Thousands of white tents were lined up in such perfect order on the wide plain that only someone looking from the sky could understand it. The inside of the tent, ten times the size of the others and located right in the middle of the perfect circle they formed, was completely full today.
The tent, bearing the figure of thorny vine shoots wrapped around a red orc fist, was the Khan's residence and the place where negotiations with envoys from four continents would be held. Ainle was at one end of the floor table, the Khan at the other, while the envoy delegations were lined up on the right and left sides.
"How nice to see you on our continent in peace, please come in!"
Taking the floor, Ainle extended his hand forward, palm up, to learn their troubles after a short introduction.
"Leader of the Druids, while the Empire of Machines delivers one hundred million gold coins as war reparations, it demands the continuation of trade for the materials we purchased for scientific studies!"
The first response to the call came from a short man wearing strange glasses on his single eye, Machiavelli, the Head of the Ministry Responsible for Inventions of the Empire of Machines.
"What do you say, Leonardo, should we accept your counterpart's request?"
When the Khan turned to the man sitting immediately to his right, he found him running his fingers through his messy hair.
"The vast majority of the materials purchased are used in making weapons; the last war showed that this is not a situation for us to fear!"
The Master was sure that the records of the war had somehow passed into the hands of his former civilization. He was rubbing it in the envoys' faces that they were helpless against his power and that of the small child he took as an apprentice.
"If you approve with your sublime generosity, it only remains for me to discuss the new pricing policy!"
The Khan smiled; he knew very well what an agent from inside the opposing side was capable of during bargaining.
"Agreed, next!"
"Sir, on behalf of the Mercenaries, while delivering one hundred million gold coins as war reparations, we wish for the trade flow between our civilizations to continue!"
There were all kinds of people in the Mercenaries' envoy delegation; from soldiers in their camouflage to merchants showing off in their gold-leaf robes, all colors of civilization were standing ready.
"Parthenia City Lord, the city is our united continent's opening point to the world. We are curious about your views!"
Lord Marcos had tied his wavy black hair with the help of a white ribbon today; in this state, he resembled his father. His loyalty during the seclusion of Nafız, the Khan, and Bookworm, and in the process that followed, had carried him to his place inside the tent today.
"Our door is open to everyone who pays their tax and obeys the rules!"
After the young lord's words, the delegation's faces began to smile, but Marcos hadn't finished yet.
"However, you all know what happens when the opposite situation occurs. If there is anyone who tests our patience, their civilizations will pay the price!"
The young lord who begged Nafız for the forgiveness of the rebelling city people was no more; he spoke his words looking into the eyes of the envoys of four civilizations.
"Since we agreed, next!"
This time the silence prolonged; representatives of the remaining two civilizations were looking at each other. Neither the Hell Realm nor the Lands of Light seemed likely to speak.
"We don't have enough time to waste with you, either speak or else!"
Bookworm spoke by slamming his fist on the table where he represented the military wing; the message was very clear.
"As the Hell Realm, we will not be present on this continent again; likewise, if orcs or druids set foot on our continents, they will not be welcomed!"
"The Lands of Light has cut off all commercial and human relations; likewise, we do not want you to come to our continent in any way!"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense; orc warriors at the table leaped from their places with fury.
"Sit down!"
"I would have loved to see the Hell Realm's famous Exploding Mountain, but it seems it will be a bit delayed!"
"You speak the truth, Khan; I too desired to visit the unique Hanging Gardens of the Lands of Light. As you said, we will wait a bit!"
The two leaders were laughing with mutual laughter; they were relaxed as if they were not the ones threatened just now.
"Then you can leave our lands within 1 hour, otherwise my kinsmen's power animals will taste your races once again!"
After the Khan gave his judgment, using his ability, he made the envoys of the two civilizations experience hell on earth for ten seconds. The faces of the people struggling to endure the great pressure turned purple as if they were about to explode; they sweated so much that wide water marks formed where they sat.
"You can wander in our lands in peace, develop commercial and human relations with our people!"
Ainle turned to the representatives of the two civilizations offering war reparations; unlike the others suffering pain, spring air was blowing around them.
At this moment, the man with the monocle stood up slightly; after looking first at Ainle and then at the Khan, he spoke.
"Blood God Nafız and the Supreme Lord of Orcs Alyon are not among us; may this humble envoy learn the reason?"
The Khan made a sign for him to sit as if he expected this question.
"Blood God Nafız and the Supreme Lord of Orcs Alyon have been exiled from the continent by me; no orc can have relations with them. Otherwise, they will be executed without question!"
The answer was clear and concise, but the facial expression of all envoy delegations changed without exception at that moment; these words were said even before the events that broke out in the Wild Swamp.
Great distress would come and settle in their hearts; while their state amused the Khan, two nights ago fell into his mind.
"Grandpa, I can't find Nafız. The strange thing is I can't sense her presence anymore either; it's unlikely, but I suspect something happened to her."
"Calm down, my grandson, the person you are looking for is currently inside a ship. She left the continent this morning with the sunrise."
"Why are you here, did she go alone?"
In the Khan's eyes, the two orcs were an inseparable whole; they were always side by side from the moment he was born.
"There is no place for me in the lands she went to; besides, I won't stay long either. When evening comes, another ship will leave the port for me!"
"Where are you going, grandpa?"
Alyon grabbed the Khan, who was stunned by the shock news he received one after another, by the shoulder and seated him. Now, the burly orc was waiting slightly bowed in front of his grandson sitting on his throne.
"Orc warrior Alyon will be in the lands of the Mercenaries for a secret mission; our old friends with whom we have common interests need help!"
"Grandpa, please don't bow in front of me!"
The Khan didn't remember how many times he said this, but Alyon insisted on making this movement every time.
"Besides, how will the job you mentioned happen in this state of yours; forget being an orc, the whole world knows your face now!"
"Oooo your majesty, don't you have news; the Nikonya city lord has a terrific solution regarding this subject!"
Alyon, straightening up slightly, quickly swallowed the liquid inside the small tube appearing in his hand. At the same time, in another place, inside the ship in the middle of the sea, the red-haired female orc was doing the same thing.
"Little lady, it is an honor to accompany you!"
The young man wearing a jacket and pants made of white snake skin greeted the young girl across from him by bowing down to the ground. The only thing animating his body painted white by his skin, hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes matching perfectly with the color of his clothes was his blood-red shirt.
"Don't be goofy, Alis; since you recorded progress in your cultivation and were able to take human form, your jaw has become very loose. If it happens again, know that you will spend a long time inside the tattoo!"
When he lifted his head slightly, he saw the person scolding him; he couldn't believe his eyes while scanning her from head to toe. He was enchanted by the appearance of the young girl sitting on her knees, wearing a long-collared bustier wrapping her body over a frilly fluffy skirt.
With her arms covered in the same color lace and her boots covering her exposed legs, the one across from him was a total disaster. There couldn't be found a single person who wouldn't lose themselves seeing her blood-red hair extending to her waist.
Only her eyes made him very uneasy; he would recognize this look anywhere. No matter how much she changed, he couldn't forget the person she was a part of.
"I didn't think Gulag's potion would be this successful; if not for the bond between us, there is no way for me to know you are Nafız."
After completing his words, Alis immediately knelt on one knee; his face was looking at the ground.
"I forbid you to mention the name Nafız until our business on the Hell Realm is finished; from now on, my name will be Nora, and if that face blushes again, I will rip your head off."
His ice-cold pale white skin couldn't hide the slightest reaction; no matter what he did, he was caught red-handed in the face of Nafız's new appearance.