The Lizardmen's Stronghold
And so, we advanced to the outskirts of the Lizardmen's lair. After securing a suitable position, I organized a scouting party to conduct a direct reconnaissance.
After all, it’s always best to see things with my own eyes and make my own judgments.
"Alright."
I found a sturdy tree and scrambled up it like a monkey. Thanks to my growth and increased physical strength, climbing was a breeze. The pixies followed right beside me.
*Crackle.*
Once we were settled, Sharan, as promised, caused leaves to sprout around me, amplifying our camouflage.
"Now, stay quiet. Let's observe."
"Okay."
I peered directly at the Lizardmen's main camp.
"Shwaaaaak."
"Swaaaaak."
*Flick, flick.*
A number of Lizardmen were flicking their tongues, whispering to one another. Some were murmuring, while others sat around doing nothing in particular. Over there, one was tearing at a tree branch, and another was busy eating a bird.
It was a truly mundane scene.
They looked as if they couldn't even imagine being attacked. The tribe members were just going about their daily lives, completely ordinary.
"Ribbit."
"Rib-rib-ribbit."
They even seemed to be keeping livestock; frogs the size of puppies were wandering here and there. Some extended their tongues to catch flies, while others lay on their backs, croaking lazily.
There were even sticks poked into the water in various places, as if they had set up some kind of fish farm.
"These bastards?"
Are they smarter than I thought?
Looking closely, they were living quite well. They had even constructed hut-like structures by weaving together bushes and dark logs. Their level of civilization was lower than that of the Hobgoblins, but, yeah. This was a passing grade.
I thought they were a race on par with the Satyrs. No, perhaps they were even more dangerous. The Satyrs had been unable to overcome their heat and were defeated helplessly, but these guys wouldn't be like that.
On top of that, their skin... it was embedded with scales, making their defense look quite high. Well, seeing as they died at the hands of the Satyrs, it probably wasn't as hard as real armor.
While I was thinking about that,
"Shwaaaaaak."
I spotted the largest Lizardman.
He was a bit taller than me. Considering the other Lizardmen were smaller than me, he was definitely a hulking brute.
"The Chieftain."
It had to be the Chieftain.
Of course, I wasn't worried. We had grown stronger in the meantime. If we advanced in formation, we could suppress them without taking significant damage.
Besides, with Vanessa here, there was nothing to fear.
The plan was simple. I’d have the army advance, then I’d make my entrance, letting out a roar to intimidate them while radiating my demonic aura. Once the Chieftain showed himself, I’d team up with Vanessa to suppress him in an instant and take him hostage.
I’d break the captured Chieftain and turn him into my slave. Then, everything would be perfect. I’d be able to swallow up the tribe with ease.
"Let's head down."
After finishing our surveillance, we climbed down from the tree.
Back at our temporary base, I gathered my subordinates, relayed everything I had seen, and explained the operation.
"Don't worry, Buril. You've all grown stronger. The size difference isn't that great anymore."
"Keruk, I know, My Lord! We've gotten stronger!"
"Keruruk!"
"Kruruk!"
"My Lord! Thank you! Keruk!"
The Goblins, who were once nothing more than small prey, had grown in size and muscle thanks to my power. There was nothing to be afraid of.
"Then let's advance! To subjugate the Lizardmen!"
"Keruruk!"
My subordinates all grabbed their weapons. It wasn't just the Goblins; the Imps and Kobolds grabbed their spears, too. Everyone was now capable of using at least a spear.
"Lady Vanessa. As you just heard, we need to suppress the Lizardman Chieftain. Without killing him."
"I haven't seen him yet... but that shouldn't be much of a problem. Understood."
"Good. Sharan. You need to protect me well this time."
"Shaa. I got it, My Lord."
We had the numbers, and we had the skilled fighters. There would be no defeat!
"Lumika, keep a good watch from the rear. Support us by coordinating with the nuns for ranged attacks."
"Got it. I'll do that."
With that said,
"Let's go!"
We headed toward the Lizardman tribe.
*March, march, march.*
We entered the village in perfect, orderly formation.
"Shu, Shwaaaaak?!"
"Shwaaaaak! Shwaaaaaak!"
"Shuuuut!"
The Lizardmen who had been lounging near the village reacted as if they were having a seizure. Not stopping there, they all grabbed whatever clubs were lying around and began to guard themselves tightly.
"These bastards, they aren't ready to welcome guests?"
Isn't it a bit rude to treat guests so coldly?
"Shwaaaaak!"
I ignored them and continued to march, and the Lizardmen fled into the village. There were only a few primitive wooden stakes stuck around the village; there wasn't a single proper structure.
"Hahaha! Look at them! They all look terrified!"
"They're no match for us!"
"We've become that strong!"
Seeing this, the pixies were overjoyed and mocked the Lizardmen. These war-crazed fairies, whose nature was that of soldiers, were fueled by the enemy's weakness, boosting their morale even further.
They really had a talent for this.
"Shaa. My Lord. Still, be careful. We shouldn't let the kids get hurt."
"Hehehe, of course."
And so,
*Thud.*
We successfully entered the village without a drop of blood spilled. It was because the Lizardmen were so scared the moment they saw us that they only backed away.
*Splash!*
Some of them even went so far as to flee into the swamp water. Even the livestock frogs scattered in every direction.
"Shwaaaaak...!"
The Lizardmen huddled together, sticking their bodies to one another and flicking their tongues.
"Imps. Give them a welcome gift."
"Grrr! Understood!"
*Whoosh!*
The Imps immediately charged fireballs in their right hands and threw them all over the village, starting small fires.
*Whoosh!*
"Shwaaaaak!"
"Shwaaaaak!"
The Lizardmen were horrified at the sight.
"Buril. Combat stance."
"Keruk! Combat stance!"
*Thud!*
The Goblins, repeating the order, brought their shields and spears to the front. And then!
"KRAAAAAAAAGH!!!"
I let out a roar, pouring my power into it! I channeled my demonic energy and mana into my vocal cords and let it explode!
"Shwaaaaang!"
"Swaaaa!"
*Jump!*
Startled by that, the Lizardmen hugged each other and jumped up in surprise! They seemed thoroughly shocked! They say even a dog gets the upper hand on its own turf, but we had stolen that advantage with a sudden surprise attack and by seizing the initiative!
"Keruruk!"
"Grrr!"
"Shaaaaa!"
"Those, those creepy lizard bastards!"
At the same time, my troops shouted, creating chaos. The Lizardmen were trembling.
And right at that moment.
"SWAAAAAAAAGH!!!"
The Chieftain, who had been inside a hut, let out a roar and revealed himself. A booming roar right from the start. At that momentum,
"Shwaak...!"
The Lizardmen regained their senses and gathered around the Chieftain.
"As expected of a Chieftain. He has charisma."
The Chieftain gripped his large club tightly, glaring at us as he stepped forward, as if to protect his tribe!
This guy!
He was trying to protect his tribe members with his own body!
"Hoho! So he really is a leader! To stand tall to protect his own tribe!"
It was an admirable attitude! Yes! A leader should have that kind of flavor! Seeing that, I felt the value of subjugating him increase!
I would definitely break this warrior!
"Is that guy the Chieftain... Indeed. He's radiating a strong energy."
"Can you feel it?"
"It's very slight, but he harbors mana. That must be why he grew so big. I've heard that monsters who harbor mana grow larger."
"Oh, is that so?"
Well, come to think of it, the Chieftains of the Hobgoblins and the Satyrs were all large. They must have accidentally harbored mana and become stronger than their peers. That's probably why they became Chieftains.
Perhaps their intelligence had improved as well.
"Shwaak! Shwaaaaaak!"
"Swaaaaaak!"
As the Chieftain shouted while pointing his club, the Lizardmen began to go berserk. They looked ready to charge at any moment!
I would have liked to subjugate them without causing harm if possible, but there is no race that accepts domination obediently without resistance! You have to fight and show your strength to conquer them!
"Goblin Phalanx!!! Do as you were trained! Charge!"
"Keruuuuk!"
*Whoosh!*
At my command, the Goblin Phalanx unit ran in step. Spears and shields to the front!
"Shwaaaaaak!"
"Shwaak!"
Seeing that, the Lizardmen grabbed their clubs and launched a counter-charge. It was something a human would never do! Charging blindly into a phalanx! A stupidity that transcended limits!
As expected, monsters are monsters! There was no way we would lose!
And so,
*Boom!*
The Phalanx and the Lizardmen collided. The result was obvious. The first row of Lizardmen was smashed to pieces in an instant.
"Shwaaaaaak!"
But not knowing that, the Lizardmen continued to charge. Of course, the Chieftain was no different!
*Dash!*
"What!"
The Chieftain bypassed his own men and charged toward us! If he was going to do that, he should have just flanked with his subordinates! As expected of a monster, he's a blockhead!
"Your fighting spirit is overflowing! But you cannot overcome the limits of a monster! Vanessa! Reika! Sharan! Let's go together!"
"Shaa!"
*Dash!*
We, too, grabbed our swords and kicked off the ground, rushing toward the Chieftain.
"Shwaaaaaak!"
*Whoosh!*
The moment the berserk Chieftain swung his club down!
"Uoooooooh!"
I performed the swordsmanship I had learned so far, clashing my blade against his club!
*Kwoong!*