In the wars of the Civilized Land, elite Knight Orders form the core, with numerous peasants wielding pitchforks as support, creating armies of tens of thousands engaging in decisive battles on the battlefield. Often, the outcome of the war hinges only on the success or failure of the elite Knight Orders.
So, what about the war conflicts within the Kawa Great Forest, outside the Civilized Continent, amongst these numerous small tribes? Well, it's like this now.
With the strongest tribal chief as the core, leading a few trusted aides charging at the front, no discipline is needed, no tactics required, but the leading aura must be formidable and fierce.
As long as the tribal chief can cut down a few opponents first, the morale of the subordinates behind will soar, rushing forward in a frenzy to slaughter and defeat the enemy.
In fact, it's nothing more than the street brawl style battles from Austin's previous life, where nothing matters except for momentum.
If the momentum is established, then victory in battle is achieved.
It was precisely based on this that Rodney, upon seeing the Kobold village and knowing its strength, confidently jumped out.
In his mind, with his size towering above those Kobolds and his hard-earned Iron Weapons, it should be a simple matter to rush in, slay one or two Kobolds, and secure victory, shouldn't it?
With this thought in mind, Rodney charged forward at full speed.
And then,
Rodney crashed headlong into the well-organized ranks of the Kobolds, emerging battered and bloodied.
He could easily defeat a single Kobold, and even a large group, but against a group of Kobolds with army discipline and seamless cooperation, his defeat was certain.
When Rodney was struck and sent flying, all the charging Beastmen were thrown into disarray, coming to a sudden stop.
Even though there were only seven Kobolds in front, their orderly formation and lined-up Long Spears presented a copper wall and iron bastion, exerting an immense pressure akin to a gate of hell ahead.
After all, their leader, the strongest Lizardman Rodney, was impaled and sent flying right in front of them!
All the while, the opposing Kobolds stood motionless, their formation undisturbed by a single misstep.
In fear and astonishment, the rapidly charging Beastmen ground to a halt, many tumbling and rolling on the ground in confusion, turning the entire Beastman group into a panic-stricken, headless flock of flies.
Seeing this opportunity, Vini was certainly not going to let it slip and immediately gave the order:
"Raise spears, charge!"
The Long Spears were lifted in unison, and the Kobold ranks charged forward in perfect order.
That unit, filled with iron discipline, was like a blade, invincible and unstoppable, causing Rodney's Beastman subordinates to collapse at once, fleeing in panic and disarray.
However, having already suffered a great defeat against the Jackal Wolf People earlier and fled here, they were already exhausted. By now, they were spent forces, unable to flee far.
More of the Beastmen collapsed in the snow, exhausted, and were subsequently captured by the Kobolds.
This conflict, rather than being a battle between Austin's Kobold clan and the defeated Rodney Tribe, was more akin to a one-sided brawl.
In less than a minute, Rodney's subordinates had completely collapsed, were annihilated, and became the captives of the Kobolds.
"Get to the corner, hands on your head, no looking around!"
Over twenty Beastmen were captured by the Kobolds and placed in a corner. To prevent escape, seven Kobolds stood guard with weapons, continuously patrolling and tightly monitoring the Beastmen in the corner.
The fate of these Beastman captives was to be decided only upon Austin's return.
...
Meanwhile,
Twenty or thirty miles away from the Dragon's Nest, in a certain mountain range, a Blue Young Dragon soared above the sky. Its sharp eyes spotted a simple village built in a hidden mountainside location, over a kilometer away.
If not following the tracks on the ground and the wisp of smoke rising from the village, Austin might never have found the village's location.
"A tribe made up of Jackal Wolf People?"
Austin landed on a large tree atop a distant hill, gazing at the village across the mountainside, calculating silently.
Orc tribes surviving in the Kawa Great Forest usually mixed with other types of Beastmen. A single-race Beastman tribe was rare.
Unless there was something special about this Jackal Wolfman Tribe.
"I'll note it down, and deal with it when the opportunity arises."
Judging from the range of this tribe, there should be about a hundred Jackal Wolf People living there, which was quite a force. Even if the seven Kobolds under Austin were well-trained, sheer discipline would be futile before hundreds of their kind.
Moreover, in terms of physical strength and combat, Kobolds were clearly weaker than Jackal Wolf People.
This Jackal Wolfman Tribe was beyond what Austin could "devour" at the moment.
"But this Jackal Wolfman Tribe is somewhat close to the territory. To launch a surprise attack before they discover the Kobolds, early planning is necessary."
If these Jackal Wolf People discovered the Blue Young Dragon lurking nearby, they would surely prepare. Austin didn't think his mere presence would dominate, making the Jackal Wolf People bow in submission.
If it were an adult dragon, perhaps these Jackal Wolf People might willingly submit to its clan.
But for a Blue Young Dragon, its power indeed fell short. It might take over a hundred years to fully grow, especially as a wild orphan dragon, making its comprehensive strength even weaker.
In this world, strength was supreme, especially for intelligent beings struggling for survival in such Barbaric Lands.
To conquer these Jackal Wolf People, Austin's only way was to capture them, bringing them under his command.
"Their strength is a bit too much for now, but no hurry. Since a gathering place has been found, there should be other Beastman Tribes nearby. First, annex some smaller Beastman Tribes."
Having made up his mind, Austin took flight, preparing to return to the nest.
But as he soared up, his sight unexpectedly caught an irregular basketball-sized stone, half-buried in the soil, showing a greenish hue on its surface.
Initially, Austin overlooked it, but as he turned away, a thought struck.
A green stone?
Isn't this Copper Ore?!!!
The silhouette of the Blue Young Dragon sharply turned back, landing on the ground, and grasping the stone with his claw to inspect it closely.
It's indeed Copper Ore!
Moreover...
Austin suddenly recalled something, and his claws began digging into the ground, unearthing several similar pieces of Copper Ore. Furthermore, he discovered that beneath the soil lay more and larger Copper Ores, almost integrated with the entire mountain range!