Chapter 444 Fangharbor City
Upon hearing the Half-Orc's warning, Archer chuckled before posing another question, "We shall see when I venture there, but what interests me is whether there are more cities that have fallen like Frostholm."
The professor met his gaze and nodded, acknowledging the inquiry. "Yes, there are many cities around the world that have met a similar fate in the last two hundred years."
With the students eager to learn more, Professor Gorm continued his history lesson, the room abuzz with anticipation and curiosity.
He had captivated their attention with the Doom of Frostholm, and now he delved into another chapter of their world's past.
"Now, as we explore the annals of history," Barak began, "let us turn our gaze toward the distant Orientia Eastern continent, where a city once stood—a city known as Fangharbor."
The students leaned forward, their curiosity piqued.
"Fangharbor City in the old Vorkor Kingdom," he continued, "It was a bustling trading hub, renowned for its maritime commerce. It was a beacon of prosperity to the Orcish people. For generations, it was the heart of trade for the Orcs of the Eastern continent."
The professor's tone grew somber as he continued, "But like Frostholm, Fangharbor too met a tragic fate. It was devoured by the same insidious Swarm that had ravaged our northern city."
He paused, allowing the significance of this revelation to settle in. "The Swarm that descended upon Fangharbor and then the whole of Vorkor was as relentless as the one that assailed Frostholm,"
Professor Gorm explained. "A vile coalition of creatures, including the Murkfolk, the Serpentwraiths brought the city to its knees."
The students exchanged shocked glances, realizing the extent of the catastrophe.
"Fangharbor's streets, once bustling with trade and life, were overrun," he continued. "Its harbors, which had seen countless ships come and go, now harbored only destruction and despair."
Barak's voice carried a weight of history as he went on, "In the face of this calamity, the Orcish people faced devastation, and the survivors were scattered across the continent, struggling to rebuild their lives."
After the Half-Orc's words came to a halt, he cast his eyes downward. He appeared as if a long-forgotten memory had surfaced, but then he shook his head.
Curiosity tugged at Archer, and he inquired in a measured, inquisitive tone, "What became of the Orcs after the Swarm devastated their kingdom?"
The professor's gaze lifted to meet his, and there was a shadow of sorrow in his eyes as he began to recount the fate of his people.
"We were exiled to the Forsaken lands, a desolate region nestled at the heart of the Orientia Continent. This land is a harsh blend of barren grasslands, towering mountains, foreboding swamps, impenetrable jungles, and a colossal forest that dominates its center."
Barak's words painted a vivid picture of the forsaken landscape that had become the new home of the Orcs, and the somber tone in his voice carried the weight of their collective history.
The professor swiftly wrapped up his explanation, saying, "We've adapted to our new life, becoming nomads. Some, like my mother, chose to venture beyond those lands, and she wed a noble in the Avalon Empire."
Archer absorbed the information, his interest in the mysterious Eastern Continent deepening.
This curiosity led him to pose another question, "What about the other continents? Have they faced similar attacks?"
Professor Grom fixed Archer with a narrowed, scrutinizing gaze, prompting the rest of the students, including Aurelia, to turn their attention to the exchange.
"I understand why you're curious," Barak remarked, his voice tinged with caution. "But you'd be wise to avoid those places; they are steeped in death and sorrow. It's best to let them rest in the past."
With his solemn warning delivered, the professor returned to his lesson, leaving the students to ponder the somber history he had shared.
The Half-Orc professor paced before his students, his commanding voice filling the room as he delved into the geopolitics of Pluoria.
Barak elaborated on how the continent's intricate political landscape had been molded by decades of conflict and ever-shifting alliances.
"Pluoria, our beloved continent, has endured as a theater for power struggles and clashes," he began.
"Throughout history, the numerous kingdoms and territories have waged fierce battles for supremacy, each striving to safeguard its interests and extend its reach."
"From the very ascent of the Avalon Empire, a mysterious force emerged to wage war, and after decades of conflict, it ultimately led to the downfall of three out of the five kingdoms, submerging them in a harrowing sea of blood and screams. In reaction to this dire situation, the remaining two kingdoms allied, erecting a massive wall that isolated their territories from the three fallen realms," the professor expounded, offering a succinct and comprehensible account of the continent's historical events.
Upon hearing this, memories resurfaced in Archer's mind that he gathered from the souls he had consumed.
Archer shut his eyes, and at that moment, he saw the imposing Frostholm Wall unfolded before him as he delved into the eaten souls.
He observed soldiers patrolling the wall's towering ramparts, their presence a resolute defense against the lurking menace beyond.
These guardians of the realm moved with purpose, their watchful eyes scanning the desolate terrain.
Along the length of the wall, Archer noticed a formidable array of mana cannons, each one poised to unleash devastating arcane power upon any threat that dared to approach.
These massive weapons stood as silent sentinels, their presence a testament to the empire's determination to safeguard its people.
In addition to the mana cannons, other weapons, and fortifications lined the top of the wall, all meticulously positioned to repel any attacks.
It painted a picture of unwavering vigilance to the protection of the empire against the horrifying creatures they lay beyond.
He remembered that the Frostfallen Commanders had contemplated launching an assault on the wall when they had been at full strength.
But they couldn't as the emperor deployed nearly half a million soldiers to safeguard the empire from the encroaching Swarm.
Archer carefully stored the information in the recesses of his mind, aware that he harbored a growing curiosity about the place described.
He envisioned a future visit, but as he started thinking about his plans, the resounding bell interrupted his thoughts, signaling the end of the lesson.
Professor Grom promptly dismissed the class, dispersing the students to their next destinations.
Archer and Leira exited the classroom, and with an inviting smile, he extended an offer to Halime to join them, to which she enthusiastically agreed.
The trio left the room and, upon stepping into the corridor, they were greeted by the presence of the other girls including Nala, who had been waiting for them.
Upon seeing him, the girls' faces lit up with smiles, and it was Ella who took the initiative to speak first. "Hello, Arch! We've wrapped up our classes for the day and thought we'd have a girl's meeting while you pay a visit to the emperor."
Archer acknowledged the Half-Elf's words with a nod and proceeded to express his affection for each of the girls with a tender kiss on their foreheads.
As they headed back to their domain, he stood alone for a moment, the smile on his face revealing a sense of contentment.
Soon, the sound of chirping from his bracelet caught his attention and caused him to smile when he heard it.
With a grin, Archer summoned a portal, and through it emerged three little creatures, rushing toward him with boundless enthusiasm.
The Hydra sisters, exuberant and affectionate, climbed up him and showered him with a flurry of licks and gentle nibbles, their joy and playfulness brightening his day.
The spectacle that unfolded left the students around Archer utterly flabbergasted. They gaped in disbelief, their minds struggling to process what they had just witnessed.
In a matter of moments, they had seen ten girls vanish into a violet portal, only to be replaced by three playful Hydra creatures that affectionately clambered all over Archer.
Indeed, the extraordinary sight had rendered the onlookers momentarily speechless.
After giving the affectionate Hydra sisters some attention, Archer began his walk toward the college's entrance.
Once outside, he conjured a Gate that transported him to the floating island, his focus on the adorable Azura, who emitted adorable noises throughout their walk.
Emerging from the portal near the elevator's entrance, Archer inadvertently startled the soldiers, but their initial shock soon transformed into recognition upon seeing him.
With a mischievous grin, he acknowledged their surprise and proceeded on his way toward the palace, where he had a meeting with the emperor.
As Archer made his way toward the palace, he couldn't help but notice the afternoon sun, high in the sky.
However, he soon became aware of the snowfall intensifying rapidly, which left him somewhat puzzled.
Despite the sudden change in weather, he decided to press on and, as the guards opened the palace doors, he stepped inside to meet with the emperor.
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