Karin had never anticipated such a complication.

  “But Chief, our intention was never to expand. We simply aimed to fully utilize these slaves.”

  “That's your perspective, yet the dwarves of Giant Sand City see things differently.” Gorgin snorted coldly.

  “Believe it or not, every race with trade ties to those dwarves now knows that the ogres of the Dragon's Lair Tribe are on the verge of expansion.”

  “This...”

  Karin was completely unaware that her attempt to ease the chief's burdens and showcase her capabilities had concealed so many hidden complexities.

  “Had you not done this, the Dragon's Lair Tribe would have remained steadfastly neutral. As its reputation grew, a continuous influx of customers and business opportunities would have followed. ”

  “But now, regardless of our actual stance, in the eyes of outsiders, the tribe is no longer neutral.”

  Gorgin arched an eyebrow, fixing Karin with a stare.

  “You and that dim - witted dog have ruined my well - laid plans. Especially you.”

  “ If you hadn't instigated this, would that dog have dared? Now, tell me, don't I have every right to punish you?”

  Karin gritted her teeth. “Yes, Chief. I truly deserve to be punished.”

  “Hmph.” Gorgin looked down at her with cold indifference. “Once we return to the tribe, clean yourself up and present yourself at my dwelling.”

  Karin's body convulsed. Then, she clenched her teeth in despair.

  “Yes...”

  Neither she nor the two attendants believed this would be akin to their previous services.

  Otherwise, it couldn't be considered punishment.

  Recalling the terrifying “little Gorgin,” they shivered inwardly and regarded Karin with pity.

  This succubus had been the first to gain the chief's attention and the first outsider permitted free movement.

  But who could have foreseen such an outcome?

  Karin took a deep breath, pushing aside thoughts of the impending punishment.

  “Chief, is there... any way to remedy this situation?”

  Gorgin rose to his feet.

  “Of course. There are currently two viable solutions.”

  Hope flared in Karin's eyes.

  “Chief!”

  Whether she endured punishment or even perished, it was the consequence she deserved. But if she truly derailed the chief's plans, she would die with unending regret.

  The Branding of the Rock was not bestowed lightly.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Hmph. Without even looking, I know those dwarves were using our strength to further their own ends. Look at my tribesmen. ”

  “Were it not for the Branding of the Rock, we would have suffered significant losses long ago. Without my ogres, they wouldn't even be fit to serve the goblins of the Hot Sand Consortium. ”

  “It's only you who think you've outsmarted the dwarves.” Gorgin shook his head.

  This succubus and the gnoll possessed some intelligence, which was commendable in the tribe, yet not particularly remarkable.

  Such tactics were ancient history in his previous life, in Blue Star's Dragon Country two thousand years ago.

  “There are two ways to resolve this. Either subjugate those dwarves or annihilate them. ”

  “Whichever path we choose, once Giant Sand City falls under the Dragon's Lair Tribe's rule, it will be an internal matter, and thus not considered expansion. We can then shift the blame onto the goblins of the Hot Sand Consortium. ”

  “And if the Dragon's Lair Tribe valiantly steps in to defeat those goblins, wouldn't that be a glorious tale? Do they really think they can casually harness the power of me and my ogres?”

  Gorgin bared his massive teeth and laughed uproariously.

  “Ogres always honor their word. The division of the Hot Sand Consortium was merely the result. ”

  “Since those dwarves provided no commensurate rewards, it cannot be deemed a legitimate deal.”

  Karin's eyes widened in astonishment.

  This... was the chief of the Dragon's Lair Tribe?

  Gorgin swiveled around, addressing the motley group of slaves.

  “You feeble slaves! The goblins have been vanquished by the ogres. Now, I offer you a chance to shed your slave status! Follow my ogres and raze the city of those dwarves to the ground. ”

  “Those who survive will be free. The bravest in battle will be appointed to positions of authority. The cowards will become food! ”

  “You wretched souls, do you dare to embark on this grand venture with me?!”

  Gorgin stood before the slaves, his maw gaping wide, with ten hulking ogres at his back.

  Their battle - scarred armor attested to their fearsome might.

  Several orcs exchanged glances, each seeing the same burning determination.

  This was an opportunity, a chance to fight for their freedom.

  “Loktar！！！”

  They raised their arms high, bellowing their war cry.

  The other slaves' passions were instantly kindled.

  The slaves left by the goblins were all strong and resilient, each harboring a seething resentment.

  “Moo！！！”

  The minotaurs, even more powerful than the orcs, pawed at the sand, their eyes glinting with a fierce red.

  “Haha!!”

  Gorgin laughed maniacally.

  “Karin! Let me be clear. Since the peace between us and the dwarves has been shattered, we must immediately seek out their stronghold and crush them utterly!”

  Gorgin had shed all semblance of the amiability he'd shown during business dealings.

  The ogres' ferocity, cruelty, and bloodlust were now on full display.

  “Karin, I'm entrusting you with the command once more. Go with Nu and lead the slaves in a rapid dash back to the Dragon's Lair Tribe. ”

  “I'll await your arrival in the tribe. The moment the slaves are within our gates, the entire might of the Dragon's Lair Tribe will be unleashed to seize Giant Sand City!”

  Gorgin hoisted his chair onto the tracked vehicle and climbed aboard with the two attendants.

  He Qingqing and the few men among the slaves watched in stunned silence.

  The alliance that had so recently united against the Hot Sand Consortium was now on the brink of all - out war.

  Tens of thousands of lives would be lost, enriching the desert with a meager amount of nourishment.

  Gorgin sat in the tracked vehicle, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

  “Welcome to the Endless Desert!”

  He Qingqing's body jolted. He must be from Blue Star!

  There was no doubt about it!!

  He Qingqing screamed inwardly, but dared not show a hint of her thoughts.

  This ogre was terrifyingly brutal, with no trace of a Blue Star native.

  Remembering the mysterious buildings that had appeared in the camp, He Qingqing felt as though she'd stumbled upon a monumental secret.

  This ogre could surely see the treasure chests!

  He must have access to the same interface as the Blue Star people!

  After the initial shock, He Qingqing was consumed by despair.

  There was no hope left. The privileges that Blue Star people held, this ogre chief also possessed, and as the leader of a powerful ogre tribe no less.

  He Qingqing finally accepted the harsh reality.

  She began to steel herself, resolving to cast aside the pride, dignity, and shame of her Blue Star past.

  Her only hope for survival now lay with this ogre chief, who carried the soul of a Blue Star native.

  The tracked vehicle roared towards the Dragon's Lair Tribe, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.

  Behind it, the slaves sprinted with all their might, their feet kicking up clouds of sand.

  Nu, astride his kodo beast, led Karin, with the ogres in tow.

  The moment Gorgin arrived, he had reignited the flames of war.