Chapter 465: Chapter 355: Please Don’t Die, My Supreme Commander

Centering the Hunting Ground around the watchtower would make it easier for the goblins in the treetops to observe the Adventurers’ movements. It would also temporarily prevent the Adventurers from wandering around randomly.

’I’ll need to have Little John distribute this new, circle-covered map in a timely manner,’ Shire mused, stroking his chin. ’When these Adventurers get back from Torch City, they’ll definitely be looking for new maps. This way, I can make them take detours for a while, keeping them far from my Collection Field and Hunting Ground.’

’We could also have the tribe operate at night,’ he thought, weighing the idea. ’Goblins have night vision and can move around freely in the dark, whereas humans are reluctant to enter the forest at night. That means if we gather herbs after dark, we can easily avoid running into Adventurers.’

’It’s just that some herbs are a real pain,’ Shire thought, the corner of his mouth twitching. He was reminded of his first time gathering Blue Thorn Grass. His hands and body had been covered in tiny scratches from the thorns, all to earn a few Silver Coins from the Drink Undying Alchemy Workshop. ’And that workshop belonged to Agatha back then.’

’Still, it would be best to have some light to make the work easier.’ Shire sighed. ’This is all so complicated.’

’Is there some way to lure these Adventurers to another region, like we did with the Undead Sailors on the coast outside Torch City?’ But that was a difficult plan to execute. He himself couldn’t even leave the Nightmare Forest at the moment.

’For now, the only option is to build up my own strength as quickly as possible.’ Shire clenched his fist. There were two places in the forest that he absolutely could not allow Adventurers to disturb.

One was the Fortress. Above ground was a Centaur village, while below ground lay the home of the goblin Race, the plantation for Red Bull, and the residence of the little goblins.

Many of the goblins had already moved into the burrows near the city, and that area was slated to be fully developed into a Red Bull plantation. Even the little goblins planned to move to the Forest City in the future. Though they had always hidden underground, they were a Race that yearned for sunlight and trees more than any other.

The Slimes, Shape-shifting Monsters, and Brain-Eating Monsters in the Fortress all needed to be transferred to the West District of the Forest City to be farmed.

Shire’s next step was to develop the West District. Fortunately, since these creatures all lived underground, he just needed to properly zone the area and dig out a large subterranean farming region.

The underground could then be designated as a residential area for the Frogmen. The West District was adjacent to the Darren River and very close to Darren Lake, which suited the Frogmen’s lifestyle perfectly.

The other place was the Rune Language Material Warehouse where Agatha was currently living. It was filled with piles of pure white White Holy Stones, as well as many of Agatha’s personal belongings—her experimental tools and books. ’I have to find a place for Agatha in the Forest City as soon as possible.’

Adventurers wouldn’t stop attacking Agatha just because she screamed, "I’m a good person!" They would just yell, "Die, you evil Ghost Witch!" and their blades wouldn’t waver for even a second.

’That makes this map—the one that will run the Adventurers in circles—all the more important.’ Shire’s fingers rapped heavily on the desk. ’It’s a great way to buy us some time.’

’Sigh... when it comes down to it, the tribe is still too weak.’ He sighed again, his gaze falling upon the book on his desk. The title *The Art of War Commander* caught his eye. ’If only Alexander I were here with me. That would surely double the tribe’s fighting strength.’

But alas, that was just a fantasy.

With that thought, Shire had to force himself to focus, once again reading the book word by word. *"Enemies will often do the unthinkable. Sometimes this stems from a commander’s personal greed, other times from strange orders from their superiors. This, however, is our opportunity. Remember, the window for victory is fleeting. You must..."*

"Chief!" A series of urgent shouts from outside the stone house shattered Shire’s concentration.

"What’s wrong? Are there enemies?" He set the book down and hopped off his chair.

"She’s... she’s back," a goblin panted. "The one... with the four... the four swords. She’s back again."

"That Grand Commander?" Shire frowned. ’Didn’t we agree she would lead the Holy Order Army straight back? Everyone even swore a Blood Oath. I even had Mary cover their lodging fees. Why is she back?’ "How many people are with her?"

"J-just one," the goblin stammered.

"Just one?" Shire’s eyes narrowed. ’She’s probably not here for revenge, or she wouldn’t have come alone. Is she here to pay me back? Knowing her personality, paying off a debt would be a good reason.’ "Where is she now?"

"L-lying... lying in the square."

"Lying?" Shire froze. ’That doesn’t sound like the Grand Commander of the Saintly Army’s style.’

"She... has four swords floating around her. And... and there’s one stuck right here." The goblin pointed to his own chest, his face pale.

"Why didn’t you say so sooner!" Shire kicked the goblin aside and bolted out of the stone house. Just then, a little goblin came fluttering unsteadily toward him.

"Hey, boss, wanna go fishing?" Mountain Xi’ao shouted.

"No time! I have to save someone!" Shire yelled without looking back. He took a single step before remembering that the little goblins could use the Healing Spell, Wind of Revival. "Where’s your sister?"

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