Mount and Blade System: Start from Pioneer Lords

The arena manager was thin, with the characteristic smile of a shrewd businessman on his face. His only notable feature was a small goatee, meticulously styled into a long strand with hair wax.

Li Wei handed Frulina's warrant to the manager, who carefully examined it while slowly stroking his seductive little beard.

"An order from Duchess Frulina?"

A hint of surprise flashed across the manager's face as he scrutinized Li Wei, then nodded. "No problem."

He led Li Wei and Zart into the arena.

Since it was a rest day, there were no spectators in the arena today. Only a few servants were diligently cleaning the rows of private boxes reserved for the nobility.

"To be honest, since Duchess Frulina dumped them here, the money they've earned in the arena hasn't even covered their food costs. The arena is essentially losing money to keep them fed."

"I'm constantly sending letters to Duchess Frulina about this, but I haven't received a satisfactory response."

"It's good that you're here to take them away."

The arena manager wore a wry smile as he voiced his opinion, seemingly with a hint of relief.

Li Wei nodded in agreement, deeply sympathetic.

No one understood how much orcs could eat better than him.

Take his previous life, for example.

An average person's food expenses were about fifty yuan for three meals a day. But if Zart were in his previous life, maintaining a balanced diet of meat and vegetables would cost at least five hundred yuan a day.

Fifty orcs would cost twenty-five thousand yuan a day, nearly a million yuan a month.

Without a substantial fortune, one simply couldn't afford to feed these gluttons.

And you couldn't skimp on the food for these orc barbarians, either. If they weren't well-fed, they wouldn't have the strength to move their massive bodies, and their combat power would plummet.

Two guards, having received their orders, walked into the deep tunnel and emerged with dozens of bare-chested, green-skinned orc barbarians.

Actually, there was something Li Wei didn't quite understand.

Logically, orcs should have brown skin, as green skin was a result of their exposure to fel energy.

He had specifically inquired about this.

But the answer he received was, "It's always been this way."

This put him at ease. If they were truly related to something like fel energy, his system might not be enough to handle it.

As everyone knows, the natives of colder, northern regions tend to be more robust, while those in warmer regions are thinner and shorter.

As everyone knows, orcs are naturally gifted with physical prowess; strength is their defining trait.

And when these two factors combined, an incredible change occurred.

These orcs, living on the border of the wilderness near the far northern ice plains, were even taller and stronger than their southern counterparts.

Li Wei was about one 'ren' and eight 'cun' tall. Years of combat and the system's enhancements had given him a perfect, athletic build, making him far from ordinary even among northerners.

But compared to these behemoths, averaging two 'ren' and three 'cun' in height and covered in muscles, he was as "adorable" as a small southern potato.

The orcs lazily yawned, their gazes somewhat cold, clearly displaying the annoyance of being awakened from a pleasant dream.

Moreover, they were the most outstanding warriors, invincible on the battlefield, so they were proud, arrogant, and scornful of everything.

Oh, including the little potato in front of them.

"Big fatties, I bought you from Duchess Frulina." Li Wei paid no attention to the orcs' contemptuous gazes. He opened the parchment, briefly displayed Frulina's handwriting, then put it away and continued:

"Which means, you are now my slaves."

The leading orc was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage. "Orcs will never..."

"All-inclusive, with room and board." Li Wei smiled as he looked up at these hulking figures. If muscle was a virtue, these orcs were all devout saints.

Hearing this, the last few words of the orc got stuck in his throat. His face showed some hesitation, and his morning grumpiness diminished significantly.

"Even so, orcs..."

"Not only all-inclusive with room and board, but also guaranteed meat with every meal, until you're full." Li Wei's smile remained unchanged, adding a final remark: "Provided you don't waste any."

Hearing this, the leading orc was dumbfounded. His imposing aura deflated instantly, like a wilted cucumber, and he groaned weakly.

"Fine, you win."

He wanted to be a bit tougher, but this Deberian was offering too much.

The arena manager, who had been accompanying them the entire time, went from being covered in sweat to utter disbelief.

In the end, he could only manage to choke out, "Mr. Li Wei, you... you truly have a unique approach."

He never imagined that these proud, scornful hardliners would be so easily won over by Li Wei.

Li Wei simply smiled.

No one understood how to handle these orc barbarians better than him.

If one meal wasn't enough, then two...

"So, if you have any requests, you can make them now. I am usually extra generous to brave warriors."

Li Wei snapped his fingers.

"Hehe, Boss, I want to eat a whole roasted pig tonight."

Upon hearing this, Zart quickly pushed aside the arena manager with his large hand, squeezed in front of Li Wei, and grinned foolishly.

"Get lost." Li Wei spat out the word.

Zart, like a chicken, grabbed the arena manager by the back of his collar, placed him back where he was, and then faced the wall in dejection.

Wasn't he supposed to be extra generous to brave warriors...?

The arena manager was dumbfounded. What just happened?

Zart's disruption was just a minor interlude. Although the orcs didn't know why Zart, another orc, listened to Li Wei so obediently, judging from his plump and sturdy appearance, he clearly lived quite well.

They couldn't help but feel more favorably disposed toward this Deberian, after all, orcs were one big family.

After some discussion, the orcs reached a decision.

"We will obey your orders, but we are not slaves."

"Alright, that's simple." Li Wei nodded.

This request was as good as saying nothing, just a nicer title, but Li Wei was willing to preserve this group of simple-minded giants' self-esteem.

"One last request, fight me."

The leading orc said this with a determined look in his eyes.

He had no other intentions, only to prove the orcs' worth, so that this Deberian would not underestimate them and they could receive the treatment they deserved.

This Deberian seemed too weak compared to them, but he must be a strong warrior among the Deberians.

If he could easily defeat him, he could make him personally feel the orcs' bravery.

That way, the other party would feel that the promised room and board was worth the cost, rather than supporting a bunch of gluttons.

Moreover, he would show restraint.

"I'll fight you!"

Feeling like he had no presence, Zart quickly squeezed over again.

He was determined to show his bravery in front of his boss.

Looking up at Zart, who was a head taller than him, the leading orc fell silent.