Chapter 70

Spent most of the day screening, and selected twenty-one young monsters with the talent for spellcasting.

Translation: "Spent most of the day screening, and selected twenty-one young monsters with the talent for spellcasting."

Spent most of the day screening, and selected twenty-one young monsters with the talent for spellcasting.

The construction of the mage tower has also been put on the agenda.

Translation: "The construction of the mage tower also began to be put on the schedule." More natural: "Plans for building the mage tower also went onto the agenda." We'll keep close: "The construction of the mage tower also began to be scheduled."

Here, the mage tower is naturally not the kind of terrifyingly powerful tower that requires vast wealth to build.

Translation: "The mage tower here is naturally not that terrifyingly powerful magic tower that requires vast wealth to build." We'll produce: "The mage tower here is naturally not the kind of terrifyingly powerful tower that consumes vast wealth to build."

The Scalescale tribe simply does not have the ability to construct such a high-level magical building.

Translation: "The Dark Scale Tribe simply does not have the ability to construct such a high-level magical building." We'll produce: "The Dark Scale Tribe simply lacks the ability to build such a high-level magical structure."

This is something that at least requires a high-level spellcaster to figure out.

Translation: "This is something that at least requires a high-level spellcaster to be able to figure out." We'll produce: "At the very least, this is something only a high-level spellcaster can work out."

The mage tower that the Scalescale tribe plans to build is actually just a tower made of neatly stacked giant stones; let alone an elemental pool that could provide massive elemental power, they don't even plan to inscribe a single spell.

Translation: "The mage tower the Dark Scale Tribe intends to build is actually just a high tower made of neatly arranged giant stones—let alone an elemental pool that could provide massive elemental power, they don't even plan to inscribe any spells." We'll produce: "The mage tower the Dark Scale Tribe plans to build is actually just a high tower constructed from neatly arranged giant stones—let alone an elemental pool capable of providing vast elemental power, they don't even intend to inscribe any spells."

At least for now there is no such plan, after all inscribing spells, magic circles, and alchemical arrays all require precious mystical resources such as gold, silver, magic stones, and magic cores.

Translation: "At least for now they have no such plan, after all inscribing spells, magic circles, and alchemical formations all require consuming precious mysterious resources like gold, silver, magic stones, and magic cores." We'll produce: "At least for now they have no such plan, after all inscribing spells, magic circles, and alchemical formations all require consuming precious mysterious resources such as gold, silver, magic stones, and magic cores."

Even the Gray Stone Dragon Fortress has no inscriptions, so how could we possibly inscribe anything on the mage tower first?

Translation: "Even the Grey Stone Dragon Fortress has no inscriptions—how could they possibly inscribe the mage tower first?" We'll produce: "Even the Grey Stone Dragon Fortress bears no inscriptions—how could they possibly inscribe the mage tower first?"

The planned height of the mage tower is five stories, each nine meters tall, for a total height of forty-five meters.

Translation: "The planned height of the mage tower is five stories, each nine meters, for a total height of forty-five meters." We'll produce: "The mage tower is planned to be five stories high, each nine meters, for a total height of forty-five meters."

The planned floor area is forty thousand square meters.

Translation: "The planned floor area is forty thousand square meters." We'll produce: "The planned floor area is forty thousand square meters."

In terms of size, it is smaller than the Gray Stone Dragon Fortress where the dragons live, but much larger than the stone hall where the Scalescale tribe's leader resides and holds council.

Translation: "In terms of size, it is smaller than the Grey Stone Dragon Fortress where the giant dragons live, but much larger than the stone hall where the Dark Scale Tribe's leader resides and holds council." We'll produce: "In terms of size, it is smaller than the Grey Stone Dragon Fortress where the giant dragons reside, but much larger than the stone hall where the Dark Scale Tribe's leader lives and holds council."

Even with the help of tireless ogre laborers and Alchemist Eddy's dragon-made stone‑cutting alchemical equipment, such a massive building would still take at least several months to complete.

Translation: "Even with tireless ogre laborers and the stone‑cutting alchemical equipment crafted by the alchemist dragon Ai Di, such a massive building would still take at least several months to complete." We'll produce: "Even with tireless ogre laborers and the stone‑cutting alchemical equipment crafted by the alchemist dragon Ai Di, such a massive building would still take at least several months to complete."

After returning to the Gray Stone Dragon Fortress, Leon also informed the few black dragons—Eldo, Dagan, and Frank—that they should secrete a special saliva whenever they have nothing else to do.

Translation: "After Lai Ang returned to the Grey Stone Dragon Fortress, he also notified the black dragons Ai Er Duo, Da Gen, and Fu Lan Qi to secrete a special saliva whenever they had nothing else to do." We'll produce: "After Lai Ang returned to the Grey Stone Dragon Fortress, he also notified the black dragons Ai Er Duo, Da Gen, and Fu Lan Qi to secrete a special saliva whenever they had nothing else to do."

Black dragons can secrete a special saliva that makes materials adhere stably, making it a high‑quality building material.

Translation: "Black dragons can secrete a special saliva that makes materials adhere firmly; it is a high‑quality building material." We'll produce: "Black dragons can secrete a special saliva that makes materials adhere firmly; it is a high‑quality building material."

Just how good is it?

Translation: "Just how high‑quality is it?" We'll produce: "Just how high‑quality is it?"

Just think about it—a black dragon can dig a den deep in the swamp large enough to house a beast tens of meters in size, and that den remains intact for hundreds of years or more; that shows how excellent the saliva is.

Translation: "Just think: a black dragon can dig a den deep in the swamp large enough to house a beast tens of meters in size, and it won't collapse for hundreds of years or even longer—then you can imagine how high‑quality it is." We'll produce: "Just think: a black dragon can dig a den deep in the swamp large enough to house a beast tens of meters in size, and it won't collapse for hundreds of years or even longer—then you can imagine how high‑quality it is."

Consequently, the several black dragons naturally dare not contradict the leader's order; they can only accept this task.

Translation: "In response, the several black dragons naturally dared not defy the leader's words; they could only accept this task." We'll produce: "In response, the several black dragons naturally dared not defy the leader's words; they could only accept this task."

It's just spitting a little saliva—how simple.

Translation: "It's just spitting a little saliva—simple." We'll produce: "It's just spitting a little saliva—simple."

A little over a month later.

Translation: "More than a month later." We'll produce: "More than a month later."

Winter arrived.

Translation: "Winter arrived." We'll produce: "Winter arrived."

Snow fell everywhere, rivers froze, the forest was clad in silver, and the world lay vast and desolate.

Translation: "Snow fell everywhere, rivers froze, forests were clad in silver, and the heavens and earth stretched out in a vast, desolate expanse." We'll produce: "Snow fell everywhere, rivers froze, forests were clad in silver, and the heavens and earth stretched out in a vast, desolate expanse."

The hunting scout Hog brought back good news: a herd of giant deer had migrated from the west.

Translation: "The hunter Hog, out on a hunt, brought back good news: a herd of giant deer had migrated from the west." We'll produce: "The hunter Hog, out on a hunt, brought back good news: a herd of giant deer had migrated from the west."

"Giant deer herd?" Upon hearing the news, Leon's spirits lifted.

"Giant deer herd?" Upon hearing the news, Lai Ang's spirits lifted.

Giant deer are second‑tier beasts, with delicious meat, a gentle temperament, and adults weighing three to four tons, making them excellent livestock for domestication.

Translation: "Giant deer are second‑rank wild beasts, with delicious meat and a gentle temperament; an adult giant deer weighs three to four tonnes, making them excellent livestock for domestication." We'll produce: "Giant deer are second‑rank wild beasts, with delicious meat and a gentle temperament; an adult giant deer weighs three to four tonnes, making them excellent livestock for domestication."

The Scalescale tribe also raises some livestock for meat, but they are only small animals like wild chickens and water ducks; their main meat source remains fish.

Translation: "The Dark Scale Tribe has also domesticated some livestock for meat, but they are only small‑sized wild chickens and water ducks; their main meat source remains fish." We'll produce: "The Dark Scale Tribe has also domesticated some livestock for meat, but they are only small‑sized wild chickens and water ducks; their main meat source remains fish."

Large, domesticate‑able livestock are rare in Fish Spirit Marsh.

Translation: "Large‑sized domestatable livestock are rare in the Fish Spirit Marsh." We'll produce: "Large‑sized domestatable livestock are rare in the Fish Spirit Marsh."

"In recent winters we never saw even a trace of a giant‑deer herd, yet now they have appeared nearby." Leon thought of the Dark Mire War.

Translation: ""In recent winters we've never seen even a trace of a giant deer herd, yet now they've appeared nearby." Lai Ang thought of the Dark Mire War." We'll produce: ""In recent winters we've never seen even a trace of a giant deer herd, yet now they've appeared nearby." Lai Ang thought of the Dark Mire War."

Could it be that the war's influence has altered these animals' migration routes?

Translation: "Could it be that the war's influence has changed these beasts' migration routes?" We'll produce: "Could it be that the war's influence has changed these beasts' migration routes?"

Generally, animal migration routes rarely change unless a major upheaval occurs.

Translation: "Generally, beasts' migration routes rarely change unless a major upheaval occurs." We'll produce: "Generally, beasts' migration routes rarely change unless a major upheaval occurs."

The Scalescale tribe's location is only lightly affected by the Dark Mire War; in recent years the only notable effect has been the appearance of the skeleton spellcaster Mare.

Translation: "The Dark Scale Tribe's location is only slightly affected by the Dark Mire War; in recent years the only exception has been the appearance of the skeleton mage Ma Lei." We'll produce: "The Dark Scale Tribe's location is only slightly affected by the Dark Mire War; in recent years the only exception has been the appearance of the skeleton mage Ma Lei."

But that does not mean the Dark Mire War is actually that peaceful.

Translation: "But that does not mean the Dark Mire War is truly that peaceful." We'll produce: "But that does not mean the Dark Mire War is truly that peaceful."

A few months ago, while Leon was still in Emerald City, he saw many soldiers' armor stained with a grim, bloody odor, and numerous wounded monsters with missing limbs.

Translation: "A few months ago, when Lai Ang was still in Jade City, he saw many soldiers' armor stained with a strong smell of blood, and also many wounded monsters with severed limbs." We'll produce: "A few months ago, when Lai Ang was still in Jade City, he saw many soldiers' armor stained with a strong smell of blood, and also many wounded monsters with severed limbs."

Obviously, the true main force of the war, the one resisting the front‑line enemies, is the army of Emerald City.

Translation: "Obviously, the true main force of the war, resisting the front‑line enemy, is the military of Jade City." We'll produce: "Obviously, the true main force of the war, resisting the front‑line enemy, is the military of Jade City."

"This war is bound to last a long time, and its intensity won't be high; eventually it will reach the Scalescale tribe." Leon reflected. There's no escaping it, after all Fish Spirit Marsh lies on the outer fringe of the Emerald Dream territory.

Translation: ""This war is destined to last a long time, its intensity won't be high, and eventually it will surely reach the Dark Scale Tribe." Lai Ang pondered. There's no escaping it, after all the Fish Spirit Marsh lies in the outer reaches of the Jade Dream Realm Territory." We'll produce: ""This war is destined to last a long time, its intensity won't be high, and eventually it will surely reach the Dark Scale Tribe." Lai Ang pondered. There's no escaping it, after all the Fish Spirit Marsh lies in the outer reaches of the Jade Dream Realm Territory."

The enemy won't strike the core territories, and may not even be able to, but the outer regions will surely suffer the ravages of war.

Translation: "The enemy won't strike the core territory, and may not even be able to, but the outer territories will certainly not escape the ravages of war." We'll produce: "The enemy won't strike the core territory, and may not even be able to, but the outer territories will certainly not escape the ravages of war."

Fish Spirit Marsh has not yet been touched by war, simply because the Emerald Dream territory is enormous—larger than the entire Asia of our previous life—and only a few years have passed, so its effects haven't reached here yet.

Translation: "The Fish Spirit Marsh has not yet been touched by war, simply because the Jade Dream Realm Territory is enormous—larger than all of Asia in our previous life—and only a few years have passed, so its effects haven't reached here yet." We'll produce: "The Fish Spirit Marsh has not yet been touched by war, simply because the Jade Dream Realm Territory is enormous—larger than all of Asia in our previous life—and only a few years have passed, so its effects haven't reached here yet."

After gathering his thoughts, Leon looked at the strong, respectfully kneeling gnoll before him and said,

Translation: "After gathering his thoughts, Lai Ang looked at the strong hyena‑person kneeling respectfully before him and said," We'll produce: "After gathering his thoughts, Lai Ang looked at the strong hyena‑person kneeling respectfully before him and said,"

"I understand; later I will help you drive off the giant‑deer herd together with Segar and his companions."

Translation: ""I understand; later I will help you drive away the giant deer herd together with Sai Jia and the others."" We'll produce: ""I understand; later I will help you drive away the giant deer herd together with Sai Jia and the others.""

The migrating giant‑deer herd numbers in the thousands, and since adult giant deer are second‑tier beasts, it is clearly beyond the capability of the Scalescale tribe's hunting party to take down.

Translation: "The migrating giant deer herd numbers in the thousands, and since adult giant deer are second‑rank beasts, it is obviously beyond the capability of the Dark Scale Tribe's hunting party to take down." We'll produce: "The migrating giant deer herd numbers in the thousands, and since adult giant deer are second‑rank beasts, it is obviously beyond the capability of the Dark Scale Tribe's hunting party to take down."

The Scalescale tribe has only a little over a thousand warriors who have reached second tier when race and fighting‑spirit ranks are combined.

Translation: "The Dark Scale Tribe's warriors who have reached second rank, counting both racial and fighting‑spirit levels together, number only a little over a thousand." We'll produce: "The Dark Scale Tribe's warriors who have reached second rank, counting both racial and fighting‑spirit levels together, number only a little over a thousand."

To truly bring down that herd, they would have to deploy all of their second‑tier warriors, plus every third‑ and fourth‑tier fighter, and accept some casualties for a chance of success.

Translation: "To truly take down this giant deer herd, not only must all second‑rank Dark Scale warriors be mobilized, but also third‑rank and even fourth‑rank forces must be deployed, and they would have to accept certain casualties to have a chance." We'll produce: "To truly take down this giant deer herd, not only must all second‑rank Dark Scale warriors be mobilized, but also third‑rank and even fourth‑rank forces must be deployed, and they would have to accept certain casualties to have a chance."

But when Leon and his allies intervene, it's not that complicated—once they unleash their dragon aura, the herd's resistance is halved.

Translation: "But when Lai Ang and the others act, it's not so troublesome—just a release of dragon aura cuts the giant deer herd's resistance in half." We'll produce: "But when Lai Ang and the others act, it's not so troublesome—just a release of dragon aura cuts the giant deer herd's resistance in half."

"With the master's intervention, these giant deer will be easily taken down," Hog complimented.

Translation: ""With the master taking action, these giant deer herds will surely be taken easily." Hog offered a compliment." We'll produce: ""With the master taking action, these giant deer herds will surely be taken easily." Hog offered a compliment."

The next day.

Translation: "The next day." We'll produce: "The next day."

A vast expanse of snow, seven black and one white—eight dragons in total—stood atop a tree over a hundred meters high, looking down at the distant giant‑deer herd whose line stretched far away.

Translation: "Endless snow stretched out; eight giant dragons—seven black and one white—stood atop a hundred‑meter‑tall giant tree, looking down at the not‑far‑off giant deer herd whose line was stretched long." We'll produce: "Endless snow stretched out; eight giant dragons—seven black and one white—stood atop a hundred‑meter‑tall giant tree, looking down at the not‑far‑off giant deer herd whose line was stretched long."

Snow‑white fur, massive heavy bodies, and beneath the flesh juicy and delicious—Segar and Pana were already drooling.

Snow‑white fur, massive heavy bodies, and juicy, delicious flesh beneath—Sai Jia and Pa Na were already drooling.

"Attack," Leon said.

Translation: ""Attack." Lai Ang said." We'll produce: ""Attack." Lai Ang said."

The seven dragons standing still on the giant tree could no longer hold back; with a low roar they unfurled their wings and took flight, each dragon responsible for a sector.

Translation: "The seven giant dragons standing still on the giant tree could no longer hold back; with a low roar they unfurled their wings and soared high, each dragon taking charge of a sector." We'll produce: "The seven giant dragons standing still on the giant tree could no longer hold back; with a low roar they unfurled their wings and soared high, each dragon taking charge of a sector."

Leon, meanwhile, oversaw the whole scene, watching Segar and his companions act, and glancing at the hidden Scalescale warriors around the perimeter.

Translation: "Lai Ang, meanwhile, oversaw the whole scene, watching Sai Jia and the others act, and also glanced at the Dark Scale warriors lying in ambush around the perimeter." We'll produce: "Lai Ang, meanwhile, oversaw the whole scene, watching Sai Jia and the others act, and also glanced at the Dark Scale warriors lying in ambush around the perimeter."

If any gap appeared, it would swiftly descend there and release a third‑tier dragon's might.

Translation: "If any gap appeared, it would swiftly descend there and then release a third‑rank dragon's aura." We'll produce: "If any gap appeared, it would swiftly descend there and then release a third‑rank dragon's aura."

Under Leon's watch, the herding plan proceeded perfectly: the thousands of giant deer were first split into several small groups by the seven dragons, then the concealed Scalescale warriors rushed out shouting, driving the frightened, divided deer.

Translation: "Under Lai Ang's watch, the herding plan proceeded perfectly; the thousands of giant deer were first split by the seven giant dragons into a dozen or so small groups, then the ambushed Dark Scale warriors rushed out shouting, driving the divided, panicked giant deer." We'll produce: "Under Lai Ang's watch, the herding plan proceeded perfectly; the thousands of giant deer were first split by the seven giant dragons into a dozen or so small groups, then the ambushed Dark Scale warriors rushed out shouting, driving the divided, panicked giant deer."

Hundreds of the giant deer were quickly driven into a valley, where the entrance was guarded by third‑tier warriors and ogres; if any of the herded deer tried to break out, the powerful ogres and strong third‑tier Scalescale fighters would intervene and drive them back.

Translation: "Hundreds of giant deer were quickly driven into a valley, where the entrances were guarded by third‑rank warriors and ogres; if any of the herded giant deer tried to break out, the towering, mighty ogres and the strong third‑rank Dark Scale warriors would intervene and drive them back." We'll produce: "Hundreds of giant deer were quickly driven into a valley, where the entrances were guarded by third‑rank warriors and ogres; if any of the herded giant deer tried to break out, the towering, mighty ogres and the strong third‑rank Dark Scale warriors would intervene and drive them back."

The second batch was also successful, with another few hundred giant deer driven into the valley.

Translation: "The second batch was also successful, with another few hundred giant deer driven into the valley." We'll produce: "The second batch was also successful, with another few hundred giant deer driven into the valley."

Then came the third, fourth, up to the seventh batches, when problems finally arose.

Translation: "Then came the third, fourth, up to the seventh batches, when problems finally appeared." We'll produce: "Then came the third, fourth, up to the seventh batches, when problems finally appeared."

The herd's leader—a third‑tier mutant giant deer—withstood Segar's dragon aura, let out a roar, and tried to lead the remaining fewer‑than‑a‑thousand members in a breakout.

Translation: "The leader of the giant deer, a mutant third‑rank beast, withstood the dragon aura of Sai Jia and the others, let out a roar, and tried to lead the remaining fewer than a thousand of the herd to break out and flee." We'll produce: "The leader of the giant deer, a mutant third‑rank beast, withstood the dragon aura of Sai Jia and the others, let out a roar, and tried to lead the remaining fewer than a thousand of the herd to break out and flee."

Although beasts lack intelligence and cannot think like humans or monsters, they still possess instinct.

Translation: "Although beasts lack intelligence and cannot think like humans or monsters, they do possess instincts." We'll produce: "Although beasts lack intelligence and cannot think like humans or monsters, they do possess instincts."

They are not stones; they simply wait stupidly to be harvested.

Translation: "They are not stones; they will only foolishly wait to be harvested." We'll produce: "They are not stones; they will only foolishly wait to be harvested."

A roar! A black line streaked across the sky; as it descended, it revealed a massive black dragon nearly nine meters long, whose aura was strong enough to paralyze any third‑tier creature with fear, blanketing the surroundings.

Translation: "Roar! A black line streaked across the sky; as it gradually lowered its flight altitude, its form became visible—a strong black dragon nearly nine meters long let out a bellow, its aura condensed in a radius sufficient to paralyze third‑rank beings with fear, enveloping the surroundings." We'll produce: "Roar! A black line streaked across the sky; as it gradually lowered its flight altitude, its form became visible—a strong black dragon nearly nine meters long let out a bellow, its aura condensed in a radius sufficient to paralyze third‑rank beings with fear, enveloping the surroundings."

The giant‑deer leader, who had still been able to resist, instantly collapsed like a wilted plant, kneeling in instinctive fear.

Translation: "That giant deer leader, which had still been capable of resistance, instantly slumped like a wilted eggplant, kneeling down from instinctive fear." We'll produce: "That giant deer leader, which had still been capable of resistance, instantly slumped like a wilted eggplant, kneeling down from instinctive fear."

Afterwards the dark-scaled warriors began to drive them away, and these giant deer offered no resistance, entering the valley as docilely as a herd of domesticated cattle and sheep.

After thousands of giant deer had entered the valley, the giants immediately began moving stones on the spot, piling up a thick stone wall at the valley's entrance.

They left a spot for the gate, waiting only for the ironsmiths of the Dark Scale Tribe's gold-refining workshop to forge a steel door, then transport it here to assemble.

Thanks to 'Year 1 AD' for the tip of 2000 coins.

Thanks to sushanwawa, Shítóu yǔ dàn for the tip.

(End of chapter)