Chapter 427: Preparing for War

Chapter 427: Preparing for War

Haze, who was sitting in a daze, watched as a livid Minhyuk came back from his quest to find Elpis. She asked, “Did something happen, my lord?”

Minhyuk rubbed his chin after hearing Haze’s question. Then, he said, “It seems like there’re no normal or sane people in this territory except for you and me, Haze.”

“...”

“How can Elpis...?!” Minhyuk’s arms flailed around as his body trembled.

Meanwhile, Haze thought, ‘But, isn’t it strange to want to make Elpis work as a fisherman...?’

Based on what Haze was seeing right now, she could tell that Minhyuk was not able to successfully give Elpis the task that he thought of.

‘My lord is also not a normal person...’

The words almost came out of her mouth, but Haze did her best to endure it. However, Minhyuk delivered another blow, “I have to do my best to remain as a normal person.”

There was a saying that among a group of friends, there would always be someone that thought that they were the normal one! And that person was none other than Minhyuk. However, his anger was only short-lived. Minhyuk’s expression turned serious as he thought about something. Then, he said, “From now on, we’re going to use every means possible and start external activities.”

“External activities?”

“We’ll have to prepare for what’s coming next.”

Haze nodded silently. She knew that they would have to watch out for a lot of things after Minhyuk had won a lot of victories during the World War. In other words, they had to step up their efforts in building a kingdom.

“Aruvel, Ben and Corr, these three will start on our external activities. Of course, I will too.”

These three were the key figures of Atlas Territory. If something happened during their absence, Atlas would receive a huge blow. However, Minhyuk believed that even if they were not here, the two beings that remained in the territory would be able to protect Atlas. These two beings were none other than Brod and Elpis, Atlas’ powerful sword and sturdy shield. With these two, Atlas would not be easily breached by any forces.

“What about the Ingredient Heaven?”

“The Hybrid Race that migrated from Rocard Kingdom said that we can expect the yield of our crops to increase by at least five times. They’ve also expressed their surprise at the power of God’s Land.”

This meant that they would be able to let each soldier experience a ten-point stat increase, which would give them a ridiculous boost in their power.

“Ah. Where’s Sir Brod?”

“Just like the lord had expected, he had successfully become ‘Lordified’ and has been working hard on raising the livestock. However, the problem is that he’s too into it now...” Haze said as she continued to explain about what happened and how he stopped the livestocks from being slaughtered by acquiring the ‘Livestock Seeds’.

“How is the taste of the meat from the Livestock Seeds?”

“It tastes more exquisite than ordinary meat.”

“Then, there’s no problem with that.”

In Minhyuk’s view, it would not matter whether they grew it or raised it, as long as it tasted good. Then, at that moment, someone knocked on the door. Brod slammed the door open the moment Minhyuk allowed him inside.

“My lord. I brought you something that you will definitely like.”

Thuuuuud—

Brod placed a bright red egg on the ground. Minhyuk’s eyes widened, his throat moving at the sight of the egg placed in front of him.

Gulp—

“I got the egg from a dragon lair. I brought it back because I thought that the lord will definitely like it.”

“...!”

Haze was shocked when he heard Brod’s words.

‘An egg from a dragon lair?’

According to the books that Haze had read, the colors of the shells of their eggs matched the attribute that the dragon would have once they grew up. A silver dragon would have a silver egg, a blue dragon would have a blue egg and a red dragon, a dragon known for its power and ferociousness, would have a red egg.

‘It’s the egg of a red dragon...!’

Haze felt delighted. If this red dragon’s egg hatched and grew up, it would be a great addition to Atlas’ forces. Haze wondered if Minhyuk was trembling because he also realized this fact.

Minhyuk and Brod made eye contact.

“I... I think it would taste good if we crack it open and make some fried eggs, right?”

“Hoho. I already took your thoughts into consideration, little lord. That’s why I brought it back.”

“As expected of you, Sir Brod. No one can compare to you.”

Haze, who turned to look at Minhyuk, was shocked to see the fierce gaze in his eyes. Those were the eyes of someone that was starving to get their hands on the egg. It was true. Minhyuk was really dying to eat the dragon egg in front of him. Then, Haze thought, ‘If he can really eat it, then would it give him the same power as a powerful elixir?’

“Then, I’ll show it to you,” Brod said confidently as he led Minhyuk to Atlas’ training ground. It seemed like Brod had already expected Minhyuk’s reaction and opposition, so he had already made preparations in the training grounds.

“Attention, everyone.”

“Hwiiik!”

“Mooooo!”

“Cluck, cluck~”

“Meeeh, meeeh!”

The animals cried out as they lined up neatly.

‘Crazy...?’

Minhyuk’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw the animals standing neatly in a row. Then, Brod winked at the chickens. One of the chickens started to run fiercely.

“Cluck, cluck!”

“...?!”

Minhyuk’s eyes widened even further after seeing the chicken run as fast as an ostrich. In front of the running chicken was none other than a target. The target, which was made of copper, was harder than the wooden targets usually used for training. After all, this was the same target used by the soldiers for archery training. Then, at that moment, the chicken flew up fiercely...

“Cluck, cluck!”

...as a bright light flashed briefly on its beak. And finally...

Thump—

“...!”

The chicken’s beak struck the target fiercely. The chicken, which hung on the target after being stuck, pulled its beak out and gently landed on the ground.

‘That’s crazy...! Isn’t that ridiculous?!’

Just when this thought flashed in Minhyuk’s head, one of the pigs stepped forward. The pig stomped on the ground with its hind legs as if it was a bull, before rushing forward fiercely.

“Hwiiiiiik!”

In front of it stood several soldiers holding huge square shields in front of them. At that moment, there was also a powerful light that flashed on the pig’s body.

‘Both the chickens and the pigs have learned a skill?’

When this thought flashed in Minhyuk’s head...

Baaaaang—

...the soldiers flew back like bowling pins when the pig collided with them.

“...”

It did not end there. One of the cows ran straight towards one of the soldiers, who also rushed towards the cow. He then thrusted his dull spear towards the cow. However, whether the spear was dull or not, it proved to be useless in front of the cow’s tremendous defense. The cow just ignored the attack and rushed straight towards the horses.

“Hihihihing!”

“Kihihihing!”

The horses could not do anything against a single cow. Then, Minhyuk's gaze turned to one side.

“What’s that over there?”

There were a variety of puppies gathered together. From poodles, to pomeranians, to spitzes, to jindos, and even golden retrievers. These puppies all sat in a neat row, just like disciplined soldiers.

“They’re abandoned dogs. I’ll train them in the art of exploration, infiltration and beauty trap.”

Minhyuk blinked blankly as he looked at one place. He could not help but support his forehead helplessly.

“Why is Love, Hope, and Happiness also here...?”

The three-headed dog Cerberus, the gatekeeper of hell, tilted its heads as it looked at Minhyuk while sitting proudly in front. There were also epaulets fitted on their shoulders with the words:

[Woof-woof Squad Leader]

“...”

Minhyuk was speechless.

1. This reference has been mentioned before. It is a reference to the short story One Lucky Day ☜