Kolber had no alternative but to approach Captain Dog with a rather humble and submissive demeanor.

  After entrusting the flag - designing task to the desert rabbit, Captain Dog returned to his gate - guarding duty.

  He found a shady spot at the entrance, sprawled out, and soon dozed off, with saliva nearly dripping from his mouth.

  This was precisely why Captain Dog had managed to win Gorgin's favor.

  Among the tribe's members, excluding the ogres, he now wielded the most influence.

  In the context of other intelligent races, even the chief's own kin might show him some deference.

  After all, he was the chief's personal lackey, much like an imperial eunuch close to the emperor, whom even princes would respect.

  However, in the Dragon's Lair Tribe, the chief's kin didn't quite grasp such subtleties.

  When enraged, they might even rip someone's head off and devour it on the spot.

  It was inevitable for Kolber to harbor animosity towards this jackal.

  He was a proud dwarf, and Captain Dog's slaps had gradually shattered his dignity.

  Yet, simultaneously, he was also grateful to the jackal.

  Had it not been for those slaps that jolted him out of his stubborn mindset, he might well have met a tragic end.

  The chief had offered him numerous opportunities, both overtly and subtly, but he had stubbornly clung to the dwarves' narrow - minded ways and refused to change.

  Looking back now, he realized he had been ungrateful for the chances presented to him.

  Regarding the fall of the city...

  At least the chief had come up with some pretext, albeit a flimsy one.

  In this desert, whether it was a tribe or a city occupying an oasis, there was always a looming threat of attack.

  There was no need for a profound reason; the simple fact of controlling an oasis, the most precious resource for survival, was reason enough for others to launch an assault.

  He had actually questioned the chief about the reason for the city's fall...

  It was truly absurd. In this world, it was the law of the jungle, and he had been naive to pose such a question.

  To put it more bluntly, someone might simply pass by, take a dislike to you, and wipe you out on a whim.

  This was not a world where the weak were inherently in the right.

  After being jolted into awareness, Kolber had reconciled with the harsh reality.

  As long as he and his tribe could survive, it mattered little to whom they pledged their loyalty.

  At least the chief always kept his promises, and this was something Kolber genuinely admired.

  The chief had said he would attack the city, and he did; he had also vowed not to massacre the inhabitants, and he had honored that vow.

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  He was truly formidable.

  Upon hearing the approaching footsteps, Captain Dog warily opened his green eyes.

  “Er... That...”

  “Just call me Captain Dog. That's what the chief named me,” Captain Dog said, lifting his eyelids slightly.

  “Captain Dog, you see, the chief has ordered me to complete the airship modification within ten days, but I'm severely short of craftsmen here...”

  Kolber rubbed his hands together.

  His mood was a complex mix, and he struggled to find the right words to convey his request.

  “Just tell me straight what you need!”

  Captain Dog rolled over and faced Kolber directly.

  Kolber gritted his teeth and suppressed his discomfort.

  “Captain Dog, due to the chief's strict time limit for the modification, I can't leave. I'd like to trouble you to make a trip to Dragon's Lair Giant Sand and bring back some craftsmen.”

  Upon hearing this, Captain Dog extended his paw, unsheathed his claws, and picked at his teeth.

  “Is that all? Do I really have to go in person?”

  Kolber thought the jackal was deliberately being difficult.

  Just as he was about to speak, he saw Captain Dog sit up, leaning against the fence.

  “Hey, you lot, come over here!”

  Captain Dog called out to a group of jackals who were sauntering back in the distance.

  The four jackals promptly trotted over.

  “Captain - in - Chief!”

  The four jackals wore identical obsequious expressions.

  “You four, go get three days' worth of rations and make a trip to Dragon's Lair Giant Sand. If you're unfamiliar with the route, take a female dwarf along. Is that okay?”

  Captain Dog said, looking at Kolber.

  Kolber nodded hastily.

  “No problem, no problem. We can definitely spare a female dwarf.”

  Captain Dog nodded. “

  Alright. When you get there, find Karin and tell her that Dragon's Lair is in need of craftsmen. Ask her to send back as many available ones as possible. This is the chief's will.”

  “Understood?”

  Captain Dog's voice rose sharply on the last word.

  “Understood, understood. Don't worry, Captain - in - Chief. We'll definitely get the job done!” The four jackals nodded vigorously.

  “Go on then. Make haste. If you delay the chief's business, you'll meet a gruesome end,” Captain Dog waved his hand, and the group of jackals rushed off to gather the supplies.

  After giving the orders, Captain Dog lay down again.

  Seeing that Kolber was still there, he asked in confusion, “Is there something else?”

  Kolber was taken aback. He had expected the jackal, known for its vindictive nature, not to agree so readily.

  “Ah... Nothing. I didn't anticipate... Er, it's not that... I just wanted to express my gratitude...”

  Dwarves, like orcs, were not naturally adept at lying, and Kolber's face flushed red.

  Captain Dog glanced at him and suddenly sneered.

  “Hmph~ Do you think I'd make things tough for you? Or do you think I ought to?”

  “Er...” In terms of eloquence, how could a stubborn dwarf stand a chance against a cruel and wily jackal?

  “First off, I bear you no personal grudge. ”

  “Before, when I disciplined or insulted you, it was simply because I felt you were unappreciative of the chief's kindness, and that irked me.”

  “ Now that you possess the Branding of the Rock, we're both among the chief's trusted subordinates outside his own race. ”

  “There's no point in me making things hard for you. Finally, as you said, this is a task assigned by the chief. As a bearer of the Branding of the Rock, the chief's will is our sole guiding principle. ”

  “Even if it means sacrificing my life, I won't let my personal feelings impede the chief's business. Your level of understanding really needs improvement. ”

  “I even think you were a bit fortunate to obtain the Branding of the Rock.”

  As he spoke, the jackal slapped his buttocks, stood up, and walked towards the oasis behind.

  “Where are you off to?” Kolber asked instinctively, feeling dazed by the jackal's words.

  “There are only three teams of patrolling jackals in total. I've dispatched one team to Giant Sand. Don't I need to take over the patrol area they left behind?”

  Captain Dog didn't turn back.

  He simply strapped on his crossbow, tucked his handaxe into his waist, and walked away, step by step.

  Kolber stood there, stunned.

  Captain Dog's words had a profound impact on him.

  Was this what it meant to be one of the first bearers of the Branding of the Rock?

  There was a definite reason why the chief trusted him and Karin.

  Karin had nearly been punished to death, yet her branding had become even more resplendent.

  Captain Dog had sent his subordinates on an errand at the chief's behest and was now taking over the patrol himself.

  Kolber had been in Dragon's Lair for a while and knew that Captain Dog usually either flattered the chief in his quarters or lounged around sleeping at the gate, sending other jackals to handle any tasks.

  As the chief's lackey, he had perfectly emulated the chief's penchant for comfort and laziness.

  But the Captain Dog he witnessed now truly astounded Kolber.

  Was this still the same jackal who was only marginally more powerful than a wild goblin in the desert?