Gorgin stood before the city, scratching his head in perplexity.

  Karin and Nuya lingered behind him. Nuya, in contrast to Karin, seemed rather ill - at - ease.

  As an orc, he was robust and brawny, yet he possessed a bit more shrewdness than the average member of his kind.

  For the time being, he refrained from speaking, not daring to break the silence rashly.

  “Chief...”

  Karin ventured softly.

  Having spent the most time in Gorgin's company, she felt relatively more at ease compared to Nuya.

  “Just look at this mess! I used to be content with my own little domain, living a life of pure bliss. It's all your fault and that blasted dog's! If it weren't for you two, would I have found myself in possession of two oases in quick succession?”

  “Now, what am I supposed to do? I've got over a thousand slaves and several thousand dwarves on my hands. How on earth am I going to manage them? You tell me!”

  Gorgin was acutely aware of his own limitations.

  He had always been clear that all he ever wanted was to establish a service area and liberate his tribesmen from a life of pillaging.

  The thought of seeking dominance or engaging in wanton bloodshed had never crossed his mind. Before his transmigration, he was just a cook.

  After spending twenty years as a savage ogre, he knew full well that governing was far more challenging than mere combat.

  He was utterly clueless when it came to running things.

  “I was hasty in my thinking... Initially, I planned to bring all the dwarven women, children, and the elderly to the Dragon's Lair Tribe as a means of leverage. ”

  “But our tribe simply doesn't have the space to accommodate such a large number of dwarves. If we leave them here, they'll undoubtedly pack their bags and flee the moment we're out of sight. Should I just... kill them all?”

  Gorgin rubbed his chin so vigorously that it seemed on the verge of sparking.

  “Chief, that wouldn't be in line with your reputation for keeping your word,” Karin said, shrinking back slightly, sensing the chief's veiled reproach towards herself and Captain Dog.

  “You really have the audacity to say that!” Gorgin rolled his eyes.

  At the sight of Karin's alluring figure, he reached out and grabbed her, striding briskly into the city.

  Karin was jolted with shock.

  Realizing what was about to transpire, her face paled instantly.

  The punishment... Was it finally upon her?

  At the moment, all the ogres, dwarves, and the foreign troops led by Nuya were outside the city, leaving the urban area deserted.

  Gorgin located an open space surrounded by some cover, which appeared to be a dwarven forging platform.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  Without hesitation, he deposited Karin onto it.

  Horne's two heads exchanged a knowing look.

  “Our son has grown up.”

  “Indeed.”

  Moments later, Gorgin emerged, carrying Karin, whose body was now drenched in purple - hued blood.

  She had lapsed into unconsciousness, her breathing shallow and labored, teetering on the brink of death.

  At this point, her body was marred with numerous wounds, blood flowing freely. Thanks to the demon race's remarkable constitution, she had not yet succumbed.

  Gorgin tossed the battered Karin, who resembled a broken doll, at Horne's feet and stretched his muscles.

  “Mom, see if you can save her.”

  Horne's left head remarked, “I really don't understand your fondness for such a fragile race.”

  Horne's right head chimed in, “But since you like her, she'll pull through.”

  Scarlet light cascaded continuously into Karin's severely damaged body, rapidly mending her injuries.

  “Ugh!!!” Karin let out a pained groan from the ground.

  The corner of Gorgin's mouth twitched upward slightly.

  This was a positive sign. At least it indicated that she had regained consciousness and could feel the pain.

  Horne maintained her stream of blessings, and it took a full ten minutes to wrest Karin back from the jaws of death.

  Horne's left head complained, “This is exhausting. Why didn't you just finish her off?”

  Horne's right head added, “This little one has really been through the wringer...”

  In response to his mother's remarks, Gorgin grinned unabashedly.

  Ogres paid little heed to matters of propriety. Such scenes were not uncommon within the tribe, often occurring in public view.

  “Mmm~~” Karin awoke with a start, her eyes opening wide.

  “Ch... Chief.... I'll never be so reckless again. Please spare my life, Karin begs you!”

  Karin came to her senses and immediately dropped to her knees, pleading fervently.

  Gorgin regarded the still - brilliant Branding of the Rock on Karin's arm and nodded in approval.

  “I can't manage both the Hot Sand Oasis and the Giant Sand Oasis on my own. You're a smart one. Choose one to oversee for me.”

  Gorgin's voice remained cold, but his words caused Karin to freeze in place. “Chief... You mean...” She could scarcely believe her ears.

  “Your loyalty has been proven, and your misstep has been punished. I'm fair in meting out rewards and punishments.”

  “ Moreover, the tribe is in desperate need of capable individuals at the moment. Karin, seize this opportunity and don't let me down again.”

  Gorgin's expression was impassive, his demeanor icy.

  However, Karin, who had nearly lost her life, was overwhelmed with gratitude and kowtowed repeatedly.

  “Thank you, Chief. Thank you, Great Chief!”

  “For now, you'll be in charge of Giant Sand City. It's close to the tribe, and there's no pressing need for large - scale reconstruction. ”

  “Your task is to restore production here as soon as possible to supply the Dragon's Lair Tribe.” Gorgin promptly assigned the task.

  “Mom, would you mind taking Nuya and the others to the third Hot Sand Oasis? I intend to turn it into a mining site for our tribe, ensuring a continuous supply of materials.”

  Horne's left head grumbled, “You always know how to rope me into your schemes.”

  Horne's right head sighed, “But what can I do? You're my only child.”

  Gorgin grinned sheepishly. “I can always count on you, Mom...”

  Horne nodded and steered the kodo beast towards Nuya's foreign troops.

  “Karin, I'll leave three ogres with you, along with all the dwarves. However, I'll be taking Kolber and the young dwarves with me. ”

  “I'm concerned that the ordinary ogres won't be able to handle that crafty old dwarf if he stays.”

  There was no need to worry about his mother's side of things. With her presence and Nuya, who already bore the branding, everything would be as secure as can be.

  However, Karin's situation was a bit more precarious.

  After all, there were far too few reliable individuals with the Branding of the Rock.

  “Besides restoring production and maintaining order here, you also need to construct vehicles suitable for transporting ogres as soon as possible. ”

  “I have a preliminary idea, but it's not fully developed yet. Later, gather the craftsmen for a meeting to iron out the details.”

  “Please rest assured, Chief. Karin will not fail you again!” Karin declared resolutely.

  Gorgin nodded and took his leave. After Gorgin departed, Karin clenched her fists tightly.

  It was all worth it... Even though she had nearly lost her life at the chief's hands, it was the just punishment for the trouble she had caused.

  And now, she had successfully become the overseer of an oasis.

  This was a gift from the chief, one she had risked her life to obtain.

  She was determined not to let herself down, and most importantly, not to let the chief down!

  It was truly an honor.

  The succubus wore a seductive and devilish smile, and the Branding of the Rock on her left arm glinted brightly.