Looking out from a battlement, a warrior shouted towards the inside of the fortress walls, “They are lining up unarmed people again!”

Lakrak said to his adjutant Quezle, “What do you think?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe they’re trying to make it easier to climb the hill. According to what we have observed so far, Vampires can simply bite anyone of any species to increase their number, but not infinitely. I think those people might be their slaves.”

Quezle was the chief of the Lizardmen tribe on the peninsula who had resisted against Lakrak until the end. However, after their defeat, Quezle fell under the influence of Lakrak’s will, and Quezle’s tribe became part of Black Scale without much trouble. And now, Quezle’s scales had also turned black.

Lakrak then said, “It wouldn’t be good to treat them that way just because they’re slaves.”

“I agree, but perhaps the Vampires think of them as lesser than slaves.”

“What do you mean?”

“As food.”

“Food.”

“Yes. We also throw away our excess supplies, don’t we? They would have filled their stomachs in the Satyr village before, and it’s likely that they’re ready to go to Orazen after a short showdown here at Automation. Excess food is useless, so…”

“That’s not the only reason, Quezle.”

Quezle turned to look at Lakrak.

Lakrak then said, “Do you know that the other countries of this continent didn’t like Lizardmen?”

“Yes. They thought of us as monsters until not long ago.”

“I heard that our great general had done a good job. It was said that he faced lots of Vampires while going to and from Danyum and Red Fruit. And apparently word spread that the Lizardmen will defeat the Vampires in not only Danyum and Red Fruit, but also in Asbestos, Golden Eye, and Magul. And that Black Scale will beat White Tooth.”

“Oh.”

The slaves ran towards the fortress walls. Shooting at unarmed people could...