Everyone was enjoying the fresh cooked meal that Jordan had prepared for them. They had enjoyed it so much that it seemed like they had completely forgotten why we came here in the first place.

  As if to emphasize my point. A familiar voice started to speak while enjoying one of the cooked meals. “Man, this Horned Rabbit meat sure is tasty. Maybe we should have something like this made during our victory party from taking over this kingdom don’t you think? ~”

  The chatter had died down to silence for a moment until several of my minions started to jump in surprise. It seemed that Zeph and the three stooges I assigned to him had sneaked into our camp site.

  One orc nervously laughed. “Ahahaha…. right sorry, food was so good I almost forgot.”

  “He definitely forgot.”

  “Had meat on the brain.”

  “Orcs sure have big stomachs don’t they.”

  Ah, the familiar trio at it with their weird way of commenting. Glad for once it was directed at someone else beside me.

  As if not acknowledging the awkward situation that he had created, Zeph had continued to finish his meal before neatly placing his utensils to the side and strode towards Jordan and tipped his hat. “My compliments to the chef.”

  He then looked towards me while giving off a small smile. “Now, on to business bossman. My report.”

  I listened carefully as well as many of my followers. All eyes were on the vulture Beastman. Except for my shadowy butler who was busy gathering all of the dishes at the side and was using some Water Magic to clean up the mess.

  “It’s quite interesting” The vulture spoke, pulling out one of his feathers and fiddled with it. “This kingdom seems quite stable in the surface. One look and you wouldn’t think there was anything wrong with it.”

  He then tossed a small leather bag towards me and waited for me to look inside. The second I did, my eyes widened inn shock.

  Before I could respond Zeph continued. “…Yeeaaahhh best you don’t go showing that off to the kid bossman. But should be enough to work with don’t you think?”

  I stood in silence, my eyes fixated on the contents of the bag before I answered back. “Yeah…. Uhm… I think I should be able to use this to my advantage.”

  “Alright! It’s time for a conquest!!” My Minotaur henchman exclaimed. “What’s the plan boss?!”

  “Best for Zeph to take me to where he found these things. In the meantime, I want you all to stay outside of view from the kingdom before I give you the message to go.”

  Mordred face lit up like a kid. “Ooh, you want to give off a grand entrance of your army against the enemy! Brilliant! That would properly show off your might! ~”

  Zeph retorted to the plan. “Not sure it’s going to be that easy bossman. It actually took a lot of work just to get me and the three little guys access to find this stuff.”

  I tilted my head. “You and the three stooges had that much struggle?”

  “Three stooges, what is that? …”

  “Does the chief mean us? ….”

  “Is he making fun of us?”

  We both ignored their triad comments as Zeph responded. “You probably shouldn’t underestimate them bossman. They’re surprisingly helpful despite appearances.”

  Ah, surprising to hear about the three stooges. Not going to stop me from calling them that though. I looked at my three fellow kobolds who seemed to be busy talking to themselves once more.

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  I decided to leave them to it and continue with our own discussion. “So, what can you tell us about their security.”

  “See that’s the thing, most kingdoms you would expect them to patrol across the streets, but I barely encountered them. It was only when I came across a certain hidden passageway at the other end of the castle that I noticed a large quantity of them stationed. Heck, it was hard enough for me to even find it.”

  I could hear tsk sound coming out of his tongue, showing his displeasure over his lack of efficiently finding his target.

  After getting over his disapproval my vulture continued. “Anyway, in the end I was force to attract their attention and get the three little ones to infiltrate the hidden passageway only for them to return with that bag.”

  “Sorry Chief…”

  “We could barely get in too deeply without getting caught”

  “But we managed to gather this.”

  I held the contents of the bag tightly. Considering the amount of security they had placed I imagined that they were lucky to get that far to begin with. Still, this will require me to rethink my tactic then.

  “Then a change of strategy. We would need someone that could attract the most attention to lead as many of their soldiers out as possible. But who could be best to act as bait…. What are you all looking at?”

  All of my followers had their eyes glued to two people in particular. Seems they had all already chosen the candidates for me.

  “…Wait me and Mordred?” I asked pointing a claw at myself in a bit of confusion.

  V hopped towards me, looking excited at the prospect. “Yeah yeah you should do it Mr. Vlad! You’re the best at getting people to notice you!!”

  Their comment made my scales feel redder than they already were as I casually scratched my chin.

  “Yup! He is the [Tiny Tyrant] for a reason! No one would be able to ignore you boss!!” Mordred proudly proclaimed.

  That comment on the other hand made my body twitch and returned me to reality. I groaned in my head over the use of my title. I wished they would stop calling me that….

  “Ah yes, I must admit I am rather intrigue for our [Tiny Tyrant] at work. Maybe he would be able to charm the masses like he did with us.” My butler interjected, having finished with clean up duty.

  Not you too Paimoth….

  “…. Fine fine I’ll do it. You know how much I like being the center of attention after all.” I finally relented, trying my best to ignore my title being used.

  I looked back at Zeph. “Then I’ll just have you and the three stooges wait to infiltrate the hidden passageway once I gather as much of them as I can.”

  “The chief called us stooges again…”

  “What is a stooge?”

  “At least we won’t have to do the most dangerous job.”

  I continued despite the three’s banter. “But I want you to take Damian with you. He’s the only other one who wouldn’t arouse suspicion. Speaking of how did those three get by so easily.”

  “They’re surprisingly good in keeping away from danger.” The Vulture Beastman stated with a bit of pride deep in his tone.

  It was probably because of us Kobolds’ natural sense for danger at work. I hated to admit it, but the feelings of a coward can be useful in these kinds of instances.

  “Speaking of, where is Damian?” I asked, realizing that he was the only one not participating in the discussion.

  My butler spoke up to answer, pointing in a certain direction. “About that, he’s been over there this entire time admiring his gift you gave to him.”

  Looking in where Paimoth was aiming at, I saw my Bear man adventurer currently at one of his hug fests. My instincts kicked in out of reflex, but I saw that what Damian was holding in his arms was the doll I had crafted for him which was currently me size…

  At least he’s using it as fully attended. I was glad since it meant I had to worry about losing my breath as often…

  Still, we need him now, so I reluctantly called for him. “Hey Damian, I nee-”

  No sooner did I ask for his help; the bear had already had me in his embrace! I frantically tapped on his arms to get him to let me go!

  “Hey bear! You’re going to choke the boss!!” Mordred furiously told him.

  Damian finally loosened his grip on me, giving me enough air to speak. “…. Right, as I was saying. I need you to go with Zeph and the others into the hidden passageway and protect them if needed.”

  He nodded after listening to my instructions and let me go, picking up his doll and shrinking it so that he can attach it to his side.

  “Good luck Mr. Damian!” V ran towards and reached up to the bear for a hug.

  It seems unlike me and anyone else who had the misfortune, V didn’t seem to mind the affection. In fact, I would say they rather enjoyed it. Now, if only Damian could focus his affection on them.

  The ones assigned to infiltrate the kingdom ran up ahead. While we waited for their signal, the rest of us made any last-minute preparations. Checking for the main gates as well as for any points of interest.

  Looking closely now, it really did look like an ordinary kingdom. Thinking that I clenched the bag in my claws. The information on its contents shown in front of me with a notification.

  …. What a waste.