NOVEL WEB Chapter 451: Breeding Ground
Arthur and the beetle walked through the territory of the Golden Manes, their footsteps muffled by thick layers of decomposed leaves and forest debris. The deeper they ventured into the pack's domain, the more the atmosphere seemed to change around them. The trees grew larger and more densely packed.
Surprisingly, as they progressed through what should have been exclusively Golden Mane territory, Arthur began spotting monsters that clearly didn't belong to the dominant pack.
A cluster of rabbit-like creatures with elongated ears and oversized hind legs bounded between the underbrush, their movements quick but lacking the predatory grace of true hunters. Near a small stream, wolf-like beasts with mottled grey fur prowled in loose formation, their attention focused on hunting smaller prey rather than territorial defence.
Arthur's enhanced senses immediately catalogued these creatures' power levels, and what he discovered was puzzling. Most of the non-Golden Mane monsters registered around level 15—significantly below the superior-rank creatures he had expected to encounter in such a fiercely contested territory.
He didn't attack them despite their proximity. These creatures were simply not worthy of his attention, representing minimal threat and offering negligible rewards for the effort required to eliminate them. However, their presence raised tactical questions that demanded answers.
Arthur turned towards the Golden Beetle, his expression carrying obvious confusion about the unexpected ecosystem they were observing.
"Why are there such weak monsters inhabiting this territory?" Arthur asked, gesturing toward a group of deer-like creatures that were grazing peacefully despite being deep within what should have been a predator's hunting ground. "I expected the Golden Manes to have eliminated or driven out any competition for resources."
The Golden Beetle nodded in understanding at Arthur's confusion, its mental voice taking on the tone of someone explaining complex territorial dynamics that might not be immediately obvious to outsiders.
"Master, the Golden Manes operate according to different principles than most pack hunters," the beetle began, its compound eyes scanning the surrounding creatures with familiar recognition. "They don't prefer to leave their established territories to hunt for sustenance, which creates unique logistical challenges for maintaining a large pack over extended periods."
Arthur listened with growing interest as the beetle continued its explanation.
"For this reason, the Golden Manes have established their own breeding grounds throughout their territory. They have created several designated areas where prey species are allowed to reproduce and develop under controlled conditions, essentially functioning as managed hunting preserves rather than contested wilderness."
The tactical implications were immediately apparent to Arthur. Rather than depleting their territory's resources through unrestricted hunting, the Golden Manes had implemented a sustainable ecosystem that ensured continuous food availability for their pack.
"These breeding grounds have been maintained for decades, perhaps even centuries," the beetle continued with obvious respect for the pack's long-term planning capabilities. "The Golden Manes don't simply hunt these creatures to extinction—they carefully manage population levels to ensure renewable resources that can support their pack indefinitely."
Arthur's eyebrows rose with newfound appreciation for the Golden Manes' sophistication. Most predator packs operated on short-term thinking, hunting until resources were depleted before moving to new territories. The Golden Manes had apparently evolved beyond such primitive approaches.
"The species that the Golden Manes maintain in these breeding grounds possess naturally fast reproduction rates," the beetle explained further. "Creatures like the rabbits you observed can produce multiple litters per year, while the wolf-like beasts mature quickly and breed frequently. This ensures that even regular hunting by the pack won't eliminate the food sources entirely."
The Golden Beetle paused in its movement, turning to face Arthur directly as it concluded its explanation.
"Master, this sustainable approach is part of what makes the Golden Manes such effective territorial controllers. They don't need to expand their hunting grounds constantly because they've created renewable resources within their existing domain. It also means that any intruders who attempt to use these prey species for their own sustenance are essentially stealing from carefully managed reserves."
...
They continued walking deeper into the Golden Mane territory. As they kept walking at a faster pace, the creatures that Arthur had spotted were no longer visible.
Clearly, this was an area that the livestock didn't dare enter.
After approximately five minutes of steady progress, Arthur and the Golden Beetle encountered their first Golden Mane.
"Master, this is one of the Golden Manes." The golden beetle whispered telepathically as it spotted the lion alongside Arthur.
Before meeting the creature, Arthur had initially wanted to avoid direct confrontation and search for the Pyro's Lotus through stealth and careful exploration. However, after considering the time constraints and the complexity of the territory, he had decided that a more straightforward approach might prove more efficient.
Drawing from the Golden Beetle's thorough reports and his own observations of the breeding grounds, Arthur began to piece together a clearer picture of the Golden Mane pack.
These creatures were not mindless beasts. Their actions displayed a level of intelligence that went far beyond instinct. Coordinated patrol routes, layered territorial markers, and even the breeding grounds for their pack revealed a sophisticated hierarchy and well-structured territorial management.
This wasn't just a group of monsters; it was a society.
Arthur concluded that the Golden Manes likely possessed enough cognitive ability to recognise the difference between overwhelming force and a mutually beneficial arrangement. He intended to approach with caution and diplomacy first, using reason and perhaps trade as tools to open dialogue. If their instincts were sharp, and Arthur suspected they were, they would understand that cooperation might yield greater rewards than resistance.
But beneath that calm strategy lay something else. Despite Arthur not wanting to take that route, should negotiations fail, and if they chose to meet diplomacy with hostility, Arthur had no moral qualms about changing from emissary to conqueror.
If the Golden Manes refused to listen, he would break them.
It was that simple for Arthur.
Their strength, agility, and loyalty towards each other were impressive. The very traits that made them formidable opponents would also make them invaluable summons. In his eyes, they weren't just enemies. They were potential additions to his growing legion.