NOVEL NEXT Chapter 991: You're finally here
"Darling, Elder Harbek of the dwarven race has entered our ogre territory with a contingent of his people."
As soon as Orion returned to his seat after the opening ceremony, Lilith greeted him with the good news.
"It seems there are still some clever ones left among them," Orion mused. "When Harbek reaches Stoneheart City, bring him to me." He welcomed the arrival of the dwarves; their renowned craftsmanship would elevate the Stoneheart Horde's production capabilities by several orders of magnitude.
"Also, a message from my sister," Lilith continued. "The blood elf race is willing to trade us territory at a three-to-one ratio for the land bordering Soaring Bird City and our ogre territory. They want to open up a direct route to their new lands in the north."
Orion paused mid-sip, slowly lowering his goblet.
"Now that's an interesting proposal," he said. "What are your thoughts?" He didn't make a decision, wanting instead to test Lilith's political acumen. With Delilah acting as an envoy to the human kingdom, Lilith had been managing the Horde's affairs for some time.
"It has its pros and cons. Ultimately, only you can make the final call."
Orion said nothing, simply pulling Lilith into his lap and gesturing for her to continue.
"For the Stoneheart Horde right now, our policy is to seek stability and development. Accepting the blood elves' offer aligns with our immediate plans," she said, trying to ignore the way Orion's hands roamed over her body. Her warm breath ghosted across his skin as she detailed the situation. "However, in the long run, it's a disadvantage. Trading that land means we lose our shared border with the human kingdom. That would be an obstacle to our eventual goal of unifying the continent."
She pressed on. "Furthermore, if we agree, all our future trade with the human kingdom would have to pass through blood elf territory. That gives them complete leverage—we'd be handing them a knife to hold to our throat. It's a good thing Lycanor isn't with the horde at the moment, otherwise this would be even more complicated."
Orion stopped his hands, leaning down to kiss her flushed cheek. "A fine analysis, but you haven't quite reached the heart of the matter."
He gently set her aside and turned his gaze back to the younglings battling in the Colosseum below.
"The heart of the matter? What did I miss?" Lilith's brow furrowed in concentration.
"This proposal didn't necessarily come from the blood elves themselves," Orion said, his voice and expression growing deeper. In moments like this, his charisma was magnetic. "Think about it. We are tied to the blood elves by marriage. We are true allies. Even without a land swap, if they asked, I would grant them free passage to the northern territories."
He let the implication hang in the air.
"If I agree to their proposal, the beneficiary isn't just the blood elves, but the human kingdom as well. That territory they'd receive would become a buffer zone, a moat, protecting the human kingdom's border from us."
Lilith's eyes widened in sudden understanding. "Orion, are you saying the human kingdom is preparing to defend against us?"
When two factions started making such obvious defensive preparations, it meant relations were either already strained or about to become hostile.
"What else could it be? First, they arrange for my own children and wife to be stationed on the border between us, and now they have the blood elves propose this trade." He looked at her. "If you were in my position, what would you think?"
A look of shock crossed Lilith's face, quickly replaced by grim resolve.
"Forget it. We'll agree to their terms," Orion said with a sigh, a relaxed smile returning to his face as if everything was well within his control. "The moat the human kingdom wants to build will also serve as a moat for us. Besides, we have to consider Lycanor's position in all this."
"But Orion, wouldn't the blood elves see this too?" Lilith asked. "Would they really risk souring relations with us for the sake of the human kingdom?"
Orion shook his head. "They are a party to the benefits, so of course they see it. In fact, you could say the blood elves are just opportunists, playing the odds. They're simply trying to survive in the space between us and the human kingdom. When push comes to shove, all this talk of marriage ties and alliances is bullshit. They'll side with whoever they think is stronger."
That was the reality of it. The ruthless, backstabbing game of politics between factions.
"Since the human kingdom wants a period of peace, as do we, why not give them what they want?" Orion continued. "What's more, we can use this as an opportunity to make more demands of both them and the blood elves. Send a message to your sister. Tell her we accept."
Lilith nodded slowly. In these conversations with Orion, she felt the scope of her own perspective expanding.
Silverwood Realm, the Forest of Nature
Banners bearing the Horde's sigil snapped in the wind above a sprawling camp of military tents. Ranks of silent skeletons stood guard, their formations precise and unnerving. This was the Stoneheart Horde's temporary camp, and since the army was primarily undead, an eerie silence hung over the entire area.
In this quiet, Aerin slept for a full day and night.
She had a long dream. In it, she was in a world of impossible beauty. Canopies of green leaves were like clouds, ancient trees reached for the sky, and Wood Elf treehouses dotted the landscape, surrounded by fluttering elemental sprites. Sunlight streamed through the leaves, warm and dappled.
Suddenly, the forest became a cage. The trees twisted into monsters, the streams into great serpents. The entire world devolved into a living Hell.
Amidst the whispers of Demons, Aerin's eyes shot open in panic.
A black night. A black tent. That was all she could see.
Suddenly, the tent flap was thrown open. A brilliant light flooded in from outside, banishing the terrifying darkness. Silhouetted against the glare, a tall, powerfully built figure stepped into the tent.
"You're awake."
The voice was deep and resonant, magnetic, but also held an untamed, rugged edge.
"Hey now," Orion's tone shifted, becoming teasing and familiar as he tried to pull her from her daze. "Is that any way to greet your Godfather?"
"Godfather?" Aerin repeated, confused. "Godfather... Godfather... Hulk?" She mumbled to herself, then her eyes widened as it all clicked into place. Like a little girl, she scrambled from the bed and threw herself into Orion's arms. "Daddy!"
"Godfather! Godfather, you're finally here!" she sobbed into his chest. "Your adorable Aerin was this close to being a goner!"