Chapter Fifty-Nine: Inside the Commander’s Tent

After dealing with the ogre, Voll, his entire body drenched in blood, swept his gaze over the surrounding goblins like a demon god, scaring them into an immediate retreat.

“Well done, Voll, splendid work!” Sun Licheng couldn’t help but praise loudly as he watched the Silver Moon Tribe’s magnificent performance.

The Silver Moon Tribe fought valiantly, but in many areas, the goblins held the advantage. Relying on the ogres’ immense force, they broke open several large gaps in the gnome formation, wreaking havoc inside and causing heavy casualties among the gnomes.

By midday, both the gnomes and the goblins sounded the retreat horns in unison, and their armies slowly withdrew, leaving behind a vast field of corpses.

Upon returning to camp, Sun Licheng counted and found that the Silver Moon Tribe had brought back seven corpses and had ten wounded of varying degrees. Thanks to their sturdy armor, Voll managed to retrieve all his tribesmen’s bodies—far better off than the other tribes.

“For you.”

Still covered in blood, Voll handed Sun Licheng a large wooden club, the ogre’s weapon.

“Thank you.” Sun Licheng expressed his gratitude and began to examine the club closely. The weapon was made of exceptionally hard wood, reinforced with several iron bands, each studded with sharp spikes.

“This is clearly an iron weapon, possibly even a standard issue—the battle won’t be easy,” Sun Licheng mused, falling into deep thought in light of this new development.

He pondered for a while but reached no conclusions. Hearing the wounded crying out in pain nearby, he took out the salve he had prepared and began treating them. Though lacking modern medical supplies like gauze and alcohol, Sun Licheng’s herbal remedies, combined with red-black berries he’d previously found, soon quieted the patients’ screams and lulled them into sleep.

“Thank you, Sun Licheng.” Seeing that the wounded were all being cared for, Voll wiped the sweat from his brow and thanked Sun Licheng sincerely.

The transformation into a bear-gnome through the war dance had a time limit, and Voll had already reverted, his body weakened from the aftereffects of the spell. Still, as the chief, he insisted on helping Sun Licheng tend to the wounded.

The tribes neighboring the Silver Moon Tribe, surprised not to hear the usual agonized cries, came to inquire. They discovered all the wounded had been properly treated. Several chiefs carefully examined the wounds and, seeing the medicine’s effectiveness, gathered around Voll hoping to obtain some.

Exhausted, Voll simply pointed to Sun Licheng, sending the chiefs his way before heading off to rest.

Sun Licheng readily agreed to their requests for medicine, but he asked for something in return: he wanted their help exploring the surrounding area in search of special locations, making it easier for him to seek fragments of the Earth God’s divinity.

“No problem, Lord Sun Licheng. If we learn anything, you’ll be the first to know,” said Adair, the Moon God Tribe’s chief, pounding his robust chest in promise.

“Thank you all,” Sun Licheng responded gratefully.

“By the way, Lord Sun Licheng, aren’t you a warrior of the Silver Moon Tribe?” Adair asked, curiosity piqued after the exchange was concluded and he’d received the herbs.

“I’m not a member of their tribe. I worship the God of Magma, while they worship the Silver Moon Goddess, so I cannot join their tribe,” Sun Licheng replied.

“Then join us! Our Moon God Tribe also venerates the Silver Moon Goddess, but it’s fine if you follow another deity,” Adair exclaimed, delighted to discover Sun Licheng was a wanderer, and promptly invited him.

Sun Licheng declined, citing that his current quest required him to roam and was not suited to joining a tribe.

Adair was disappointed but accepted the explanation.

“By the way, Adair—” Sun Licheng began, but Adair cut him off.

“Just call me Brother, or Adair. I’m not a stickler for formality. If I take a liking to someone, they’re my brother,” Adair said heartily, clapping Sun Licheng on the shoulder.

“All right, then,” Sun Licheng agreed cheerfully, then asked, “I’m just one man, with only a wolf and a mechanical golem. My strength is too limited. Adair, do you know any ways to increase my power?”

“You can establish your own tribe! With a tribe, you can recruit warriors, buy slaves, and trade with other tribes instead of relying on others’ mercy,” Adair laughed, offering an unexpected suggestion.

“Is that really possible?”

“Of course! It’s not easy, but many tribes were founded just like that.” Adair’s eyes shone with conviction.

Sun Licheng considered and, seeing Adair wasn’t deceiving him, felt a surge of goodwill. He’d been with the Silver Moon Tribe so long and never learned this, while Adair, after only brief acquaintance, spoke openly—clearly a trustworthy man.

To show his gratitude, Sun Licheng informed the Silver Moon Tribe and went to the Moon God Tribe’s camp to help treat their wounded.

Meanwhile, in the command tent of the Star Moon Tribe, Adolf sat in the commander’s seat, listening to his son’s report.

The first clash had cost the entire Moon Alliance over two hundred men—not a heavy loss—but the Silver Moon Tribe’s troops had performed exceptionally well.

“Father, they suffered fewer than twenty casualties, and even retrieved all their dead. Especially that wolf rider—he has a herb that’s very effective for external wounds and is now helping several tribes treat their injured,” Martin reported.

“Oh? Is that so? Look into this, and report any new developments at once. For now, don’t provoke the wolf rider—fewer casualties are always better. We’ll be fighting again tomorrow,” Adolf replied thoughtfully.

…

The next morning, after breakfast, the gnomes marched out once more. This time, the Silver Moon Tribe was rotated to serve as the general reserve.

On the small plain at the Yunshan Pass, another brutal battle ensued. As before, by midday, both sides retreated to their camps, leaving the field strewn with corpses. The gnomes suffered hundreds more casualties.

“Is this how your wars are fought? Only half a day of fighting each time?” Sun Licheng, unfamiliar with warfare, found it odd.

“Of course not. These two days are just probing. By now, both sides have more or less sized each other up. Tomorrow will be the real battle,” Voll explained, enlightening Sun Licheng.

Just then, a squad of deer cavalry arrived at the Silver Moon Tribe’s camp, led by none other than Martin, the Star Moon Tribe’s little tyrant.

“What’s he doing here? I’ll go check.” Voll went out to meet them.

A short while later, Voll returned with Martin and said to Sun Licheng, “Martin wants you to go to the Star Moon Tribe and meet Chief Adolf.”

“What for?” Sun Licheng asked, wary.

“Heh, don’t be nervous—it’s about your herbs,” Martin said with a cocky grin.

“All right, I’ll go with you,” Sun Licheng agreed after some thought. Voll, concerned for Sun Licheng’s safety, accompanied him. Seeing this, Martin’s lips curled in a mocking sneer.

The Star Moon Tribe’s command tent was spacious, its furnishings simple, but Sun Licheng noticed several bronze artifacts, marking their strength as far greater than the Silver Moon Tribe’s.

As the grand chief and commander of this army, Adolf exuded authority, though his face was all genial smiles, giving the impression of a kindly uncle. Sun Licheng, however, was immediately on guard against such a “smiling tiger.”

Adolf greeted Sun Licheng warmly, inquiring about his recent circumstances and even offering assistance. As the saying goes, “No one is attentive for no reason—unless they have an ulterior motive.” Sun Licheng responded politely, but his estimation of this wily leader rose.

“I hear you’re still on your own?” Adolf eventually asked.

“Yes, I am,” Sun Licheng replied calmly.

“Why not join our Star Moon Tribe? We welcome all capable warriors,” Adolf offered unexpectedly.

“But Sun Licheng worships the God of Magma,” Voll reminded Adolf, worried that Sun Licheng might impulsively join the Star Moon Tribe.

“Oh? So that’s it. No matter—our tribe doesn’t require everyone to share the same faith. As long as you’re an asset, we’ll take you in. If you join, I’ll make you commander of the cavalry, and with good work, you could become an elder. What do you say? Think it over,” Adolf said, naming his price under Voll’s anxious gaze.

The offer was generous, far beyond what Sun Licheng had expected—but he was a man longing to return home, so he wasn’t tempted.

“Thank you for your kindness, but I have my own mission to complete, and must wander. I’m not joining any tribe for now,” Sun Licheng replied after pretending to consider.

Voll visibly relaxed at his words.

But Sun Licheng continued, “I want to establish my own tribe and hope for the Moon Alliance’s permission.”

“Is that so? That’s no simple matter,” Adolf’s expression turned grave.

“Yes,” Sun Licheng replied firmly.

Adolf hadn’t expected this request. He paced in thought, then stopped and said, “It’s possible to form a tribe, but if you wish to do so on Moon Alliance territory, you must abide by our rules. I hope you understand.”

“Of course. What are the requirements?” Sun Licheng asked.

Returning to his seat, Adolf picked up a cup, swirled the water inside, and said, “To put it simply, you must participate in the coming battles. Only if you contribute to the Moon Alliance will we permit you to found your own tribe.”

“Very well, I’ll fight—but I need to operate independently, not in positional warfare,” Sun Licheng replied after some thought.

Adolf set the cup down, clapped his hands, and said, “I agree in principle, but you must still follow my orders—that’s a must.”

“No problem,” Sun Licheng agreed readily. Thus, he officially joined the war.