Reborn As A Beastman With A System

Chapter 143: Annexation Plan

Far from the bustling military parade ground, the air was quiet and filled with tension. Kro and Bagen walked slowly beside Logan, their steps deliberate, as if the weight of their thoughts matched the calmness of the surroundings. The establishment of the Youth Army Guard had just been announced, but to Logan, it was more a matter of formality than necessity.

He didn't concern himself with the intricacies of it, focusing instead on more pressing matters.

"Word is, you two have been spending quite a bit of time with Ralph and Luchi lately," Logan remarked casually, his gaze drifting toward the distant training grounds. The horizon was hazy with the sweat and effort of soldiers honing their skills, a stark contrast to their quiet conversation. "Have you gained anything useful?"

Though his tone was light, there was no mistaking the undercurrent of interest. Logan had been keeping an eye on Ralph's movements, curious about what strategies or insights might be brewing within his circle.

Kro and Bagen exchanged glances before nodding. "We've learned a great deal," Kro replied. "The three instructors have vastly different approaches, and it's broadened our understanding of sixth-order warriors."

Bagen chimed in with a nod of agreement. "It's been an eye-opener, really. We've gained more insight into the way higher-order fighters operate."

Logan turned to them, a glint of interest in his eyes. "So," he asked, with a hint of challenge, "any plans to break through to the sixth level yourselves?"

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, neither Kro nor Bagen could find the words. The silence was telling enough. They had indeed learned much, but as for confidently claiming they were ready for such a leap? That was another matter entirely.

"Well..." Kro hesitated, his words trailing off.

Bagen looked equally unsure, his expression faltering. "We've made progress, but..."

Logan gave a knowing smile, sensing their hesitation. "The tribe is growing stronger by the day," he said, his voice steady but not without warmth. "But your strength still lags behind. Keep pushing—break through. You'll need it."

The weight of his words wasn't lost on them. Kro and Bagen straightened, though their faces betrayed the disappointment they felt. They were falling behind, and they knew it.

But Logan was not one to linger on grim thoughts. Sensing their unease, he deftly shifted the conversation. "Now," he said, a gleam of anticipation entering his eyes, "what's the status on preparations for the upcoming war?"

Kro, relieved by the change in topic, immediately snapped into focus. "Chief, we've been surveying the surrounding territories. Within a 200-mile radius, we've identified thirty-seven werewolf tribes."

Logan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."

Kro continued with precision, as if reciting a well-rehearsed report. "There are eighteen small tribes, each with fewer than a thousand werewolves. Eleven medium-sized tribes range from one to two thousand. Six tribes house between two thousand and six thousand werewolves. And then there are two large ones—the Qatar tribe with around seven thousand, and the Adik tribe, which boasts eleven thousand."

Logan nodded thoughtfully. The mention of the Qatar tribe caught his attention. "Qatar, you say? Their chief is sixth-order, if I recall correctly."

Kro confirmed. "Yes, but rumors suggest there are at least four sixth-order warriors within their ranks."

"And the Adik tribe?" Logan asked.

Kro hesitated, his voice dropping slightly. "It's said their chief is an eighth-level warrior, though no one's ever confirmed it."

Logan mulled this over. Apart from these two formidable tribes, the others didn't pose much of a threat. Yet the numbers were concerning. They needed a strategic approach.

"What's your plan?" Logan asked, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of expectation.

Kro didn't hesitate. "We're planning a two-pronged assault, attacking from both the north and south. We'll target the smaller tribes first—the ones with fewer than a thousand werewolves."

Logan's brow furrowed. "You're planning to split your forces?"

"Yes," Kro replied, his tone firm. "Bagen and I will lead separate forces to quickly annex five or six smaller tribes within the span of a day or two. The key is speed and surprise. If we're too slow or if our intentions are revealed, the other tribes might unite against us."

Bagen stepped forward, adding, "Once we secure a few victories, we can consolidate our forces. But we have to act quickly. If they form an alliance, we'll be outnumbered and outmatched."

Logan said nothing for a moment, processing the risks. He knew the Silver Mane tribe was strong, but manpower was still a concern. "And what if they do unite?" he finally asked.

Kro's expression grew serious. "If they do, we may have to hold off, bide our time, and look for vulnerabilities. But if they don't… we can continue picking off the weaker tribes, one by one."

Logan considered this. The strategy was sound, but there were no guarantees. "What's the state of their resources?" he asked, switching gears.

Kro's face lit up slightly. "That's where we have an advantage. Karl's scouting reports indicate that several tribes are running low on food and supplies. If we strike swiftly, we may find them too weakened to mount a proper defense."

Logan nodded, a slow smile creeping across his face. "Good. Keep gathering intel. We'll need every edge we can get."

As Kro and Bagen stood before him, ready to carry out their bold plan, Logan felt a surge of confidence. The path ahead was treacherous, but if they played their cards right, the Silver Mane tribe might just emerge victorious.

Kro couldn't help but smile as Carl's report landed on his desk, meticulously detailing every bit of intelligence about the surrounding tribes. It included everything from their food supplies to the strength and rank of their warriors. Carl had a knack for uncovering valuable information, and this time was no different. With this kind of insight, Kro and his team felt a surge of confidence.

"Where is Carl now?" Logan asked, his brow furrowed with curiosity. He had heard rumors of Carl's bold movements, especially after the explosive growth of the Silver Hidden Blade, Carl's secretive intelligence network. It had spread so rapidly that not even Begon, Logan's own second uncle, could track Carl's exact whereabouts.

Kro straightened up before responding. "He's embedded deep within the Adik tribe."

Logan paused, clearly surprised. "The Adik tribe?" He allowed the words to linger, processing the enormity of what Carl had achieved. A grin slowly spread across his face. "Carl's a bold one, isn't he?"

He admired Carl's ruthless efficiency and fearlessness, but it wasn't just bravery. Carl knew how to blend into enemy tribes, even gaining influential positions, all while feeding critical information back to the Silver Mane. It was a terrifying weapon for the Silver Mane Tribe, but a nightmare for the tribes they were targeting.

Carl had become an omnipresent shadow in their midst, always watching, always gathering.

Kro and Bagen nodded, their expressions sober. They, too, were aware of the growing power Carl's Silver Hidden Blade represented. His operatives could be anywhere, quietly positioning themselves for the right moment.

"You know," Logan mused, his gaze drifting off into the distance, "if Carl were human, I'd never let him operate so freely. There'd be too many risks, too many unknowns. But he's one of us—an orc, born in the Silver Mane Tribe. I trust him, even if I don't always know where he is."

There was truth to his words. Carl's loyalty was rooted in his heritage, his deep connection to the tribe that raised him. That bond gave Logan enough faith to let Carl work without restraint. Yet, had they been of different origins, Carl's wild and unpredictable development might have been seen as a dangerous liability.

Kro nodded solemnly, acknowledging the chief's point. "Carl knows what he's doing. The intel he's gathered is already giving us a huge advantage."

Logan turned his attention back to the task at hand. "Your strategy is sound. Begin preparations as planned, but be cautious. We can't afford any mistakes."

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Kro and Bagen nodded in unison. "Understood, Chief."

Logan's tone grew more serious. "This isn't just about conquering small tribes. It's our first war since the tribe's expansion. We need to send a message to our new members—those who are still unsure about joining us. They need to see our strength and realize they're safer with us than without."

Kro and Bagen exchanged glances, fully aware of the importance of the upcoming campaign. The future of the Silver Mane Tribe depended not only on victory but also on proving to potential allies that they were a force to be reckoned with.

"We'll make sure of it, Chief," Kro replied, his voice full of determination.

As the conversation wrapped up, the sounds of the Youth Army Guard's establishment ceremony drifted over from the training grounds. The ceremony was in full swing, and it was now time to choose the officers who would lead the newly formed unit. Though Kevin and two others had been chosen as captain and vice-captains, Logan knew the real test of leadership lay in strength.

Orcs, especially the young ones, respected power above all.

An officer competition had been arranged, a trial by combat where those who wanted to claim leadership positions could challenge each other in the arena. The crowd gathered, eager to witness who would rise to the top.

Kevin, already a fourth-level warrior despite his young age, stepped into the ring. His reputation preceded him, and when it was revealed he had reached the fourth rank, there were gasps of astonishment from the crowd, even among seasoned warriors like Ralph, who watched the contest unfold.

Some of the army's third-rank officers couldn't help but feel a pang of shame, realizing that their strength was now surpassed by a child.

Nevertheless, they couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Kevin and the other talented children represented the future of the tribe, and their extraordinary abilities only reinforced the tribe's growing power.

As expected, Kevin crushed his challengers with ease, securing his place as the captain-in-chief of the Youth Army Guard. His victory wasn't surprising, but it still left an impression on everyone watching.

Meanwhile, Kane and Relk, both third-level warriors, had been named as deputy captains. Though they couldn't yet match Kevin's rank, the trio sparred daily, and the gap between them was narrow. Kane and Relk stood at the top of the third order, and in any other group, they would have been the undisputed leaders. The fact that Kevin merely edged them out was a testament to their collective strength.

The competition wasn't limited to just these three. A minotaur child and a werewolf child also rose through the ranks to claim deputy captain positions, showing the tribe's commitment to unity among the different species that had joined their ranks.

By the time the competition ended, dozens of officers had been selected to lead the Youth Army Guard. In this tribe, strength was the ultimate measure of authority, and those who earned their titles through combat faced no complaints from their peers.

The orc children, though fierce and competitive, accepted the hierarchy with respect, knowing that for the next year or two, these officers would lead them into battle and protect the tribe's future.

As the days passed, life in the tribe continued to hum with activity. In the wastelands, Kvos, another leader in the tribe, was busy overseeing the harvest of sweet potatoes and potatoes, ensuring the tribe's food stores were well-stocked in preparation for the conflicts ahead.

Everything was moving forward, each piece falling into place as the Silver Mane Tribe prepared for the challenges—and victories—of the future.