“Lord Damien!”

Benimaru eagerly shared the good news with Damien, “My father has decided to lead the Ogre tribe in pledging loyalty to you.”

“Well done, Benimaru.”

Having overheard Benimaru’s conversation with the Red Ogre leader, Damien smiled. “There’s no need to be so tense. I’m not a tyrant.”

“I’m not skilled at managing villages.”

“So, the task of governing the village will still fall to you.”

Under Benimaru’s surprised gaze, Damien summoned the Red Ogre leader and Hakurou, granting them names: “From now on, Chief, you’ll be called Akahiko, and Elder, you’ll be Hakurou.”

The two hadn’t expected Damien to name them.

As a portion of Damien’s Magicules vanished, a surge of magical energy erupted from Akahiko and Hakurou.

Soon, like Benimaru and the others, they completed their evolution from Ogres to Kijin.

However, perhaps due to their age, their potential was less than Benimaru’s group.

Though Kijin, neither Akahiko nor Hakurou awakened unique skills.

Still, their combat strength was formidable.

The extra skills inherited from Damien were powerful, significantly boosting a monster’s fighting capability.

“Thank you for your naming!”

Akahiko, resembling a more mature and dignified Benimaru, spoke: “Benimaru was right. Your magnanimity is astonishing!”

Everyone knew naming came at a great cost to the namer.

Yet Damien willingly shared his power with them.

First Benimaru’s group, now these two elders… Damien’s sincerity and regard for the Ogre tribe left them deeply honored.

“Willing to name an old man half in his grave like me.”

Now a Kijin, Hakurou’s demeanor radiated warmth as he stroked his beard. “You’re quite reckless, my lord.”

“Please take care of yourself, Lord Damien.”

“No need to worry. This burden is nothing to me.”

After naming the two, Damien’s Magicules didn’t decrease.

Like the others, Akahiko and Hakurou advanced slightly beyond 10,000 Magicules, reaching 11,000 each.

“After gaining a few hundred Magicules, I now have 37,000.”

“Subtracting the base 10,000, I have 27,000 Magicules left to name more Ogres.”

Damien planned to use this reserve to enhance the Ogre tribe’s strength, evolving as many into Kijin as possible.

Hearing Damien intended to name more Ogres, Benimaru and the others were stunned.

They urged him to prioritize his health, not to make such immense sacrifices for them.

There was no notion of unfair distribution here.

Communal monsters were a collective.

The successful evolution of Benimaru, Akahiko, and the others meant the entire Ogre tribe’s strength had risen.

With their leadership and protection, the tribe would prosper, benefiting the whole group.

This differed vastly from Damien naming and taking Kijin away, abandoning the village.

Leaving would drain the village’s vitality.

Staying provided shelter.

If Damien had a favorability system, his standing among the Ogres would be at worship.

Powerful, generous, benevolent.

How fortunate the village was to have such an exceptional leader!

“It’s fine. My situation is unique.”

“Naming part of the Ogre tribe won’t affect me much.”

Damien didn’t mention his unique skill, Leader, which allowed named subordinates and followers to return a portion of Magicules.

This meant his actual Magicule loss was less than expected.

“But before that, there’s one task I need you to handle.”

Damien then shared his desire for the entire Ogre tribe’s loyalty with the six present.

“I’ll gather everyone immediately!”

Hearing it was such a simple matter, Akahiko stood, ready to organize a swearing-in ceremony to make Damien the village’s true lord.

‘Excellent!’

Damien had calculated that the entire Ogre village’s submission would yield around 30,000 Magicules.

Added to his current 37,000, Damien’s Magicule count alone would rank him as high-tier A-rank.

“Unable to break through to Special A-rank at once, keeping these Magicules serves little purpose.”

Naming feedback wasn’t a waste but a way to store Magicules elsewhere.

“It’s finally over!”

The loyalty ceremony lasted from day to night.

Throughout, Damien wore an ornate ceremonial robe, seated at the forefront, as Ogre families approached to pay homage and pledge allegiance.

It must be said, the Ogre tribe was indeed simple and earnest.

Damien had estimated ordinary followers would provide 1% of their Magicules, which was already generous.

After all, being recognized as a follower by his Leader skill required genuine loyalty.

This, to Damien, wasn’t easy.

Yet, the Ogres exceeded his expectations. Despite their fierce appearances, their hearts were remarkably tender.

Damien’s earlier actions had thoroughly won them over.

The Magicules they returned averaged the maximum 3% for followers, even from underage Ogre children.

Ogre children, not yet fully grown, had low Magicule counts, averaging C-rank, around 4,000.

The tribe totaled 254 members, with 20 away on missions and over 20 lost to the insect monster disaster.

“Phew~~”

Recalling the Ogres’ loyalty pledges, Damien checked his attribute panel.

[84,000 EP]

Nearly 85,000 Magicules… an impressive sight that filled him with pride.

“Benimaru, Souei, Shuna, Shion.”

Damien turned to the four: “Have you found elites worthy of my naming?”

“We have!”

This time, Damien planned to use 64,000 Magicules.

With named individuals providing 15% Magicule feedback, Ogres with over 8,500 Magicules would balance the cost.

But in the entire village, only Akahiko and Hakurou exceeded 8,000 Magicules.

Even top warriors like Benimaru, Souei, and Shion had only 7,000+.

So, Damien set the naming threshold at 6,500–7,000.

Most adult Ogre warriors had just over 6,000 Magicules, early B-rank.

In this regard, the brute-strength Ogres held a low ecological niche among B-rank monsters.

Ogres with over 6,500 Magicules were the village’s elite.

Damien allocated ten naming slots each to Benimaru and Souei to form the Red Ogre Corps and the Shadow Guard.

The Red Ogre Corps, led by Benimaru, would organize the remaining Ogres into squads for hunting and patrolling.

The Shadow Guard, akin to a ninja unit, would handle reconnaissance and protection.

Additionally, Shion and Shuna each received five slots.

The women planned to select female Ogres to form the Purple Corps and Priestess Maidens.

The Purple Corps would protect Damien closely.

The Priestess Maidens would also manage Damien’s daily needs, serving as his personal maids.

***

Bonus Chapter:

100 Power Stones = 1 BC

300 Power Stones = 2 BC

500 Power Stones = 3 BC

700 Power Stones = 4 BC

1000 Power Stones = 5 BC

***

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