouthful of strong liquor. His plans for developing Wissen Town were beginning to come together.