"Twenty million kg?"
The words hung in the air, leaving everyone stunned. Was it even possible? Could there really be such an immense amount of produce? Twenty million kg!
It was hard to grasp, especially considering it came from just one thousand acres of land.
Though the others had been somewhat mentally prepared for this, having heard rumors from the last twenty-acre harvest, they were still visibly shaken by the sheer scale of it. However, none were more surprised than Astali.
"One thousand acres yielding twenty million kg... does that mean each acre produced 20,000 kg?" she muttered, her mind racing to make sense of the numbers. Her disbelief was clear, yet when she glanced around at the faces of Logan and the others, there was no doubt in their expressions.
Could it really be true?
"It's good to have faith in the numbers," Logan said, breaking the tension with a knowing smile. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still need to see it with our own eyes."
"Of course, Lord Chief!" Kvos, one of Logan' trusted advisors, replied, mirroring his smile.
Kvos had every reason to be confident. He had already taken the liberty of sampling a few plants from the fields and knew the situation well. If his estimates were correct, the harvest would indeed be as massive as predicted.
Begon, another key member of the tribe, was smiling too, his eyes bright with satisfaction. Twenty million kilograms, enough to sustain 20,000 people for three whole months. The numbers were hard to argue with, and they had reclaimed thousands of acres for sweet potatoes and regular potatoes, ensuring they wouldn't face any food shortages in the foreseeable future.
Logan cleared his throat, turning the mood slightly more serious. "There's something else," he began, his gaze scanning the group. "In half a month, I plan to send our forces to deal with the smaller tribes near the Silvermane territory."
The room fell silent as everyone took in his words.
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"Now that we have both the strength and the food supply, it's time we annex these neighboring tribes to grow stronger," Logan continued, his voice steady with determination. "We can't afford to stay small while our resources multiply. Uncle Begon, I need you to accelerate the construction of the new residences to accommodate the additional members we'll be taking in."
"Yes, Lord Chief," Begon replied instantly, bowing his head respectfully. He wasn't surprised by the decision to expand through conquest. Given their current power and surplus of food, it was only natural they would take advantage of the situation and bring weaker tribes under their banner.
Others nodded in agreement, as this move had been expected for some time. The tribe had been preparing for this expansion long before the harvest was even confirmed.
But Astali's heart was heavy. The rapid expansion of the Silvermane Tribe troubled her. Soon, their numbers would swell to over 30,000, possibly even 40,000. She knew all too well the state of the wilderness surrounding them, there were no large tribes nearby, only smaller and medium-sized groups that stood no chance against the might of the Silvermane warriors. Conquest, it seemed, was inevitable.
Logan shifted his attention to two of his most capable commanders. "Kro, Lots, I expect both of you to be ready at any moment. I want a plan: no, a strategy, on how to proceed with the annexations. First, take control of the closest tribes, then move outward. Deliver me your proposal as soon as possible."
"Yes, Lord Chief!" Kro and Lots responded in unison, exchanging eager glances. They could barely contain their excitement at the prospect of leading the charge.
The future of the Silvermane Tribe was clear: growth, power, and prosperity. And with the plentiful harvest in their hands and strategic moves in place, nothing seemed beyond their grasp.
The child's calm and self-assured tone made Logan raise an eyebrow. How could this young one know so much? He had barely announced the details himself.
Lot, standing nearby, noticed Logan' puzzled expression and leaned in to whisper a few words. "That's Lachi, the eldest son of your fourth uncle," Lot explained, his voice low but clear.
Logan nodded, understanding dawning on him. No wonder the boy seemed so familiar, he was family. Logan couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. The child's composure and determination promised a bright future, not just for him, but for the entire Silvermane family.
Meanwhile, murmurs rippled through the crowd of young Beastmen as they processed what the boy had said.
"Three sixth-level warriors?" one child asked, disbelief evident in his tone. "I thought my grandfather was the only sixth-level expert in the tribe."
"I'm not sure," another replied, frowning in confusion. "But Lachi wouldn't lie."
"This is amazing! So many strong warriors teaching us! Maybe I'll become a sixth-level warrior too someday!" a boarman child declared, eyes wide with excitement.
"Get real!" a nearby kobold snorted. "You've got to break through to level four first before dreaming about level six."
The chatter grew louder, with excitement and disbelief buzzing through the group. Some of the children were skeptical, while others were practically trembling with anticipation.
Logan raised a hand, signaling for silence. The children quickly fell quiet, their eyes glued to their chief.
"He's right," Logan confirmed, his voice carrying an unmistakable weight. "You will be trained by three sixth-level warriors and eleven fifth-level warriors. These are some of the strongest fighters in our tribe, and they are here to help you become stronger."
The children's eyes widened, and a wave of excited murmurs followed. For them, this was a dream come true.
Logan continued, his gaze steady as he looked at the young faces before him. "The future of the Silvermane Tribe depends on you. The stronger you become, the stronger our tribe will be. So, I expect you to listen closely and learn well from your instructors. The tribe's strength lies in your hands."
"Yes, my Lord Chief!" the children chorused, their voices filled with enthusiasm and pride.
Seeing their eagerness, Logan nodded, satisfied. "Now, let me introduce you to the warriors who will be guiding you," he said, gesturing for Ralph and the other instructors to step forward.
Ralph, the towering bearman who was one of the sixth-level warriors, took the lead. He introduced himself in his deep, rumbling voice, his muscular frame casting a long shadow over the crowd. The children listened in awe, knowing they would be trained by such a powerful figure.
Next, the two wolf brothers stepped forward, Kuchi and Luchi, both sixth-level warriors as well. They stood side by side, exuding strength and confidence. Their sharp eyes scanned the children as they introduced themselves, their bond as brothers evident in the way they moved together, perfectly in sync.
These three warriors, along with the eleven fifth-level instructors, would soon mold the future fighters of the Silvermane Tribe. The children stood a little taller now, knowing they were being taught by some of the tribe's finest.
As the instructors finished introducing themselves, Logan addressed the group one last time. "This is your chance. Train hard, learn well, and the day will come when you stand among the strongest of the Silvermane Tribe. Make us proud."
The children cheered, their spirits lifted by the promise of strength and honor that awaited them.