"You're in? Are you going to help me win my war?"
If Aldred helped Shagatik win the war, he could have had more control over the region.
"Of course, I will. But only if you give me the same deal," Aldred said.
"Whatever you want, I will give it to you." Shagatik laughed.
"In that case, let us go to war now."
"Now? Like right now?"
"The faster, the better. The enemy will not expect it."
…
Shagatik said that he wanted to go to war, but he didn't have a plan on how to attack. Aldred insisted on taking over the war planning and told the young lord to sit down and watch.
First, they were planning to conquer Solvevland County. It was a small, poor county that only had one city. This city had no jobs or affordable homes. A lot of people here were homeless, and the majority of them resorted to crime, and they stole from the poor because they had no choice. The rich were too untouchable because they had guards.
Although it was a poor city, there were a number of hills and mountains rich with minerals and ores, but as the Lizardfolk couldn't mine those, so they were considered worthless.
Not for Aldred. His golems would take care of the mining, and he didn't have to pay any tax to Shagatik once he helped the young lord conquer it.
…
Aldred and Shagatik stood upon a hill, overlooking the city they were about to attack: Utsbak.
Aldred's wives were behind him, setting up the camp with Bartrem and the soldiers. Behind the camp was the golem army that Aldred had prepared for this invasion.
"How do you plan to conquer this city? Even though it was poor, the lord still put guards and strong walls to protect it." Shagatik became doubtful about the attack. After all, he had never gone to battle before. Now that he was here, he had a desire to return and stay at home.
Aldred held himself from scoffing at the naive lord. "Just sit tight, and let me handle it. This city will fall into your hands before the moon rises."
"Ohh." Hearing that, Shagatik became excited, and all the feelings of doubt disappeared.
"Can you take over this city, and transform it like what you did in my city?"
"Of course, I can."
Shagatik glanced at Utsbak City with sparkling eyes. He already considered the city as his, and he couldn't wait for the people inside to welcome him as their savior.
Aldred simply smiled and whispered. "Attack."
Suddenly, the city shook, and a large creature burst out of the ground in the middle of the city. The creature towered all the buildings nearby like it was a literal mountain.
"Don't destroy the houses, Xer Xai."
Xer Xai, the giant beast, moved carefully.
The soldiers below her stared at the beast in fright, their whole bodies shivering in fear.
Opening her large jaw, she shot a purple beam that vaporized them.
"A giant beast! Run!"
The city was in a panic, and everyone started to run away from the center of the city.
The guards wanted to run away as well, but their commanders came. "Grab your weapons and stop running! You're a soldier, so act like one!"
The commander glared at the beast and frowned. "What creature is that? Activate the defensive tower!"
Dozens of towers nearby lit up, and magic orbs appeared on top of them. The orbs spun and shot numerous fire arrows at the beast.
The arrows ricocheted off her scales, and they did no damage to her at all.
"Impossible!" The commander could not believe his eyes.
Xer Xai roared and raised her claws, before slamming it down.
"Run!"
BOOM!
Hundreds of soldiers were crushed under her claws.
Aldred smiled. "Golems, enter the city."
Right after he said it, thousands of golems climbed out of the hole that Xer Xai made and rushed at the running soldiers.
"Archers! Attack those golems!"
The archers on the wall aimed their bows, about to release their arrows.
Before they could do that, however, a sparkling storm of fire bullets viciously came at them at a high speed, shredding them to pieces. Those that managed to dodge, gritted their teeth at the smoking wound that they suffered.
Zut, the lord of Utsbak City, panicked as he was escorted out of his castle, and entered a carriage.
"Quick, go!" he shouted.
The coachmen whipped the fish-scaled horses, and they pulled the carriage as fast as they could.
Not long after, the horses were suddenly cut in half, and the wheels shattered, making the carriage tumble on the ground a few times.
Zut crawled out of the carriage with blood pouring from his forehead. He looked up and saw two tall golems pulling him out.
"Unhand me!"
The golems ignored his plea, and they rushed towards the hill where Aldred and Shagatik were.
Zut looked at Shagatik and frowned. "You… Did you do this?"
"How dare you look at me that way!" Shagatik kicked the lizardman in the face.
Zut spat out blood and glared at him. "Why did you attack my city? Are you really going to break the peace?"
"Humph! I do this because of the way you look at me. You think I didn't know? Just because I am young, you dare to look down on me, and ignore my opinion!"
Zut gritted his teeth and looked to the side where he saw Aldred. "I was wondering where you get all of these golems. Now I know what is happening here."
Zut laughed. "You naive lizard. If you think relying on a human is a good idea, then you deserve to be looked down upo—"
His head fell to the ground. The golem behind him sheathed its sword again.
"Aldred, why did you kill him? I am not done talking to him yet."
"We have more important matters at hand. Look." Aldred pointed at the city.
Shagatik followed Aldred's finger and saw tens of thousands of worker golems flooding into the city, and began fixing the walls, helping the civilians, making roads, building infrastructures, fixing houses, and they even began building schools, apartments, farming plots, and many more.
Not only that, but the worker golems also brought boxes filled with food, clothes, and medicine that could be used by a family of four for three months.
These boxes were then given to everyone which shocked them. A minute ago, their city was under attack, and they were running for safety. But now suddenly, these golems came, building houses and roads for them, and even giving them food and clothes.
Their feelings were mixed right now. Should they be scared, or should they be happy?
They were confused, that was for sure, but after they saw the golems building Shagatik's statues all over the city, now they understood what was happening.
"Lord Shagatik is taking over this city!"
"Is that a good thing?"
"Of course! I heard Jungendyr is a rich city, and in the last few days, it has transformed into something amazing. If Shagatik is taking over Utsbak City, then we will surely receive great benefits, and no one has to live on the streets anymore!"
These talks spread throughout the city, making the people there happy and relieved.
Those lizardmen that spread the news weren't real citizens, in fact, spies that Aldred planted. Their only job was to tell how great Lord Shagatik was, and why coming under his rule was a great thing.
It totally worked.
When Aldred and Shagatik entered the city, the people cheered and threw flowers at him while chanting his name.
"Lord Shagatik, our savior, has arrived!"
Shagatik wore the brightest smile that day as he waved at his people.
