Fate Online: Shadow

Chapter 550: A New Wind is Blowing

Damp and in the middle of the open field near the border of the land of Neverwinter.

The human troops numbering thirty people were the first to arrive and the workers that came with them immediately set up a simple open tent, a table and two different sized chairs positioned across each other.

Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!

A couple of moments later, the Orcs riding on their wolves finally appeared on the horizon. The two meter tall wolves ran unhindered through the knee deep snow before running past the edge of the snow covered area, creating a muffled rumbling on the ground.

The ash skinned Orcs arrived before the human troops with mud mixed with snow splashing behind them..

"I am General Marson of the Zekkan Kingdom! Welcome friends! Come, let's talk!" A cunning looking middle aged man welcomed the Orcs with open arms and a big smile on his face while inviting them inside the tent.

"I..am..Dragoth Ashkin..of the Ashkin Tribe! Greetings, humans!"

An Orc standing over two meters and the most ripped among them handed the reins of his mount towards one of the Orcs and walked over towards the human general and introduced himself.

'That's the biggestOrc I've ever seen!'

'So some Orcs can reach that size huh'

'They're bigger than those Orcs that we normally encounter'

The human soldiers accompanying the human general couldn't help but have their own thoughts while watching Dragoth enter the tent and took a seat opposite of General Marson.

"Don't..waste time. Tell...what you want" was Dragoth opening words the moment he sat down. Clearly, he's an Orc who is not fond of wasting time.

"Ehemm..!"

General Marson was about to say more long winded words, but the Orc's words quickly changed his mind and he started having a coughing fit.

"If that is what you want friend"

"We not..friends, we enemies..working for benefit. I don't like humans..especially..you..most hateful"

Dragoth didn't want to hear his bullcrap and quickly corrected him, making the atmosphere around the tent a little tense.

A chuckle escaped from his mouth and General Marson stared at him, and Dragoth also stared back, both squinting their eyes, trying to intimidate each other.

"Alright, I hear you. Let's discuss the matters we came here for then. The vanguard of the Sea Race had long already landed on the shores of Orvon Kingdom and had already occupied a large swath of land. As of right now, the kingdom had already sent their first expedition force and had just emerged victorious from their first clash. This Alliance is currently proposing that the Monster Horde would take the frontlines in exchange for anything as long as it's not something that would destroy the foundations of our Kingdoms."

"If I may add, Interracial marriage is prohibited" the General quickly added as he's already very familiar with how most of these monsters live and reproduce.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Dragoth remained silent as he digested the man's words properly while repeatedly tapping the table with his finger.

"Anything?"

The tapping stopped and Dragoth stared at General Marson dead in the eye.

Relaxed while leaning back, General Marson replied with a smile, "Anything, as long as it's something the respective Kingdoms can provide"

Bang!

Growl!

"How..to know..you are..not going back..your words?" Dragoth slapped the table and let out a growl and the soldiers around the tent couldn't help but placed their hands on the weapons and eyed the escorting Orcs.

Compared to the soldiers who became tense, the Orcs looked incredibly relaxed, a few of them were sharpening their weapons, some leaning down on the belly of their wolves napping, while a couple were even picking on their noses looking around their surroundings.

"I'm hungry"

"I want…eat seafood. When..fight?"

"Soon..wait. Human..talk"

The Orcs were casually chatting with each other in their own language and would sometimes squeeze in the common language.

"Sage Laura guarantees it. If we fail to comply, then she would personally take action and dish out punishment" General Marson said with all seriousness.

"I see..that good to hear"

Dragoth finally feels relieved, he does not trust their words, but the name of a Sage is not something someone can just casually use. Since no one in their right mind would casually use the Sage's name lest they invite disaster not only to themselves but their families would also be implicated.

"As the Great Chieftain of the Monster Horde. We accept!"

This towering Orc slowly stood up and declared, his words have become more pronounced than before!

'What the..! Shit!'

When his brain finally registered the Orc's words, General Marson couldn't help but curse inside.

"You…your Tribe had taken control of the Monster Horde?" The human general couldn't believe it. There are more powerful monster races living in the Mount Rasborg, but for an Orc Tribe to lead them is unprecedented!

The previous Leader of the Monster Horde was led by one of the more intelligent Troll tribes.

Dragoth grinned, he quite liked the expression painted on the human's face.

"The Ashkin Tribe earned it by conquering ten mountains! The Empress has recognized us and bestowed me this chance, the authority to lead them!"

'We miscalculated! We all thought it would be like the past Monster Hordes led by one of the more powerful tribes like the Yetis, Werewolves or maybe even the Ogres! But the Orc Tribes never once turned up in our minds, these bastards are known for their Greed. It seems like the Alliance will bleed this time' The general can only let out a resigned chuckle as he also stood up.

"We look forward to working with you" General Marson just smiled and offered his hand for a handshake.

Dragoth smiled and grabbed his tiny human hand and shook it lightly with a grin, "Likewise"

'Good god! I just realized that he's now speaking the Common Language more fluently than earlier! It's highly possible that he's an Orc Variant!, possibly even an Orc Lord! Things are not looking good for us'

With that handshake, this short meeting was concluded.

"Depart!"

Dragoth mounted his wolf and immediately led his warriors back to their encampment.

Deep in his thoughts, General Marson watched them ride away and muttered.

"The Sea Race once again invading, a possible Ord Lord on the horizon. It seems like the stagnant wheel of fate is once again turning. A new wind is blowing"