Stakes Castle was a military fortress established by the Wildland Orcs atop the Wildwind Highlands. Its function was to use the Malevolent Wolf Cavalry stationed within to counter the advancing Human Fortress Cluster of the Silvermane Principality.
The Malevolent Wolf Cavalry was the third-tier troop of the Orc Race, consisting of Big-eared monster riders mounted on wolves.
The Big-eared monsters were short in stature, and their wolves were about the size of ponies. On the Wildwind Highlands, strewn with grasslands and forests, the Malevolent Wolf Cavalry were more easily concealed than Human Cavalry. They were ideal for guerrilla warfare.
The extensive patrols and raids by the Malevolent Wolf Cavalry made it difficult for humans to continue building fortresses towards the Orc Controlled Area. This effectively thwarted the human tactic of using fortress clusters to gradually encroach on Orc territory.
These tactics also led to heavy casualties among the Malevolent Wolf Cavalry and consud vast amounts of supplies.
Although the wolves were omnivores and didn’t require at at every al, they had enormous appetites, keeping the food reserves of Stakes Castle hovering around the critical level.
So, when a human rcenary brought news of a human territory storing large amounts of food with sparse defenses, Chief Little Lillia, the Big-eared monster hero and master of Stakes Castle, imdiately beca interested.
Marquis Anderson had built nurous small fortresses in the central Wildwind Highlands. These fortresses weren’t large, each garrisoning fewer than a hundred soldiers, sotis perhaps only a dozen.
Their purpose was to mount a layered defense if they sighted large-scale movents of Orc or Elf troops. They would then use signal fires to notify the rear to prepare for war.
The main Human Army was stationed in cities behind the Human Fortress Cluster. Good logistical support in these cities allowed the army to maintain combat readiness for extended periods.
The main Orc army’s movents could not escape the surveillance of the Human Fortress Cluster. However, small units, especially the swift and stealthy Malevolent Wolf Cavalry, could slip through gaps in the fortress line at night. Passage was even safer if human sympathizers guided them.
Yarlin had sent rcenaries to et with Chief Little Lillia many tis before; it was a familiar arrangent.
The targeted human territory lay on the plains near Thunderous Swamp. If the operation was swift and stealthy, they could attack, plunder, and retreat without alerting the Silvermane Principality’s forces.
Upon learning that Eternal Domain had not yet built walls, Chief Little Lillia imdiately ordered the troops to march.
Three hundred Malevolent Wolf Cavalry charged out from Stakes Castle, heading east towards the grasslands south of Thunderous Swamp.
anwhile, after completing his escort mission for Eden, Yarlin, the rcenary leader, secretly summoned his n, preparing for an attack on Eternal Domain.
Yan Xing was unaware that a new conflict was imminent; he was still preparing for the conference of Swamp Werewolf Clan Leaders.
With no ti to construct a proper venue, Yan Xing procured a large, Mongolian yurt-style tent and had it erected on an open plot of land within the domain.
Inside, the ground was leveled and covered with a red carpet.
A large, ring-shaped conference table was assembled on the carpet.
Bottles of purified water were placed on the table, along with chairs, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a modern conference room.
Later, Eddie and the heavily armored spearn would stand guard, lining the walls behind the conference table.
A fusion of Eastern and Western styles, ancient and modern, with a strong touch of fantasy.
Standing inside the venue, I was very satisfied with my own design. But it seed... sothing was missing.
Right!
Maids!
As a Lord, how could I forget such an important part of the domain’s staff?
Previously, when the domain needed laborers for construction, I reluctantly took on tasks like serving tea and water myself.
Now, the domain’s population has increased significantly, and just yesterday another group of refugees arrived. Although construction is expanding and labor is still tight...
But I’m a Lord about to host a grand conference...
Could I really let those rough n serve tea and water to the Werewolf Clan Leaders?
Any slip-up would be a disservice to this venue I’ve so carefully arranged.
Maids are a must!
Externally, maids, like soldiers, are the face of the domain. Soldiers represent hard power; maids represent soft power.
"Lao Hansi, gather all the won in the domain between the ages of 10 and 30... No, have them wash their faces first, then assemble outside the eting hall."
When Lao Hansi heard that his Lord was summoning all won in the domain aged 10 to 30, and that they had to wash their faces, he hurriedly asked, "My Lord, are you selecting a consort? Isn’t a ten-year-old girl... a bit too young?"
Yan Xing’s expression darkened. "Who told you I was selecting a consort? I’m selecting maidservants!"
"Understand? Maidservants!"
"When you summon them, make it clear. Don’t let everyone think I’m desperate."
Realizing Yan Xing was actually selecting maidservants, Lao Hansi imdiately apologized with a fawning smile, "Yes, yes, my Lord, my mistake. How could any woman from our domain be worthy of becoming your consort?"
"You, my Lord, are so rich and powerful. Only the most beautiful princess would be a match for you..."
"Enough with the flattery," Yan Xing interrupted. "Ti is short, and there’s much to do. After I select the maidservants, I still have to train them personally... Go and get it done."
"Yes, my Lord!"
Thanks to Yan Xing’s heroic qualities, Eternal Domain had attracted a considerable number of refugees seeking to join.
A steady stream of arrivals, in groups of ten or twenty, had increased the domain’s peasant population to over two hundred, nearly half of whom were won.
About sixty won fell into the 10 to 30 age range. They were all excited to learn that Lord Yan Xing was selecting maidservants.
Becoming one of the Lord’s maidservants ant higher status within the domain. They wouldn’t have to do hard labor and would enjoy better treatnt.
Soon, all the won, freshly washed and grood, assembled outside the eting hall, awaiting the Lord’s selection.
Yan Xing sat inside the eting hall, feeling exceptionally content.
So many won outside, waiting for to choose.
In my previous world, apart from going to a club, an occasion like this would only be a dream.
Hearing the won chattering outside, Yan Xing said to Lao Hansi, "Stand at the door and maintain order. Let them in five at a ti... I’ll conduct a preliminary screening first."
"Yes, my Lord."
Lao Hansi stood at the entrance of the eting hall, allowing five won to enter.
Then, as I looked at the five won before , my feelings were incredibly mixed!
What I saw was completely different from what I had imagined.
These working-class won... No wonder they dig ditches so quickly; they work just as hard as any strong man.
Each one was stout and brawny, involuntarily reminding of those Russian ’babushkas’ supposedly capable of carrying logs single-handedly.
If they’d just stood there quietly, it would have been tolerable.
But what are you all trying to do, striking coquettish poses at ? Am I that kind of man?
"I’m selecting maidservants, so be serious," Yan Xing said, trying to maintain his composure. "Turn around, let see... Alright, you can all go."
"Next group!"
One group left, and another ca in.
Hmm...
One of them, a girl just over ten, didn’t look too bad. Her body hadn’t fully developed yet, so her muscles weren’t prominent, giving her a sowhat slender figure.
Her hair was a bit ssy, and she had so freckles, but after seeing the previous two batches of candidates, I figured I couldn’t be too demanding.
"You, stay. Stand over there," Yan Xing instructed. "The rest of you can go... Next group."
...
Reviews
All reviews (0)