Chapter 75: The circumstances of Norg's ambitions
In one of the largest and most chaotic regions of the Pocket World lives one of the Terraplane world's most diverse races: The Demons. The region they inhabit and rule over is called the Daemon Region. This area also happens to be one of the most affected by the widespread changes brought by the Dimensional Gates.
Within a certain land in the Daemon Region lies the clan of demons known as the Hobgoblins. They are a Demon race with bloodline connections to the most diverse Demonic Beast race.
Currently, at a tower on the outskirts of Hobgoblin territory, where two other demon races converge, a crucial meeting is taking place between Hobgoblin experts and experts from these other two races: the Bramblefiends and the Chitinous Stalkers.
Demonic Races Present:
Bramblefiends: Demons with coarse, bark-like bodies adorned with sharp, woody thorns and twisted vines around their joints and spines. They also have a small pair of antlers on their heads.
Chitinous Stalkers: Demons resembling mosquitoes, with crude, dark human flesh. They possess four thin arms and two thick arms, slightly elongated heads, and multifaceted eyes. They also have a pair of insect wings, though they can't fly very high until they reach the Golden Lord or higher stage. They lack a traditional mouth, instead having a retractable proboscis.
Within the tower, the top leaders of the three races, all at the Mortal Shedding Realm, along with Golden Lord experts at the Gold Tier 5 stage, and the most numerous Gold Tier 4 stage experts, sat within their designated sections. They were discussing numerous plans, rumors, and recent happenings, especially concerning the gate that had appeared across the world.
In one particular seat on the Hobgoblins' side, Norg listened intently to the conversation. Even among Golden Lord experts, Norg held a special status that earned him extra favor and attention from the few Mortal Shedding Realm experts present. After one topic concluded, another, somewhat directly involving his interest, arose.
"Has there been any recent news regarding those in the Fae Region?" inquired a Chitinous Stalker expert in the Early Stage Mortal Shedding Realm.
"As far as we know, there has yet to be any new information to speak of," said a Bramblefiend Expert at the Gold Tier 4 stage.
"Hmm, nothing in particular on our end either. Though…" spoke a Golden Lord of the Chitinous race, trailing off.
"Hmm, I still say that perhaps we should really go forward with the plan when it comes to aligning ourselves with all of those other guys since none of them will see it coming, and it will be a great chance to plunder, pillage, and collect a few slaves! Hehehe," said a sinister Hobgoblin of the Early Stage Mortal Shedding Realm.
"Hmm, that's certainly not off the table for now if we have plenty of aid from various other powers."
"I agree! For the past 400 years or so, even though those powers in the Fae Region aren't completely aligned with each other, they are all extremely protective of their own."
"Hah! Even though they aren't aligned, they're far more aligned than what they were centuries ago. I even suspect that the Fanged Elf Clan has probably once again recovered their strength…"
"Hmph, even so, it's not like they're untouchable! They suffered greatly during the Whispering Expanse True World invasion!"
"That's… True, but so did many others, and it was mostly because of the vast number of traitors."
"Including our three races, right? Heh, you forget that all parties involved suffered."
"Haaaah, enough with this argument."
During the back and forth, many voices offered their opinions on what might be a perfect approach to an invasion: what to look out for, if it was even necessary, and if there was any point to doing one with danger looming from many sides, including within their very own Daemon Region.
Norg finally spoke up, giving his opinion with a nasty gleam in his eyes. "I say that we negotiate with the Longbi Clan that are currently mixed up in another huge internal war, as well as certain Demonic Beast Clans we have connections with based within the depths of the Whispering Expanse. We should also make plans with the Rudell Region's Mirehearts, as they would certainly latch onto an opportunity to pillage and breed with races like those elves."
Upon hearing Norg's suggestions, a small silence descended upon the room as everyone began to digest these ideas. Greed and even a tinge of lustfulness were etched across the faces of a portion of the demons, while others remained thoughtful, seeing war as a natural conclusion. Some were uncertain about any of it, and a dissenting portion felt this was likely not a good idea. As the three demon races once again began to speak their minds, with the majority leaning towards an invasion, a fourth party of demons suddenly entered the tower.
"Oi! What is the meaning of this? Why were we not informed of the Luman Tribe being invited here?!" shouted a Mortal Shedding Realm Bramblefiend, his aura surging in anger, causing a wave of pressure to exert upon those below the Mortal Shedding Realm.
"Forgive us for not informing you, since we know how your Bramblefiend tribe and the Luman tribe are not on good terms, but they have more influence and connections than all three of our races combined," calmly replied a Mortal Shedding Realm Hobgoblin. Those in the Chitinous Stalker tribe also nodded in confirmation, having expected their appearance.
"You bastards…!"
"Calm down and listen to them. Perhaps they can give us a perspective we've been missing, as they are the types that are more calculative and careful, even among various demon races."
After calming the Bramblefiend, one of the leaders from the Luman race entourage made his greetings as he surveyed the room, before saying something that brought their invasion ideas to a halt.
"In my opinion, touching the current Fae Region is a terrible idea. I hate to say it, but based on what we've managed to gather, the status quo isn't really what you think it is. I even suspect that they secretly have far more allies or powers willing to fight alongside them, thanks to the unknown changes that have happened to the Fanged Elves," the Luman man said with a serious expression.
"What?! That's a bunch of bologna! I'm telling you, the Lumans are not as resourceful as you all make them out to be!" shouted a Bramblefiend.
"Hah! For them to say that, I also think they are likely thinking too much into it," said a Hobgoblin.
Those in the Chitinous Stalker race silently looked at each other in thought before one of them said, "Let's continue to hear him out."
The Luman man once more began to speak, "It doesn't matter whether you believe me or not. Heh, it looks like you fools really haven't noticed it, but some of the supposed parties you called upon to help you don't plan to really put effort into invading, as they suddenly see a bigger picture, especially with the giant dimensional gate on the brink of opening and so many powerful beasts appearing out of nowhere. Oh, and let me say this: the Aetherium tribe that you Hobgoblins suddenly decided to work with recently doesn't actually plan on helping you the way you think they are. You should know that those people are demon supremacists even among demons, and to top it off, they are three of the most powerful races in the Daemon Region. Lord Devrak has already gone back on his word when he heard about what was happening in the Fanged Elf Kingdom."
Norg shot up from his seat, gritting his teeth as he shouted, "No! That can't be! We've already made a contract with not just him but various other forces! They can't go back on their contracts without suffering divine backlash…!"
"That's certainly true if it weren't for certain stipulations. And who's to say they didn't already make a move, still honoring the contract along with using various loopholes?" the Luman race man retorted with a disdainful smile.
Upon hearing this conversation, it was like a bucket of ice-cold water had hit most of the experts' faces as they pondered the implications. Had similar things like this not happened before? Norg, in frustration, continued to try to refute everything the Luman man had said, but it was to no avail, as many had become very uncertain about truly embarking on a war campaign with the unknown beyond the dimensional gate.
"I will be honest. There's actually a much more secret reason why the top Demon tribes and even top Tribes from other regions have made certain moves and don't wish to be directly involved in any disputes. It's just that the Fanged Elf Tribe might have been one of the tribes to catch on the quickest. I'm here to give you a severe warning with that in mind. Some people wish to secretly bet on the Fanged Elf Tribe for their own salvation." The Luman man gave his final word of warning before he and his Tribe left, while the other three races remained silent for the moment.
Norg, feeling extremely disgruntled, thought about three faces in particular that had driven him thus far. Two of them he wished to ravish to the point where he dreamt about it every so often: Aeloria and Rudecka. And then there was that fearsome man Devrak. In his anger, a few missing puzzle pieces suddenly linked together as he recalled his experiences in the Whispering Expanse before returning to the Daemon Region, along with the circulating news about the changes happening in the Fanged Elf Kingdom.
Aeloria, three humans, Laughing Blue Blade Reaper, Rudecka and her fascination with every move Aeloria makes, Devrak—a powerful master manipulator of the Aetherium Tribe who has a status no less than a Mortal Shedding Realm expert constantly making big moves behind the scenes, a sudden breakthrough of blessings from a Royal Elf girl, a Human Margrave of the Fanged Elf Kingdom, hidden supporters that likely did not exist prior to all of this…
Norg felt a heavy pressure headache while trying to connect the dots, as if he were on the verge of uncovering a hidden truth. The Whispering Expanse True World experts… Didn't Dredger silently support Aeloria—no, the Fanged Elves and their future actions—as long as they didn't get in their way?
Norg suddenly went pale in realization. Could it be that a massive invasion was about to take place? From two different ends?! The Dimensional Gate as well as the Whispering Expanse True World experts whose true power was still unknown?