Chapter 4599: Common Interests (Part 1)

’Balors and Fomors work hard because they think themselves the closest to our late deity. Contradicting their belief would only put a wedge between them and the other Fallen Races.’ Syrah thought. ’On top of that, at this point I start to believe they’re right.

’First Verhen unlocked his Indech form, then he triggered a resonance that temporarily pushed all humans up the evolutionary scale, and now a white-cored human came out of the blue offering Lady Quylla another clue to cure Balors and Fomors.

’I know Glemos was no god and everything he told us was just a convenient lie to keep us compliant, but damn if the way things are developing seems to prove him right. I’m starting to believe in fate.’

Away from Kamila, Urhen flirted with Lith like a schoolgirl with her first crush, while Ishak stared in awe at Tista, unable to decide whether to worship her or ask her out.

"Are we the first to arrive?" Peonia asked, taking the reins of the situation before it slipped out of her control.

"Yes, Princess." Ishak snapped out of his reverie. "Please, come inside Tarna. There is no point in waiting outside."

"Actually, there is." She snorted. "The last one to arrive is bound to make the greatest impression. By arriving here first, we’ve allowed our competition to study us from a distance and adjust their behavior based on the collected information."

"This is the weirdest custom I’ve ever heard." Syrah pondered. "Yet it makes sense. Exposing your position and vehicle gives an enemy the advantage of surprise. They can study your forces and position before launching an attack to which you can only react hastily."

"Exactly, Your Majesty. You’re a quick study." Peonia was impressed by the Hati Queen’s acumen and unaware that her quick thinking was the result of a brainstorming session with every Hati and Warg in Tarna.

"It’s nothing much." Syrah replied.

Peonia ordered the Griffon’s Roar to take off and patrol the area from above. Her goal was to spot the Jieran forces from a distance and avoid offering an easy target.

’If anyone attacks Tarna, it will be impossible to stop the crew of the Griffon’s Roar from reporting the attack.’ She thought. ’Jiera’s Council won’t risk triggering an all-out war they cannot win.’

"Don’t worry too much, Your Majesty." Aalejah said. "I’ve already notified my people of our arrival, and they will join us shortly. They are eager to meet you and Magus Verhen."

"Thanks, Lady Aalejah." Peonia replied.

’They are in good company.’ She inwardly added after witnessing how female Balors, Fomors, and even trolls fawned over him.

Urhen knew about Xenagrosh’s Arke form and had shared the news with the people of Zelex, confirming that a stable hybrid born from humans and Odi was also possible.

Zelex’s Senate members met the local representatives of their races in the Hati pack leader’s house, and after the necessary pleasantries, they discussed the progress of their new land’s development.

The meeting room was a scaled-down replica of Zelex’s Senate, but it was tall and large enough to host a small crowd with space to spare.

"The elves are a trustworthy ally, my Queen." Mekhar, the Hati pack leader, said. "They provided us with mana crystals for our orc shamans and more to sow into the ground and start our mines.

"They also supported our forces every time we engaged in battle with a monster wave." His lips curled up in outrage at such a term, but even he didn’t know a better way to describe the horror his fallen distant cousins were.

"It’s thanks to their support that we could carry our wounded to the backlines safely and keep our casualties to a minimum. Elves are not like humans. They are worthy battle brothers."

"Don’t be na?ve, Mekhar." Br’ey said sternly. "Everything the elves did was for themselves. Only we orcs can turn an unproductive geyser into a crystal mine in decades instead of centuries.

"I’m sure that when the time comes, the elves will ask for a share of the resources we mine as either a tax or compensation for their past services. Believe me when I say that the elven race has a long lifespan and an even longer memory."

Aalejah lowered her head in shame, but nodded to confirm the Svartalf’s words.

"As for their support in battle and the crystals for our shamans, that was no generosity either. We are the first and last bastion against our demented kin. If we fall, they’ll take this geyser and the elves have to shed their blood to reconquer Tarna and protect it from that moment onward.

"Unlike us, the elves have trouble producing offspring, and every life they lose won’t be replaced for decades, if they’re lucky. They are indeed trustworthy allies, but only until we serve their interests, pack leader. Never forget it."

"I understand, Senator Br’ey." The Hati bowed deeply. "You’ve taught me a precious lesson today, and I won’t let you down again."

As the Senators of Zelex and Tarna’s officials discussed their plans for the future, Peonia didn’t know whether to be impressed or worried.

’For a bunch of people who’ve lived isolated from the rest of Mogar for generations, they catch up fast.’ She thought. ’Anyone who thinks the people of Zelex to be gullible or stupid is in for a nasty surprise.

’If the Crown doesn’t choose its ambassadors wisely, our relationship with Zelex will fall apart, and there will be no saving it. This gives my parents a perfect opportunity to restrict the influence of the most troublesome ancient noble households.’

"Your Majesty?" Ishak asked.

"Yes?" Peonia and Syrah replied in unison, looking at each other in confusion before realizing the misunderstanding.

"The ambassadors of Setraliie and Medolin have arrived and require an audience with you." The First Eye cleared his throat in embarrassment, afraid to offend either of his noble guests.

"Let them in." Syrah said, appreciating the princess for taking a step back and leaving her in charge.

Ishak bowed to the Hati Queen and then to Peonia before leaving the room and leading the newcomers inside.

They were an elf woman that Lith recognized as Le’Ahy Birdsong, the first elf of Setraliie he had ever met, and an unknown male elf. Lith kept one of his eyes on Solus, checking her reaction and keeping himself ready to carry her away the moment her trauma kicked in.

Like all elves, reverted orcs included, Le’Ahy and her companion were very attractive by human standards. They had oval faces, perfectly symmetrical features, and long, straight hair with several elemental streaks.

Unlike reverted orcs who mostly had silver-white hair, surface elves could be blond, red, or brown-haired, but they all shone like gold under the sunlight. If one had to find a flaw in them, it was that their perfectly proportionate, lithe frame limited their women’s curves and gave their men a build so slim that they appeared frail.

Le’Ahy and her companion also had golden skin that shone with a faint inner light and identified them as Sun Elves.

"Lord, no, Magus Verhen, it’s such a pleasure to see you again." Le’Ahy gave him such a deep curtsy that her long, blond hair touched the stone pavement.