Chapter 336: Chapter 298 Frostleaf City_2
But Old Mumm said, "I don’t think so."
Chief Little Lillia asked in confusion, "If we are not the ones who gained the most, then who is?"
Old Mumm replied, "Chief Little Lillia, you have been in contact with humans for a long time, but you still don’t understand them. Humans are always cunning and hypocritical. Marquis Anderson and the Silver Mane Duke will not break, at least not in the short term. Waging a civil war is of no benefit to either of them, so they will bide their time. As long as we are on these highlands, the Silvermane Principality will definitely continue to support the Wildwind Highlands Legion, and Anderson’s strength will soon recover. Meanwhile, we are tied down by Frostleaf City. Originally, we were already at a disadvantage to the humans on the highlands, and now that we no longer have elven allies, we pose even less of a threat to Marquis Anderson. This early winter will also significantly weaken our strength. When spring comes, Anderson will surely launch an attack on us, pushing us into the narrow stretch of land between Highland City and Frostleaf City. In doing so... it is as if Marquis Anderson effectively controls the entire Wildwind Highlands. We are merely the weights he uses to balance his relationship with the Silvermane Principality. Now do you understand why Shortgun is so adamant about not providing us with winter supplies?"
After hearing Old Mumm’s words, Chief Little Lillia’s green face turned a shade paler.
"Great General Old Mumm, you mean to say... the person behind Shortgun is Marquis Anderson? How is that possible! We almost killed him several times in the battle at Anjik Fort."
"That is what scares me about Anderson," sighed Chief Old Mumm. "Continue to maintain contact with Shortgun. Whether we can live with dignity on the Wildwind Highlands will depend on the whims of Marquis Anderson."
Little Lillia nodded despondently, the excitement he once felt for seizing Frostleaf City completely gone. This city... it’s nothing but a shackle around our orc necks, one we put on ourselves.And we certainly can’t take it off.Who could we possibly give it to anyway?
"Great General Old Mumm, how are we to solve the issue of winter supplies?"
After walking for a bit, Chief Old Mumm said, "For now, endure, and see if the path to the wilderness can be cleared. If all else fails... then confiscate all the clothing from the elves and prisoners in the city. Better they freeze than my warriors. I hope this winter isn’t too harsh."
"Yes, Great General Old Mumm..." Little Lillia agreed. Just then, a magic signal flare burst in the distant snowfields outside the city.
It was a signal from the orc scouts on patrol. Does it mean a small group is coming toward Frostleaf City?
In this weather, who on earth would come to Frostleaf City?Old Mumm looked toward the city outskirts, and Little Lillia climbed up on the wall to peer out over the snowy fields.
Suddenly, a squadron of Malevolent Wolf Cavalry approached swiftly from the distance. Their mounts ran across the snow, leaving long tracks behind them. Following the wolves was a caravan. Muscular horses dragged sleds, and atop the sleds stood werewolves.
Werewolves.
Old Mumm and Little Lillia exchanged glances. What are the Swamp Werewolves doing here in Frostleaf City at this time?Could it be related to those elves who entered the swamp?
The caravan drew closer, and behind it could be seen a sleigh drawn by four horses. The decoration on the outside of the carriage was extremely luxurious. And the werewolves’ attire, peculiar but striking, looked very elite. These are definitely not the werewolves who wallow in the mud of the swamp.
Werewolves from the Eternal Domain! The two orc chieftains came to the same conclusion simultaneously.
Old Mumm said puzzledly, "What are the werewolves from the Eternal Domain doing in Frostleaf City?"
Little Lillia replied, "According to the intelligence from our undercover agents in Nuta City, Yan Xing of the Eternal Domain is a resourceful person. He was on very good personal terms with Count Theodore. It was precisely because of his intervention that Nuta City was able to quell the rebellion so quickly. Moreover, Yan Xing was extremely wealthy, had food, and possessed many strange alchemical items. My subordinate, Gustav, was killed by him."
Thinking of his valued subordinate’s death, Little Lillia couldn’t help but cast a hateful glance at the approaching convoy. Not only did he kill Gustav, but he also beheaded him and sent his head to Stakes Castle to humiliate me.
Old Mumm had been busy directing the Great Army in battle and didn’t know much about the affairs of the Eternal Domain. He only knew that Lord Yan Xing came from deep within the Thunderous Swamp and possessed a certain degree of power.
"Do you want to kill these werewolves and the people in that carriage to avenge Gustav?" Old Mumm asked Little Lillia.
Little Lillia knew that the old general had noticed his murderous intent and quickly said, "On the battlefield, it’s kill or be killed. A death is just a death. Since the Eternal Domain has sent people, we must first inquire about the situation of the elves that entered the swamp."
Old Mumm was very pleased with Little Lillia’s ability to see the bigger picture. He said, "Visitors who come in such heavy snow are our honored guests. Prepare to welcome the emissary from the Eternal Domain. This winter might not be too cold."
Yan Xing sat in the carriage, which had a stove in the middle. Arlanda sat beside Yan Xing, with Clan Leader Li Zhua opposite him, and the three of them chatted by the fire.
Yan Xing suddenly asked Li Zhua, "There’s something about you werewolves I’ve been meaning to ask. Why were your ancestors ostracized by the orcs? As part of The Initial First Order, werewolves are much more formidable than the orcs’ First Order big-eared monsters. Why were it the werewolves who were driven away?"
The werewolves’ departure from the wilderness happened so long ago that Li Zhua saw no need for secrecy and told Yan Xing the whole story in detail.
After hearing the story, Yan Xing marveled at the orcs’ outrageous tactics. He had thought of many reasons but never expected it to be because of this.
A long time ago, the orc faction had far more diverse races than now. However, later, theories of race superiority and inferiority divided the orcs into two factions: humanoid orcs and beast-like orcs. It all came down to one’s appearance. Those with a face close to humans were considered the intelligent and excellent orcs; a beastly head indicated a less intelligent orc. Although individually less powerful than werewolves, the big-eared monsters had "intelligent-looking" faces. And those orcs with beastly heads, of course, did not consider themselves natural fools.
So, the orc faction started to split, with the two orc factions attacking each other until the "smart" orcs drove away the "fools." The werewolves went to the swamp, while the minotaurs went to the Underground City. Many other orc races scattered and eventually disappeared.
Subsequently, the once powerful orc nation was defeated by humans. The "intelligent" ones retreated to the wilderness, handing over their rich lands to humans.
Later historical records proved that the division of the orc nation was a very successful strategy of division employed by humans. With the simple rhetoric of determining intelligence by appearance, humans perfectly divided the powerful orc forces, causing the orcs to turn their martial prowess against themselves, tearing their own kind apart and mockingly casting aside the other half.
Yan Xing couldn’t help but reflect. History always repeats itself, whether in the real world or the Magic World, merely changing its form and narrative. How absurd, tragic, and pitiable.
After hearing Li Zhua’s recount of history, Yan Xing asked him, "If the orcs are willing to accept the werewolves back, would you be willing to return?"
Li Zhua answered decisively, "No, we won’t return. Under the master’s care, we eat well, dress well, and our weapons are so impressive! Why return to the wilderness? After hearing that we were escorting you, My Lord, to Frostleaf City, I told the young werewolves coming with us: this time in Frostleaf City, we will show the orcs what we werewolves have become."
On this trip to Frostleaf City, Li Zhua had discarded his usual composure. He was filled with a pent-up determination to show the orcs just how imposing the werewolves they had once driven away had become.
Only now did Yan Xing realize why the werewolves he brought along were all so exhilarated. So that’s it! They’ve been bottling up their frustration for who knows how long, and now they can finally unleash it on their former oppressors.
"Hahaha..." Yan Xing laughed loudly and said to Li Zhua, "Right! Show them the might of our Eternal Werewolf Tribe! Give these barbarians of the wilderness an eye-opener!"