Chương 26: Mutated Minotaur

"Did you guys not invite me to enter the settlement?"

Hearing Azel's words, the Minotaurs looked at each other with confused expressions.

"Why are you all daydreaming? Is something wrong?"

"N-Nothing, Master. We slaves are afraid that you won't be strong and would be disgusted if you have to enter our 'stable'." The chief of the Minotaur tribe hurriedly explained.

"Hmmm???" Azel tilted his head. "Is that how people react to your settlement?"

"That's...that's it, Master." The chief of the Minotaur bowed his head.

Azel started sniffing the air. Slightly furrowing her brows, he nodded lightly.

"Honestly, you guys stink. Most people will definitely feel uncomfortable. But I don't care about that. When passing by, I know you keep your living environment clean. It is just...

You must be rarely take a bath. That's why the settlement smells.

"So, it's like that ..."

The Minotaur looked at Azel intently. Usually people don't care and don't want to remind them. But their new Master, a young man who was considered useless in the Imperial Palace, really cared about them. This made the Minotaurs happy.

"Then... Then could you give us some direction so that the Minotaurs can get better." The chief said politely, but his tone was clearly full of hope.

"Hmmm... that's easy. You just start the habit of bathing. Try at least bathing once a day every morning. If it's evening or night, I'm afraid your fur won't dry. In addition to creating an unpleasant musty smell, hair that isn't dry may cause mold and disease.

Since the river is not far from the settlement, I think it can be done. Besides that, you must know a plant called Greenthorn. A type of leafless vine, its entire body was full of soft spines. Absolutely harmless. Usually grows on the outskirts of the forest.

Find the plant and crush the stem. Once soft, you can use it in the shower. When it mixed in water, the soft mush made from crushed Greenthorn will foam. This will make it easier for you to wash your fur. The plant gave off a refreshing scent mixed with a hint of bitterness.

That scent… is not bad at all."

Realizing that he was talking too much, Azel pretended to cough. Observing around, the young man was surprised as he looked around. It wasn't just the Minotaurs.. Camellia, Elena, and a hundred knights also looked at him with amazed expressions. Despite putting on a poker face, he was completely embarrassed.

Cough! Cough!

"It seems I talk too much," Azel said in an indifferent tone.

"N-Not at all, milord. We slaves feel very happy because you are willing to teach us so many things. Not only that, you treat us very well. You are truly the best Master figure for us." The chief of the Minotaur tribe hurriedly said.

Seeing the Minotaurs looking at him with starry eyes in their eyes, Azel got a little chill. Just imagine, thousands of bull heads staring with 'hot' eyes. That extreme adoration really made the young man wary.

'They... They wouldn't try to make a statue of me and then worship it every day, would they?'

Imagining that made Azel confused whether to cry or laugh. He could only say, "So how is it? Can we talk inside? After all, this is the territory owner's official matter with the tribes of his territory."

"Of course, Master! Of course! We slaves really welcome you."

"Good!" Azel nodded before looking at the knights. "I know you guys aren't used to it. Set up tents outside residential areas. You can rest and enjoy this free time. Tonight we'll stay here."

"Yes sir!" cried the knights.

They look so relieved. Those people were clearly unfamiliar with the smell surrounding the Minotaur settlement. They also understand, Azel's reason for bringing knights is just a mere formality.

"Do you want to come or stay?" Azel asked Camellia and Elena.

"I will follow you, Master."

Seeing Camellia agreeing to come along, Azel nodded. The girl had lived in a dirty alley before being made a slave. So the young man was not too surprised. But when he saw Elena nodding, Azel felt amazed.

"Aren't you pushing yourself? It's fine to stay. You-"

"I will continue to follow Master." Elena said coldly and firmly.

Despite living in a wooden hut for five years, it's clear Elena maintains good hygiene. Azel knew that the Dark Elves had better senses than most other demons. Seeing that the woman chose to follow him, Azel smiled gently.

"Good!" Azel nodded. Turning towards the chief, he continued, "Show me the way!"

"As you command, my Lord!" The Minotaur tribe chief replied respectfully.

***

In the chief's residence... Azel, Camellia, and Elena were seen sitting cross-legged on wild animal skin mats. In front of them was a table covered with various kinds of fruit, Smoked meat, and sheep's milk.

'I just found out that the Minotaur is not a vegetarian!'

Azel exclaimed in his heart. Imagining the Minotaurs hunting or herding sheep, it was truly a strange but wonderful sight. Azel was surprised that they had learned to raise livestock. The Minotaur was clearly superior to most Heteromorphic Races such as Goblins, Gnolls, and so on. It looks only slightly worse than the Orc.

'Yes... they are more developed. But imagining them herding sheep was really quite strange.'

Ignoring his wild thoughts, Azel immediately said to the chief of the tribe sitting across the table.

"Actually... I intend to create a special area for Heteromorphic Races like you guys. That place will only be filled with cities full of Heteromorphic Race from regional leaders to farmers.

Of course, I can't grant a peerage yet. But make a special place where you are not oppressed. Isn't that good enough?"

"Do... Do you really want to build such a shrine for us, my lord?" The old minotaur suddenly rubbed his eyes. Literally crying on the spot.

"Yes... that's not wrong. However I plan to unite all the Heteromorphic Races in my territory into my own underlings. That's a bit difficult... but if you guys agree, the plan might be put into action soon."

"Only a fool rejects your kindness, my Lord!" exclaimed the chief of the Minotaur tribe with an exaggerated expression.

"Actually I was planning-"

"TRIBAL CHIEF!!!"

A loud scream rang out from outside the chief's residence. Seeing that the old Minotaur was nervous, Azel took a deep breath.

"Let's check it out."

"yes, my Lord!"

Coming out of the chief's tent, Azel was surprised to see the Minotaur roaring angrily not far away. The creature was carrying a large axe as it walked towards the chief's tent with an angry expression.

Instead of being surprised by the Minotaur's screams or anger, Azel was surprised by his appearance. The creature was taller than the average Minotaur. He also has thicker fur than his counterparts. which is quite unique ... the fur is jet black.

Looking at the black Minotaur with his golden eyes, Azel suddenly smiled cheerfully.

"Interesting... very interesting! What a mutated Minotaur!"

****