However, Parker lay motionless, flames consuming his form.

The two warriors exchanged glances, understanding their captain was dead, and continued their retreat.

Yet, after only a few steps, several enormous skeletal bats swooped down from the sky, overpowering them and feasting upon their remains.

With all the pigheaded warriors slain, Fong Hao finally exited his domain.

From a distance, the aroma of roasted meat wafted from Parker's corpse, igniting a sudden panging of hunger within him.

Gather the spoils and dispose of the bodies in the conversion chamber.

Fonhow commanded loudly.

The skeletons sprang into action, stripping the pigheaded warriors of their belongings and casting their corpses into the conversion chamber, transforming them into first tier skeletal soldiers.

Acquired 27 orc single-edged swords, eight undulating spines.

Return all items to their rightful places.

Fong how instructed.

The skeletons retrieved the scattered possessions of the pigheaded warriors and returned them to the enclosed area.

Within his territory, Fong House sat on a bench, observing the injured pigheaded warrior before him.

He was left behind as a hostage, the last one standing.

"All your comrades have just met their demise in my hands.

Do you have anything to say?" Fongo inquired.

As twilight descended, his patience waned, and he was reluctant to prolong the conversation with these pigheaded beings.

"I know.

I heard Parker's cries.

They coveted your wealth, and they brought this upon themselves," the weakened pigheaded warrior replied.

"I'm curious about your relationship.

Even if they stole your goods, do you not fear that I might simply kill you?" Funhow pressed, voicing his inner doubts.

Coughing lightly, the pigheaded warrior continued.

I was originally the captain of this group.

Parker was my second in command.

The injured warrior began to recount their tale.

They hailed from a pigheaded tribe to the north and their mission was to transport the supplies collected from their village over the months to the Manm orc market for sale.

However, on route his deputy Parker had suddenly usered power, wounding him and placing him under house arrest.

Had he not been more familiar with the route to the Mana market than Parker, he would likely have been killed and left to rot in the wilderness.

Now the cargo was lost.

Parker entrusted him to Fongghao, cleverly utilizing Fong Hao's hands to eliminate him.

Thus, he ascended to the position of captain with rightful authority.

Knowing Parker's intentions, "Why do you linger here?" awaiting your demise.

Funha continued to inquire.

The population of the Pigman village is alarmingly sparse.

If all perish here, the village will face even greater adversities.

It would be more prudent for me to remain and facilitate their return, the pigman responded.

Such a self-righteous sentiment, Fongghao muttered under his breath.

Unexpectedly, this age pigman was willing to cooperate with Parker's charade, offering himself as a hostage out of such noble reasoning.

The old pigman, unfamiliar with the connotation of self-righteous, nevertheless stated, "My lord, I apologize for the actions of Parker and his companions.

But these are merely their individual choices.

Please do not direct your eye towards the village.

" Funha remained silent.

Yet the old pigman s echoed in his mind.

The mana market with a hundfold enhancement.

He had the capacity for mass production.

An open orc market might provide him the opportunity to leverage this for war coins.

The narrative is compelling.

I shall not hold your village accountable, Fongghao declared.

Thank you, my lord, the pigman exclaimed, kneeling before Fong Hao, his injured leg dragging painfully.

However, this is conditional.

You shall reside outside my territory for one night.

Tomorrow, I shall instruct you on the necessary course of action.

Do not entertain notions of escape, for your fate will be far worse than that of your companions.

Fonggho coldly warned.

Yes, my lord.

Fong Ho provided the pigman with a blanket, instructing a skeletal soldier to keep watch over him.

While he retreated to his chamber to rest.

The following day, at dawn, a gentle mist enveloped the forest floor.

Having rested well the previous night, Fong Ho emerged from the lord's wooden abode, stretching luxuriously.

He recorded the sixth day since his arrival on a board at the entrance.

Tomorrow marked the seventh day.

The conclusion of the novice protection period.

A sense of impending crisis enveloped him at this thought.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself.

He commenced his morning exercises.

He began with several laps around the territory followed by five sets of push-ups and sit-ups.

By the time he completed his routine, he was slick with perspiration.

He instructed the skeletons to boil water in preparation for a bath while he kindled a fire to prepare breakfast.

Simultaneously, he ensured that ample food was set aside for all within the vicinity.

Although the skeletons were not adept at hunting, they managed to bring down five or six beasts daily, ensuring a sufficient food supply.

"Bring the pigmen from outside the territory into my presence," Fongo remarked, flipping the roasted meat, as he spoke.

The skeleton dutifully complied.

Do you permit the non-territory resident Bolton to enter the territory due to the protective barrier? Non-residents required the lord's consent to enter.

Granted, soon the pigman from the previous day, prodded by a spear at his back, entered with a grim expression.

He hastened to Fong Ho's side, respectfully stating, "My lord, you summon me.

" Chapter 35.

The Fireblade tribe.

Please take a seat.

I forgot to ask yesterday.

What is your name? Fong Hoow gestured for the other to sit down.

My name is Bolton.

My lord, Bolton replied nervously as he took a seat beside him, his mind racing with conjectures about Fong How's intentions.

The fact that he was neither killed nor released left him perplexed.

Funhow placed the roasted meat before him and inquired, "Is the mana market exclusive to trades among or tribes?" Bolton blinked in surprise, beginning to grasp the situation.

The absence of hostility suggested that Fong Ha was particularly interested in the mana market.

After a moment's thought, he answered, "Not entirely.

There have been instances in the past where humans and dwarves traded here, but that was many years ago.

Currently, the market is predominantly a hub for orc trade.

" Funo fell into silence, his mind racing with thoughts.

The previous night, while resting in his quarters, he had given considerable thought to the orc market.

Today marked the sixth day and tomorrow the protective barrier would dissipate.

The loss of this safeguard would spell trouble for them, the interlopers.

Thus, it was prudent to explore the mana market while the barrier remained, seeking potential trade opportunities.

Hence, he summoned Bolton this morning to gather information.

What about the undead? Fongo continued his inquiries.

Ah, if one wishes to venture to the mana market, it is best to maintain a human identity.

Being undead could complicate matters considerably.

Bolton hastily replied.

Fong Ho nodded, noticing that Bolton had yet to touch the roasted meat before him.