Could this be because of the goblins' surrender?
Or, perhaps it's necessary to completely destroy an area to conquer it? Maybe it's fine so long as he showed overwhelming power to crush the inhabitants' will to resist and force them to surrender.
Zhang Nu had two choices before him right now.
He could kill these goblins for the gold.
Or he could accept their surrender and accept them as his minions.
These kinds of forcefully recruited units are different from the units that are summoned by spending gold.
The latter's loyalty value is locked. It's like there's a mental lock on them and it's absolutely impossible for them to betray him. However, the former's loyalty values are free floating. Depending on the situation, they may very well run away or betray him.
The pros are also quite obvious.
Recruiting them means not having to spend money to summon them.
Plus, recruited units don't count as part of the population limit.
If a Demon King wanted to really expand and develop, then it's not enough to just rely on their own racial summons. Vassal races can also greatly diversify their territory's capabilities and productivity.
Zhang Nu had decided to accept the surrender.
He flew a circle over the goblins' heads.
The goblins were shaking in terror, with some even having pissed their pants. They were terrified that the dragon would breathe down fire at any second, turning all of them to ash.
No dragon flame descended though.
The Demon King transformed into his draconian form.
He looked down upon the prostrating goblins beneath him.
Then, in a dignified and domineering voice, he spoke, "You insignificant beings dared to even invade my territory. Did you not resolve yourselves to die for that affront?"
When the goblins heard those words, all of them instantly knew just what had happened.
The elderly goblin chieftain hurriedly stepped forward and prostrated himself.
"Those foolish ones charged to their own deaths and we too have also received harsh punishments. I beg you, oh great king, please give us a chance!"
Zhang Nu let out a cold humph, "I can temporarily allow you an extension on your lives and give you a chance to atone for your sins. However, if you dare to have any other thoughts, you will be utterly reduced to ash!"
"Thank you master!"
"Thank you master!"
"We will follow master!"
"We will do anything master says!"
After recruiting over a hundred goblins, Zhang Nu casually took a look at the statuses of a few of the ordinary goblins.
[Ordinary goblin]. Level 1 normal. 5 HP, 10 MP, 0.5 Strength, 0.5 Constitution, 1 Agility, 1 Will. Loyalty 60%. Skills: Planting lv3, harvesting lv2, ... Summary: This is an ordinary goblin. Although they're very weak, they are good at planting.
[Goblin mage]. Level 1 elite. 10 HP, 30 MP, 1 Strength, 1 Constitution, 1 Agility, 5 Will. Loyalty 60%. Skills: Lesser Lightning (D rank), Fireball (D rank), Planting lv5... Summary: The chief of the goblin village. An elderly and wise old goblin with decent magical abilities.