CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: ADVANCE DIVISION OF SPOILS_1

On the grassland, three hundred Malevolent Wolf Cavalry and nearly a hundred human mercenaries arrayed themselves in a Crescent Moon Formation, confronting the three hundred-plus werewolves with an oppressive stance.

Riding on the backs of the wolves were carefully selected Big-eared monster warriors. They had a humanoid appearance, with protruding jaws revealing crooked, twisted fangs. Their skin was dark green, and they wore no armor on their upper bodies, only necklaces made of animal bones.

Although the Big-eared monsters were not large, they possessed powerful muscles and bore ferocious and cruel expressions. Their faces were painted with white pigments depicting the totems of their faith.

The Orcs, who revered martial prowess, all showed a strong desire to attack. The Malevolent Wolf Cavalry gripped their long knives, their intense killing intent making even the wolves they rode restless.

Under pressure from the Orc Malevolent Wolf Cavalry, the werewolves were forced onto the defensive.

The Clan Leaders all looked towards Duan’er and Li Zhua.

Duan’er whispered to Li Zhua, "What are you talking about? We have more than thirty werewolf Clan Leaders here, all of them Beast Tamers, heroes of the Swamp Tribe. The enemy is only four hundred strong; we could use the Poison Flies to launch a surprise attack and wipe them all out."

Li Zhua replied in a low voice, "We have no idea what’s happening on the Wildwind Highlands right now. Is it a massive Orc offensive against humans, or has only this small band of Orc Malevolent Wolf Cavalry infiltrated this area?

If it’s a large-scale Orc offensive, we must delay these Malevolent Wolf Cavalry and send someone to the Eternal Domain with a warning.

If it’s just these Malevolent Wolf Cavalry and human mercenaries, we can wipe them out without any rush.

Keep your pack in check; do nothing to arouse their suspicion."

Understanding Li Zhua’s intention, Duan’er issued a few short barks to give commands to his Werewolf Warriors.

He also notified the other werewolf Clan Leaders not to act recklessly.

The pack responded with short, sharp noises that only they could understand.

「On the other side...」

These three hundred Malevolent Wolf Cavalry had stealthily made their way into the grassland from Stakes Castle. After joining Yarlin’s mercenaries, they were preparing to raid the Eternal Domain.

Yet, they had not expected to encounter werewolf Scouts here.

They certainly had not expected that while chasing the werewolf Scouts, they would run into a large group of werewolves.

Gustav was the commander of this Malevolent Wolf Cavalry troop, a heroic Orc Berserker.

After listening to Li Zhua’s reply, he turned to the human beside him and asked, "Yarlin... did you say there are werewolves detained inside the human domain called the Eternal Domain?"

Enshrouded in his cloak was none other than Yarlin, and the human mercenaries who accompanied him were all similarly garbed.

After all, their actions amounted to colluding with the enemy. Should their identities be exposed, they would inevitably be wanted by the Silvermane Principality.

Yarlin, looking ahead at the werewolf troops, whispered back to Gustav, "That werewolf is indeed Li Zhua of the Stenchwater Forest Werewolf Tribe. I saw him just a few days ago.

Moreover, I’ve also seen his brother, Steel Fang, in the Eternal Domain. Many Stenchwater Forest werewolves are being forced into labor there.

There is also another group of werewolves inside the Eternal Domain, from the Red Mud Wetland Werewolf Tribe.

This time, Li Zhua and Duan’er have gathered the Clan Leaders of so many Werewolf Tribes to form an army. Their clear purpose is to rescue the captured werewolves and, incidentally, to plunder the Eternal Domain."

Gustav nodded as he listened, agreeing with Yarlin’s assessment.

After all, the Eternal Domain had defeated two Werewolf Tribes and captured so many werewolves. These werewolf Clan Leaders gathering together were certainly not going to the Eternal Domain to offer congratulations.

"It seems our gains this time will be much less..." Gustav muttered, feeling some regret. If he could have led his troops to arrive a bit earlier, there would have been no need to share the spoils with the werewolves.

Now these werewolves certainly weren’t going to retreat.

Yarlin also let out a sigh and said, "The last time Li Zhua mentioned to Eden about visiting the Eternal Domain, I didn’t expect it to be this kind of ’visit.’

Many of these werewolves are Beast Tamers of the Swamp Tribe, and there must be Poison Flies ambushing nearby. We cannot afford to clash with them.

Instead, let’s join them in attacking the Eternal Domain. Since our wolf riders and horses can’t carry many supplies, it’s better to give any surplus to the Swamp Werewolves than to let the Silvermane Principality’s army take it."

Gustav knew this was the best course of action.

He could only blame his own bad luck for encountering this group of werewolves, especially since he couldn’t eliminate them.

After the wolves finished their chaotic barking, Gustav addressed Li Zhua and Duan’er, "Clan Leader Li Zhua, Clan Leader Duan’er, greetings. We too are on our way to attack the Eternal Domain, having heard of its riches. Since you are going to rescue your tribespeople, why don’t we join forces? This could also reduce losses for both of us."

Hearing that these Malevolent Wolf Cavalry and human mercenaries were going to attack the Eternal Domain, Duan’er and Li Zhua exchanged glances.

Duan’er, aware that he was not as quick-witted as Li Zhua, held his tongue.

Li Zhua replied, "All right, we can join you in attacking the Eternal Domain. But how shall we divide the spoils?"

Gustav suggested, "I propose we split the spoils into three parts: one for me, one for the humans, and one for you Swamp Werewolves."

Li Zhua contested, "That’s unfair! The humans are so few; why should they get so much? I suggest we divide it according to the number of heroes—one share for every hero!"

Dividing by the number of heroes clearly put the werewolves at an advantage.

The more than thirty werewolf Clan Leaders constituted over thirty heroes, while the Malevolent Wolf Cavalry and human mercenaries combined had fewer than ten heroic units.

With the werewolves taking the lion’s share of the spoils, wouldn’t Gustav’s efforts be in vain?

Gustav, projecting the arrogance of a dominant race, told Li Zhua, "Werewolf... this is the grassland, not the swamp. You are about to face a human domain with strong defenses, and you all lack the experience of assaulting a territory with a well-established defensive system.

Victory in war isn’t decided by who has more heroes.

Otherwise, war wouldn’t exist; outcomes could be decided simply by counting heroes.

We Orcs have battled human armies on the Wildwind Highlands for years. We know how to assault a human domain and how to deal with infantry on the grassland.

Moreover, my human friends have provided us with the most vital intelligence.

Without you, we could still conquer the Eternal Domain.

If you insist on your unreasonable distribution plan, I guarantee you will not conquer the Eternal Domain."

Gustav’s words carried a threat, and he gestured for his troops to prepare for battle.

He was certain these werewolves wouldn’t dare to fight him.

The Swamp Tribe, after all, was not a united force. These werewolf Clan Leaders were willing to attack the Eternal Domain because it promised food and wealth.

But fight a formidable force of Malevolent Wolf Cavalry and human mercenaries?

Even if they won, they would gain nothing and only suffer heavy casualties.

The Swamp Tribe was like scattered sand.

Gustav didn’t have to wait long for the werewolves to "submit."

Li Zhua conceded to Gustav’s proposed distribution plan: "Very well. You’re right; the mighty Orc army knows how to breach a well-defended human domain.

We accept your distribution plan.

But if you can’t carry away your entire share, the remainder is ours."

Gustav responded, "If the wealth of the Eternal Domain is truly more than we can carry, then naturally, it’s all yours."