Ogre territory.
"WAAAGH!"
"Damn humans, breaking into my territory—are you trying to start another war?"
Bluehide brandished his massive spiked club, locked in an aerial battle with a human knight.
Even as the fight raged, the smaller of Bluehide's two heads kept hurling curses and questions.
Seizing an opportunity, Aldous spat a small, blazing fireball to ambush the knight he was fighting.
If Orion were here, he would surely realize that this Aldous (Bluehide) he had encountered during the North–South War had been hiding his true power.
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"Lord Bluehide, the human kingdom does not wish to oppose you. We only want to pass through your territory to open a route to the giants' domain."
Theodore felt a surge of astonishment, for the ogre lord before him was by no means weaker than he was.
A prince of the human kingdom, Theodore had come to the ogre territory partly to negotiate a mutually beneficial trade route with the ogre lord.
Another reason was to carry out his father's command and personally escort his aunt back home.
"Passing through my territory—did you ask me beforehand? Did you send an envoy to request it?"
Theodore fell silent. Indeed, they were in the wrong.
According to previous intelligence the kingdom had gathered, this ogre possessed mid-tier Legendary-level power.
Theodore had come wearing a sacred suit of armor, which in theory should have allowed him to defeat the ogre lord.
Initially, he had planned to use his own might to subdue the ogre lord and force open a trade route.
However, the intelligence was mistaken. The ogre lord's strength far exceeded expectations.
"Lord Bluehide (Aldous), the human kingdom and the nearby Blood Elves and giants have already signed an alliance pact. We urgently need a trade route."
"If this route goes through the ogres' territory, whether for taxes or commerce, it'll benefit all of us."
Realizing he couldn't cow the ogre lord by force, Theodore resorted to mentioning the Five-Race Alliance, hoping to pressure the ogres through their allies.
In truth, upon hearing "Five-Race Alliance," Aldous was indeed taken aback.
"Five-Race Alliance? So the races in the south have united? The giants are part of it too?"
Ogre Aldous fixed his gaze on Theodore, trying to spot any trace of deceit in the young man's eyes or expression.
Yet Theodore, hovering in midair, remained calm and unwavering, giving no sign of lying.
"Why bother talking? Kill him, roast him for a meal—otherwise he'll think ogres are easy targets!"
With a roar, Bluehide lunged at Theodore again.
Aldous did not stop his other head from attacking; he fell silent, continuing to observe Theodore.
Theodore, supported by his sacred armor, showed no fear as he fought fiercely against the ogre.
Half a day later, Aldous finally reined in his more volatile head, calling a halt to the fight with Theodore.
"In honor of my friend, Orion the Giant King, I'll let you pass this time."
"But if you humans want to cross my territory and open a trade route, it won't be so simple."
Aldous's expression turned grim. Just thinking about the Five-Race Alliance left him feeling uneasy.
"Lord Aldous, the human kingdom has no wish to start a war. We only hope to establish a trade route."
"We're willing to pay taxes for it, and we're happy to negotiate."
"War isn't the only way to solve problems!"
Ogre Aldous gave a cold snort, then turned and headed north into his own territory.
He was certain he had sensed Orion's presence there a few days earlier.
As he watched the ogre lord depart, Prince Theodore's face grew solemn.
"It seems opening a route to the giants' domain isn't as simple as my father believed."
"If we can't persuade this ogre lord, the trade route won't work at all."
"This is troublesome!"
In fact, Theodore was thinking far beyond that single issue.
He was leading the delegation to the giants' territory this time, and the mission had to succeed—failure was not an option.
As a prince, Theodore was also seeking to gain merit, proving his great power and his ability to handle affairs.
Accomplishing the king's orders would be crucial to his future succession to the throne.
After leaving the royal capital, his first move was to win over Baron Torin and promote the construction of Soaring Bird City.
Torin had no choice but to comply, and Theodore achieved that easily.
Yet persuading the ogre lord and establishing the trade route had run into obstacles right from the start.
---
Ogre territory, southern region.
While Prince Theodore clashed with the ogre lord, the kingdom's envoy—supported by Baron Torin and the coal knight Galahad—pressed forward at top speed through ogre territory, heading toward the giants' domain.
"I never expected Prince Theodore to personally serve as the diplomat for this mission."
Lambert sighed, brimming with confidence about bringing the princess home.
"Let's hope everything goes smoothly; otherwise, I'll have no way to face Arthur!"
Galahad rode his mount right behind Lambert.
"Don't worry. Prince Theodore is a Legendary-level powerhouse. No matter how formidable that giant lord might be, he'll show the prince the respect he deserves."
"Galahad, you have to remember that this is an official diplomatic visit between two nations."
"Regardless of how things turn out, Her Highness the Princess—and our own safety—are under certain protections."
Galahad didn't fully understand the tangled interests between factions.
Still, Lambert's explanation helped put Galahad at ease.
"Relax. With Prince Theodore personally coming here, Princess Ava is sure to return safely."
Galahad's friend Garrett chimed in at just the right moment to comfort him.
At the rear of the group was Baron Torin, accompanied by his subordinates, Mike and Wyatt.
"Master, who are those four knights at the front?"
"How did they manage to earn Prince Theodore's favor, leaving us stuck at the back of the envoy?"
Mike's question only made Torin even angrier.
Still, Torin kept his fury tamped down, unwilling to show it.
"Shut your mouth!"
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Torin wheeled around and snapped at Mike, who trembled under Torin's venomous glare.
Then Torin turned back, staring after Galahad, Lambert, and the others ahead, his eyes flickering with malice and resentment.