Chapter 1320: Haul back at the Sacred Tree
The citizens and demi-humans of the kingdom all peeked out of their houses perched upon the large branches and vines of their Sacred Tree.
Kids and adults alike were staring wide-eyed at the amount of wheat and rice and vegetables peeking out of those sacks that the Red Mankeys carried on their backs.
They’d never seen such a haul.
"Amazing! Our soldiers are really good at their jobs!"
"That’s the 2nd-rank army with their general! Wow!"
"Where did they get that from?"
"Of course it must be from one of their successful raids against the humans!"
"Hooray! We’ll get to eat good tonight!"
The kingdom of the demi-humans shared their food with each other. It was the only way they were going to survive. So, the haul of the 2nd rank army was the haul of the entire demi-human kingdom.
And tonight, it looked like they were going to have a feast.
The 2nd rank general marched on top of the tallest branch in the Sacred Tree. Above it, the palace of their Monarch was located. It was truly a wonderful sight seeing such an estate.
However, his mood was quickly soured when he saw a Satyr approaching them from the palace.
"Advisor."
"2nd rank general."
The two were on such bad terms that they didn’t even greet each other with their names, only their titles.
"You are late," the advisor said. "We have summoned you and your army several days ago. Where have you been?!"
The general fixed his beret atop his head. "I am doing busy, important work. Unlike others..."
His challenging words had angered the advisor. "Unacceptable! Wait till our Monarch hears about this. Looks like we’ll have a new 2nd rank general crowned tonight."
"Of course, of course. Tell them that we have also brought enough food and water for the entire kingdom for a feast."
Hearing this, the advisor’s eyes widened. And finally, it was at this point that he noticed the Red Mankey soldiers behind the general. They had just finished stacking the crates and sacks they had carried from afar.
And seeing such a tremendous amount of resources, even the advisor couldn’t help but gulp in hunger.
"How... how did you obtain these?!"
All of the Red Mankey armies in the kingdom were required to bring food and resources back to the Sacred Tree. but never this much. Even the 1st rank general was only able to give about a third of this!
"I obtained it from the humans," he said. Of course, he didn’t mention that it was through trade, not plundering. "So, could you please tell our Monarch the good news?"
The advisor clicked his tongue. "...very well. But they are busy at this moment. They are currently convening with the 1st rank general about some matters."
Hearing this, the 2nd rank general frowned. Now that he knew about their betrayal, he couldn’t help but think that their Monarch was now in trouble.
"Tell them that I would like to speak to them soon," he said.
The Advisor frowned, before bowing towards the general with the most insincere movement.
"2nd rank general," someone called out.
The beret-wearing Red Mankey didn’t get a chance to breathe with relief as he was once again approached by one of his enemies.
"3rd rank general," he greeted back.
"I have heard the great news. You were able to gather enough food for a feast. You even broke the 1st rank general’s record. Congratulations."
One couldn’t even hear the sincerity in the Red Mankey’s voice. The 2nd rank general knew that it was simply a fake gesture.
"Thank you, thank you," he replied. "My men have worked very hard."
"Very hard, indeed," the 3rd rank general said. "How are you able to do it?"
The Red Mankey fixed his beret. "Wouldn’t you like to know? Haha, but unfortunately for you, we all know that each of our armies are entitled to our own secrets. I don’t want you to take over my spot."
Hearing this, his direct superior frowned. "This is impossible. I have already begun my attacks on the other humans that have breached our kingdom.
And we haven’t been able to plunder even a quarter of that in that entire time."
The 2nd rank general simply shrugged his shoulders. "I guess you weren’t working hard enough."
"Curse you! Men!" The 3rd rank general immediately shouted at his soldiers. "We will depart immediately. Attack those humans at once. I heard that one of them is a Conglomerate called the Vanderbilts. They must be rich! We can’t let these other Red Mankeys best our soldiers!"
Then, they began to depart.
Smiling, the 2nd rank general was starting to be in a happy mood.
But just then, he saw someone approach him from the estate of their Monarch.
It was none other than the 1st rank general.
"Ah. Good to see you," the lanky, Red Mankey general greeted.
"It is, it is," replied the beret-wearing general.
Then, silence. They would have wanted to get into a screaming match with each other, however, they were in the presence of the Sacred Tree and their Monarch. It wasn’t appropriate.
"The monarch requests your presence," the Lanky general said. "Said you had a gift for her."
"I do. See for yourself," said the 2nd rank general.
And finally, the 1st rank general saw the sacks upon sacks of resources in their tree. It garnered a horrified and visceral reaction from the general. "But... but how..."
But that didn’t last long. Eventually, the lanky general regained his composure.
"It doesn’t matter. You think that this will get you the 1st rank spot? It will not. No matter how much food you give to the Monarch, it will not matter.
The only thing important here is power. True, power. Those Magical Monsters will help us fight against the humans and prevent their greedy conquest against us."
Hearing this hypocritical voice, the 2nd rank general simply stayed silent and didn’t even dignify him with a response.
"We will see," he said, before turning and heading into the Monarch’s estate.