"I am a genuine Baron, yet in Prince Theodore's eyes, I'm worth less than four knights of unknown origin."
"It's all because I'm not strong enough. I have to become stronger. I must become stronger."
Torin's mood was dark and resentful. As soon as Prince Theodore arrived at Soaring Bird City, he had taken half of the territory's benefits away from Torin. And Torin hadn't even been in a position to refuse. He felt profoundly stifled.
Although Prince Theodore had promised to help develop Soaring Bird City, Torin still saw it as an insult.
"Master, among this envoy, we're the lowest-ranked group. We need to endure," Wyatt whispered. "Keeping the right to oversee Soaring Bird City is the most important thing."
Hearing this, Torin once again forced down the anger rising in his chest.
"Just wait. I'll remember every single bit of this, and I will pay it back someday!"
Torin exhaled slowly and put on a mild expression once more.
Far to the north on the Meadowland Plains…
After challenging two orc clans(tribe)—Warhammer and Bloodmoon—Rolan and Steelblade went on to challenge three more: Brokenfang, Darkgold, and Thunderfury. They were victorious each time, though each fight left Rolan and Steelblade slightly injured. Fortunately, with Grulbane traveling alongside them as a healer, the two young orcs remained in good shape.
The orcs' territory was remarkably beautiful. Beyond every forest stretched a boundless sea of grass, lush and vividly green, sprinkled with colorful wildflowers. Orion couldn't help but admire the scenery.
Suddenly, Orion glanced east, sensing a familiar presence in the distance.
"Dace, Otho, carry on as planned. I'll be back in a moment."
With those words, Orion became a bolt of lightning, streaking swiftly across the plains.
He arrived on a meadow bright with flowers in full bloom. There, Aldous lay half-reclined on the grass, one head nodding off while the other blew puffs of air, trying to send the petals overhead floating back into the sky.
The rumble of thunder drew closer. Orion appeared beside Bluehide, dropping down to sit on the grass with him.
"My friend, you picked a fine spot here."
Bluehide blew out another breath, scattering the petals into the air and watching them drift away. Once they were out of sight, Bluehide finally turned to Orion.
"My friend, Aldous just got into a fight with a certain lord. Aldous was bullied!"
Hearing this, Orion narrowed his eyes slightly, a menacing aura gathering around him.
"It was a human," Bluehide went on. "He claimed to be a prince, a Legendary-level fighter. I wanted to beat him to a pulp, but he said they've allied themselves with you."
"That's why Aldous let him go!"
The hostility emanating from Orion gradually subsided. Without looking at Bluehide, he turned his gaze to the white clouds in the distance.
"The Five-Race Alliance is a group formed by dragons, humans, dwarves, Blood Elves, and giants, with the goal of balancing power and preserving peace in the south," Orion explained. "To be honest, I never received an official invitation from the humans or the dragons. I joined indirectly through the Blood Elves. In other words, the giants are basically there to make up the numbers."
When Orion finished, he turned back to look at Bluehide the ogre.
"My friend, they underestimated you. You're definitely stronger than any of them. They should be properly inviting you, offering you the most enthusiastic welcome when the giants arrive."
Orion chuckled, unconcerned about Bluehide's comment.
"So that human prince fought with you over this trade route issue, right?"
Bluehide nodded, raising his spiked club with a furious snarl. "That lord was dressed in some strange outfit—like a shell tougher than any turtle's. Otherwise, I'd have smashed him to bits."
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Orion laughed. At that moment, the other head stirred awake, prompting Orion to pose his question directly.
"You refused them?"
Aldous inhaled the floral scent around them, looking pleased. "No, I didn't agree, and I didn't outright refuse, either."
"Out of respect for you, I let them pass."
Orion frowned, not immediately answering. But hearing that Aldous had let the human prince pass, Orion suddenly realized why the Blood Elf Lycanor had come to Stoneheart City.
"So Lycanor came for that Princess Ava?"
"That makes sense. The humans and Blood Elves have coexisted peacefully for thousands of years, so there must be a deep and complicated relationship between them."
"Two Legendary-level figures have come to Stoneheart City one after another—maybe they want to put pressure on me."
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His eyes grew sharper at the thought.
"My friend," Aldous asked, sensing Orion's shifting aura, "did you run into trouble too?"
Orion shook his head, his expression turning quietly enigmatic.
"Listen to me: agree to the human kingdom's request. Let them build that trade route."
Aldous stayed silent, watching Orion and waiting for him to elaborate.
"Establishing the route will benefit both you and me. It'll bring far more advantages than drawbacks," Orion said. "You can trade the useless things in your territory for whatever you need from the human kingdom."
He gestured at the spiked club lying near Aldous. "For instance, don't you want a heavier, sturdier weapon? Both dwarves and humans can craft that."
"With this trade route, you can demand plenty of weapons, food, magical plants—whatever you want—to arm your people."
Orion had outlined a direct, concrete benefit, without diving into complex talk of expanding markets or increasing profits.
"So, friend," Aldous said, "you're telling me to let them build the route?"
Orion nodded, meeting Aldous's eyes seriously.
"Aldous, if we establish this trade route, the humans, ogres, and giants all share a common interest. This is an opportunity—one that can bring peace between the ogres and the southern races."
"Surely you don't want the ogres plunged into war?"
Aldous shook his head. Most ogres were dull-witted, hot-tempered, and fond of meat.
"My friend, you don't understand. Human flesh is sweet to the taste. My people have long desired it. I can keep them in check for a time, but not forever."
Orion nodded, indicating he knew full well how ogres behaved.
"Aldous, think carefully. If you refuse, you're not just refusing the humans. You're also rejecting the dwarves and the dragons backing them."
"Those dragons have every reason to reclaim territories for their own growth, and they won't stand by if the ogres remain in the south."
Of course, if the ogres refused, they would also risk offending Orion and the Stoneheart Horde. With that in mind, Aldous soon offered his answer.
"I understand!"
"I can relinquish the stretch of land they need for the route, but I want something in return."
Orion studied Aldous. He already knew Aldous was a special kind of ogre—smarter than any of the others.
"As it happens, Lycanor of the Blood Elves is at my territory(domain) as well. You can come with me to Stoneheart City, and we'll discuss this further together."