Chapter 63: Kobold Mines

  Half an hour ter.

  The soldiers finished ing the battlefield, throwing the gnoll corpses into pits dug by the kobolds.

  Then, they doused the bodies with oil and burhem until only ash remained.

  As for these moon-worshipping ibalistic creatures, Matthew had no iion of sparing them, nor did he want Yaya to subdue them—he just wahem all dead.

  Seeing that the remaining gnolls were taken care of, Yaya let out a small cry and dispelled the spell.

  The bewildered gnoll sentry, unaware of the situation, was immediately surrounded by Goldfang and the soldiers.

  Before it could struggle much, it was tied up securely and thrown into a cage.

  With the capture of the gnoll sentry, the brief but fierce battle came to an end.

  "Ding! Your soldiers have killed a total of 107 gnolls, earning you 4,500 experience points."

  "Ding! You have achieved a fwless victaining an additional skill point and 1,000 experience points."

  The sweet sound of victory brought a smile to Matthew's face.

  His experience points, which had been dipping close to his level requirement, were now back up to 7,000, and his precious skill points had increased to 8.

  He g the gnoll sentry's talent, then at his "Talent Analysis" skill at level 1, and decided to start w on it ter that night.

  Ange looked on proudly at the soldiers—no one had died, and only a dozen had suffered minor injuries.

  After bandaging their wounds and taking some healing potions, most were ba their feet.

  Ange had gained new insights into battle tactics—how to time her entry into battle, how tet different enemies, and how to mahe use of various forces effectively, all of which had a profound impa the oute of bat.

  But beyond the battlefield, she also realized that logistical support, quality equipment, and thh soldier training and preparation were just as critical.

  As Matthew observed Ange ihought, he noticed a flood of "experience points" appearing above her head, indig that she was gaining a deeper uanding of both knighthood and and.

  A few more battles like this, and Ange's professional rank would surely advance quickly.

  Besides Ange’s growth, Matthew also noticed the improvements in his soldiers.

  During the battle,

  Ten soldiers gained insight into the warrior's path, being warriors themselves.

  Two first-level warriors successfully advao level 2.

  Ahird-level warrior emerged—Leon, who had single-handedly taken on a gnoll warrior twice during the fight.

  However, Leon paid the price, with his injured arm leaving him uo fight or train for two days, not to mention receiving a stern scolding from Old John.

  The kobolds hiding at the cave entraared in disbelief at Yaya.

  When she gnced back at them, they immediately dropped to the ground, groveling obediently, showing none of the previous madness.

  Yaya g Matthew but didn’t receive any indication from him—he seemed to be letting her make the decision.

  The little creature tilted her head, raised a small paoi Goldfang and Silverfang:

  "If possible, subdue them. We need more kobolds to help with the work."

  "If they don't cooperate, elimihem. This territory is ours; we 't let them take it!"

  Yaya’s "dominant" statement had a stra natural quality to it.

  Matthew silently g her but said nothing, allowing the little oo indulge in her moment of pride.

  Goldfang and Silverfang nodded aheir kobold subordinates over.

  These sy kobolds didn’t dare resist, their heads bowed in submission, fully accepting their fate.

  The soldiers watched curiously, w just how many kobolds would end up w in the vilge after this.

  To Matthew’s surprise, his system's data visualization revealed the entire mine’s situation, seemingly aowledging his cim over the area.

  "462 adult kobolds, 385 kobold pups, and 1,042 kobold eggs have joined your fa."

  "The kobold mine has been added to your territory."

  "At the current stage, if 300 adult kobolds are assigned daily and provided with new pickaxes and adequate food, 3,000 kilograms of medium-quality iron ore be mined per day."

  "At peak stage, with 300,000 kobolds assigned daily, equipped with new pickaxes, mine rails, mining carts, and provided with suffit food, 600,000 kilograms of top-quality iron ore be mined per day."

  Matthew raised an eyebrow, never expeg that this seemingly insignifit kobold mine had suormous developmental potential.

  Watg the steady stream of kobolds emerging from the mine, Matthew's eyes gleamed with excitement, and he didn’t hesitate to agree with Yaya’s earlier suggestion:

  "The more kobolds we have in Bay Vilge, the better. We work together for mutual be."

  "We’ll provide them with ample food, safe housiertai facilities, and opportunities frowth."

  "Iurn, they just o work hard for the be of our territory."

  "Iure, any creature, race, or individual who tributes to our nd, without harming others, enjoy simir privileges."

  While Matthew seemed to be addressing the kobolds, the surrounding soldiers were also taking his words to heart.

  It was an unusual idea, but strangely, none of the soldiers saw anything wrong with it.

  The primary reason for this shift in mi was that the kobolds under Goldfang and Silverfang had always been well-behaved, never causing trouble, and had only brought bes.

  With this uanding, the soldiers’ attitudes toward the kobolds naturally ged.

  Matthew knew his approach was unventional and might even spark some troversy.

  But he didn’t care at all.

  His status as an arist, heir to the Ser family, and ever-growing power and influence would gradually support his "small indulgences."

  The only thing holding him back from being even bolder and mgressive was his stant vigince against the mysterious force that had attempted to assassinate him several times.

  Matthew had a hunch that the Blood Hand Sve Hunters, who had attacked him and Bay Vilge, might also have been influenced by this force...

  What would they try ime?

  Just then, a sudden kill notificatio Matthew momentarily taken aback:

  "Ding! Your subordih-level rogue Hall, has used a fireball scroll to kill two gnoll sentries. You have gained 120 experience points."

  "Ding! Your subordih-level rogue Hall, has used a fireball scroll to kill three gnoll berserkers. You have gained 150 experience points."

  "Ding..."

  Gnoll sentries?

  Gnoll berserkers?

  Ane group of gnolls?

  "Everyoay alert! Prepare for battle!"

  Matthew shouted loudly as he looked toward the area where he sensed magical fluctuations, muttering to himself:

  "Hmm? Where is he?"

  FAL