Desert rabbits are proficient at burrowing and excavating. They possess remarkable artistic flair, acute hearing, and robust reproductive abilities.

  However, their intimate encounters are fleeting to an astonishing degree.

  Before an ordinary individual can even register what's happening, their post - coital "recovery period" has already concluded.

  The desert rabbit standing before Captain Dog sported long ears atop its head, with two prominent front teeth faintly visible between its three - lobed lips.

  It extended a paw to take the drawing paper proffered by Captain Dog, its eyes brimming with bewilderment.

  “Hmph, I repeatedly cautioned you that it was overly elaborate, yet you obstinately refused to listen. You just had to flaunt your so - called masterful artistic techniques,” Captain Dog scoffed.

  “Streamline the lines further. There are numerous dim - witted beasts and races in the desert. ”

  “We must ensure they can instantly recognize this as the symbol of the mighty Dragon's Lair Tribe!”

  The desert rabbit heaved a sigh.

  “Earning this meager sustenance is truly an arduous task...”

  Captain Dog chortled triumphantly.

  “You ought to be grateful that you still hold some value. ”

  “Moreover, you should be thankful that the great Chief Gorgin is willing to offer a foreign race an opportunity to conduct business. ”

  “Otherwise, given your nature, you'd have long since become our sustenance.”

  The desert rabbit clicked its tongue, looking rather forlorn.

  “Do you have a charcoal pencil? I might as well commence the alterations now...”

  Captain Dog retrieved a charcoal pencil from the tattered cloth skirt wrapped around his waist.

  In truth, it was merely a charred thorn branch.

  This colony of desert rabbits had become de facto permanent residents of the Dragon's Lair Oasis.

  They habitually dug burrows on the oasis's periphery and dwelt underground, which provided a measure of safety.

  The oasis's soil ensured that the tunnels they excavated wouldn't collapse or be buried.

  They were well - aware that this was the domain of the ogres, yet the ogres remained oblivious to the presence of these rabbits.

  Ogres, with their massive bulk, created a thunderous rumble as they walked.

  Before they could draw near, these rabbits would swiftly retreat into their burrows.

  Nonetheless, the ogres paid them little heed.

  After all, they were indifferent as to whom or what they consumed.

  It was the jackal patrols that had long since detected these rabbits.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  However, Gorgin had decreed that there was no need to wantonly slaughter the oasis's inhabitants and that resources should be sustainably managed.

  Thus, the jackals refrained from molesting these rabbits that had long inhabited the area.

  In their view, these rabbits would serve as ideal emergency rations in the event of a food shortage.

  By a stroke of fortune, Captain Dog had been hunched over, poring over the pattern.

  Since his own attempts at drawing were abysmal, this rabbit had proposed a trade. Captain Dog was elated.

  The compensation, however, amounted to merely a few meat - laden bones.

  Whether desert rabbits or common rabbits, they were omnivores with a penchant for meat.

  It was simply that their inherent weakness precluded them from procuring it.

  The two parties reached an accord, and ultimately, the draft of the tribe's emblem presented to Gorgin earlier came into being.

  Captain Dog was well - acquainted with his chief's temperament. Gorgin invariably focused solely on outcomes, not the process.

  As long as he could present a pattern that pleased the chief, it mattered not who the designer was, even if it were a figure of supreme authority.

  Two days later, Kolber and Coin once again approached Gorgin bearing a new design proposal.

  This time, the plan was a collaborative effort, as only in this manner could it meet Gorgin's exacting standards.

  Gorgin refrained from perusing it on this occasion.

  Instead, he reclined with his eyes closed while several elves diligently massaged his arms and calves.

  “Describe the design directly. I'm listening intently.”

  The dwarf and the goblin exchanged a knowing glance, and Kolber took the initiative to step forward.

  “Chief, this is our design plan for this iteration. We've opted for an open - style gondola, which consists of three levels.”

  “ The bottom level is designated for shock absorption and supply storage.”

  “ The middle level houses fixed gun emplacements, and the top - level, being open, affords sufficient space for the ogres to move about.”

  “A total of four deployable bombs can be affixed to the front and rear of the gondola. These can be configured for either timed detonation or triggered detonation.”

  “Owing to the expansion of the gondola, we were compelled to enlarge the airship's gas envelope and install steam - powered propellers for steering and propulsion.”

  Gorgin narrowed his eyes.

  “Very well. As long as it aligns with the requirements I've stipulated, you have the latitude to execute the rest as you see fit.”

  “ I'm solely concerned with the end result. However, given the large size of the airship's gas envelope, its protective measures must be meticulously implemented. ”

  “Ensure that even a passing bird doesn't puncture it.”

  “Chief, rest assured. We're well - versed in these matters,” Kolber replied with composure, nodding gravely.

  “How long is the estimated completion time?”

  Gorgin posed this question because he recalled discovering a blue treasure chest in the Third City of the Hot Sand Consortium.

  Logically, there should also be such chests in the Second City and the consortium's headquarters.

  Since the fall of the Hot Sand Consortium, considerable time had elapsed.

  He hoped that no one from Blue Star would swoop in to claim the spoils.

  Of course, the likelihood of this was extremely low.

  The endless desert was vast beyond measure, and the distance between oases often spanned hundreds of kilometers.

  Furthermore, the goblins had previously captured all the nearby individuals.

  Given the current state of the Blue Star people, they presumably lacked the means to locate the Hot Sand Consortium.

  “Estimated to be around a month...” Kolber calculated the timeline and announced.

  “That's out of the question. I instructed you to modify, not to rebuild from the ground up. I lack the patience to wait that long.”

  Gorgin opened his eyes and fixed a stern gaze on Kolber and the goblin, his annoyance palpable.

  “Ten days. I expect to embark in the airship ten days hence. I demand results, and you are to manage the process.”

  Gorgin's reference to “you” was directed at Kolber.

  After all, Kolber now bore the Branding of the Rock and was thus more trustworthy than Coin.

  This airship was destined for the skies, and Gorgin could entrust its construction only to someone in whom he had complete faith.

  “Chief, if we're to expedite the work, I'll be short - staffed...”

  Kolber's visage betrayed his consternation. Cutting corners was unthinkable.

  The old dwarf's dedication to craftsmanship and his new - found loyalty, having shed his pride, forbade such actions.

  “Then approach Karin and request additional manpower. By now, she should have largely recovered!”

  “In essence, I desire results, and nothing but results! ”

  “Kolber, as a second - tier member bearing the Branding of the Rock, you must shoulder this responsibility. Cease burdening me, the chief, with every trivial matter!”

  “ I'm inundated with daily activities such as sleeping, eating, and receiving massages. I'm fatigued as well, you know?”

  Gorgin waved his hand dismissively, signaling for them to depart.