In principle, Aureon shouldn't have appeared at the Black Flag Public House.

  That had originally been the territory of their Tauren clan, once belonging to the Tauren Public House. Now, however, the sign had been changed and the banner of the Black Wolves hung in its place.

  But when the Black Wolf leader personally extended the invitation, Aureon hesitated only for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.

  He clearly understood that behind that werewolves leader named Draven stood a presence even Selene dared not underestimate. The backing was so deep and unfathomable that he could not afford to take it lightly.

  The news of the Public House reopening came to Draven through Viola.

  In recent days, he had been away, and the letters delivered by Rurik's Pale-Horned Magic Hawk were all answered by Viola on his behalf.

  Liliana had just returned to the village when she immediately threw herself into Viola's arms, complaining, muttering about the big pervert who didn't even spare the bears.

  Draven had to spend quite some time calming Viola down and explaining the full situation.

  He then collapsed onto his bed, exhausted to the point of barely being able to move, and told Viola about recent events in a hoarse voice.

  Meanwhile, Liliana, having been punished for her rumors, was already fast asleep beside them.

  ...

  Early the next morning, in the leader's hall, Draven gathered Green Serpent, Thalia, and Thorin.

  Draven had long planned where to send Green Serpent. The situation in the Divine War Hills was stable now, and the strength of the leaders there had improved. Green Serpent was never good at leading his tribe in direct combat.

  Draven intended to transfer him to Selene City to handle affairs there, accompanied by a dozen or so members of the serpent tribe.

  This way, the Black Flag Territory's business in Selene City could operate smoothly without being easily interfered with.

  Hearing that the leader was handing over the shops in Selene City to him, Green Serpent's brief disappointment at being transferred immediately vanished.

  He never cared much about the village chief title; what truly attracted him was the chance to enjoy better treatment and resources. Compared to that, Selene City was like a whole other world.

  Especially when he learned that he could select some serpent women to accompany him, Green Serpent's face lit up with joy, smiling like a child.

  Draven watched his excitement and tapped the wooden table in front of him, his voice carrying a hint of warning.

  "How you run the shops, I will explain later, but don't forget, it's not for pleasure."

  "Besides managing the shops, you also need to be responsible for collecting more extraordinary resources for Black Flag Territory."

  This was the real reason Draven sent Green Serpent to Selene City.

  The second floor of the succubus trade company sold magical beast materials, potions, and various rare resources. These were the things Draven truly wanted— critical resources that Black Flag Territory couldn't produce yet.

  He planned to use diluted Violet Carpenter Bee honey to pave the way for Green Serpent, then gradually introduce Black Flag Territory's own magical potions, deer antler wine, tiger bone wine, and other specialty products to further expand influence and income.

  Through this method, he could exchange profits for those truly scarce resources and lay a more solid foundation for the entire territory.

  In addition, Rurik's Public House was currently understaffed, and the serpent tribe members that Green Serpent brought could fill those gaps.

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  Draven also clearly reminded Green Serpent that once he set foot in Selene City, all actions must follow Rurik's arrangements.

  Even though Green Serpent did not have a submission mark, the succubus Valeria in Selene City was watching closely, enough to keep him in check.

  "And don't neglect your serpent tribe's poisons. Continue researching them during your free time; they may prove very useful in the future."

  Green Serpent nodded repeatedly, indicating his understanding.

  Thalia and Thorin's reactions were quite different after hearing these arrangements.

  Thalia seemed particularly curious; she hadn't expected Black Flag Territory to have already expanded their operations to Selene City, managing both shops and the Public House at the same time— nothing like the mountain village forces she was familiar with.

  Thorin always harbored some resentment toward the Serpent Tribe's poison.

  Whenever he saw Green Serpent, a hint of suppressed frustration would flash across his eyes.

  If it weren't for that bowl of blood wine laced with deadly poison back then, he and his two brothers wouldn't have been captured so easily, losing all initiative within the Black Flag Territory.

  Though he never openly mentioned it, he never forgot the debt.

  After assigning Green Serpent's position, Draven turned his attention to Thalia.

  Unlike Martha, Thalia carried a more obvious aggression.

  Her wildness was neither soft nor subtle; it was exposed directly. She was like an alert and untamed leopard, making people wary to approach.

  Both had tawny skin, but Martha looked gentle and approachable, like a seasoned forest traveler.

  Thalia, on the other hand, had a more toned physique, stronger muscles, and more decisive movements.

  If one had to describe, Martha was like a passionate tour guide, whereas Thalia resembled a fitness coach who spent every day in the training room.

  Of course, neither of them were ordinary people— both were true warriors.

  Draven assigned the hunting mission in Village No. 2 to Thalia. Titus was also incorporated into her hunting team.

  Together with the dozen or so Leopard Tribe warriors Thalia brought along, the team had no problems in terms of numbers and mobility.

  Thalia accepted gladly. She was originally a hunter, and survival and combat in the wild were her strengths.

  It was just a matter of changing locations, which was not difficult for her to adapt to.

  Draven smiled slightly, but his tone grew more serious.

  "There's a pen outside the village. I'll take you to see it later."

  "The main task for this hunting team is live capture, not killing."

  "The targets are large herbivores. Hunting is secondary; if you can capture alive, try not to injure them."

  Thalia frowned, clearly surprised by the request. She had always thought hunting was just hunting, never having heard of such particularities.

  Draven didn't explain much. He knew some things are better understood by seeing and doing rather than hearing.

  Then it was Thorin's turn.

  As a high-ranking leader of the Black Tiger tribe, assigning him to guard a small village was indeed an underutilization of his talents.

  But Draven didn't know much about the Black Tiger brothers yet and wasn't fully confident.

  So he only sent Baldric, a mid-level leader, to lead the tribe's warriors to assist in the hunt, while Thorin was assigned to stay and guard Village No. 2.

  On the surface, it was to manage the guards, but in reality, it was to keep him nearby for observation and to gradually help him integrate.

  Although the Black Tiger brothers had formally submitted to the Black Flag Territory, Draven knew they wouldn't immediately fully accept him in their hearts.

  "Besides the dozen or so Black Tiger warriors you brought, the elderly and weak of various tribes in the village can help a bit."

  "They're not strong, but they're suitable for simple patrol and watch duties."

  Draven briefly mentioned this and also entrusted the village's security affairs, previously Titus's responsibility, to Thorin.

  Village No. 2 now was home to multiple ethnic groups, and more would join in the future. Managing inter-tribal relations was naturally a security concern that could not be neglected.

  Draven warned Thorin seriously not to take things lightly.

  Thorin nodded expressionlessly, saying nothing, but it was clear he didn't really care about these details.

  What concerned him more was why his tribe was split up and why he was left behind here.

  He understood this was the leader's way of testing and restraining him. Though frustrated, he could only accept it.

  Seeing Thorin's unwilling look, Draven smiled but didn't call him out.

  Newcomers to the Black Flag Territory wouldn't immediately submit.

  He gave them time and chances. They had to go through some experiences first, then gradually adapt.

  He himself was no different— feeling his way forward without a ready-made path.

  After assigning the three their duties, Draven dismissed the others and stayed behind with Green Serpent.

  They spoke quietly for a while as Draven explained some details about running the shop.

  Which goods needed focus in promotion, which customers had to be courted, even details about shelf layout and product packaging were discussed clearly.

  Finally, he patted Green Serpent's shoulder and spoke solemnly:

  "Don't underestimate that shop."

  "If run well, it can earn as much as being a village chief."

  Green Serpent grinned widely, eyes shining with excitement. He was a shrewd guy and now had Draven's full backing, naturally full of confidence.

  "Don't worry, Master. I'll do my utmost!"

  He had already begun planning various schemes in his mind, eager to make a splash in Selene City.

  Seeing his enthusiasm, Draven told him to prepare early and set out as soon as possible.

  After sending Green Serpent off, Draven took a sip of water and leaned back in his chair to rest his eyes.

  After just a few minutes, he opened them and ordered the guards to summon Titus and the other bloodline warriors.