“Chief, look!”

  Karin caught sight of the dwarf airship billowing black smoke high in the sky and promptly pointed it out to Gorgin.

  “Oh~~ The dwarves of Giant Sand City were clearly expecting us.”

  “Karin, do you still think I was overstating things earlier? The dwarves have had their eyes on us. ”

  “Bet you, when we arrive, you'll see city defenses far more formidable than during your last visit.”

  Karin hung her head in shame.

  “Chief, I...”

  “While you were busy leading the slaves to develop the oasis and build work sheds, the dwarves were feverishly fortifying their walls and forging weapons with the resources looted from the Hot Sand Consortium, all because of us— the Dragon's Lair Tribe.”

  Gorgin squinted at the airship, a sneer curling his lips.

  “However, against overwhelming might, all their efforts are merely stalling tactics. Given that even the Hot Sand Consortium's main stronghold fell, how much of a boost can they really get from just splitting the spoils? ”

  “Send word. Halt the advance. Once everyone's had their fill, we'll storm Giant Sand City and take it in one fell swoop.”

  Gorgin waved his hand, and Karin hastened to relay the order.

  The Dragon's Lair Tribe and the slaves, who had been on a forced march, finally came to a stop.

  Some sat down to eat, while others quenched their thirst. Even the slaves received their fair share of water and rations.

  Since Gorgin had promised them a shot at battle, he wasn't about to send them charging against the well - armed dwarven city on empty stomachs.

  The airship in the sky wheeled around and made a beeline for Giant Sand City.

  By the time the tribe had finished their meal and readied themselves to move on, the airship was back, gradually descending.

  “Chief Gorgin! The Giant Sand City has never meant any harm to the Dragon's Lair Tribe. What's the meaning of this?”

  The dwarf leader leaned out of the flying gondola, bellowing through a large loudspeaker.

  “Mom, drive it off!”

  Gorgin said to Horne, seated atop the kodo beast beside him.

  Horne's left head snarled, “Let him feel the searing agony of the flames!”

  Horne's right head chimed in, “Leave it to me!”

  Horne propped her big bone hammer on the kodo beast's back, spread her arms wide, and with palms facing the airship, fiery elements coalesced in her hands.

  Ratatatatatatatata~

  A volley of basketball - sized fireballs shot towards the gondola like rapid - fire machine - gun rounds.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Dingdingdingding~

  The sharp peal of a copper bell rang out from the airship as it quickly ascended.

  “Full speed ahead! No need to waste breath on the dwarves. The ogres will lead the charge and smash through Giant Sand City!” Gorgin commanded.

  Horne slapped the kodo beast's head hard.

  With a yelp of pain, the beast bolted forward at full tilt.

  “waaaaagh!” Nu roared, hoisting his triple - barreled machine gun, and charged after them.

  The entire Dragon's Lair Tribe surged forward.

  Back in Giant Sand City, the dwarf leader's face drained of color.

  “They're insane! Those cursed ogres have lost their minds!”

  “All troops, on high alert! Open fire on the ogres the moment they're sighted— no need to wait for orders!” Moments ago, those fireballs had nearly reached his airship.

  And this was the only airship in the entire city.

  There were cannons lining the city walls.

  Although several large - caliber heavy cannons had been hastily constructed, both the cannonballs and the barrels were incredibly hefty.

  They packed a punch, but the leader knew they could only manage one shot at a time.

  Boom~ One of the city - defense cannons fired the opening salvo. The dwarf leader immediately looked out of the city.

  A vast cloud of dust, thick enough to blot out the sun, was rolling in.

  “All cannons, except the heavy ones, fire at will!” The dwarf leader swung his war hammer down with all his might.

  Boomboomboomboom~ The thunderous barrage of cannonfire shook the city walls.

  The violent explosions enraged the kodo beast, its eyes blazing red.

  It lowered its head, angling its long and short horns forward, and shot forward with a sudden burst of speed.

  Horne's left head cackled, “Hahaha!!!!”

  Horne's right head roared, “Feel the brutality!”

  Seated on the kodo beast, she flung red light behind her in rapid succession. It was the Bloodlust Spell— a large - scale one at that!

  [Bloodlust Spell: Grants the target a state of frenzy, enhancing attack speed, movement speed, and a small amount of attack power. Duration depends on the caster.]

  The two heads laughed maniacally and then unleashed a wall of searing flames. Dwarves within the city let out anguished cries.

  Magical flames were far more potent than ordinary ones.

  Even though dwarves had a higher tolerance for heat, they couldn't endure the relentless burn.

  Most of the attacks were intercepted by the charging ogres. Nu, at the head of the heavily - armored ogres, led the charge.

  They deflected the cannonballs with ease. The other ogres were unfazed as well. The Branding of the Rock, obtained from the purple chest, proved highly effective, allowing them to shrug off most of the damage.

  Even without it, a single shot from these ordinary cannons couldn't fell an ogre.

  Plus, the accuracy of these muzzle - loading cannons, which loaded round cannonballs from the front, left much to be desired.

  Gorgin motioned, and Karin rushed into the fray.

  In an all - out offensive, she couldn't hold back.

  Since she was determined not to be just an attendant manager, she had to shoulder the associated risks.

  Gorgin then turned his attention to the goblin driver.

  “I get it! Chief, I know what to do!”

  The goblin craftsman, doubling as a driver, shuddered and blurted out.

  He first asked Gorgin to disembark, then adjusted the tracked vehicle's direction.

  Standing beneath the vehicle, he used a wooden stick to gingerly flip a switch beside the steering wheel.

  The steam - powered tracked vehicle roared to life and hurtled towards the city gate.

  “What are you up to?” Gorgin grabbed the goblin and lifted him off the ground.

  “Don't worry, Chief. We goblins are masters of explosions. With a few tweaks, this vehicle can be transformed into a massive bomb!”

  The goblin, though terrified, couldn't contain his excitement at the mention of explosions.

  “When it comes to blowing things up, those dwarves are no match for us! If it weren't for... uh...”

  The goblin was on the verge of saying that if it weren't for these overpowering ogres joining the fight, the dwarves would never have been able to penetrate the Hot Sand Consortium.

  But then, realizing he was now a captive of the ogres, he quickly clamped his mouth shut.

  “Hmph!”

  Gorgin tossed the goblin aside, drew his boning knife, and charged forward.

  Rumble~~~

  As the entire Dragon's Lair Tribe launched their assault, the large - caliber heavy cannons let out deafening roars.

  A colossal cannonball hurtled towards the charging, roaring slaves, hitting the ground and bouncing twice.

  The areas where it landed and rebounded were instantly cleared of slaves.

  Gorgin estimated that this single shot had likely claimed over a hundred slaves.

  But... who really cared?

  Nu's triple - barreled machine gun joined the fray, its deafening rattle sending a hail of bullets towards the dwarf city walls, pinning the dwarves down.

  He was growing more and more proficient with the weapon.