Draven had no idea how long Selene had been watching from the rooftop. If he had known, he might have charged her a fee—after all, this was a covert surveillance.

  This time, entering the city, he constantly felt a shadow trailing behind him. Although he guessed it was someone sent by Selene, he never expected Selene herself to appear.

  Draven's affairs in the city were more or less settled. In Rurik's stone house, he briefly went over a few precautions.

  Then, Draven left with Rurik's Pale-Horned Magic Hawk.

  Unfortunately, the ratfolk blacksmith Pick's tribe couldn't hold out, and in the end only he remained—swallowed whole by that Eyebrow-Patterned King Serpent.

  At this moment, Draven sat astride the Nightmare Horse, stretching out his arm to pull Viola tightly into his embrace.

  Liliana cozily nestled beside her sister Viola, shouting excitedly, thrilled that coming to Selene City was such an amazing experience.

  A smile tugged at Draven's lips, and a surge of ambition rose in his heart. This return marked the beginning of a campaign.

  Back at Village No. 2, he first fetched some blood food to treat the accompanying Pale-Horned Magic Hawk—so next time it would recognize this place as its home base.

  Meanwhile, the Eyebrow-Patterned King Serpent spat out the swallowed ratfolk blacksmith Pick. Draven instructed Titus to take Pick inside and care for him well.

  Pick was still unconscious and looked even weaker. Draven wasn't sure if he could still be of use, so he decided to nurture him first and see.

  He specifically told Titus not to treat Pick like an ordinary slave but to give him extra attention in food and care.

  Viola and the others busied themselves planting magic herbs dug from the lord's mansion back garden.

  Draven summoned the Ghost-faced Owl, wrote two orders, and sent it out with the bird. Standing atop the city walls watching the owl spread its wings and fly away, Draven's thoughts drifted.

  He felt he was releasing not just a bird, but a monster named war. Though he felt some resistance inside, the expansion of the Black Flag Territory would inevitably involve plunder.

  Watching the busy slaves around the village, Draven sighed deeply. Even if he didn't start the war, the war would sooner or later come knocking.

  Since he had made up his mind, he must prepare even more.

  The next day, two groups were ready to depart, each leaving from separate villages, heading toward Village No. 2.

  Village No. 1 was led by Bran, with only fifty slaves accompanying him.

  Village No. 3 mobilized all its male serpentfolk—Green Serpent and Gregor leading more than three hundred warriors, morale high.

  In the grasses beside them, various snakes slithered back and forth, hissing incessantly.

  At Village No. 2, Titus wielded a chain hammer as he moved among his fifty chosen Kobold troops, occasionally shouting for them to straighten their backs and puff out their chests.

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  Liliana trailed behind causing trouble, repeatedly kicking the Kobolds' backsides. These Kobolds habitually bent over, making the formation look disorderly.

  Seeing Titus carefully smiling and appeasing Liliana beside him, Draven rolled his eyes helplessly. Titus had a personal agenda—he selected only slaves among the Kobolds.

  Perhaps he wanted to use this opportunity to free them from slavery or couldn't bear to see his kin, newly freed, fall into danger again. Draven didn't want to guess Titus's thoughts and preferred not to bother.

  The Dorian brothers were less polite, pointing and laughing, mocking Titus. Before long, Titus's face flushed red, struggling to withstand their teasing.

  What's wrong with Kobolds? Didn't your scout team pick your own kind? Titus felt aggrieved but dared not argue with the reindeer brothers.

  They were the lord's little brothers-in-law; he couldn't compete. Titus gave the lord a resentful glance, thinking:"Our breed's bitches are just as good!"

  Draven waved his hand, signaling the Dorians to stop the nonsense. The demi-humans seemed naturally indifferent to war.

  For them, fighting a war was almost no different from hunting. Even Viola, early in the morning, busied herself arranging daily tasks for villagers and slaves.

  They had just reached the edge of the training ground when Viola stepped up beside Draven.

  "Aren't you worried?" she asked.

  Draven glanced at her expression and was slightly startled to see excitement shining in Viola's eyes!

  "Draven, we're running low on slaves. I heard the Hyena Man still has plenty of hands?" Viola's eyes sparkled, and she gripped a staff she somehow pulled out, looking very determined.

  Draven thought to himself, is he the only one taking this battle seriously? The demi-humans really are naturally a warlike species.

  However, this time Viola wouldn't be going with them. Not only her, but Liliana had to stay behind to guard the home as well.

  That Liliana, who kept kicking the Kobolds' backsides, was actually venting her frustration at Draven for not taking her to the battlefield!

  She kicked a few times in a huff, then dashed over like the wind, hugging Draven's waist and raising her little face to act cute.

  "Take me with you, please! I can help heal them…" she said, shaking Draven from side to side, refusing to give up.

  Draven refused without hesitation. Her wood-elf magic was still too weak. Taking her to the battlefield wouldn't save many lives and would be more dangerous.

  Staying behind to defend home was the wisest choice. After all, he didn't want the home to be robbed on the first campaign.

  When Green Serpent and Bran arrived, the expedition forces were finally complete. The three squads gathered at the training ground, and the atmosphere grew tense and serious.

  Draven said no more and scanned the assembled troops. He waved his hand and shouted,"Move out!"

  The Dorian brothers, excited, led their contracted magical beasts charging ahead.

  Bran rode atop a whirlwind magic wolf, his face beaming with a wide smile.

  Just moments ago, the leader had equipped each of them with a magical beast companion. Of course, not everyone received such treatment—only the Dorian brothers and Bran.

  As for the others, if they wanted benefits, it depended on their performance from here on out.

  Kobold Titus looked at Bran's magic wolf with envy. How great it would be if Kobolds could also have such mounts!

  He tightly gripped his chain hammer, shouting at his kin to keep up with the troop. This campaign was led by the serpentfolk, with Kobolds handling logistics, and Bran's group supervising the battle.

  Draven rode his Nightmare Horse, beside him the troll Ade proudly held high the bright red wolf-head banner.

  If it weren't for the constant shouting and noise from the troops, it would somewhat resemble an army.

  Draven barked out a sharp command. Alec, standing nearby, weaved through the ranks delivering the leader's orders:"The leader commands, keep quiet!"

  Compared to the militia of Black Flag Territory, the warriors of various races in Selene City appeared far more elite.

  Having witnessed the werewolf leader's authority and strength from the rooftop before, Selene was even more determined to become stronger herself.

  She didn't want a day to come when, like Viola and the others, she could only helplessly roll her eyes at Draven.

  Casting away all distractions, the atmosphere on the training ground grew exceptionally tense. The elite succubi and warriors from the four major tribes, all well-equipped, awaited Selene's command.

  Draven was just a village chief. Since after the rainy season, he had already begun plotting his plans.

  Selene would not miss any opportunity either.

  However, their goals were completely different: the lord aimed to expand southwards, while Selene intended to lead her tribe to seize more resources and strengthen her power.