The corpses controlled by the necromancer moved stiffly and expressionlessly. Getting them to trick the Hyena Men into opening the gate was no easy task.

  Even though Green Serpent and his companions carefully treated the bloodstains and wounds on the bodies, it was still difficult to fool the Hyena Men guarding the gate.

  However, just as the corpses appeared, a sudden cry for help came from their allies outside the village. The guards had no time to carefully verify the returning hunting party's identity.

  No one expected that the tribesmen would suddenly turn against each other, launch an attack, and forcibly destroy the village gate.

  Taking advantage of the chaos, Green Serpent, hidden among the corpses, swiftly seized the opportunity. When the guards opened the gate to investigate, Green Serpent didn't hesitate to launch an attack.

  The large gate made of thick logs shattered loudly under his powerful strike—a blow worthy of a mid-level leader—sending splinters flying everywhere.

  The nearby serpents urged their group forward. These venomous snakes bypassed the chaotic fighting zone and silently slipped deep into the Hyena Men's caves.

  The village instantly descended into chaos. The guards had to deal not only with the greater number of serpents but also remain wary of their own tribesmen—no one could be sure if there were traitors among them.

  Screams, curses, and roaring flames mixed together, turning the village entrance into a battlefield. A furious roar cut through the air as the Hyena Men leader, Sardon, charged out swinging his steel claws.

  His eyes blazed with fury as he glared at the fallen tribesmen, his gaze finally settling on the rampaging Green Serpent.

  The emerald serpent spear danced in Green Serpent's hands like a viper's tongue, repeatedly stealing the lives of the tribesmen. Sardon roared angrily and launched his steel claws like lightning, aiming directly at the reckless serpent leader.

  Green Serpent spun agilely, sweeping his spear horizontally as the claws lunged at him. A muffled clang rang out, strong gusts of wind blowing around, forcing the demi-humans nearby to retreat.

  Instead of panic, Green Serpent felt joy—he knew this was his chance to show his strength. The spear thrust forward, revealing a deadly intent.

  However, Sardon was not easily dealt with. As a fellow mid-level leader, his foundation was much deeper than Green Serpent's.

  The two steel claws swung alternately and soon managed to trap the green spear in Sardon's grip. With a furious roar, Sardon yanked hard with both hands and wrested the spear away.

  Green Serpent's hands burned with pain, blood pouring out. Ignoring the pain, his first instinct was to turn and flee. But as he did, a sudden fear rose in his heart: was he about to fail again?

  Just as Sardon sneered and aimed at Green Serpent's back, a pale white bone spear suddenly pressed coldly against the back of his head.

  "Surrender, or die!" a cold voice came from behind—Gregor had silently approached without anyone noticing.

  Sardon's steel claws halted instantly. He wanted to turn around but felt the sharp chill of the bone spear. Facing two mid-level leaders closing in, his heart turned icy cold.

  Caught in close quarters, what choice did he have but to surrender?

  His steel claws fell helplessly to the ground.

  Seeing this, the fleeing Green Serpent turned back and shouted loudly,"Your leader has surrendered! Lay down your weapons, surrender and live! Lay down your weapons, surrender and live!"

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  The serpent warriors echoed his call, and the clamor in the village slowly quieted.

  As the serpent warriors bound all the strong Hyena Men fighters, the venomous snakes, already deep inside the cave, escorted the old, weak, and women and children out under the protection of two guardian serpents.

  At this moment, Bran and Titus, both bloodied, arrived. The battle had long since ended.

  Bran slammed his great axe heavily onto the ground, sighing at his tardiness. Among the hunting party was a Hyena Men bloodline warrior who he and Titus had killed together.

  Titus was quite satisfied—being able to join forces to kill a bloodline warrior was something previously unimaginable.

  The chain hammer was stained with blood, streaked red and white. The Kobold's sharp gaze swept over more than a hundred enslaved tribesmen, his eyes sparkling with light.

  With the battle completely over, Draven finally emerged from the shadows.

  Sardon had no idea that they never stood a chance from the very beginning. As soon as the chaos began, Draven had already used his"Sky Shadow Step" ability to conceal himself atop the Hyena Man's stone walls, clearly observing every moment of the assault unfold.

  When Green Serpent was defeated, Draven couldn't help but let out a chuckle. This guy was clever in daily affairs, but the moment he stepped onto the battlefield, he completely fell apart. It was obvious he didn't even understand the limits of his own strength.

  Draven lightly patted Green Serpent on the shoulder, then strode toward the tightly bound Hyena Man chieftain, Sardon.

  Sardon now stood slumped to one side, tightly tied up, eyes filled with helpless despair.

  "Submit to me, and the Hyena Tribe will be spared from slavery," Draven said calmly, but the offer was more generous than anyone could have expected.

  For a defeated tribe, becoming slaves was often the best outcome they could hope for. Yet Draven gave them something even better—a chance at survival with dignity.

  Sardon didn't hesitate for even a moment. He nodded in agreement. After all, the Black Flag Territory's coalition of beastkin tribes was far larger and stronger than the Hyena Men. He understood the logic behind surrender.

  Bloodline power began to flow. A submissive mark slowly emerged on Sardon's forehead. Draven extended a finger and injected his own bloodline power into it. Just like that, the Hyena Man tribe was officially conquered.

  Draven then personally untied the python tendons binding Sardon and began arranging for the placement of prisoners. He gave a hearty laugh as he accepted Sardon's kneeling salute.

  The captured Hyena Man warriors were escorted to one side, while Titus led the logistics team in cleaning up the battlefield. Draven gave Bran a quick glance—only then did Bran snap out of it and move to help.

  The fires were gradually extinguished, and the corpses cleared. Apart from the scorched earth and bloodstains, it was as if no battle had ever occurred.

  Draven sat on the stone chair in the village's largest cave. The chair was wide and heavy, draped in animal hides—he looked every bit like a chieftain king of some mountain stronghold.

  Sardon stood respectfully to the side, his expression blank. No one could tell what he was thinking.

  With a relaxed smile, Draven asked Sardon to report on the Hyena Man tribe's details—population, resources, and so on. Alec stood below, taking notes diligently.

  Not long after, Green Serpent arrived with a report: the night raid had resulted in over forty serpentfolk casualties. Draven nodded and told him to ensure the fallen were properly handled.

  These warriors who gave their lives for the Black Flag Territory deserved honor and a dignified farewell.

  The Hyena Men had suffered even more severely. Dozens were captured alive, and including those hidden inside the Eyebrow-Patterned King Serpent's belly, fewer than a hundred elite warriors remained.

  Such was the cruelty of war. In just a single day, three to four hundred strong beastkin had been wiped out.

  Now was not the time for mourning. Draven instructed Sardon to calm the remaining tribesmen and begin repairs on the shattered village gate.

  He tapped the armrest of the stone chair, summoning a few of his top-performing subordinates. The operation to capture the Hyena Man village had been a success, and the warriors' performance had been acceptable.

  Draven had the Dorian brothers present the record of meritorious deeds, making it clear that rewards would follow merit.

  Green Serpent had done well early on but failed later. Draven gave him a few magic cores as consolation.

  Green Serpent hung his head in shame, not daring to speak. Deep down, he was filled with guilt. Gregor's serpentfolk clone was still a secret, so he had to play the part as expected.

  The newly surrendered Hyena Man village was handed over to Gregor's management, officially making him the new village chief under the Black Flag Territory.

  Bran avoided Draven's gaze, his eyes darting around. So Alec really is a spy!

  During the commendation announcements, he had heard everything clearly—his own performance had barely received any praise.

  Draven stared at Bran, his palms itching with frustration. Two bloodline warriors, leading a hundred slaves, had launched an assault on a small squad of just twenty or thirty—and yet suffered heavy casualties, nearly half dead.

  Even if they were slaves, such an outcome deeply displeased him.

  Titus felt the same. After the excitement wore off, he stood silently with his head lowered, not even daring to breathe too heavily.