Reborn As A Beastman With A System

Logan wasn't particularly astonished to discover that the relationship between Ernian and her mother had seen recent improvements.

In times past, when his father was still among them, tensions naturally brewed between his mother and Ernian, each caught in a whirlwind of jealousy and apprehension. Such emotions, he understood, were unfortunately common where affections and attentions were divided.

However, with their father's passing, the battleground of rival affections had dissolved. Now, both women found themselves united in widowhood, their shared grief a bridge mending old divides. As the acting chief, Ernian faced the reality of securing a stable future for herself and her siblings, necessitating a reconciliation with her mother.

Logan chose to remain silent on the matter. Despite Ernian not being his biological mother, her children were his siblings, sired by the same father, and thus they were undeniably his family too.

He refrained from meddling in the delicate threads of familial relationships, preferring to maintain peace so long as the household dynamics didn't spiral into chaos.

Following a brief and modest breakfast, Logan proceeded towards the tribal hall, his presence eagerly anticipated by his people. As he walked through the village, faces lit up with recognition and respect, his reputation within the tribe had solidified, earning him genuine support from his people.

The path to the tribal hall was crowded with enthusiastic tribesmen and women, each eager to greet him, turning what should have been a short walk into a procession of warm exchanges and greetings.

"Master Chief, welcome back to the tribe!"

Reaching the steps of the hall, he was greeted by two werewolf guards, their expressions bright with pride as they saluted him.

"Thank you for your dedication," Logan responded, his voice carrying a warm, appreciative tone as he nodded and smiled.

Stepping into the lobby, his arrival commanded immediate attention, six pairs of eyes followed his every move, their owners simultaneously rising and voicing their respects.

"Sir Chief!"

Their chorus echoed through the hall, a resonant reminder of his responsibilities and the deep-seated loyalty of his tribe.

As Logan entered the room, greetings echoed from Lott, Reynolds, Crowe, Bagan, Cobos, and Kodiak, marking a warm reception. Logan acknowledged each with a nod and proceeded to seat himself in the chief's chair, a position he hadn't occupied for more than twenty days.

"You've all been patient; let's sit and discuss," Logan said with a welcoming smile, inviting his council to join him.

Once everyone settled, Logan turned his attention to his uncle, Begon. "I've been away from our lands for over 20 days. Has everything been quiet in the tribe?" he inquired, his tone mixing curiosity with a hint of concern.

Begon rose swiftly, an eager assurance in his posture. "All is well, Chief. The tribespeople from all four clans have successfully relocated to the new housing developments."

Logan gestured for Lott to take his seat again and nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent news."

His mind then turned to another significant endeavor. "Speaking of developments, how is the Warrior Temple progressing?" he asked, leaning forward with vested interest.

"The foundation is set, though as you're aware, our workforce is limited, slowing the construction pace," Begon explained, a note of frustration in his voice.

"I understand," Logan replied, acknowledging the challenges. "And our military efforts? What updates can you share?" His gaze shifted to the military commanders, Crowe and Bagan.

Crowe exchanged a brief look with Bagan before standing and saluting. "Per your directives, we've bolstered our forces by recruiting 500 soldiers across the tribes, expanding our ranks to 1,010 warriors," he reported.

He continued, excitement tinged in his voice, "Additionally, we've armed them with newly forged javelins and crossbows, significantly enhancing our military strength."

Logan raised an eyebrow, "Crossbows, you say? Quin has been busy?"

Crowe nodded. "Indeed, Chief. The designs for the bed crossbow were already in place, and with Quin's expertise, production was swift and successful."

"Half a month ago, we commenced production. It's a formidable weapon, large but exceptionally powerful," Crowe added, his pride evident.

"Three have already been deployed to our army," he concluded, signaling a notable upgrade in their war capabilities.

Logan absorbed the updates, his expression a blend of surprise and approval. The strides his tribe had made in his absence filled him with a sense of pride and reassurance.

The first time Logan witnessed the devastating power of the bed crossbows, he was genuinely alarmed. The mere presence of such weaponry suggested a grim potential; in sufficient numbers, they could transform into relentless engines of war.

"There are three operational now?" he clarified, his brow furrowed with both concern and curiosity.

Turning to Crowe, he inquired further, "Could you provide me with the specifics regarding their performance?"

Crowe paused, organizing his thoughts before responding. "After conducting over a dozen trials, we've determined that the maximum range extends up to 700 meters, although optimal lethality is achieved at around 500 meters. We've tested the crossbows against wooden targets armored in iron—each shot pierced through effortlessly. It's an incredibly formidable weapon."

Logan nodded appreciatively. In his past life, during an era dominated by cold weaponry, crossbows had held a pivotal role in both siege defense and open-field combat. The potential of these enhanced versions was not lost on him.

Turning the discussion towards troop configurations, Logan addressed the military structure. "I've left twenty-seven warriors of the Second Wolf Cavalry Group in Casros Canyon. We need to recruit an equal number of werewolf warriors to replenish their ranks," he stated, looking directly at Crowe for confirmation.

"Yes!" Crowe responded, his voice carrying a tone of deep respect.

Logan continued, "Additionally, Gava the boarman and his troops have been temporarily integrated into the Chief's Guard." He recalled instructing Begon just the previous night to provide accommodations for Gava and his men at the military camp on the training fields.

Crowe nodded again, fully aware of the situation. The arrival of Gava and his cohort had indeed been a surprise.

Shifting topics, Logan suddenly remembered another matter. "By the way, Uncle, didn't a group of over a hundred gnolls seek refuge with us when I recruited Gava?"

Begon appeared puzzled for a moment before shaking his head. "Gnolls? I haven't seen any around."

Logan paused, a fleeting concern crossing his mind. Had the gnolls never arrived, or had something befallen them on their journey? He dismissed the thought as quickly as it came, it was just a group of gnolls, after all, nothing to dwell on too deeply.

With the matter of the gnolls swiftly fading from his focus, Logan' gaze returned to Corbos and Kodiak, the two werewolf lieutenants standing attentively. Their next moves would be crucial in the unfolding dynamics of the tribe.

Corbos and Kodiak, each tasked with pivotal roles within the Silver Mane Tribe, shared a brief look before Cobos rose to address their chief. Standing firm, he saluted Logan with deep respect and began his report. "Master Chief, we have successfully reclaimed over 2,600 acres for cultivation. Out of these, more than 400 acres are now thriving with plantings of sweet potatoes and potatoes."

He continued with a note of pride, "Additionally, the 1,000 acres of rye we planted are nearing harvest, set to be re-planted with the same crops in just half a month."

Logan, listening intently, nodded in approval. "Your efforts in expanding our farmlands are commendable. Keep pushing forward; the tribe's need for more arable land is critical." His gaze held a mixture of satisfaction and the hint of an ever-present ambition.

Despite the significant strides in agriculture, the 3,700 acres currently under cultivation still fell short of Logan's vision. In his mind, a true equilibrium would mean each tribal member having access to at least ten acres. This would require nearly 40,000 acres in cultivation, a daunting goal, but not insurmountable.

"Our reclamation projects must continue to expand aggressively," Logan declared, his voice resolute with the weight of the task ahead.

Shifting topics, Logan added another element to their agricultural development. "Additionally, I've acquired a variety of crop seeds and fruit tree saplings from Canyon City, apples, oranges, peaches, among others. After this meeting, I'll pass these to you. Allocate a dedicated area for these new additions; they could diversify and enrich our food sources."

Cobos listened, the importance of these new resources registering clearly. This introduction of new crops would not only enhance the tribe's self-sufficiency but also potentially open up new avenues for trade and sustenance. The meeting, thick with the promise of growth and expansion, stirred a renewed sense of purpose among the tribal leaders.

"Absolutely!" Cobos affirmed with a respectful nod.

As Cobos concluded his report, Kodiak sensed it was his moment to speak. Logan's gaze confirmed his suspicion, turning expectantly toward him.

"Master Chief, our efforts in the breeding pits have borne fruit, the numbers for both dragon rats and white rabbits have doubled, now totaling nearly fifty pits. The growth is steady," Kodiak began, his voice carrying a note of pride.

"We've also established ten dedicated pits for white rabbits. With over three hundred does pregnant, the prospects are promising," he continued, detailing the burgeoning success of their animal husbandry.