Once the Rock Horn Clan lowered their weapons and accepted César's protection, the tension that had gripped the riverbank slowly faded.
The sound of flowing water returned to dominate the battlefield.
César observed the area for a moment. Seeing that everything seemed under control for now, he walked away from the Minotaurs and approached the riverbank.
From the shifting currents emerged a slender and familiar figure: Laura, the beautiful murloc.
César turned toward her and spoke in a low, slightly playful tone.
"Laura, tell your father not to let the Adaros stray too far. I intend to trap our "dear neighbors" once and for all."
Laura nodded immediately before diving back into the river.
She understood her man's way of thinking perfectly.
To César, killing an enemy was often a waste of resources… and potential labor.
Meanwhile, the Minotaurs began treating their wounds under the watchful eyes of the goblins.
César exchanged a few words with his warriors before walking away again, this time toward the group of murlocs gathered along the river.
He nodded toward Laura and her father, the murloc leader, then stared at the turbulent surface of the water.
He knew the Adaros were still hiding beneath it.
The murloc leader stepped forward.
"Come out!" roared the murloc leader, his voice echoing through the riverbed. "I know your pride is as great as your hunger, Matriarch of the Adaros."
The water stirred.
From the center of the river, the Adaro Matriarch slowly emerged.
Her chocolate-colored scales gleamed in the light, strands of algae clinging to her body. Her yellow eyes burned with fury.
She hissed, revealing rows of serrated teeth, ready to launch one final suicidal attack.
But César moved first.
He didn't draw his sword.
Instead, he extended his hand.
Aether began to swirl around his fist, gathering with dangerous pressure.
The Matriarch sensed the imminent danger and tried to dive, but the exhaustion and wounds from her previous fight against the minotaurs made her too slow. Caesar's fist slammed directly into her jaw, knocking her unconscious instantly.
Seeing the Matriarch's voluptuous body up close, Caesar couldn't help but swallow hard. 'Now that I see her closely, she's actually beautiful,' he thought.
A flash of irony crossed his mind as he remembered that in many demi-human races, the females possessed a beauty that drastically contrasted with the coarse appearance of the males.
"Unfair…", he muttered.
But he quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought.
His attention returned to the unconscious Matriarch.
At that moment, the other Adaros began thrashing in the water, trying to rush forward and rescue their leader.
César turned to the murloc leader.
"Keep those Adaros at bay!" he ordered the murloc leader. "But avoid killing them at all costs."
The murloc leader nodded and charged into the water.
Laura followed immediately.
Together they intercepted the Adaros, keeping them busy without killing them.
César looked down at the Matriarch again.
"Soon, you will be mine," he whispered with a dangerous smile.
A few minutes passed.
Finally, the Matriarch's body relaxed.
Her yellow eyes slowly opened again.
But this time, the fury inside them was gone.
Instead, they were filled with devotion.
When her gaze met César's, it was full of loyalty.
She bowed her head slightly.
Then she released a sharp cry.
The Adaros immediately stopped fighting.
Seeing this, the murloc leader ordered his warriors to stand down as well.
The Adaros surfaced cautiously.
Confused.
Fearful.
But when they saw their Matriarch submit…
They followed her will.
César watched the scene unfold before smiling slowly.
'Now this river belongs entirely to me.'
His grin widened as he thought about everything he had gained.
In a single afternoon, he had acquired Minotaur architects…
And complete control of the river.
"Laura, tell your father to guide the Adaros to the algae nurseries," Caesar ordered as he began walking back to camp. "They must learn to cultivate and protect them."
With everything settled, César began walking back toward camp.
Caesar returned to his tent in a good mood. His brief absence was barely noticed by the minotaurs, who remained exhausted, except for their leader, Gorn, who watched him with an analytical gaze but remained silent.
Unaware of Gorn's suspicions, Caesar sat in his tent. The victory had given him a new surge of momentum. He closed his eyes and began to meditate, concentrating the Ester in his body to finally attempt to complete the Skin Refinement Realm.