Chapter 283 35: Preparation.



Zell left the tent early in the morning, leaving both women sleeping soundly, his upper body marked with scratches and bite marks from the enthusiastic pair as he headed towards the river to wash himself up.

Looking at his reflection in the water, Zell couldn't help but laugh quietly, remembering last night; it could not be easily forgotten.

Many elven women looked at him several times as they prepared their breakfast and daily chores before training, but he didn't take much notice, too focused on the plans for later today.

'We need to meet with the orcs later today. I don't know how they will react after I obliterated the western village...'

'Whatever, let's do our best; there is no time to worry about consequences now. Not with the demons and divines both preparing their assaults to crush the strongest members of Asteria.'

After washing himself up, Zell returned to the tent; the girls were still asleep, cuddling one another closely with smiles, making his heart feel warm looking at them.

'I suppose it is fine if they sleep in a little longer.'

Outside the tent, the wooden wall was gently knocked, and the figure of Chris and Esmera was visible from the gap. Zell left the tent and joined them with a smile.

"Morning, how are you both doing?" Zell's face was brilliant; after a great night and seeing the state of both elven villages, he felt the north was looking good for defence.

"Eh... you know how loud you... mph!?"

Chris began to speak when Esmera wrapped her hands around his lips and gave him a sharp knee to the waist.

"It's nothing... We were wondering when you wanted to visit the orc tribe because our scouts from last night spotted more than a dozen who were sneaking around the northeast."

"Hmmm..."

Zell was wondering if they were curious about yesterday's battle or was their plan in the first place. A large group of orcs scouting was never a good sign like they were almost ready for battle as it was.

"I think we should leave sooner rather than later then. I'll leave these two here to defend the village for our party; let's take about thirty people at most."

Chris was finally released by his wife, who hugged his back as if to compensate for the brutal knee to his ribs...

"Ah, by the way. A pretty blonde woman and a hundred elves came earlier today. They seemed like elves but were pale and had red eyes..."

Zell nodded, "Must be Elizabeth, where are they? I will take a few of them today and leave the rest to help guard the village because that human guild is still a hidden danger."

Zell's villages and alliances made the entire southern area safe for the two elven villages. Still, to the northwest and northeast were orc and monster tribes and directly north was a human guild with a few small ones surrounding it.

Zell obliterated the northwestern orc village, which was now being converted into the elven forward base.

He was eager to push both villages' lines further, so only the East of Lusia's village and North of Esmera's village were problems.

"Let's go; we didn't let all of them enter just in case but also allowed them to wait in the training field. Please forgive us if they are your friends," Esmera said with a regal but apologetic tone, her ears and eyes drooping.

"Don't worry, they are far closer to me than just friends, and the training field is like their second home now, so please don't be dejected."

Esmera nodded happily with a broad smile and took Zell towards the training field, where Elizabeth and all hundred of her followers were waiting patiently, with most of the elven warriors all collapsed or out of breath.

Upon seeing Zell, they all stood up and looked extremely beautiful as they held a respectful and disciplined salute before dropping it after exactly three seconds.

"We Welcome, Master!"

'Elizabeth is so over the top; I see she left the succubus team back with Cryska today. But look at those eyes of hers, and she wants nothing more than to run up, jump into my arms, and enjoy my blood...'

"Come."

Zell opened his arms and beckoned her, causing Esmera and Chris to look stunned, tilting their heads. However, Elizabeth ran straight into his embrace, jumping into the air as the formed elegant woman transformed into a cute girl, wrapping her arms and legs around Zell tightly, nuzzling her head against his chest as her fangs extended.

"Master~ You smell divine; I missed you so much~" Elizabeth licked Zell's neck several times, extending her tongue slightly, licking his cheek and ear.

Chris and Esmera were speechless at the sudden transformation but quickly composed themselves; Chris coughed awkwardly while Esmera blushed heavily, unable to hold back the interest in this scene burning inside her.

Zell chuckled softly, "Okay, okay. Stop acting and have your breakfast, or I'll give it to Lilly instead."

Elizabeth pouted adorably and reluctantly, letting her cute fangs extend and sink into his soft, creamy skin as a sweet, rich taste filled her mouth. She gulped eagerly several times before releasing and licking the wound until it closed instantly.

Zell patted Elizabeth's butt gently, allowing her to jump down and return to her mature form, standing elegantly beside him as Esmera and Chris stared at the sight dumbfoundedly.

"These are Elizabeth, a vampire queen and leader of my elite force; behind her are a hundred elites of her race who serve me loyally. Please treat them well."

"They are all my cute women, so don't touch them."

He added the last bit due to how emotional the vampiric women were; a little compliment or kind word would spur them on for days, as the moment his words resounded through the small field, they all began to beam with delight.

Esmera and Chris nodded rapidly, intimidated by the hundred beauties with crimson eyes, knowing they must be strong enough to earn such a position.

Zell turned to Elizabeth and explained today's plans, "We need to visit the orcs later today. I killed their western village yesterday, so they may be hostile or want revenge; either way, prepare yourself and pick ten women to join us."

"If they perform well, I will let all ten drink directly from my neck."

"!!!"

All the vampires suddenly became extremely elegant, their chests puffed out and back straight; even the flat chests and short girls tried their best, making many of the elven women and Esmera giggle endearingly.

Elizabeth nodded seriously and went towards the hundred vampires, whispering something to ten of them, who all nodded and immediately followed Zell excitedly.

The remaining ninety sighed sadly, lowering their heads as Elizabeth whispered again.

"Don't worry; the master is very generous. If you continue to improve, you will be chosen soon. He probably plans to do this several times, so all of you have a chance."

Zell was shocked at how well Elizabeth seemed to know him now; she knew his plan to keep rewarding them in waves to keep competition high but avoid extremities.

"Well then, shall we prepare and leave for the northeast?"

"Mmm, for sure."

"I will gather our warriors to join you."

Esmera and Chris responded promptly, turning and leaving to prepare their forces.

Zell led Elizabeth and the ten vampires towards the entrance, gently complimenting the girls and asking them to train, with the top three warriors being given the same reward as the girls that left.

Esmera and Chris responded promptly, turning and leaving to prepare their forces.

Zell led Elizabeth and the ten vampires towards the entrance, gently complimenting the girls and asking them to train, with the top three warriors being given the same reward as the girls that left.

Zell was impressed at Elizabeth's handling of the situation; it seemed she understood his goals better than he thought, making him wonder if Lilly told her.

Elizabeth enjoyed the praise and attention, returning to her childish form and holding Zell's arm affectionately, leaning.

"Master~ Lilly told me everything; I hope you aren't angry with her."

"Of course not. You and Lilly are part of me, and I will never punish either of you for something like this."

Elizabeth giggled cutely and kissed Zell's arm, rubbing her head against his shoulder happily; even though she is hundreds of years old, she likes to act younger near Zell, finding it easier to express her emotions.

The group numbered around fifty, with the brave elves mostly female; Zell wondered if it was out of consideration, but when he saw their muscles and how tight their movements were, he realised these women were just the elites.

"Let's go."

"We're setting off."

Zell whispered while Esmera bellowed, almost waking the sleeping cats as the group left the village with a neat formation, with Zell and his forces at the vanguard and Chris taking care of the rearguard.

Northern Orc Tribe - Forest Village

The journey to the northern orc village wasn't too far, only about two hours away with a brisk pace, likely to take four hours if they were normal humans walking casually.

Between them was a large ravine that seemed to help protect the village as the east didn't have a good mountain range to defend them and formed a defence of thick spikes around the ridge.

A low rumble could be heard in the distance as Zell and Elizabeth noticed it was like a war call; hundreds, maybe thousands of orcs were performing drills or lined up.

"We might have some bad news today..."

His whisper and serious face caused Esmera in the back's ears to twitch, the troops even more on edge, when Elizabeth stopped acting friendly and became more serious with her ruby eyes, focused on the village that began to grow with each step.

"Let's be prepared for the worse; Elizabeth shows no mercy if they so much as motion to attack."

"Yes, Master!"