As the group passed the top of the mountain, Darkus could see how deceptive the landscape really was. What looked like towering peaks were actually many intersecting mountains. There were many valleys and lakes between the mountains. Although he had never been to the Anatolian Plateau, he felt as if he had already arrived.
The highest point of Beast Peak is full of snow and sparse vegetation. The only wildlife was a few high-flying birds and some wild sheep that jumped warily away from humans. Below is more pine forest, stretching almost all the way to the lake in some places.
If Darkus hadn't seen a barren valley to the northeast, he would have felt like Hannibal crossing the Alps. The treeless, barren land was forever covered in mist, which was said to never dissipate, but he seemed to vaguely see the spire of the lead castle through the mist.
Behind Darkus, the silver-helmeted cold lizard fear knights marched forward in a marching formation. He knew what made one valley fertile and another unfertile, because that was the final destination of the team. A misty wasteland, where the temple city on Albion Island, the Ancient Forge, is located. It is now the fourth day since he came to the Holy Land of the Truth Speaker. The last available troops from the entire Obion Island have arrived. Even Puyr, who is located in the far south, finally took a few young men from the village on a flat-bottomed boat. The boat came across the swamp.
The warriors of the Boreni tribe were scattered in a row. They seemed less like they were going to fight, more like... going shopping and sightseeing. A horn-shaped musical instrument, an instrument that was supposed to inspire the army to achieve brilliant achievements. , similar to the Celtic Cornu blowing without rhythm, it sounds like a demonic sound to Druchi's ears. In Selire's words, even the city guards who guard the city in Druchi society are upright. Even better than them.
At the end of the team were the stupid giants and the truth tellers. Darkus really believed it now, even though the giants were very tall, some had one eye, and some had two eyes. About eight to fifteen meters tall, with disheveled hair and an indescribable stench all over his body, as if he hadn't bathed in several years, even though Obion Island was either a lake, a river, or a swamp.
But it is really stupid. The kind of stupidity can be seen intuitively with the naked eye. The mutated face and the huge skull are just enough to carve the word "stupid" on the faces of the giants. Although Darkos, as the ancient saint Umak, can naturally control the giants, he has no interest in it unless there is something in the lead castle or the ancient furnace that can help the giants regain their sanity, but he thinks the chance is not high, because this It's no longer idealistic, but nonsense. If it really does exist, it should be possible to restore chaos to normalcy. This is not nonsense.
Throwing stones is a necessary skill for giants, but no giant is so stupid that he carries stones, usually stone sticks or tree trunks, and only picks up boulders and throws them during battles. Perhaps due to immorality, these giants did not reveal their big birds. The natives provided some curtains or pants to cover the giants.
At the head of the team were the female guards who were guiding the team forward. Darkus stood on the top of the mountain and looked around. What caught his attention was not the wild scenery, but the group of round stone towers clinging to the top of the next ridge. They were massive, brutal structures built to withstand sieges. The only ornament is the ubiquitous woad war tattoo, echoing the tattoo patterns on Aboriginal faces and bodies.
"Thank you for your help to Oracle. May the Sun God protect her." Puyr came to Darkus and said while he was resting.
"You're welcome my friend, we just did what anyone would do in this situation, what wind brought you here?" "It's
bad this time, the orcs are gathering in the mountains again. I can feel it Their shamans instigated them to try to retake the valley, and there seemed to be some kind of prophet among them. It seems they have been living there for a long time and they consider it their own," Puyr said with some anxiety.
"Is that so?" Darkus was thinking perfunctorily at the same time. He could already foresee a big fight. There would be a fight next, and it seemed that the price to be paid might be very high. He suddenly realized that what Puyr saw was not only incomplete, but also messy. No wonder the Truth Speaker split in the end.
"We may face an army of Greenskins and an army of Chaos Worshipers at the same time." Puyr said worriedly, looking at the mountains in the distance, as if he suspected that there might be enemies hidden in the mountains.
If Darkus' team cannot close the road, they can only shake people. The inheritance of the True Speakers is broken. The only thing that makes him gain is that the True Speakers still retain the ability to use Ogham stone to build guide stones and stone rings. As for The level of spellcasting... doesn't matter.
Thirteen years after coming to this world, Darkus has learned nothing else but how to shake people, and his equipment has also been upgraded. For the first time in the Lustria continent, he wears a teleportation device on his chest. The Amulet of Ichi that returned to Lustria is now the Eye of Taebok.
"The omen told me to follow you, and I will try my best to help you! I can in any way." Puir shook his head and said in a firm tone that overcomes all difficulties.
"My friend, I hope you will have no effect." While Darkus said, he had a very bad feeling in his heart.
The team continued to set off and came to the round stone tower group they had seen before in the evening. A group of warriors from the Tulaini tribe emerged from the stone tower group and rushed towards them along the ridge. According to rough statistics, there were dozens of people, and they were all armed. They seemed to be here to greet the True Speaker.
The warriors of the Tulaini tribe are generally larger than the warriors of the Poreni tribe. Their hair is long and disheveled, and beards of almost dwarf length grow from their faces, braided and twisted into various wonderful patterns. There are woad war marks on the cheeks, chest and arms. On their backs hung huge two-handed swords, or held lances and shields. Clothes included leather vests and woolen skirts, and most wore long plaid cloaks, some wearing bear or wolf skins instead.
The warriors looked at Darkus's team with vigilance. After all, the silver helmets and shining weapons in their hands, as well as the menacing cold lizards under their crotches, could not keep them on guard.
"These people's equipment is slightly better. They should be holding iron tools. Mountains and hills are easy places to find minerals and metals." Maranur said, walking side by side with Darkus.
"After all, weapons like the gods in Puir's hands are very rare. By the way, have you heard of the legend of the Sword in the Stone?"
The brothers Darkus and Maranur chatted one after another, ignoring the warrior. Their open hostility. After a while, Puir led a huge bear man towards them and made a quick introduction.
This bear-like guy is the second son of Chief Badug of the Tulaini tribe, his name is Malog. This round stone tower group is his fief. There is no enthusiasm in his perfunctory greeting, only suspicion and a sense of indifference. A cautious respect.
Although it was already night, Darkus could still clearly see Malog's brutal face. His cold blue eyes and cold face were filled with keen wisdom. This reminded him of the wolf cub Malus, but the bear-man in front of him couldn't compare with Malus.
"So how many troops do your empire have, messengers of the ancient saints?" Malog asked unceremoniously.
Suddenly, the surrounding warriors all focused their attention and looked over.
"Sorry, all you can see is the last of my strength. My empire has been destroyed. Thank you for letting us stay in your land." Darkus, who is good at telling lies with his eyes open, didn't even think about it. It's easy to tell.
"Then where are you from?" Malog's tone changed after hearing Darkus' words, and his cautious respect turned into nothingness.
"We came from a place not far from this island, located in the southeast of the island. It is full of wealth, flowing with milk and honey, and the fields are full of grain, cattle and sheep, but the people there are not warriors, but Businessman." Darkus ignored Malog's tone and continued to guide.
"Milk and honey? You said the people there are merchants? Not warriors?" Malog said in an exaggerated tone with some disbelief.
The warriors behind Malog bumped into each other and laughed, as if the chief had made a joke.
"Yes, the wealth of that country comes from trade, so the people there are merchants. It is a very wealthy country. I have visited the lord there, and his palaces are all made of gold." Darkwu Si added maliciously.
Darkus found that the bear-man was particularly interested in the outside world. The bear-man looked at him like a robber looking at a wealthy businessman, or a blackmailer looking at a shopkeeper. The naked greed in the bear man's eyes was very obvious. The Ursines sought information from him in anticipation of future invasions, and questions and conversations always revolved around related matters such as military strength. So he wanted to add fuel to the fire and say that there will be a gap period after the crisis is resolved, and the southeast of Obion Island is the Kingdom of Colonia in Bretonnia. Those knight masters will definitely like to come to their door if they have military exploits. .
Puyr felt that the direction of the topic was getting more and more wrong, so he quickly interrupted Malog's questioning again.
"We will discuss these matters further when we enter the actual situation." After Malog said this, he returned to the front to lead the way, with no intention of visiting the Truth Speaker at the rear of the team.
"Marog is a good man, but greedy and known as a predator." Puyr said with a smile as he watched the tall warriors swagger away.
"My friend, it is indeed as you said, I can feel the warmth and hospitality in him." Darkus said nonchalantly.
The Druchs who heard the conversation between Darkus and Puyr finally couldn't bear it any longer. Some started covering their mouths and snickering, while others pretended that nothing happened. In their view, these gorillas with no military qualifications were like the Yankees working in the mines of Nagaroth, they were lambs to be slaughtered, and all Darkus did was to put down his body and act like a monkey.
"Don't talk too much about wealth to him, or he may forget all that is at hand, and try to make an expedition to the place you speak of," said Puyr worriedly.
"Isn't this exactly what I need?" Darkus thought, and then he asked curiously, "Are all the chiefs on this island like him?"
"Unfortunately, most of them are In this way, they would rather plunder than raise their own livestock. That is why it is difficult for our people to unite unless faced with a huge threat." "It's
good that you are not, isn't it?"
Under the leaden sunlight of the valley, Darkus felt like the events of last night were just a dream, and he tried his best to ignore his aching head and churning stomach, and decided he would never drink whiskey again.
"I was hurt by alcohol and sex, and I turned out to be so haggard. From today on, I will give up drinking!" The stone tower complex last night was like a prison after closing the door. The walls were large and thick, and the place was dark, exuding unwashed meat and animals. and the smell of wood smoke, like a nauseating maze.
Darkus met his opponent last night. The Maloggot could drink. He gnawed on the leg of lamb, drank whiskey, and listened to music while constantly asking him about the outside world. A very beautiful female guard with freckles on her face and short reddish-brown hair kept trying to stick to him and smile at him during the banquet.
Compared to Maher, Darkus hates this female guard named Morrigan. He feels that Morrigan is no different from those female Druchi who do bad things.
At this point the team moved down the steep hillside and down a very narrow path.
——Kelman
stood on the stone platform on the side of the pyramid, looking down at the Cyclops in front of him. The giant's one eye was staring back at him, and the giant's body was still emitting a foul smell.
"An ugly existence. If I had experienced his battles, maybe I would become like this, right?" Kelman thought silently in his heart while examining the giant's mutated face and huge body.
"The little green skin is coming! Magregor, you have killed many people, but more enemies will come. They are numerous and possess powerful magic. Maybe even I can't crush them." One-Eye The giant's voice resounded in the air like thunder. He looks so formidable, with siege-like power within him, but deep within he is still controlled by binding magic.
"I believe you will try your best." When Kelman said this, he took his attention away from the giant body and turned to admire his left hand that had transformed into a crab claw.
Kelman cast his gaze toward the distant hills, where the foliage was full of oddities and the scent of the surrounding wilderness was almost as pungent as the scent of the giants. He didn't understand why his master asked him to come here. Is there some hidden meaning in it? Is there some kind of omen? Perhaps he should sacrifice an orc prisoner and search for clues in its entrails.
But time is running out, and Logore reports that controlling these passages is becoming increasingly difficult. Chaos energy continued to emerge from some passages, and the aura of madness began to spread to the unaffected passages. More than one of their followers and warband mates has failed to return.
Furthermore, there were far fewer Chaos warriors in the area than Kelman had expected, but the orc hordes were gathering on the mountain. The orcs' fear and reverence for the Cyclops seems to be waning, and perhaps the orcs will soon appear in front of him. He could feel the terrible orc magic at work on those hills. Perhaps the orc shaman had noticed his actions here and was trying to stop him.
Thinking of this, Kelman became even more confused. Why did his master want him to do this? Why fill the hole under the altar with the hearts and blood of human sacrifices? Why should he work day and night to fend off the strange forces trying to seal the road? Is there some other unknown being? An unpleasant surprise left behind by the Old Ones to prevent invaders from using their tools? If so, those tools are doomed to fail. Chaos was ruling the world, he was convinced of it.
"Stay here and crush everything that enters this place! But if I call you, you must come." Kelman gave Magregor his final instructions.
"I hear and I will obey, Old One," Magregor promised.
Kelman ignored Magregor's address. He turned around and walked down the stone platform and stepped into the passage of the ziggurat. He suddenly sensed that a great "big man" had arrived.
Zakuul came out of his trance, feeling uneasy inside even though he could feel thousands of orcs around him. These orcs gathered from all over the island, and the orcs' ancient herd instinct called upon them to fight their way to join his clan. But something bad was happening, he could figure it out. The weather has become worse, and Magregor, the sleeping god they have worshiped for a long time, has betrayed them.
The two gods of Gomao's second brother showed Zakul the scene of the earth cracking and swallowing the orcs. A large number of weak things emerged like maggots, the sky became the color of fire, and the dimension stone was filled with a dirty smell. I don't know why, but he always thinks that if he doesn't take back the city and drive the invaders out of the sacred ziggurat, disaster will befall him.
The twin gods are watching Zakuul, granting him faith and authority, making the generals obey his orders, even though many of these generals and shamans were once his mortal enemies and fought for control of the ziggurat.
But now, like a herd of wild boars working together to face a common threat, Zakuul's former enemies are uniting the tribes. This unity occurs when the twin gods gaze upon an orc. Now, we will put aside our differences and follow him for a great Waaagh! This was necessary, as his latest vision revealed that time was running out and they needed to act quickly to avert disaster.
Zakul felt a force guiding his thoughts, and he opened his spiritual eyes and looked over. The spirit of a shaman hovered before him, invisible to other orcs except himself. Only he can hear the same shaman's voice.
"The shrimps on the mountain are coming along the path. They have collusion with the elves! There is collusion!" "
I thought you would use your power to tear them into pieces! Devour their marrow!" Zakuul ordered.
Zakuul's attention turned to the ziggurats of the temple city below, and street battles with his former rivals taught him the best routes of attack and the secret passages beneath the city. Fortunately, the new Xiami doesn't understand this. Those shrimp heads will be sacrificed to Brother Gomao! The tallest among them will be the skulls of Magregor and the two strange human familiars. Only through sacrifice can the anger of the two gods be appeased. Only in this way can disaster be avoided.
Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled in the distance.
Zakul wondered if this was an omen? Maybe not? Weather like this is so common here that it may not be enough of a warning.
The next morning, the team continued to set off. The weather was like yesterday with lightning and thunder.
The flare was diffused by the fog into a brief, intense light that appeared around the team, and then disappeared instantly.
"This damn weather, curse this weather!" Maranur, who was frightened, cursed.
"Sir, I can feel something in the woods watching us!" Ren, who came from behind, pointed in a direction in the fog and said solemnly.
"Why did the orcs come here at the same time as us? It can't be a coincidence this time, right?" Cowell asked in confusion.
"Who can tell the orcs? Sometimes they get caught up in a collective madness and do things collectively for no reason. Like lemmings jumping off a cliff or birds migrating. Maybe their gods have some kind of order for them. Instructions, maybe something is also sacred to the orcs, or something that can easily attract the attention of the gods and great spirits." Colonia explained nonchalantly, but she had already picked up the staff in her hand, Be prepared before casting the spell.
"Green-skinned Waaagh! How else can it be explained like this?" Darkus ignored the possible presence of orcs. He was attracted by his sister's academic theories.
Another dazzling light spread out of the mist, followed by a thunder, closer this time, and the whole mountain seemed to shake.
Darkus was brought back to attention as a drizzle hit his rain spell, but he could still feel the cold.
"Let the team be on alert and not attack without authorization."
As soon as Darkus finished speaking, a scream rang out in the mist.
After hearing the order, Franais raised his horn and blew it. At the same time, the big guy also gave orders to the cold lizards. In an instant
, the cold lizards responded with roars that echoed in the mist, full of primitive power and fighting spirit. Their pupils are tightly constricted, full of wild gaze, and they turn their bodies nimbly to lock their gaze in the direction of potential threats. Their postures are low, ready to rush forward at any time to meet the possible battle. The whole scene is filled with a tense atmosphere, as if the earth is shaking with the wild power of this land.
Some of the native warriors drew their giant swords, while others brandished their spears and looked around blankly for new threats.
And in the dark surroundings, war roars could be heard faintly, as if from another world. The heavy roars echoed in the air, telling the existence of the orcs, like a threat from an unknown realm. In addition, the goblin's gibberish also sounded in the air, making strange squeaking sounds, as if conveying a kind of chaos and cunning.
In this chaotic situation, except for Darkus' silver-helmeted cold lizard fear knight, the entire team fell into chaos. The female guards at the front tried to maintain the discipline of the team and maintain the formation. The giants and truth-speakers at the rear also became confused, and the situation became a mess.
Suddenly, the crisp sound of weapons clashing sounded in the fog, followed by the crunching of twisted bones and the screams of the wounded.
Darkus saw an orc rushing out with a stick, and then nothing happened. The orc seemed to automatically send its neck to the big man's drooling mouth.
In the melee, the noise of the battle is deafening, and the fog is filled with the smell of death and tension. The ferocious roars of the orcs and the cries of humans intertwined to form a terrifying symphony.
But Darkus' team remained motionless, as if they were outsiders.