In the ensuing days, the situation in the tribe grew a bit tight.

  The food stored in the warehouse simply couldn't sustain the burgeoning population of the Dragon's Lair Tribe for long.

  However, with the resources brought back from Giant Sand City earlier, they managed to scrape by, though it was a stretch.

  The tribe was filled with the ceaseless din of construction throughout the day.

  The racket was so intense that the ogres couldn't catch a wink of sleep.

  As a result, they wandered out into the desert, found a shaded slope, and dozed off.

  Gorgin, on the other hand, remained unfazed.

  He typically spent his days reclining, either enjoying a massage with his eyes shut or simply resting without truly falling asleep.

  The dwarves had finally started to settle down.

  The female dwarves who had accompanied them to care for the young ones were also more at ease.

  When the ogres noticed the Branding of the Rock on Kolber's left arm, their attitude towards him softened considerably.

  Among all the races in the endless desert, winning the loyalty of dwarves and goblins was no easy feat.

  Goblins had virtually no moral compass; gold coins were their sole devotion.

  As for the dwarves, their stubbornness was legendary.

  This very stubbornness had stymied the growth of the dwarven population over the years.

  Gorgin, meanwhile, favored races like the orcs.

  They respected strength above all and had a strong sense of honor.

  Once overpowered, they were quick to pledge their loyalty.

  These beast - like races, with their straightforward nature and unwavering belief in might, were far easier to handle.

  The dwarves did have one redeeming quality, though.

  Once they swore allegiance, they remained loyal to the death.

  This unwavering loyalty was the one aspect of the dwarves that Gorgin truly valued.

  However, the dwarves' inflexible nature was a liability in the harsh desert environment.

  When their city fell, they often faced the grim prospect of extermination.

  As for the goblins, Gorgin had never entertained the thought of winning their loyalty.

  He was only interested in harnessing their technology.

  If he hoped to lead a more comfortable life and elevate the tribe from its primitive state, change was necessary.

  For instance, under Gorgin's coercion, the goblins and dwarves were now forced to collaborate.

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  With the Branding of the Rock, Kolber was committed to fulfilling his tasks.

  The goblins, driven by the will to survive, had no choice but to comply.

  Just as Captain Dog had predicted, Kolber harbored deep resentment towards him.

  But Captain Dog couldn't have cared less. He considered himself shameless; after all, he already had plenty of enemies.

  What was one more?

  As Gorgin's lackey, he feared no one except the ogres.

  The airship docking tower was taking shape at an astonishing pace.

  A unique blend of goblin and dwarf styles, it was several times larger than typical structures.

  Gorgin had temporarily loaned Kolber the blue forging hammer.

  Kolber skillfully transformed iron pillars into a variety of small components. Meanwhile, the goblins' steam stamping machine roared to life.

  As iron materials were fed into it, the stamping hammer slowly ascended under the pressure of steam and then crashed down with a long, shrill whistle.

  The majority of the cacophony in the tribe originated from this machine.

  After two days of observing the construction out of curiosity, Gorgin lost interest. He had always been a results - oriented individual.

  The docking tower was designed to secure the airship, and boarding the gondola required a set of steps.

  Through the combined efforts of the goblins' stamped workpieces and the dwarves' forged components, a large, wide, and sturdy staircase gradually materialized.

  Made entirely of solid iron, these steps could easily bear the weight of fully - armed ogres.

  In tandem with the tower's construction, the modification of the airship was underway.

  Coin and Kolber engaged in heated debates over the airship's modification plan.

  Their faces flushed with passion, each was convinced that their idea was the right one.

  In the end, they took their dispute to Gorgin, presenting him with two distinct plans drawn on the back of animal skins using charcoal pencils.

  Gorgin couldn't help but roll his eyes after examining them.

  “Is this supposed to be an airship? It looks more like a suicide bomber airship!” Gorgin scoffed at Coin's design.

  “Sure, I'll give you this - your plan maximizes firepower and damage. ”

  “But have you stopped to think that I'm going to be on board? Are you in such a hurry to send me to my grave?”

  Coin cowered, too intimidated to speak.

  Then Gorgin turned his attention to Kolber's design.

  “Yours is marginally better, but seriously, do you think this thing will actually fly? Are you trying to build a floating fortress?”

  “ I've told you time and time again that your dwarven cannons are subpar. Short - range and inaccurate. ”

  “Can't you incorporate some of the goblins' weapon design concepts?”

  “Take these back. Your designs are abysmal! Get out, both of you!”

  Gorgin dismissed them with a wave of his hand, as if shooing away bothersome flies.

  Outside, Kolber and Coin shot each other a glare, then snorted and stomped off to their respective camps.

  Moments later, Captain Dog entered.

  “Chief, I've come up with a rough sketch of our tribe's flag. Please have a look and see if it meets your approval.”

  Gorgin opened his eyes and eyed Captain Dog suspiciously.

  “You designed this? I thought you'd enlist Karin's help.”

  Upon examining the sketch, Gorgin's eyes lit up.

  “Well, I'll be... This is actually quite something...”

  The central image was a simple silhouette of a black dragon.

  Crossed beneath it were a spiked club and a massive bone hammer, with a crudely - drawn ogre head above them.

  “Did you come up with all this? I never knew you had it in you.”

  Captain Dog grinned obsequiously, rubbing his paws together.

  “As long as it serves the chief's will, I can do anything - except give birth. And even then, I'd find a way.”

  “You crafty little rascal...”

  Gorgin chuckled, both amused and impressed.

  He decided to approve the design for now, knowing he could always change it if a better one emerged.

  “Alright, let's go with this. But simplify the design a bit. It's a tad too elaborate.”

  “Yes, Chief. I'll get right on it.”

  Captain Dog respectfully retrieved his draft.

  “Once the design is finalized, have the female dwarves sew it together using animal skins. We'll erect the largest one in the tribe. ”

  “Also, have it painted on the airship. Tell Kolber and Coin that I want an airship that combines the best of goblin and dwarf technology, with a touch of ogre style.”

  “ I didn't ask them to stick to their respective racial designs. If they can't deliver, they don't eat. They're wasting resources.”

  “Understood, Chief. I'll see to it immediately.”

  Gorgin waved his hand, and Captain Dog backed out, bowing respectfully.

  After leaving, Captain Dog swaggered out of the tribe, clutching his draft.

  He made a wide detour and headed to the northernmost outskirts of the oasis.

  “Come out. Your design didn't make the cut.”

  Amidst the rustling of grass, a rabbit - like creature, roughly the same height as a jackal, emerged from the oasis.

  “That can't be right... I thought my design was flawless. Why didn't it meet Chief Gorgin's standards?”