Gorgin made his way to the oasis alone. He was desperate to wash away the blood that caked his body.

  The sticky, pungent stench was simply unbearable to him. In contrast, the other ogres couldn't have cared less.

  They casually dusted off their posteriors and returned to the tribe, resuming their daily activities without a second thought.

  The gnolls observed as the slaves busied themselves cleaning up the battlefield. By now, the gnolls had upgraded their gear.

  They had cast aside their old curved crossbows and replaced them with the goblins' shotguns.

  Even the Dog Captain carried one, though his primary weapon remained the enchanted crossbow.

  The recent battle had depleted the five enchanted attacks, yet its fire attribute remained, and since it was personally enchanted by the chief, he couldn't bear to part with it.

  They also gathered up the remaining bombs. This encounter had proven to be a highly lucrative one.

  The goblin force they'd faced was of high quality.

  Leaving aside other aspects, most of the goblin mining machines were still operational.

  However, their cockpits were so minuscule that only goblins could fit inside.

  Even the damaged machines could be dismantled and smelted into iron for use as materials.

  They'd also amassed a substantial quantity of bullets and bombs.

  Regrettably, the goblin Gatling gun was broken, although the three - barreled machine gun still functioned.

  The gnolls, filled with excitement, directed the slaves to attempt dismantling the machine gun.

  This was a weapon that had engaged in a fierce firepower duel with the chief's mother, the formidable ogre chieftain.

  The Dog Captain wasn't entirely sure why he felt so elated, but the thrill coursed through him.

  With this weapon, the tribe's firepower would receive a significant boost!

  Now that there were slaves to do the work, Gorgin didn't need to supervise these tasks personally.

  If left to the ogres, without his watchful eye as chief, they were bound to botch things up completely.

  Gorgin, now clean and refreshed, returned to the tribe in high spirits. As he passed by the Pleasure House, he waved towards the interior before making his way back to his abode.

  Shortly after, six attendants entered. One look at Gorgin and they knew precisely what he desired.

  Gorgin heaved a long sigh and closed his eyes, surrendering to the comfort. This was the life he led.

  After thoroughly vanquishing the enemy and enjoying a cleansing bath, he now had six attendants to massage away his stress.

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  All that was lacking was a cigar.

  Unfortunately, he'd yet to discover an oasis where tobacco could be grown.

  This left Gorgin with a persistent sense that something was amiss in his mouth.

  Moments later, the succubus Karin entered.

  "Chief."

  "Yo~ Karin~"

  Gorgin lifted his eyelids slightly as a form of greeting. "Care to join?"

  The succubus took the opportunity to sit down.

  "Aren't you usually out and about? Why haven't you gone for a wander?"

  Gorgin regarded the deep brand on Karin's arm, and his demeanor towards her became more relaxed.

  After all, the ogres, despite their brutish nature, still had a semblance of humanity. They naturally held members who were utterly loyal to them in higher regard.

  And truth be told, the succubus... was truly something...

  Take the Dog Captain, for example. Before the brand appeared, no matter how persuasive his words, Gorgin would never have trusted him.

  But once the brand was in place, Gorgin saw him as he might have seen a beloved village dog in his past life.

  It was undeniable that this brand had brought Gorgin great convenience. Whether it was Gorgin himself or other tribe members, they could instantly discern loyalty by a simple glance at a person's left arm.

  Otherwise, no matter how convincing one's speech, if that left arm was devoid of the brand...

  Well, sorry, you're not one of us. Keep quiet and make yourself scarce.

  "Outside is so chaotic. Our tribe is the safest haven," Karin remarked.

  "The Hot Sand Consortium... The Hot Sand Consortium..."

  Gorgin squinted, his thoughts drifting.

  "The dwarves in Giant Sand City really lucked out. The goblins were originally after them, but somehow, I ended up bailing them out..."

  Gorgin's tone carried a hint of annoyance, yet he refrained from elaborating further. He had accepted the job, so being targeted was only to be expected.

  "With these goblin machines, we should be able to strike a deal with the dwarves. But what should I trade for to enhance my comfort..."

  Gorgin closed his eyes, mumbling to himself as his mind gradually drifted.

  Everyone was hard at work, be they natives or those from Blue Star.

  Accepting the reality was the only viable path forward.

  Karin, however, took his words to heart and began formulating her own plans. But she wasn't hasty. For now, work took precedence.

  ...

  Karin stood outside the tribe, her gaze fixed on the bustling slaves and the haughty gnolls, and she reached a decision. She sought out Nu.

  Nu was the ogre with the most formidable combat prowess, second only to the ogre mage and the chief.

  "Lord Nu."

  "A dudu？？？"

  Nu eyed the diminutive succubus with a puzzled expression.

  Had he not known that she was the Pleasure House manager appointed by Gorgin and, like him, bore the brand, he would have struck her without hesitation.

  "Lord Nu, the chief seems quite displeased. I believe it's our duty to alleviate his concerns," Karin said.

  "And you, Lord Nu, are the most powerful ogre in the tribe after the chief."

  Karin enunciated each word slowly, fearing that this big, simple - minded ogre might not catch her meaning.

  Nu might have been lost on other points, but the phrase "the most powerful after the chief" registered loud and clear.

  "Yes!"

  Nu thumped his chest, his single, large eye brimming with pride.

  "Tell... me... more..."

  Nu's interest was piqued.

  "The chief has been muttering about the Hot Sand Consortium. Clearly, he's deeply dissatisfied with them," Karin continued.

  "This time, we were the hired ones, with the dwarves of Giant Sand City as our employers. Yet, only we were attacked, while the dwarves remained unscathed.

  "Despite our tribe's might in annihilating the invading goblins, we also saved the dwarves from trouble. They owe us for this!

  "Lord Nu, the Dragon's Lair Tribe shouldn't allow them to take advantage so freely. Whether it's the Hot Sand Consortium or the dwarves of Giant Sand City, it's all the same!

  "The chief desires comfort, so we should rid him of those who cause him discomfort. Lord Nu, what say you?"

  Nu scratched his head.

  "Tell... me... more... about... being... powerful..."

  He stared at Karin with eager eyes.

  Karin:...

  Well, she finally grasped why the chief sometimes rambled on.

  It was simply due to the lack of intelligent conversation partners. Apart from his mother, everyone else in this tribe seemed rather dim - witted.

  "The mightiest Lord Nu!"

  "Here's the thing. If we pull this off, do you think the chief might bestow an even more powerful weapon upon you?

  "Then, you'd be the sole ogre in the entire tribe to possess it!"

  Nu immediately clapped his hands.

  "Let's do it!"