Hana added after a long pause, “I wish to find a way to return home. This is the Serpent’s Lair’s ultimate long-term goal. I have just gotten some confirmed information. The mysterious path I accidentally went through will only open again after two hundred years plus. It is not feasible to wait.”

 

Ara raised her fin up, startling the others. She was already used to Hana’s teaching methods and adopted a serious student-like attitude that Hana loved most. Others were unsure what Ara’s action implied and adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

 

Surprisingly, the Mistress pointed at the Young Miss’ waving fin and responded. “Yes, Ara, shoot.”

 

The rest nodded as they finally understood what raising part of one’s limb meant. That was the way to ask questions in the Serpent’s Lair culture. They quickly registered this method for future use.

 

A sweet girl’s voice resounded in everyone’s head, which synced with the multiple bubbles surfacing within the levitating water bubble. “Why is it not feasible, Mistress? Isn’t it easy to just wait it out? It’s just two hundred years?”

 

“Good question. Unlike most of you here, humans’ life expectancy is very short. Although we might find ways to lengthen my life, it is impossible to happen on the other side. We normally lived for around sixty to eighty years, if without any accidents or dangerous diseases. My family, on the other side, will definitely pass on first. Hence, it defeats the purpose.” The Mistress’ eyes turned dim with sadness. 

 

Nonetheless, it was but just a moment, the dim gaze was replaced with determination a few seconds later. 

 

“However, at this moment, our primary objective is to obtain as much information as possible about the land. Look into who owns which part of the land and is there anyone who shares the same characteristic as me. These people might be the long-lost clansmen that I am currently looking for that might be able to help in some way.

 

Bring forward the Noble-levelled Lords and above from the lands around us into our folds in any means necessary. Negotiate sincerely first and try to form a cooperative partnership. If they respond aggressively, immediately subjugate them and send them over. I will bestow them a Soul-link each and turn them into our vassals.

 

Besides that, we must not rule out the possibility of other paths or bridges present in some other part of the forest and master their opening and closing times.

 

All in all, what we need is more information, more information, and more information. And, we are racing against time. I don’t plan to drag this out for tens of years. It will be an expansion and realm-wide information gathering five-year plan, starting from now.

 

Understand?”

 

Everyone nodded hastily when facing the Mistress’ hard stare coupled with a severe expression. She meant business. That’s what everyone could interpret, at least.

 

Seeing her numerous pets’ mixture of expressions, Hana’s gaze softened. She had essentially given out an edict on building a social network, conquering, and intelligence-gathering, all at the same time. Even to her, it was nearly impossible to achieve with all of them present. However, she believed she could make it work one step at a time with everyone’s cooperation. She started this, and she was determined to see it through with the talents she gathered. She could only depend on herself now.

 

“All of you will be divided into two main teams. 

 

Lord Shiro will lead the agriculture side together with internal matters of the Serpent’s Lair. Ta-chan will be Lord Shiro’s deputy. Since Lord Shiro still needed some time to recuperate, the handling of the farm will be initiated by Ta-chan first. Use as many freshwater children as you need. If not enough, liaise with Q-chan to let her children help out. Keep track and write down a report and periodically send it to me. Later, both of you must come to me to discuss the details before starting.”

 

Both Shiro and Ta-chan glanced at each other and nodded.

 

Hana continued, “Lord Kuro will lead our expansion team with Q-chan and Lady as his deputies. Lord Kuro, liaise with Q-chan for the appropriate type of warriors needed, and Lady, for air support, if need be. No needless sacrifices. Before a subjugation procedure is implemented, run through your strategies with me. 

 

At the same time, everyone will have to gather intelligence and report back to Alpy. Finally, Alpy will arrange everything and periodically submit all information to me.”

 

“Me?!” Awestruck by the Mistress’ announcement, Alpy’s voice was louder than usual. Alpy’s calm demeanor was gone for a few seconds, but he managed to control himself and resumed his poker face. All eyes within the cave-dwelling turned to the tortoise, filled with curiosity and wonder. What was so special about this little tortoise?

 

“Yes, you.” Hana chuckled, amused with the old tortoise’s response.

 

“May this old one knows the reason, Mistress? This old one is but a burden only without any skills or brawns to help with the Serpent’s Lair cause.”

 

“No need to be humble. I need an advisor to discuss future strategies, and you’re perfect as an added value to the team. You scored the highest in Dam Haji, which means you’re very intelligent. Never doubt my judgment.” Hana explained authoritatively. 

 

“As you wish, Mistress. I will serve you wholeheartedly, to the best of my abilities.” Alpy bowed respectfully.

 

... 

 

Hana smiled enigmatically at Alpy the tortoise. After a few short seconds, he had recovered from his initial shock, remained calm, and accepted his new post. Hana could feel his confidence emanating from the bonds they had. The best advantage of her primary skill stemming from the Lightning Divinity Soul Cultivation Chant was that no lies could go undetected. They could only choose to withhold information, but even that, she will feel it too. 

 

Who would’ve known that there was a jewel hiding in the rough amongst the freshwater creatures she rescued? 

 

Describing the tortoise as merely intelligent wouldn’t do justice. 

 

Although Alpy tried to suppress his fluctuating emotions when Hana talked about ‘humans’, Hana was able to catch something. However, he didn’t divulge the information willingly. It meant that something must be wrong, and he had his own concerns about something. She did hear a whisper from his thoughts since she had been paying close attention to him.

 

That dangerous creatures...

 

It was ambiguous and very cryptic; the short comment could be interpreted with different meanings. However, through Hana’s bond with Alpy, she could detect that the old tortoise recognized ‘humans’, though not in a good way. After achieving the minor achievement mastery with Soul-link, that’s how sensitive she was with her pets’ emotions as long as she put effort into zoning in on a single individual. 

 

There will be many opportunities. I will talk to Alpy face to face later to find out what he knows and why he is suppressing it so much...

 

...

 

One day later. 

 

It was a clear morning where fresh dews still moistened the tip of leaves upon the forest trees. Lord Brother Kuro finally set out with a small elite team he personally selected, a total of ten with varying abilities to cater to different situations. 

 

It wasn’t a big team; six sprightly Elemental Fiend Generals with double elements, Advisor Alpy the tortoise, together with Chomper, now his second-in-command, a direct subordinate of Lady known as Silva which she had vouched for his loyalty, and especially his speed. Both ‘advisors’ were strongly recommended by the Mistress, as she emphasized on ‘negotiating first before attacking’. 

 

Their first mission was to collect information on the nearest local Lord, Lord Kreemore, a fire-attribute pangolin who led the Subterranean Dwellers. They were to observe its routines and temperament. They would then judge whether the Subterranean Lord would be suitable for becoming allies with the Serpent’s Lair. Depending on the investigation results, formal negotiations will be carried out if the evaluation is positive. However, if the results were too dismal, they would have to devise an abduction and enslavement plan for easier subjugation. 

 

Using this case study as a model, further actions will be taken while establishing an SOP to follow for future confrontations with other experts. Hence, the first step was to bring the finest, most knowledgeable negotiator of the Serpent’s Lair to gauge the attitude of spiritual beast lords in the area.  

 

“Becareful, Ku-chan. If it seems dangerous, pull out immediately after gathering intelligence without alerting them. They are hidden threats due to their nature. We must neutralize this danger firsthand.”

 

Hana caressed Kuro’s tiny head gently atop Gramps Alpy’s shell. As usual, Kuro stayed in his mini form due to habit and convenience. During the mass migration of the Elemental Fiends to her sojourn within the Serpent’s Lair, they built artificial underground tunnels for traveling purposes. They then noticed the extensive natural underground cave network and reported their findings to the Elemental Fiend Primordial Queen. The intelligent Q-chan had instructed them to steer away from those cave networks since subterranean dwellers were mostly predators to Elemental Fiends. Q-chan then brought it up to Hana during the meeting yesterday, highlighting the importance of choosing this target first. 

 

You sure we need to observe first and not just kidnap the Kreemore guy, Mommy?

 

“Let’s give them one chance, at least. I want to see how they operate during usual times. If they attacked immediately or couldn’t be reasoned with at all, yes, please kidnap that pangolin and bring him here.” Hana chuckled mirthfully while trying her best to appear calm.

 

We might bring trouble again, you know? Just like the previous face-off with the silver-banded hooligans.

 

“Don’t worry. We are sufficiently prepared this time. Believe in us! I will also monitor you in real-time during the confrontation.” Hana puffed her chest n thumped it a few times heroically. Even Hana herself felt funny after she did that and lightly coughed in embarrassment at the spiritual creatures who peeked bewilderingly at Hana.

 

Mommy, please don’t forget to practice diligently. Don’t slack and sleep as you like.

 

Hana snorted and pursed her lips. Alaaa, just a tiny bit la..

 

“Okay, I’m off. Give us your blessings.” Kuro’s warm laughter filled Hana’s head telepathically. Outwardly, it looked like they were staring at each other meaningfully before parting. They controlled themselves to maintain their image in public; one to appear graceful, while the other to appear gallant and confident.

 

...

 

Hana watched them leave worriedly. She took a deep breath and turned towards Ta-chan the tapir.

 

“Alright, let’s discuss about replanting and regrowing herbs first before we move on to large-scale crops. Shall we?”

 

Ta-chan nodded meekly and trotted over its new Mistress with resignation.

 

Authors Note:

SOP = standard operating procedure