Otaku Translation: The Amber Sword V3C29

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Chapter 29: Expansion, Part 10

The more Tagib thought, the more he aligned with 's expectations.

Initially, the young man merely intended to intimidate him, lest this cave dweller grow too arrogant. and were near the underground passages connecting to . Given the presence of here, Brandon assumed they hailed from one of these regions.

This knowledge was a secret to surface-dwellers but trivial to him.

Having tempered Tagib’s arrogance, Brandon spoke gravely: “As far as I know, subterranean beings aren’t exactly welcomed in the human world.”

“I don’t… intend to meddle in your affairs,” Tagib conceded, lowering his tone.

He wasn’t lying. Though ambitious at first—human weakness tempting him—Tagib had once planned to establish a foothold in the forest and expand across ’s territory. However, news seeping in from beyond the woods dissuaded him.

Learning about the outside world, he realized the ancient human kingdom of boasted millions—a concept unimaginable to him. Even Grudin, that "weak" noble, governed hundreds of thousands, yet remained an obscure figure among humans.

In Yhaggoroth’s dark depths, only the most powerful dungeon lords commanded such vast populations—like Toland and Drakontis.

The sheer numbers sobered Tagib, quashing his ambitions. Otherwise, he’d never have entertained Grudin’s proposal.

“Is that so?” Brandon pressed, unimpressed. “Yet your actions suggest otherwise. This forest you occupy is sacred and integral to humanity—”

He paused, realizing his phrasing was off. “No, let me rephrase: Those four lumber mills are part of my property, and I don’t intend to lend them even a minute longer.”

“My property?” Tagib blinked. He’d met Grudin briefly and doubted this youth was the legendary .

By now, the outer battle had ceased. Cave dwellers weren’t fools; they sensed their leader’s shift in attitude. Though Tagib hadn’t ordered a retreat, they understood acting rashly might cost them their chieftain.

Not to mention those troublesome angels.

“Yes, at least for now,” Brandon affirmed.

“So… what do you want?” Tagib gestured to the halberd at his neck, stuttering.

“Two options.” Brandon replied. “First, return whence you came.”

Tagib shook his head, quivering. For a defeated tribe, returning underground equated to death unless siding with former foes—a notion he dismissed outright.

“And the second?” he asked.

“You and your kin are failures in the underground competition, serving stronger dungeon lords. Why not consider a new path? Become my vassals.”

He paused. “I’m familiar with your customs. Swear loyalty, and I’ll ensure your tribe’s survival.”

Tagib hesitated, torn between expectation and surprise.

Brandon’s request mirrored the subordinate relationships in Yhaggoroth—selling his entire tribe’s fate to a human. While it demonstrated Brandon’s understanding of the underground, it also struck him as absurd.

What right did this human have to demand allegiance?

Tagib still looked down on humans but realized refusal meant facing another undesirable choice—or perhaps Brandon wouldn’t let them leave at all. He felt the subtle movements of the blade; rejection might mean immediate death.

Brandon let him ponder, unfazed. Cinnabar, however, grew anxious, glancing between the feathered cave dweller and her lord. She worried about Antietta and the mercenaries holding out until dawn—a concern Brandon dismissed.

His grip on the sword never wavered. Tagib wasn’t wrong; refusal meant unimaginable consequences.

Unlike Cinnabar, Brandon wasn’t worried. He’d prepared 100 wealth points—if Tagib refused, he’d seal him into a card. Though different, the outcome remained: submission. He understood the value of this force. With the cave dwellers as his secret weapon, figures like Sir Minty or Sir Palas no longer posed a threat to his plans.

Three thousand iron-rank fighters would make Tonygel echo with just one voice—a story no Earl Jandel could foresee.

Yet, the variable lay in Tagib’s response. Brandon waited patiently, though inwardly tense.

In that moment, the path forward crystallized. For the first time since arriving to this world, Brandon felt capable of altering the future.

Finally, Tagib raised his trembling head, dire condor feathers shaking. With resolve, he spoke—

A cool night breeze swept the battlefield, pine trees rustling, masking words that could alter Tonygel—and Eruin.

Brandon’s expression softened. “Good choice.”

Then he added, “You’ll find you gain far more than you lose.”

---

As days passed, , bereft of its original lord, gradually regained calm. Beneath the surface, much transpired. Mercenaries who fought at the lumber mill couldn’t explain their victory.

A battle expected to last a week concluded dramatically by morning. Despite overwhelming odds, cave dwellers retreated, relinquishing their mills—a miracle cementing Brandon’s reputation as mysterious and omnipotent. Leaders harbored doubts but pledged unconditional fealty.

Brandon didn’t immediately disband their units. Instead, he focused on rebuilding. Lumber mills, now inhabited by Green Village residents, supplied Cold Fir City with timber, enabling wall repairs.

Moreover, he exempted the barony from taxes for three years—a shocking move. While typical lords relied on taxes, Brandon cared little for such trifles. His plans required more than petty wealth; better to win hearts.

Aware of underlying tensions, Brandon smiled, rising from Grudin’s desk. How much time had the former lord spent here? Only the heavens knew.

At that moment, commotion arose outside the window.

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