Roads were constructed, Eternal Domain’s food officially beca the circulating currency within this small werewolf community, Eternal Comrce and Trade was established, and a three-tier military system was ford. The first eting of the Werewolf Tribes from the southern edge of Thunderous Swamp could thus be called a resounding success. Yan Xing and the Werewolf Clan Leaders each obtained what they desired, and the atmosphere at the eting was harmonious.
The next item on the agenda was to refine the broad frawork.
First, they confird the labor force for constructing the first phase of the canal and roads.
Then, based on the characteristics of each Werewolf Tribe’s territory, they determined what was suitable for them to cultivate. This information was compiled into a list for Eternal Domain, which would then provide them with tools and seedlings.
Furthermore, the establishnt of the southern barracks required negotiations among the Werewolf Clan Leaders to allocate military service quotas for each tribe.
These kinds of details couldn’t be ironed out in just a day or two.
During the eting, the Werewolf Clan Leaders stayed in dormitories arranged for them by Eternal Domain. This allowed them to fully experience Eternal Domain’s cuisine and a high-end lifestyle they had never imagined.
As a result, many more items were added to the Werewolf Clan Leaders’ extensive shopping lists.
During breaks in the eting, Yan Xing had the captured Orcs and human rcenaries brought before him one by one for interrogation.
A headcount revealed a total of 379 Orc and human rcenaries had participated in the attack. Of these, 196 died during the werewolves’ surprise assault; the rest were all captured, with none escaping.
Orc leader Gustav and human rcenary leader Yarlin had both died. The surviving Orcs and human rcenaries, having witnessed the werewolves’ bloodthirstiness, were deeply concerned about their own fates.
The captured human rcenaries, in particular, sold their lives for money and lacked the fortitude of the Orcs. A little intimidation was all it took to make them spill everything.
「In the evening, a cool breeze was blowing.」
In an open space within the territory.
Yan Xing sat in a lounge chair, tapping his crossed leg, enjoying a shoulder massage from the maid Donna, who was behind him.
Olaf, along with a few Light-Armored Werewolf Warriors, stood guard nearby.
Two ters in front of the lounge chair, there was a newly dug pit, and a rcenary was half-buried in it.
Four farrs, holding shovels, stood beside the pit, looking as if they were ready to bury the rcenary alive.
Yan Xing lit a cigarette and pinched the bridge of his nose to clear his head a bit.
Having etings all day was indeed exhausting.
Donna’s small hands diligently kneaded his shoulders. When a twinge of pain caused Yan Xing to shift, Donna imdiately lightened her touch.
That was more comfortable.
After a busy day, being served by such a maid during rest ti was the life a lord deserved.
Yan Xing took a drag from his cigarette and asked the half-buried rcenary, "So, you’re saying... Yarlin orchestrated the entire Orc attack on my territory, and the rchant Eden knew nothing about it?"
The rcenary’s face was beaten to a pulp, swollen like a pig’s head with a large lump on top and blood streaming down.
He had suffered a lot just monts ago. Any hint of hesitation in his response, and the farrs would begin shoveling dirt into the pit.
Now, the dirt had already reached his abdon.
"Yes, yes, yes..." the rcenary, frightened that the farrs would shovel in more dirt, responded without any hesitation. "The rchant Eden was unaware of our plans to attack your territory. After we escorted him back to Nuta City, our rcenary contract was automatically terminated.
This was all because Yarlin coveted your wealth and your armor.
He knew he couldn’t breach your territory by himself, so he sent n to contact Chief Li Ya of Orc Spikes Castle to join forces in the assault."
After questioning several rcenaries with the sa inquiries, Yan Xing confird that Eden was indeed unaware and had not participated in the attack on Eternal Domain.
Recalling the day Eden took the ceramic fruit plate away, he didn’t seem like the kind of person who would do sothing foolish.
Having ruled out Eden as a suspect, Yan Xing then asked, "On the Wildwind Highlands, humans and Orcs have been at war for years. There have been countless deaths and injuries on both sides, and the two races harbor deep mutual animosity.
I don’t understand... how could Chief Li Ya of Stakes Castle trust Yarlin so much! Yarlin claid there was a prosperous human territory here, and the Orcs imdiately mobilized their troops, sending them deep into the lands controlled by the Duchy’s Army.
Their relationship is that good? Do you know why?"
The rcenary shook his head and replied, "I don’t know..."
Before he could finish, a clump of soil hit his face, and then the dirt continued to pour down like water.
"I’ll talk, I’ll talk..." the rcenary shouted in fear.
Yan Xing gestured for the farrs to stop.
Looking again, Yan Xing couldn’t help but marvel at the human farrs’ efficiency; the soil had already almost reached the rcenary’s chest.
A little longer, and they really would have buried this rcenary alive.
Yan Xing pointed to the back of his own head, and Donna’s small hand moved to the back of his neck and began to gently knead.
"Speak up... Your chances are running out. Don’t end up like the others..."
After speaking, Yan Xing pointed to a patch of fresh earth nearby.
This made the rcenary believe that those interrogated before him had already been buried alive.
The pressure of the soil, now up to his chest, made it difficult for the rcenary to breathe. Nevertheless, he spoke without delay: "We rcenaries work for money. To prevent the Silvermane Principality’s army from building fortresses, the Orcs often dispatch Malevolent Wolf Cavalry to attack the Duchy’s Army supply stations on the Wildwind Highlands.
If we... if we assist small Orc units in entering the Duchy-controlled area, we can receive a substantial gold reward.
Moreover, when we complete bounty tasks issued by the military and rchants on the Wildwind Highlands, we also acquire intelligence.
The Orcs will pay a high price for this intelligence.
That’s why Chief Li Ya trusts us so much... enough to send troops to attack your territory," he concluded.
Yan Xing understood.
So this is what they call human traitors!
The Silvermane Principality’s strategy on the Wildwind Highlands was to advance step by step. They would construct fortresses on a large scale, using them as strongpoints to control surrounding areas and continuously expand their controlled space.
Constructing these fortresses required advance preparation of materials and labor, making them vulnerable targets for Orc attacks.
However, the storage and transportation of these materials and laborers all occurred within areas controlled by the Silvermane Principality. Since the Orcs didn’t know their exact locations, they had no way to launch effective attacks.
Thus, the Orcs turned to the rcenaries.
The chaotic situation in the Wildwind Highlands prompted the developnt of the rcenary industry there.
rchants leaving heavily guarded cities had to hire rcenaries for protection; otherwise, they would find it difficult to return ho safely.
The military also assigned so low-profile yet unsavory military tasks to rcenaries.
Naturally, the rcenaries acquired a great deal of intelligence in the process.
Consequently, so rcenaries extended their business to the Orcs and even the Elves.
Both Orcs and Elves were willing to pay handsoly for military intelligence.
Indeed, business is everywhere.
But for these rcenaries to peddle intelligence and even assist Orc armies with infiltration... isn’t that excessively brazen?
The long-distance infiltration and sabotage by the Orc Malevolent Wolf Cavalry couldn’t possibly go unnoticed by the Silvermane Principality’s army. They would surely suspect that soone on their own side was assisting the Orcs.
The first to be suspected would definitely be these unprincipled rcenaries who only recognized money.
Yet, the fact that rcenaries were still so active in the Principality-controlled area was quite abnormal.
Yarlin managing to organize such a sizable rcenary force in so short a ti to attack his territory clearly demonstrated the Silvermane Principality’s negligence in handling the rcenary issue.
The waters here are not only muddy but also very deep!
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