The Myriad Female Slaves

Just a day after the Pontiff's departure from the Holy Mountain, within the Tunnel of Life, Fiend Marshal Bonis, clutching a secret letter, waved it at Philip. “Grand Speaker, the Pontiff has arrived on the Aethelgard Continent. Number Three of the Eminence Project suggests I seize this opportunity to use the Dragon Clan to attack the Holy Mountain. What are your thoughts?”

Philip waved his hand, not even glancing at the secret letter. “Marshal, you’ve asked the wrong person about such matters. I dare say my alchemy is peerless in this world, but when it comes to military strategies and schemes, I am utterly clueless.”

Bonis then handed the secret letter to Brockman. “Councilor, what is your opinion?”

Brockman was about to reach for the letter when suddenly, the massive eye on Philip's right shoulder blinked, unseen by Bonis. Brockman, seizing the subtle cue, shifted from taking the letter to pushing it back into Bonis's hand, smiling elegantly. “Esteemed Marshal, I am an artist. I, too, am ignorant of such matters.”

Bonis chuckled. “It seems I must decide for myself!” He tucked away the secret letter and rose from the wooden chair.

Philip spoke, “Marshal, please hold. I have another matter I wish to consult you on. Today is already the eighth. It seems Sonora won't be able to retrieve the sixty thousand corpses from Francis before the tenth. I wonder… should the Marshal perhaps abandon those sixty thousand corpses? We've already gathered eighteen Army Corps; two fewer shouldn't be an issue. If not, we can always wait. After all, there are plenty of corpses across the Three Continents. Why must we insist on the ones Francis possesses?”

Bonis slowly closed his eyes. “Grand Speaker Philip, Orbach's corpse is a prize I must have, and the six hundred thousand beastmen corpses are also a target I must secure! Because Beast Emperor Orbach, combined with twenty Army Corps and six hundred thousand beastmen, equals… the Fallen Gods' ultimate battle formation: the Lion Emperor's Roar! Only with the Lion Emperor's Roar, capable of instantly obliterating heavens and earth, can I massively bombard the Labyrinth of Life, carving out a grand migration passage from the subterranean abyss to the surface world for my Violet-Bloods! Otherwise, once the counter-offensive against the Red-Bloods begins, if my Violet-Bloods lack a large-scale migration passage, are we to painstakingly follow maps, one by one, through the Labyrinth of Life from the subterranean abyss, then migrate to the surface world to establish our nation? My subjects are not like your Undead, who require no food or drink. Without a large-scale migration passage, it would take at least ten years to relocate their entire race to the Three Continents to see the light of day again! Only Undead Orbach, alongside six hundred thousand Undead beastmen—they must be elite beastmen!—can form the Lion Emperor's Roar! But those accursed beastmen favor Sky Burial and Cremation; only soldiers who die on the battlefield are granted Earth Burial. If I miss this opportunity, who knows how long I'll have to wait to fulfill the conditions for the Lion Emperor's Roar…”

Bonis merely pondered these thoughts internally, leaving them unspoken.

Bonis declared, “The Supreme Council can wait no longer. Rest assured, Sonora will complete his mission. If Sonora fails to deliver the corpses on schedule before the tenth, my military law will not spare him. On this point, Grand Speaker, you may rest easy.”

With that, he offered a faint smile and drifted away.

Watching the Marshal depart, Brockman asked, perplexed, “My Lord, why did you prevent me from seeing that letter earlier?”

Philip's expression turned grim, his terrifying Undead visage growing more monstrous. “Not only could you not receive the Marshal's letter today, but in similar situations hereafter, you are strictly forbidden from interfering!”

Brockman froze for a moment. “Why? I don't understand.”

“Do you remember the Fiendkind history I recounted to you?”

Brockman respectfully replied, “Of course, I remember. During the Battle of Lans Island, Divine Emperor Prince used thirteen Raging Fire Scorcher Cannons to sink Lans Island, casting nearly five million elite Fiendkind forces led by the Marshal into the deep sea. Unexpectedly, Lans Island was actually a colossal lifeline; the explosion that sank the island didn't exterminate the Fiendkind but instead sent them into the Labyrinth of Life. The Fiendkind spent a full one hundred and sixty years exploring the Labyrinth of Life until they finally found the subterranean abyss, a place where they could settle. However, during those one hundred and sixty years of exploration, the Fiendkind had no food or water, surviving only by slaying ferocious beasts within the Labyrinth of Life, and even consuming the corpses and blood of their own kind. By the time they reached the subterranean abyss, their population had plummeted from five million to less than three million!”

Philip inexplicably smiled. “Indeed, the Fiendkind population was less than three million when they reached the subterranean abyss. Yet, that place is fraught with harsh environments and abnormal weather, and the vast abyss's food production could only sustain three million people! The Fiendkind were forced to impose a population control order—before discovering the secret of the Life Tree three hundred years ago, their population was always kept below three million. But even after discovering the Life Tree's secret, their current population is still only around seven million!”

Brockman felt deeply. “It's no easy feat for the Fiendkind to survive such absolute adversity, but those who did are truly strong!”

“But that's not the point I'm making!”

Philip waved his colossal right arm. “Excluding the elderly, children, disabled, and logistics personnel producing food near the Life Tree, the Fiendkind can currently deploy around three million troops… But how many are in the Undead Army I personally created?”

Pointing to the passage above, where corpses were still being continuously transported, Philip bellowed, “It's been thirty full years since Bonis persuaded me to join the Fiendkind with the Divine Emperor's inherited alchemy notes! In these thirty years, how many Undead have I created? This time alone, I will forge twenty Army Corps, six hundred thousand warriors! And counting the Fiendkind corpses I've transformed over the years, the Undead Battle Gods I've created, the Aberrant War Beasts… I, this Outsider, have single-handedly forged an army of a million Undead, and once war begins, the Undead will only grow more numerous with each battle! Yet, the Fiendkind's indigenous forces number only three million in total…”

Brockman nodded in sudden understanding. “I see, My Lord fears the Marshal's suspicion towards us Outsiders. Rest assured, I will never interfere in matters concerning their indigenous people from now on!”

Philip patted Brockman's shoulder with his normal left hand. “That's for the best! Though we serve the Fiendkind, we must guard against their own people! Go and prepare. Regardless of whether Sonora can deliver Francis's beastmen corpses before the tenth, we must ensure the 'Undead Commander' project on the fifteenth is foolproof!”

His Undead eyes gleamed with an unusual light—excitement, fanaticism, the anticipation of a true genius! “I can hardly wait, tsk, tsk. To transform Orbach's corpse into an Undead Commander, what a truly thrilling prospect that will be!”

Brockman's mouth twitched. He wanted to say something, but seeing Philip lost in his fanatical fantasies, he couldn't help but sigh and quietly turn away.

***

Today was April ninth. Dud led his army in a forced march, finally arriving at the border of the McAllen Battle Axe District, the location of the Auerbach Grand Canyon. However, since the two nations had not yet formally ceased hostilities, Dud's army, though flying the banner of Lanning's diplomatic envoy guard and carrying the corpses of beastmen fallen in the Battle of Star River, could only encamp here. They were forbidden from entering the heart of the beastmen's Battle Axe District, and were simultaneously monitored by two full Army Corps of beastmen.

Upon hearing of Dud's arrival, Sonora once again visited Du Chen. Outside the Diplomatic Residence, his expression was somewhat grim. “Francis! The Marshal's Military Edict demands I obtain all the corpses by tomorrow, yet you still refuse to budge!” His gaze turned sinister. “Damn it, don't force me to risk McAllen's punishment and create a ‘military misunderstanding’ by ordering my troops to seize those corpses! After all, only three thousand men are guarding them. I don't believe they can withstand an assault from two Army Corps in a frontal confrontation!”

With a creak, a servant opened the door, and Sonora immediately plastered on a smile. Inside, Du Chen was playing with his two children. “Your Senior Brother is here, quickly, say hello to Uncle!”

Sonora praised the children's cuteness for a few moments, then sighed. “Junior Brother, this is my sixth visit. To cut to the chase, the Saint Baton Family absolutely cannot give you what you want. I implore you, for my humble sake…”

Du Chen pouted. “Senior Brother, if we can't agree, then let's just drop it!”

“Drop it?” Sonora's heart grew fierce. “Hmph, the Marshal's Military Edict is absolute. If you want to drop it with me, then I'll make sure you drop it, permanently!”

A surge of killing intent rose in his heart. Sonora was truly contemplating raiding the camp at this moment.

“Very well then, Junior Brother, I shall take my leave!” He turned to depart.

“Wait, Senior Brother, aren't you coming with me to the Battle Axe District border to receive the corpses?”

Sonora paused, slightly stunned. He turned to see Du Chen approaching him with a benevolent smile. “Senior Brother, it seems you misunderstood. When I said ‘drop it,’ I meant that since the Saint Baton Family isn't willing to agree to my terms, I won't press for them… There's no need for pleasantries between us Senior and Junior Brothers. How about this: among the beastmen, there are nobles and there are also slaves. I'll simply take tens of thousands of female beastmen slaves!”

The beastmen revered strength, their hierarchy strictly enforced. The beastmen used as slaves were almost exclusively Rabbit-folk, Rat-folk, and Daobet—weak races disdained not only by other beastmen but even by humans. Frankly, these slaves were useless for anything beyond simple farm labor! Exchanging a few female beastmen slaves, who bred quickly with seven or eight litters a year, for the sixty thousand heroic remains seemed like a deal the Saint Baton Family would surely accept. But what did Francis want with these female rabbits, female rats, female dogs?

Nevertheless, Francis had finally relented. Sonora weighed the proposition carefully, finding no hidden trap in Du Chen's request. He bowed with a smile. “Many thanks, Junior Brother, for giving this Senior Brother face! I can agree to your terms on behalf of the Saint Baton Family right now!” Adhering to negotiation principles, he added, “However, if Junior Brother desires ten thousand female slaves, you might need to pay a small sum in Gold Coins. This way… the Saint Baton Family won't be tainted with the reputation of trading women for corpses.”

Du Chen rubbed his nose. “Then what are we waiting for? Please trouble Senior Brother to inform the Saint Baton Family Head that I will exchange a portion of Gold Coins and the sixty thousand beastmen soldiers' remains for ten thousand female slaves, preferably those of the Rabbit-folk and Daobet, known for their docile nature! As soon as the Deed of Ownership is signed, I'll immediately take Senior Brother to claim the corpses!”

“Junior Brother, please wait. I will go report to the Saint Baton Family Head at once!”

Watching Sonora leave, Du Chen chuckled inwardly. He had never truly intended to obtain the Celestial Capital map from Saint Baton, but now, the Celestial Capital map might just be acquired through Susanna's private dealings, along with ten thousand female slaves. The Goddess of Fate truly is quite the schemer!

Suddenly, Du Chen noticed Beibei and Alex looking at him with the same peculiar gaze.

Just then, the side door opened, and a burly man, his face obscured by a priestly robe, emerged, bellowing, “Francis, what do you want so many female slaves for?”

Du Chen glanced at the man, smiling. “Mars, the Battle God, you'll find out when I return to my territory after the negotiations.”

Mars removed his hat, revealing a blood-red beard. He plopped down next to Du Chen, scooped up Alex, and bounced him. “Fine, don't tell me then, hmph! But listen, Francis, you need to clarify something else for me! A few days ago, after the Pontiff, my Old One, received your letter, he told me that a few Fiendkind might still be kicking. For this, my Old One specifically brought a large contingent of The Masters to inspect the Aethelgard Continent, and he sent me to link up with you first! Tell me clearly, are there truly still Fiendkind alive? If so, where's the proof?”

Mars had only entered minutes before Sonora and hadn't even settled down before Du Chen dispatched him to the side hall to hide. It was precisely because of Mars's arrival that Du Chen stopped stringing Sonora along and instead settled for the next best thing: demanding ten thousand female beastmen slaves.

Mars growled fiercely, “Let me tell you, the Fiendkind matter is no small thing! If you dare play a trick on my Old One, I'll be the first to come for you!”

“Don't worry, I'll give you irrefutable proof once Sonora returns!” Du Chen asked, “Where is His Holiness the Pontiff now? How many people know about the Fiendkind situation?”

“My Old One is thousands of miles away, but his retinue secretly carries a multitude of flying beasts. As long as I send the signal, they can arrive here within a day! Dammit, I just don't get it. Why act like thieves to deal with a few Fiendkind? They even say they fear spies within the Papal Curia, hmph! I'm the greatest spymaster in the world, and I refuse to believe any Fiendkind spy could exist right under my nose!”

Indeed, this boorish man truly was the greatest spymaster in the world!

However, he couldn't possibly be a Fiendkind spy—if he were, Du Chen would have been utterly annihilated by the Fiendkind during the first Battle of Mount Tianshan, as Mars had fought alongside Du Chen throughout. The same held true for Bairu!

Mars then grinned triumphantly. “Only I know the true purpose of my Old One's inspection tour this time; even the accompanying Masters are still kept completely in the dark!”

A silver needle suddenly appeared between Du Chen's fingers, which he idly twirled. “Excellent. Later, you'll accompany me to the military camp to oversee Sonora's inspection of the corpses. After the inspection, we…” He whispered a few instructions into Mars's ear, and Mars, stroking his beard contentedly, went to prepare. Du Chen then added, “Harry, please summon Miss Lucy and Miss Lily!”

When the two Grand Matriarchs arrived, Du Chen spoke with a serious expression. “Ladies, do you still recall Dud, the man I mentioned to you? The amnesiac I found in the Great Wilderness when I was returning to my territory from Silvermoon Island?”

Lucy said, “Of course, we remember. You said Grand Pontiff Brook unearthed him from a discarded sacred artifact from the Era of Fallen Gods, and that he might even be from that era himself. You've invited us here this time, perhaps to help identify him?”

Du Chen nodded. “Alas, he's a pitiful soul. It's just a shame he went berserk when I first dug him out of that sacred artifact, and Beibei, in her haste, ended up… that title, 'Godfather,' still makes me not know whether to laugh or cry whenever I think of it!”

Lucy and Lily also found themselves between laughter and tears, somewhat displeased that Du Chen had taken an adopted son who was their contemporary. However, Du Chen's long-standing good impression in their hearts, coupled with the slightly altered facts, worked its magic. Lily said, “Has he arrived yet? I truly wish to see him right away; perhaps he's an old friend of mine!”

“He has arrived and is currently encamped on the border of the Battle Axe District. Ladies, our purpose in seeing him this time is twofold: first, to identify him; and second, to expose Sonora within my military camp, under the backing of the Holy Church! At that time, I request your assistance!”

“To fight for humanity, we sisters are bound by duty!”

***

Sonora's efficiency was remarkably high. Less than half a day later, he brought Hawkins, the representative of the Saint Baton Family, to sign an agreement with Du Chen. Hawkins, at this moment, had no recollection of his memory being tampered with by Beibei in Saint John City, and still regarded Du Chen as a sworn brother to whom he owed his life.

After signing the agreement, Du Chen, following diplomatic protocol, led his people back to the camp in advance, preparing the site as the host for the corpse delivery. Sonora and Hawkins, along with a team of Saint Baton Family's escorting Masters and sappers to transport the corpses, arrived shortly after.

On a vast expanse of grassland, Du Chen concealed his two children and Harry within the Precious Lotus Scripture. He, along with Deboning and the Grand Matriarchs, spurred their horses onward. Soon, a black Lotus battle flag unfurled in the wind, and the three-thousand-strong Durkes City Defense Army camp stood solemnly amidst the beautiful grassland. It was utterly silent, striking all who beheld it with an immediate, oppressive aura of grim killing intent!

Strangely, at first glance, not a single sentinel was visible within the camp!

But Lily exclaimed in admiration, “What a formidable army!”

Lucy gazed at the military camp before them with surprise, unable to help but say, “Francis, looking at this camp layout, Dud's military command ability is truly formidable!” Her expression shifted. “Sister, look at the three-path, nine-directional gate layout… doesn't it seem familiar?”

Lily exclaimed in astonishment, “Indeed! It's not just the camp gates, Sister, look at the position of the central army command flag, and the outer watchtowers—this is clearly a Subterranean Encampment Formation!”

Du Chen quickly interjected, “Ladies, what have you deduced from this camp?”

The two Grand Matriarchs didn't reply, instead staring intently at the encampment ahead.

They stopped, observing carefully for a long moment. Suddenly, facing Dud's encampment, they slowly raised their left arms and drew them across their chests—the Ancient Salute of the Fallen Gods! Lucy was more composed, but Lily's eyes were red-rimmed. “Unthinkable, unthinkable that after a thousand years, I would still see such a perfectly executed Subterranean Ambush Encampment Formation… Even minute details, like the white wooden spikes placed three paces outside the camp gates, are flawless. A thousand years, and all our old friends have fallen on the battlefield. Only we remain alive to see it once more…” She burst into tears.

Though Lucy's expression wasn't overtly emotional, her words were urgent. “Francis, quickly, take us to see Dud! I studied ancient military history at Battle God Academy. While even renowned generals across the Three Continents today can imitate ancient battle formations from the Era of Fallen Gods, not a single one can replicate the details so perfectly! Dud, he… he truly might be our friend!”

The group drew closer to the encampment. Just then, the camp gates opened, and two teams of black-armored cavalry filed out in two separate lines. At the center rode a war general, clad in black armor with an iron mask, his scarlet cape fluttering behind him, his halberd gleaming with cold light. As he approached, he dismounted, knelt on one knee, and declared with thunderous solemnity, “Godfather! Dud, with his three thousand men, has arrived in the Battle Axe District as ordered!”

Du Chen helped him to his feet, but stepped back himself. He had contemplated Dud's situation for a long time. Dud's identity would sooner or later become a problem, so it was better to clarify matters now, while he was still under the control of the Deed of Ownership and before he fully surpassed Beibei's scope of ability, to avoid future trouble!

Even if they discovered Dud's true identity now, he would still only be the Lieutenant General and Commander-in-Chief of the Durkes City Defense Army!

Lucy and Lily surrounded Dud, one on each side, scrutinizing him from head to toe. Lily, with a pained expression, lifted a section of his iron armor scales. Dud, at Du Chen's subtle signal, remained motionless.

Lucy said, unable to bear it, “Francis, is there truly no way to remove his battle armor now?”

Lily urgently added, “Exactly! In his current state, let alone us, even his own mother… *cough*, I mean, his own relatives wouldn't recognize him!”

Du Chen said, “Didn't you two ladies just recognize the battle formation Dud is using? This…”

Lucy gave a bitter smile. “The Subterranean Ambush Encampment Formation was a very common array during the War of Fallen Gods. Many generals knew how to use it, both human and Fiendkind generals. The only difference is who uses it with greater mastery.”

Du Chen's brow furrowed. He commanded, “Dud, reveal all the military strategies you possess, especially your unique formation methods. Recite them for these two ladies!”

Dud slammed his halberd down, saying coldly, “Godfather's command is unreasonable. Dud refuses to execute the order. A unique formation method is a general's lifeline on the battlefield, and it must never be easily revealed to others!”

Du Chen was about to scold him, yet Lily burst out laughing. “This big fellow's temper is quite similar to Marshal Batuk's! Hey, he uses a halberd too!”

“Batuk?” The name made Du Chen's heart skip a beat. Who was Batuk? The progenitor of the Saint Batuk Family, the Thunder Marshal, Annie's ancient ancestor! Thankfully, Grand Matriarch Lily's comment was merely a jest…

But at that moment, Grand Matriarch Lucy, examining Dud's battle armor, turned to the heart-protector back plate hidden beneath his cape. “Sister, look at this!”

Lily hurriedly turned her head, and with just one glance, she gasped, “A Moon God's Collection piece! An Eleventh-Tier sacred artifact! The Stardra Battle Armor!”