Charlot Mecklenburg sincerely wished for everlasting peace to descend upon the Old Continent, but he knew such a thing was impossible. Even the combined efforts of the Nine Divine Gods couldn't achieve it, let alone on Earth, where wars persisted to this day.
Indeed, praying to deities for peace was inherently a flawed choice.
In every world, one of the most common causes of war was the gods themselves.
Now, with eight Saint-rank individuals plus Charlot, they awaited the Black Dragon and Tumisan to lure Choudrou, the Silverback gorilla, out of the orc camp. Initially, no one was particularly prepared for this, and Antonio even considered finding a forest for cover. However, eager to curry favor with his prospective brother-in-law, Charlot volunteered to construct a crude tent using a piece of felt he had prepared in advance. He cut several sturdy branches, secured the felt over them, and fashioned a rough, makeshift shelter.
Around the tent, he arranged a circle of branches, smeared mud over them, and scattered some flowers and grass on top. From afar, it looked like a small grassy mound. However, inside, it was quite spacious, offering protection from wind and rain and shielding its occupants from the sun's scorching rays.
Antonio observed this scene thoughtfully and called Charlot over to ask how he had come up with the idea. Standing before Annie Mecklenburg's older brother, Charlot deliberately boasted about his tent-making skills, most of which he had learned in his previous life by watching outdoor camping videos. Antonio, being a seasoned soldier, immediately recognized the utility of the structure: a rapidly deployable and transportable tent, ideal for field maneuvers and large-scale troop encampments.
The Old Continent had never developed this kind of tent technology due to its different technological trajectory.
However, the concept was simple enough that most people could grasp its structure with minimal effort.
Antonio committed the “tent” to memory, planning to return to Strasbourg and have a batch manufactured by skilled craftsmen for the Bretagne family’s knight order. He also instructed Charlot to keep this technology a closely guarded secret.
Within two days, a strange birdlike screech echoed from the sky. Charlot rushed out of the “camp” and, sure enough, saw Tumisan circling in the air. The Leopardman hadn’t expected them to be hidden so thoroughly; even with Charlot’s felt covered in flowers and grass, the old beast had failed to notice anyone inside.
Tumisan descended to the ground, casting a brief glance of astonishment at Charlot’s creation before hastily reporting, “Choudrou has been persuaded by the Black Dragon. He plans to split from Amisfida, bringing his followers with him. They are already approaching this location.”
“Although Choudrou intends to separate from Amisfida, he does not plan to return to the southern continent. Instead, he aims to occupy a city and establish a second orc camp. As such, he has brought a considerable force—nearly thirty thousand orcs.”
Charlot mused, Mr. Black Dragon truly has the air of a Beastmaster Zhuge Liang, managing to manipulate two Saint-rank orcs into parting ways.
“Don’t these orcs understand that unity is strength? Splitting into minor kings only weakens them further.”
Antonio frowned slightly and said, “Although we are not afraid of tens of thousands of orcs, it’s impossible to kill them all. What if some escape to inform that lion?”
Tumisan replied, “Choudrou has chosen Redcliff City.”
Charlot thought to himself, Does he expect me to transform Redcliff City into a labyrinth? However, labyrinth construction requires specific conditions, and I might not be able to meet them quickly.
Antonio said, “Redcliff City has only one exit. If we block it, no one inside can escape.”
It dawned on Charlot that he had misunderstood. The Black Dragon, unaware of Charlot’s mastery over labyrinth magic, naturally hadn’t suggested such a strategy.
Situated on the northern shore of the Red Dragon Strait, Redcliff City was one of over ten cities in the area but stood out as the most unique. It was an inverted city descending into the earth. Approaching from the northern mainland, one would see only a low mountain range and a massive stone gate, with no sign of the city. Yet upon entering, a breathtaking underground expanse unfolded. The city descended layer by layer into the ground, built into the cliff face, with each level offering stunning views of the Red Dragon Strait. The lowest level housed a port built directly along the strait.
This distinctive terrain had earned Redcliff City the reputation of a “sculpted city of stone.”
However, this same terrain left Redcliff City defenseless against an orc invasion. Apart from a few who might leap into the Red Dragon Strait to escape, there was no other route out.
Now, with Charlot and his group boasting a significant number of Saint-rank individuals, they could seal Redcliff City’s entrance, trapping the orc army with no escape.
To ensure that the orc force couldn’t slip away, Charlot even sent Sabastine to mobilize their fleet, creating a naval blockade.
Charlot had already ordered the magical alchemical warship and part of the fleet to pass through the Red Dragon Strait and advance toward the orc camp. By now, they should be nearby and ready to assist.
After delivering his report, Tumisan leapt skyward again, flying back to infiltrate the orc camp.
The Leopardman, gifted with the Beast God Transformation technique, could change his appearance at will. Sneaking into the camp was a trivial task for him. Even if Amisfida knew he was there, she might not be able to find him, let alone the oblivious Lion King.
Over the next few days, Tumisan shuttled back and forth, relaying intelligence. Meanwhile, several knights from the Bretagne family scouted the area to confirm that Choudrou indeed led an army of tens of thousands toward Redcliff City.
The Saint-rank silverback gorilla commanded not only his own tribe but also orcs from other tribes who had sworn allegiance to him. After leaving the orc camp, he couldn’t stop thinking about the Black Dragon’s words: “If you stay, your people and mine will eventually be devoured by Amisfida. Only by leaving this lion can your tribe survive.”
Choudrou sighed heavily. He couldn’t understand why this grand orc alliance, mobilized on such a massive scale, had ended in such disarray.
Especially after losing so many Saint-rank orcs, the orcs’ foundation was severely weakened. It would take at least a century to recover. But would humans grant the orcs a century of respite? Choudrou doubted it. If not for the Fars Empire’s entanglement with Byron in war, they would have already attacked the orcs. Similarly, should Byron emerge victorious, the orcs wouldn’t be spared either.
The lower-ranking orcs might remain unaware, but Saint-rank leaders like Choudrou knew the truth, as did Argon. The reason was clear…
Choudrou wanted to roar to the heavens in frustration!
Because just as orcs fed on humans, these vampires had been treating countless orcs as mere “livestock.”
Livestock meant to feed a certain Blood Ancestor.
This reality was even more devastating to Choudrou than the Blood Ancestor’s absence.
The vampires’ cruelty and cunning were far beyond the comprehension of these straightforward orcs.