Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Hunting Giants and the Spoils
The patrol knights returned, the cheering in the territory was not only due to the sense of accomplishment from hunting giant creatures; it also was tied to the Empire’s citizens’ hatred of the River Giants.
If there were a ranking of the monsters most hated by the Empire’s citizens, River Giants would certainly be in the top three, perhaps even first.
Undoubtedly, the Empire’s people loathe them because land-based travel is easily plagued by bandits, Beastmen, and Green-skinned Warbands lurking in forests and valleys, making many of the Empire’s knights and citizens long for wide rivers to offer the "safest" way to travel.
River Giants mock this idea by abducting people from barges at night, leaving them to face a dreadful fate.
In the eyes of the Imperial people, most giants are terrifyingly huge and incredibly stupid creatures, but River Giants alone are exceptionally clever, especially their female River Giant Witches, who are evil, cruel, and disturbingly smart. Rarely emerging from the most treacherous swamps, they strike during difficult times for the Empire, leading their kin in attacks. Their physical strength surpasses that of their male counterparts, and they curse enemies with terrifying, unintelligible giant-style insults. Though inexplicable to humans, their power is certainly troublesome.
Luckily, among these three giants, there are no such rare River Giant Witches.
Knight Oerstein personally brought the knights over to present the three massive River Giants to Su Li, and he proudly raised his chin, his rugged brown beard making him look especially formidable.
"Lord, these three River Giants intended to attack us. After a fierce battle led by me and the knights, they are all slain and have become spoils for our territory."
Su Li knew well how to win the favor of such proud knights, and with a smile he said, "Well done, my Commander. Such terrifying monsters, a whole three of them—had you not been here, today we might have faced the first casualties since the territory was established."
Looking at the massive creature with rusted blades embedded in its spiny back, none of the knights and soldiers around showed any doubt about Su Li’s praise.
Many giants uphold the tradition of sticking weapons of defeated enemies into their spines, like the fins on a piranha’s back or the spines on a porcupine. Their quick healing means it never bothers them and instead highlights their might and the fearsome power built by defeating countless foes.
The more swords they bear on their backs, the stronger they seem. Knight Oerstein was very satisfied with the praise for these war trophies and the Lord. He lifted his head in proud display of his rugged beard, knowing joining the Border Prince’s Territory was his wisest decision ever. He couldn’t remember when he last felt this exhilarated, joyful, and fired-up.
He even felt every cell in his body rejoicing after the fierce battle, filled with unprecedented power. His entire being was like a ship breaking waves, boldly advancing to higher levels, with his chest filled with infinite fighting spirit and surging passion.
Of course, he didn’t forget who brought all this to him, and kneeling respectfully on one knee he said, "Honorable Lord, as your most loyal guardian, I request to offer the hunting trophies to you. Please accept my heartfelt offering."
Su Li, smiling, helped the powerful Hesse Military Commander to his feet and said, "My loyal knight, I accept your offering. This will be among my most precious collections."
Of course, despite the stench, River Giants are treasures. Giant blood is valuable and widely used, from quenching thirst to various alchemical and potion mixtures; why giant blood quenches thirst is unclear to Su Li, yet it works. Giants eat anything—sludge, rocks, steel, wood—but their blood remains oddly pure and valuable.
However, more precious is the giant acid—highly sought after by Rune Masters, blacksmiths, and engineers.
With giant acid, Belos Dragon Hammer, the territory’s dwarf rune blacksmith, can resolve a key raw material in crafting Vibranium Rune Armor.
Now, he finally has enough materials for crafting various tools and armor. Over twenty rusted swords were pulled from the backs of the three River Giants, meaning they at least consumed over twenty human soldiers.
These metal weapons can be reforged into tools needed for territory development, at least three or four dozen farming implements.
The rest of the tool casting materials come from melting down giant weapons. Giant weapons are quite varied; most carry big clubs made from metal-like leg bones of their kin, and a few carry stone axes. Only a rare few clever River Giants bind shipwreck iron onto massive tree trunks to make giant warhammers.
These three River Giants apparently attacked barges on the river, two wielding their kin’s massive leg bones, while the leader held a rare two-handed warhammer, with the metal hammerhead weighing two to three hundred Imperial Jin.
With such a large ingot, casting a hundred farming tools is more than sufficient, even leaving enough for Belos Dragon Hammer to indulge in his craftsmanship bravado. He’s long desired to craft a set of plate armor to showcase his refined forging skills—even a breastplate would do if necessary.
Anyway, melting down these weapons into various tools can also be seen as forging swords into plows, advancing the territory’s farming and expansion efforts significantly.
The Minister of the Seal Lauren, seeing these three enormous giant trophies, was also filled with admiration and sentiment: "Praise to the Divine Spirit, our territory just beginning and already we have slain three River Giants—this is an auspicious sign. Lord, your strength reassures us greatly. Under your leadership, we will surely prosper."
Such praise, Su Li naturally enjoyed hearing. At the moment, everyone in the territory was filled with harvest joy, and Su Li beamed with confidence, directing: "My Minister of the Seal, share today’s harvest joy with everyone. Arrange hands to collect all valuable items from these three River Giants and hold a bonfire celebration, giving each serf a fish so everyone eats well, warms up, and enjoys the fruits of the territory’s prosperity! Boost everyone’s morale and accelerate our territory’s growth."
A mere hundred or so fish, Su Li was more than willing, and the motivational effect was profound.
Hearing Su Li’s arrangements, the surrounding serfs immediately cheered: "Praise your generosity, Lord."
Su Li wore a satisfied smile, holding grains enough so to be confident, rallying the enthusiasm of serfs and attendants, making them passionately engage in territory construction.
In such a state, the territory’s development speed must be exceedingly rapid.