The gnome race.
They possessed an abundance of practical knowledge and were always aware of current events.
After all, they were a physically weak race.
They did not have strong talents or robust physiques, and could only rely on their cunning minds and instinctive ability to seize opportunities in order to survive on this continent.
The Thousand Fangs City was not weak at all.
However, if they were to resist till the end, they might be able to hold out for a few days, but ultimately, they could not escape their fate of inevitable decimation.
The gnome city lord had eyes and ears all over Chaos Forest.
He had long known the event developments and changes of Giantree City and Berserk Beast City.
He had even heard about the recent bloody massacre of the Bloody Fortress.
The Dragon Demon King was not only much stronger than the rumors suggested, he also had a draconian legion with monstrous combat prowess, as well as orcish armies and elven armies under his command.
It would be suicidal to defy and attack him head-on.
Death and failure were certain.
The only chance of survival was to submit and serve.
Zhang Nu transformed back into his draconian form for ease of movement. With a towering stature of over three meters tall, his imposing figure and aura were still as intimidating as ever.
"You are indeed very smart, but since you have chosen to pledge allegiance to me, you must show your sincerity," he asserted.
Segon immediately replied, "Since we have voluntarily become Your Majesty's servants, the entire Thousand Fangs City belongs to you. All the wealth, resources, and even our lives can be offered to Your Majesty whenever you need them."
Not bad!
Zhang Nu then ordered, "Then bring out all the gold and gems!"
Segon immediately instructed the ogres to open the city's treasury and sent hundreds of gnomes to move all the stored treasures out.
In no time.
A golden mountain sparkling with gems appeared before them.
The gold reserves of Thousand Fangs City were actually much larger than that of Giantree City.
However.
That was within expectations.
The elves of Giantree City were not adept at doing business.
Although Giantree City looked prosperous and had well-developed infrastructure, it was not an incredibly wealthy city.
On the other hand, Thousand Fangs City looked chaotic, and no traders dared to come to this ogre-infested place to do business. However, gnomes were known as the most prominent forest merchants. They constantly roamed the corners of the forest, seeking business opportunities.
Zhang Nu reached out and grabbed a handful of gold.
With a crisp and pleasant sound of coins falling between his fingers echoed within the air.
The standard mainland gold coins slipped through his fingers.
[Gold discovered. Would you like to convert?]
[Gold successfully converted. Gold +2,200,000!]
The golden mountain vanished.
Zhang Nu was secretly amazed.
2.2 million gold.
That would be equivalent to 22 million mainland standard gold coins.
This would be a significant sum of money for any forces.
When Zhang Nu was extorting Giantree City.
Giantree City could only muster up 5 million mainland gold coins, and as it could deliver the sum immediately, it had to pay in installments.
The gnomes were much wealthier than the elves.
In addition to large amounts of gold, there were also large quantities of various materials.
There were various attribute gems: 794 fire gems, 330 water gems, 613 wind gems, and 528 earth gems. In addition, there were also many rare gems such as light, dark, life, and undeath gems, totaling nearly 3,000 gems.
Just this batch of gems alone was worth 2-3 million gold coins.
Immediately after, Zhang Nu opened the reward chest.
[You opened the Mithril Treasure Chest. You gained "Gold" x2,000,000, "Blueprint: Gnome Magitek Research Institute'' x1, "Blueprint: Ogre Stronghold" x1, earth gem x300, wind gem x300, dark gem x200!]
Thousand Fangs City was a large-scale city with many elite and high-level units.
Thus, the amount of gold coins rewarded was more than that of the previous Level 4 overlord, or even Level 5 overlord areas.
He had received two blueprints from the chest.
[Gnome Magitek Research Institute] Level 3 Blueprint. Costs gold x250,000, fire gem x50, wind gem x50, dark gem x100. You may summon a Gnome Magitech Research Institute within your territory.
[Ogre Stronghold] Level 3 Blueprint. Costs gold x80,000, life gem x50. You may summon an Ogre Stronghold within your territory.
Unfortunately, there were no Level 4 blueprints.
However, these two Level 3 blueprints were satisfactory.
The Ogre Stronghold was a typical barrack type building.
Zhang Nu planned to construct it near the Thousand Fangs City and summon a group of loyal ogres to better control and overwatch the city.
As for the Gnome Magitek Research Institute.
It was a very unique building.
As a Level 3 structure, its construction cost was comparable to that of a Level 4 blueprint, indicating there was more than meets the eyes.
The Demon King was very pleased.
The gnomes were finally relieved.
Although the many years of wealth accumulation in Thousand Fangs City were offered up to the Demon King in one fell swoop, as long as everyone's lives could be protected and preserved, this could be considered as paying protection fees.
But, from now on, under the wings of this Dragon Demon King, Thousand Fangs City had no need to worry about safety issues anymore.
Money could be earned again, but if lives were lost, it would be all over. Moreover, buying an extraordinarily powerful backer might not be entirely a bad thing.
The gnome city lord hurriedly said, "Please, Your Majesty, allow us to give you a tour of the territory."
Zhang Nu was quite intrigued by this city of gnomes and ogres. He was busy focusing on eradicating Heroes yesterday, but he could have a good look around now.
Thousand Fangs City was segmented into two areas.
The outer city area was vast, and the living environment was very rudimentary, without even walls or decent houses.
This was where the ogres resided.
The inner city was built with exquisite houses and complete with various facilities, it was evident that this was the living place of the gnomes.
The ogres had no complaints nor objections.
If they were to leave the gnomes, with such a huge number, they would have no way to support and feed themselves. Besides, ogres were not picky regarding their living conditions.
As they toured the city, the gnome city lord claimed, "We gnomes are exceptional in doing business and we have over thirty forest merchant caravans, ready to serve under Your Majesty."
In the aspect of trading and conducting business, gnomes were particularly skilled and were experts in such fields.
But their ability to survive on the continent was not entirely dependent on their cunning and fickle minds.
The gnome city lord continued, "Our race has developed a magical technology that combines alchemy, formations, and magic. We call it magitek. This is our magitek cannon!"
As he spoke.
Two ogres pushed out a huge cylindrical object.
This thing was very similar in appearance to the cannon from the previous world.
[Gnome's Flameblast Magitek Cannon] Level 2 item. Consumes 1 fire gem for every shot fired. It can fire a flameblast shot towards its target with a 500 meter range causing up to 1000 points of fiery explosion damage, as well as an area of effect burning status.
Very intriguing.
Magitek was quite renowned in this world. It was said that during eras from eons ago, a time too ancient to study nowadays, there was an empire built upon a foundation of magical technology.
After the ancient magitek empire collapsed.
The once prosperous magical technology declined.
Currently, except for a few human kingdoms, only the gnome race mastered this technology. It was somewhat unexpected that the Thousand Fangs City could produce such a cannon.
The cost for firing this weapon was exorbitant.
However, each shot could deal a maximum of 1000 fire damage.
Of course, these 1000 points were fixed damage values, not the actual damage value produced, which depended on the target's defense resistance.
If it was used to attack Zhang Nu.
The damage would be 0, since Zhang Nu was immune to magic.
Especially against elemental magic, not even a Level 5 overlord's elemental attack would have any effect on him.
The strength and force of a single shot from this magitek cannon.
It was estimated to be comparable to a spell attack from a Level 3 lord or even an overlord.
Zhang Nu was impressed by these gnomes of Thousand Fangs.
The city possessed such weapons, yet they surrendered and submitted to him instead of using it against him.
A wise choice.
The gnomes must have given it a lot of thought.
Looking at the magitek cannon before him, Zhang Nu had a realization that the gnome race might be more useful than he had imagined.
There was a saying.
Science is the primary productive force.
Not only could this magical technology be utilized for military purposes, but also for production. Even if it was just auxiliary functions, these technologies would definitely be able to create value no matter what.
"Not bad!"
"Your performance has pleased me."
The Demon King suddenly exclaimed, "I am not an unreasonable, predatory Demon King. Which is why, today, I shall bestow a gift to Thousand Fangs City."
[Consume "Blueprint: Gnome Magitek Research Institute" x1, "gold" x250,000, "fire gem" x50, "wind gem" x50, "dark gem" x100, to summon a Gnome Magitek Research Institute?]
Zhang Nu hit confirm.
The gnome city lord, Segon and the rest of the gnome executives were perplexed..
The Demon King was preparing to give the gnomes a gift?
But what kind of gift could the Demon King possibly give to the gnomes?
Just then.
Everyone felt a shadow loomed over them.
Some gnomes turned to look and were baffled by the sight.
"What is that?"
"It looks like a magitek device!"
"It seems to be a magitek airship!"
"It really is a magitek airship! This is something that only existed in the ancient magitek empire!"
The Gnome Magitek Research Institute was clearly different from the ordinary buildings.
In appearance, it looked like a massive airship that was fifty meters long.
However, it was different from the futuristic style of giant ships in science fiction movies.
This giant airship was covered in magical runes, and even had a layer of magical shield, making it look even more fantasy-like.
Its design was also not very scientific.
It was incredibly bulky and did not conform to fluid mechanics. Pipes were constantly spewing out steam, and countless gears were clanging as they turned.
If it halted its movement.
It would look more like a flying fortress with a steampunk style.
The massive airship slowly landed on an open space in Thousand Fangs City.
Several short gnomes wearing white lab coats emerged and greeted, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
[Gnome Magitek Researcher] Level 3 normal.
Description: These are gnome magitechie and although their combat abilities are weak, they possess solid knowledge of magic and are valuable research staff for magitek.
As the name suggested.
The Gnome Magitek Research Institute.
It was a large research institution that included extensive learning materials for magical technology, facilities for producing magical equipment, and experimental sites.
To other races.
This kind of facility might not be valuable.
But to the gnome race who was dedicated to studying magical technology.
The airship in itself was an invaluable treasure.
The Gnome Magitek Research Institute was not a barrack-type building. The 50 gnome magitechie it came with were all precious researchers. Once they die, they could not be replaced whatsoever.
Zhang Nu asked, "Are you satisfied with this gift?"
"Long live the Demon King!"
"Long live the Demon King!"
The gnome city lord, Segon quickly knelt down, and the accompanying gnomes also hastily followed suit, fanatically worshiping the Demon King.
The allure of this magitek airship was too great for gnomes!
Gnomes were naturally obsessed with magitek creations.
Even if one were to exclude the facilities and venues inside the research institute, just having a magical airship itself is a priceless treasure for the gnomes!
This kind of miraculous magitek creation could only be found in the ruins of the ancient magitek empire.
But how could such a place be accessible to the weak gnomes?
Compared to this magitek airship, the gold and jewels that the Demon King took away were insignificant.
The loyalty of the gnomes was rapidly surging.
Zhang Nu nodded in satisfaction.
He planned to set up an ogre stronghold nearby and summon a group of loyal ogre warriors later.
With this, the forest city was secured.
The importance of the Thousand Fangs City to the Demon King could not be underestimated.
The gnome merchant caravans, ogre armies, and the gnome magical technology all had great development potential or value.
The Bloody Fortress still lacked heavy infantries.
Zhang Nu intended to send 10,000 of the strongest ogres to be stationed there.
The defensive lineup of the Bloody Fortress would then become a formidable battalion consisting of a draconian legion of 5000, an orcish horde of 5000, an elven regiment of 5000, an ogre army of 10,000, and finally, several thousands of beholders.
This was a terrifying force.
This army would be more than capable of holding back the empire's invasion and keeping the empire forces from ever stepping foot onto the fortress grounds.