Chapter 778: Tricking The Troll King
His face was a landscape unto itself—broad and rough, with features carved in harsh, angular lines. His eyes, set deep within his skull, glowed with a faint, earthen light that seemed to pulse with an ancient intelligence. These eyes were the color of molten amber, burning with a quiet, dangerous intensity that spoke of eons of wisdom and a feral cunning that had kept him alive for untold centuries. His nose was wide and flat, resembling the edge of a cliff, while his mouth, lined with jagged, stone-like teeth, was set in a permanent scowl that radiated an aura of unyielding authority.
What truly set the troll king apart, however, was the crown atop his head. This crown was unlike any royal headpiece seen in the human world—it was a massive, jagged circlet of murky white crystals that jutted out in uneven, sharp angles as if it had been torn from the very heart of the earth. The crystals gleamed with an ominous light, reflecting the flickering flames of the cavern in a way that made them appear alive, almost as though they pulsed with the troll king’s own heartbeat. The crown, heavy and imposing, sat firmly atop his head, a symbol of his absolute dominion over this subterranean kingdom.
Draped around his shoulders and waist were strips of tattered, ancient cloth, barely covering his massive form. The fabric was coarse and stained with the dirt of countless years, its original color long faded into a dull, earthy hue. Despite its state, the cloth added to his presence, giving him the air of a ruler who cared little for the trappings of luxury, concerned only with the raw power he wielded.
The troll king’s gaze swept over the group, his eyes narrowing as he examined his new captives. There was a chilling intelligence in those amber orbs, a calculating mind that seemed to weigh their every move and word. As he leaned forward on his throne, the earth seemed to hold its breath, and the trolls around them fell into a reverent silence, awaiting their king’s next move.
"You all have trespassed within my domain," His voice was murky and deep, yet held an intelligence similar to grown humans. "I hope you all didn’t think you could escape."
’If I had my throne world we would have been out of this by now,’ The entire group thought to themselves, yet they didn’t.
Orion’s eyes swept through the entire hollowed-out mountain. What he didn’t have as of now was information. Information was the key to getting what he wanted and as his eyes analyzed every square inch of what was visible around him, he slowly began to put together a plan already.
"We come in peace. We mean no harm, Your Highness," Orion immediately spoke.
"You intrude upon my domain and believe you mean no harm? Not only did a Sky Beast fly above us, but the wildlife all over this mountain is in shambles."
’How the hell is that our fault?’ Orion cursed in his head but calmly spoke when conversing with the troll king. "Is there any way we can make it up to you? We really meant no harm by intruding upon your gracious and kingly domain!"
"Yeah, we really-" Luna quickly covered Aisa’s mouth as letting Orion handle the reigns of this conversation was the best move as of now.
"Yes, you can make it up to me," The troll king began, bringing a bit of joy to everybody but Luna and Orion who knew better than to believe the words of this beast. "You can make it up to me by becoming our food," The troll grinned.
Orion clicked his tongue as the entire group looked in horror at the sight of a massive cauldron being drawn up by gigantic ropes. It was soon dropped roughly on the space in front of the troll king’s throne, the beast sitting atop it licking his lips.
"Your Highness! We provide no sustenance! We have but feeble bodies that won’t even satiate one of your smallest men!" Orion shouted, a drop of sweat dripping down the side of his face.
"Yes, but a human garnish does sound quite appetizing..."
"I’m sure it does your kingliness, but wouldn’t you like information on your enemies?" Orion set the hook, as although this troll was intelligent, it was only intelligent compared to its underlings. And if it was anything like the trolls on the surface, then Orion had the perfect plan that he weaved within his mind.
"Hmmm..." The troll scratched his chin. "Speak. What information..."
Orion held back the urge to smile from ear to ear. His demeanor became a bit calmer and his shoulders relaxed downwards. "Information on Orcs."
This immediately got the attention of the king who with the flick of his finger drew up the cage Orion was held captive in. On a pulley system, it turned and flipped until finally reaching the open air in front of the troll king’s face. His breath was putrid and his face was uglier than Orion could have ever imagined.
"Continue, human..."
"The orcs are planning an attack on your mountain. They have already gathered a force of twelve thousand orcs..."
"They are?" The troll king grumbled, scratching his chin. "Are you lying to me? The orcs and trolls have never had a good relationship, but I don’t see why they would attack us..."
’Perfect,’ Orion smiled inwardly, his eyes creasing.
"I would never lie to you, Your Highness. We all are traveling mercenaries who have worked with all species... and the reason... well..." Orion’s smile couldn’t be contained. "The Orc King believes he can conquer your mountain and enslave you all. I didn’t hear it personally, but I overheard it from one of his personal guards."
"HE WHAT!?" The troll shouted at the top of his lungs, banging his massive fist angrily on the armrest of his throne. The cage that Orion, Aisa, and Luna were in even shook from the force of his foul-smelling exclamation. "MAGE! HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VALIDITY OF HIS STATEMENT!? IS HE LYING!? HE BETTER NOT BE LYING!"
"Hey, pssst, Orion," Aisa whispered from behind him. "How are you going to trick the mage? Surely they have a lie detector skill, right? Why else would the troll king be asking?"
"No, trolls have many unique skills and monster skills, but lie detection wouldn’t be one of them. If I had to guess it would be based off of my..."
"His heartbeat is still, Your Highness! He is not lying!" A mage shouted from below, causing the troll king to grumble even more in his seat.
"... heartbeat," Orion’s voice fizzled out.
Orion turned back towards Aisa with a sly smile, which she couldn’t help but mimic. "I sometimes forget how much I missed that smile," She lightly chuckled.
"GODDAMMIT!" The troll king shouted once more, gripping both armrests with such intensity that the ends began to crack. "EVERYONE! WHAT THIS HUMAN SPEAKS OF IS THE TRUTH! SHARPEN YOUR NAILS, HAMMER YOUR IRON, STRENGTHEN YOUR TEETH FOR THIS IS WARRRRRRR!"
The cavern erupted into a frenzy of activity as the troll king’s booming declaration echoed through the hollowed-out mountain. The trolls, who had been silently observing the interaction, suddenly came alive with an adrenaline-fueled vigor that shook the very foundations of their subterranean domain. The air, once heavy with tension, now crackled with the raw energy of a horde preparing for battle.
A deafening roar filled the space as the trolls began to chant in unison, their voices a guttural symphony that reverberated off the cavern walls. The sound was primal, ancient, a war cry that seemed to rise from the depths of the earth itself. Massive feet stomped against the stone ground, creating a rhythmic thunder that only served to amplify the intensity of the moment. The very ground beneath the group trembled, as if it too feared the wrath of the trolls.
Trolls of all sizes surged into action, their hulking forms moving with surprising speed and coordination. Blacksmiths, their forges already glowing hot, plunged thick iron into roaring flames, hammering out crude yet formidable weapons. The sound of metal striking metal echoed like a relentless drumbeat, marking the onset of their preparations. Sparks flew into the air, lighting up the cavern with brief, fiery flares as axes, swords, and maces were hastily sharpened to a deadly edge.
Elsewhere, other trolls gathered around massive cauldrons, not for cooking, but for preparing their war paints and armor. Thick, viscous oils, mixed with crushed stones and vibrant minerals, were poured into these enormous vessels. The trolls dipped their hands into the concoctions, slathering the substances onto their bodies, creating markings that made them look even more fearsome. Their stone-like skin gleamed with streaks of earthy reds, deep greens, and shadowy blacks, each mark symbolizing their readiness for the bloodshed to come.
The smell of burning tar and the sharp tang of iron filled the air, a heady mixture that only heightened the tension. Younger trolls, smaller but no less eager, raced through the throng, distributing crude weapons and armor to those who needed them. They moved with purpose, their eyes gleaming with the anticipation of battle, their faces set in determined scowls.
Massive trolls, their muscles rippling beneath their moss-covered skin, began to test their strength, lifting enormous boulders and hurling them against the cavern walls with enough force to shatter the stone. The echoes of these impacts reverberated like cannon fire, a terrifying testament to the raw power they wielded. Others gathered in tight-knit groups, sharpening their already formidable claws and teeth, preparing to tear into any foe that dared to challenge their might.
The trolls’ eyes, glowing with that same molten amber light, were alight with a feral intensity that bordered on madness. They were creatures of the earth, and now, they would defend it with every ounce of strength they possessed. The once still and quiet cavern had transformed into a chaotic battleground, filled with the sounds of trolls preparing for war—grinding stone, roaring flames, and the thunderous chanting of a thousand voices raised in unison.
