Chapter 453: Poor Hog, What’s the Point of Ruling a Bunch of Disabled Lowborns?

“Lord Flesh Render, our outer defense line has lost 6 outposts in the past few days. The vampires advancing from the western direction are attacking fiercely, and they’ve received support from the Goldflower Kingdom’s army!

We’ve lost many Corpse Mages, and this is just Transia’s action on one front. According to information from Hog, they have deployed forces on three fronts.

They’re ready to make their move!”

In the mage tower of Plague Town, a gloomy plague mage was reporting the situation on the frontlines to Lord Flesh Render. Under the dark hood, that gloomy gnoll’s furry face was filled with displeasure.

It watched as the Flesh Render mage before it was mixing some alchemical solution at the alchemy table with the characteristic “slow motion” of the elderly, remaining silent about the developing situation. It said:

“We should take action and respond to Transia’s unreasonable invasion with a fierce counterattack, rather than passively taking hits like we are now. This cowardly approach is truly a disgrace to us gnolls!”

“We are gnolls, we have no face to lose, that’s something only humans have, and humans are our enemies. I appreciate your learning ability, my servant. But why can’t you learn something good from humans?”

Amidst the clinking of bottles and jars, Flesh Render continued its alchemy mixing unhurriedly.

It seemed to pay no attention at all to its subordinate’s concerns and dissatisfaction.

It picked up a test tube filled with purple liquid and held it up to examine, having to look closely due to poor eyesight. After confirming the smell and color were correct, Flesh Render shook the test tube at a specific frequency while saying methodically:

“Just some vanguards, just some soldiers, just attacks that have barely begun and haven’t even broken through our outermost defenses, yet you’re all acting as panicked as if humans had already fought their way into Moss Valley.

In the current power comparison between both sides, whether in quality or quantity, we have the advantage!

I cannot understand where your concerns come from, just as I cannot understand why until now you still haven’t realized the true urgent task of the Plague Clan.

The humans and vampires of Transia were never our problem. When the Black Plague army sweeps through here, those rebels will naturally get the war of destruction they want to see, but we are not the instigators of the war.

We came to this swamp only for one noble purpose, and we are now just one step away from obtaining it!

So, how is the military preparation of the Construction Tower going?”

Faced with Flesh Render’s inquiry, the gnoll mage who came to report lowered its head. Although Flesh Render’s tone was calm, it could already sense the accumulated dissatisfaction in the heart of this increasingly mercurial clan leader.

It didn’t dare continue expressing opinions on this matter, and following Flesh Render’s question, replied:

“As of this morning, we have 3 regiments totaling 1,500 giant zombies ready for assault, and the number of magic heart wraiths has also exceeded 800.

Lame Claw says it needs a bit more time to complete the final batch of Netherworld Knights, but even without counting those Netherworld Knights still in transformation, we currently already have 87 Netherworld Knights who can carry out assaults in the swamp and Corpse Mages responsible for containment. The energy-storing weapons prepared for them have also been completed.

According to your previous instructions, all mages of the Plague Clan are ready to release large-scale war spells. I think these are enough for us to complete the advance and occupation of the swamp forbidden zone.”

“Enough? Foolish! It seems you still don’t have a proper understanding of the concept of ‘legendary creatures.'”

Flesh Render rebuked:

“We’re going to deal with creatures whose skin alone can immunize against spirit energy influences below tier 3. Ordinary spirit weapons can’t even leave a scratch on their jewel scales, and even specially made energy-storing weapons need multiple attacks to possibly make them bleed.

And their tight connection with the swamp means we’ll be exposed as soon as we step into their territory, no tactical arrangements can escape their perception.

We can’t even lock onto them with divination spells, while they can freely move through the mud without being affected by any control spells affecting speed.

The permanent armor spell on you won’t be any tougher than paper against Ningkinanka’s venom.

Even undead in spirit heavy armor will dissolve into dregs within minutes when faced with that corrosive toxin, and they can continuously spray similar toxic rain 30 times before becoming fatigued.

In front of such creatures, even golden rank powerhouses need to make thorough preparations, and you need to pay attention to my wording when I describe them, the quantity words I use.

It’s ‘them’!

Not it.

No one knows how many giant snakes live in the swamp forbidden zone!

Even by the most optimistic estimates, there will be at least a nest of legendary creatures waiting for us there.

Tell me, my apprentice, how many casualties are you prepared to suffer to break through these giant snakes’ blockade, and what methods do you plan to use to shake off the giant snakes’ pursuit after we get the secret treasure?

If possible, I would prefer to have a powerful clan army at our disposal, but all the major clans in Moss Valley are short-sighted fools!

They hope to recreate the glory and power of King Gnawbone, yet are unwilling to take even a bit of actual action for it.

Every warlord just wants to preserve their own forces while letting others be consumed, viewing that ancient legend’s sacred artifact as ridiculous rumors. They completely fail to understand the power that King Gnawbone relied on to unleash the Black Plague and overturn the world.

While humans are beginning to arm their pawns with cannons and firearms, they’re still immersed in the illusion of inevitable victory brought by their pathetic numerical advantage.

Rats!

A bunch of rats!”

Flesh Render grew increasingly agitated as it spoke.

In the end it turned into a bitter criticism of the gnoll clan warlords’ inaction, like an angry and helpless old gnoll malcontent, while its completely bewildered apprentice could only stay there properly, pretending to listen attentively, though the apprentice didn’t care about any of this at all.

It was a gnoll, and thinking about politics and greater trends had never been its forte. Compared to the warlords’ stupidity and the Black Plague’s victory or defeat, it was more interested in the power contained within the “Black Plague” itself.

In fact, Flesh Render also knew that with its increasing age, its control over the clan had become increasingly powerless.

These talented and capable youngsters were every day hoping for it to choke to death during breakfast, or have a sudden heart attack while using the toilet. They yearned to rise to power to demonstrate the power they possessed, yet completely ignored through what difficult seeking Flesh Render had obtained the path of power for the Plague Clan in those years.

However, even knowing this point, Flesh Render could no longer suppress these evil thoughts.

It had reached the twilight years of a gnoll’s life, with cruel time stealing away its remaining little energy and mercilessly not allowing it to forget its grand aspirations, forcing it to use increasingly cruel methods just to maintain control over its clan.

Now, what Flesh Render worried about most was whether after its death, its apprentices could still manage the territory and power that the Plague Clan had fought for over 30 years to claim?

These youngsters each had ruthless methods and evil hearts, but their wisdom in leadership and governance was really quite lacking. Just in terms of thinking and long-term planning, these spirit-wielding gnoll mages seemed to have little difference from other gnolls.

Ordinary gnolls were constrained by hunger, while its clan struggled in the vortex of power.

Looking at the young mage before it who appeared respectful on the surface but actually had no respect, the helplessness in Flesh Render’s murky eyes became increasingly apparent.

At this moment it felt very tired, after being busy for a lifetime it still hadn’t been able to find a qualified successor who knew how to use wisdom.

These fellows weren’t even as good as that Transian lowborn!

That small gnoll called Hog.

When Flesh Render first met it, it knew that Hog was definitely a cunning one rarely seen among gnolls in a hundred years. It could even guess that in the incident of Plague Fang’s death, Hog perhaps played a role that wasn’t so incompetent and innocent, but it really appreciated Hog’s cunning and thus hadn’t advised itself to investigate deeply.

What a pity.

What a pity that lowborn wasn’t born in the Dark Mountains. Being born in this damned place of Transia meant Hog was destined to never be able to enter the high levels of gnoll civilization in this life, let alone lead and rise up a clan.

“Get out.”

Flesh Render waved its hand somewhat listlessly and berated its apprentice:

“Go notify Lame Claw to speed up completing the remaining 13 Netherworld Knights. After a hundred knights finish resting, we will enter the swamp forbidden zone.

We must finish this matter before the Transians break through the three lines of defense and approach Plague Town. We need to return to the Dark Mountains with King Gnawbone’s remains and its secret treasure, to merge the Plague Clan’s power into the Black Plague collective.

We will return.

And at that time, you will no longer need to suppress yourselves, freely spreading the destructive power you possess across this land that doesn’t belong to us. But now, I need you to focus.

I need you to make final preparations for battling legendary creatures.”

Its apprentice dared not argue, and honestly withdrew.

At the highest level of this mage tower, when only Flesh Render remained, the old mage meticulously completed the alchemy process in hand, placing the seven vials of strangely colored solution it had made into its personal spirit beast skin bag, only then returning to its resting place.

But it didn’t go to sleep right away, instead picking up again the pearl bracelet for contacting the “Source”. One reason it hadn’t immediately led the clan members into the swamp forbidden zone was also the factor of waiting for “reinforcements”.

This spirit energy communication waited for a very long time, with the communication only connecting after several minutes, and the one responding to Flesh Render wasn’t Lord Source, but another man’s voice.

A sunny, cheerful and gentle tone, it was a voice that completely shouldn’t belong to a cultist.

He said:

“I’m already on the way, will cross Lake Shulps and enter the swamp tomorrow night. Are you really so impatient?”

“I just wanted to confirm one last time.”

Flesh Render replied in a tired voice:

“If only you alone come, what kind of help can you provide me on the battlefield against legendary creatures? I can understand the power of the Dusk forces, but you are just a servant.”

“Those words aren’t pleasant to hear, Lord Flesh Render.”

The person on the other end said unhappily:

“Moreover, the key to things like power lies in the user rather than the power itself. I hadn’t even planned to participate in your battle against those troublesome giant snakes, but I truly brought you what you need most.

It’s impossible to directly eliminate the giant snakes in the foul swamp. You cannot understand the tight connection between this swamp and those giant snakes. In Dusk’s legends, it wasn’t that the giant snakes found the swamp, this swamp naturally exists for the giant snakes.

This is their homeland!

You need to understand the meaning of the word ‘homeland’.

In their homeland, they are very difficult to truly harm, so to get what they guard, you must find another way.

However, I know such thinking is still too heavy for gnoll brains, so you need not inquire too much. After I arrive you will naturally know how we will help you.

However, I must convey an order from Lord Source to you in advance!

After I help you obtain King Gnawbone’s secret treasure, you must leave your clan and your army behind, right here in the swamp.

I will have use for them.”

“Hmm?”

Flesh Render tasted indescribable ill omen from these words, narrowing its eyes to ask:

“You want to use my clan members as consumables? What do you plan to do here?”

“Hmm, Transia’s new master yearns to establish merit and reputation, Governor Murphy is eager to spread his authority to lands beyond this swamp. His activeness and good luck have already made him grow from a small character who didn’t need attention into an unstable factor that needs to be eliminated.

Certain figures in the organization seem unwilling to continue watching Governor Murphy live so comfortably.”

The person on the other end snorted and said:

“Therefore using the foul swamp as a tomb for the governor is very suitable. Since such an important figure is about to be buried, out of courtesy we should naturally prepare ‘funeral objects’ fitting his status.

Does this make you feel uneasy? Lord Flesh Render, your concern for your apprentices and clan members shouldn’t have reached such a protective level, right?

After all, only a portion of your clan’s forces are entering the foul swamp.

You still have more, younger clan members waiting for your leadership in the Shadow Valley beast den near Burning Peak. If you were to be buried in the swamp now wouldn’t that cut off your clan’s hopes for the future?

Sacrificing a bunch of incompetent fools to exchange for a bright future for your clan, this is quite a profitable deal.”

“You need not try to persuade me, I will make my own decision.”

Flesh Render didn’t give a definite answer.

It said:

“Let’s complete the task at hand first. This matter has already dragged on too long.”

“Mm, don’t release the hawk before seeing the rabbit, a very practical way of doing things, I appreciate it.”

The person on the other end replied in a relaxed tone:

“Well then that’s that. After I arrive at your base tomorrow night, we can continue discussing details. Please make preparations, I’m not someone willing to waste too much time on work that doesn’t belong to me.

Let’s quickly deal with the legendary creatures and King Gnawbone’s secret treasure, then everyone can go their separate ways…”

“I look forward to it.”

Flesh Render coldly replied with that line, stopping the communication spell on the pearl bracelet.

It shakily stood up, walking to the edge of its mage tower with a belly full of thoughts, observing the situation of the entire Plague Town through the small window.

It saw its apprentices busily preparing for war throughout the town under its orders.

They were coming and going, working hard, but even without activating listening spells Flesh Render could guess at the filthy words these fellows were exchanging with each other, they were cursing that old immortal standing at the top of the high tower, that cowardly leader who no longer dared to face enemies directly.

Rebellion is an attitude.

It’s something intangible, not even needing eyes to distinguish.

Rebels naturally have an aura surrounding them, allowing those they want to resist to feel their clear hostility, like a group of cruel hungry cubs waiting for the old leader to die so they can share in feeding on its flesh and blood.

“You believe power can win everything. It’s time to verify your theory, my apprentices. This is what you asked for!”

Flesh Render gripped the soul bone staff in its hand, steeling its heart to make a decision.

Since these mages were not the pillars it believed could support the clan’s future after its death, then simply leave them all in this swamp.

It still had some time to return to its clan to slowly select, slowly seek suitable successors.

The Plague Clan needed a more enlightened, wiser, more big-picture-oriented chieftain.

They must be more excellent, more ambitious, more cunning than itself to be able to lead the clan to survive wisely in the coming era of great chaos.

Whether the 5th Black Plague can successfully occupy the continent is still unknown, it’s too early and too rash to bet everything on the foolish warlords of Moss Valley now.

“Hog…”

At this moment of making a difficult decision, Flesh Render bizarrely thought again of that small Transian gnoll chieftain.

Although the two were worlds apart in power and status, Flesh Render couldn’t help but imagine, if Hog was a proper Dark Mountains gnoll, if Hog had been born into its own clan, then it wouldn’t need to have such a headache over the successor issue now.

Ah, and who knows how that small fellow is doing now?

With Transian vampires and humans beginning such large-scale military advances in the swamp, given the pathetic power of Hog’s small clan, it has probably already been destroyed in the vampires’ swamp warfare offensive, right?

Unless it surrendered to the vampires and miraculously gained the vampires’ acceptance. However, in the greater context of the approaching Black Plague, would that cunning one really have such courage and determination for such a decision?

Sigh, what a waste of heaven-given cunning, what a waste of wisdom that is so precious for gnolls.