"Derrick. Dennis, and Desmond. Follow me to the Orc's Village for a quick visit," the Village Chief asked three other villagers to follow him over to a place no different from the waterside right now. To the orcs, that village is their safe haven. But to the humans, it was a place as dangerous as a battlefield.
But with the situation at the waterside is turning worst with every minute passed, something has to be done.
No matter how worried is the Village Chief, he would have to place a bet in hopes that the orcs are willing to help them. Of course, as the four of them make their way over there, there was a hint of regret in the Village Chief's mind.
'Ah... I shouldn't exploit that Orc Craftsman with good communication skills so much if I know we'll eventually need their strength. Let's hope that he'll be willing to speak on behalf of our village later.' the Village Chief sighed as he remembers all the selfish acts he did.
"From today, Cullen Azog will become our Chieftain. Everyone, do you agree?"
"Agree!"
"Agree!"
"Agree!"
A loud cheer was greeting the humans the moment they get closer to the orc's village. Confused and standing right outside of the entrance, the four were asking for answers amongst themselves.
"Cullen... Weren't that's the name of the young orc that helped repaired my roof?" Derrick said.
"He repaired my roof too... I was the one to introduce the orc to you a few days back." the human villager named Desmond said.
"Yes, that's him. After he was done repairing mine, I've introduced him to Derrick. But how is it possible for a little Orc Craftsman like him to become the Chieftain of the tribe?" the one called Dennis asked.
"Who knows? Maybe he's more intelligent than the others? Or because he earned some obsidian coins for the village?" the Village Chief smiled.
'Perhaps bringing the three old people here to become fodder for the orcs is a correct decision...' the Chief exhaled after knowing that the people beside him are the orc's acquaintance.
"Let us get in and have a look first." the Village Chief said. Walking into the orc's village unobstructed, the four soon arrived at a big circle where close to fifty orcs is gathered around and yelling Cullen Azog's name.
"Humans? There are humans here! Raise your weapon and revenge for Hargath!" two orc warriors blocked the path they came as the others started to drag them on the floor and pulled them over to Cullen Azog's house.
"Stop! No harm shall be done on the humans!" before the other orcs were going to attack the four guests, Cullen Azog immediately put on his word to stop them.
"What are you humans doing here in our village, village chief?" Cullen Azog asked. As an orc that frequent the human's village more often than the hunters going into the Forest of Wailing, knowing their names is not difficult.
At first, the Village Chief still had some worries about why Cullen Azog's was called. But right now, all his curiosity has been answered.
This orc craftsman named Cullen Azog has indeed become their Chieftain.
"I'm here to talk about Hargath's matter and also about helping mankind against an abomination coming from the river. Their number is too great. Without the orc helping, I'm afraid that the human wouldn't last too long." the Village chief said.
"Hargath's matter? That's great. Explain to me in detail. What happened?" Cullen Azog's eye resembles an eagle as he requested to be given an explanation.
"The hunters, along with Hargath, was attacked by a mutated Scale Lizard capable of firing bone spikes. Even the black boar they're supposed to hunt fell into the jaw of these abominations." the Village Chief explained.
This answer from the Village Chief cleared Cullen Azog's doubt. Although he wasn't a warrior like Hargath or the others, he knew how strong is a black boar. Even Tarzul can defeat the beast on his own without using a weapon.
"Tribesmen! Are you satisfied with the answer given by the Village Chief?" Cullen Azog asked the others if they're willing to accept an answer like this.
"Satisfied!"
"Satisfied!"
The orcs agreed. That approval of theirs was like a piece of a boulder that was removed from crushing the Village Chief.
"Now, we can speak about the abomination. Is that the Scale Lizard Hargath mentioned before his death? What's about it?" Cullen Azog continued. As the only one with the best communication skill amongst all of them, there's no choice but to lead the discussion.
"We have no idea where this thing came from. But from what we know, there are too many around the water area. If we don't take action as soon as possible, I'm worried that the infestation will be worst." said the Village Chief.
"Then, what is the human suggesting? I am very interested to see what you had for my tribesmen and me." Cullen Azog replied as he patiently waits for the Village Chief to continue.
But as he was going to speak, the arrival of Rosie Cullen made him speechless.
"You... You're the youngest princess of the Cullen's Empire... Rosie 'Luminaria' Cullen..." the Village Chief once visited the empire before. He was given a chance to witness her beauty at that time. Although the current Rosie Cullen is no longer the young, charming, and city toppling beauty like before, there's still a hint of her prime on her face right now.
"Mother, have a seat." Cullen Azog's word shook him to his core as he heard the title 'mother' came out from Cullen Azog's mouth.
'The rumor is true... She's been taken by the orc to be impregnated. To think that this Chieftain is her own flesh and blood...'
"Village Chief. I am still waiting for your offer. What is the human suggesting?" Cullen Azog asked again after noticing how confused he seems.
"The - The village is willing to share half of the resources collected from getting rid of this infestation together. I hope this offer would let you see our honest intention to cooperate with each other!" the Village Chief said.
"Sound very attractive... What do you think about the offer, mother?" Cullen Azog asked for his mother's opinion.
"That's indeed attractive... But not sincere enough!" Rosie Cullen turned her head away from looking at the Village Chief while she speaks.
"Then... What does the princess say?" asked the Village Chief.
"Pay your compensation for drafting the wrong order request for the weapons you commissioned my child to do. Only by then, we may speak equally on the discussion table," said Rosie Cullen.
"This lowly Village Chief agrees. We'll get our blacksmith to prepare the ores as soon as I get back to the village!" he said.
"Good. Son..." Rosie Cullen gently called for her son.
"Yes, mother," Cullen Azog nodded.
"You may proceed to have a talk with the Village Chief." Rosie Cullen excused herself back to the villa.
"Alright, tell me. Where did the abomination come from?"