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Chapter 269: The Eight Orc Blood Oaths
🕑 Added 2025-02-17 14:09:01 +0000 UTCCharlot Mecklenburg asked with deep suspicion, “How exactly am I supposed to infiltrate?”
Menielman Soumet replied, “In a few days, a slave ship carrying orc slaves will arrive at Saint Michael Island.”
Charlot asked, “And then?”
Menielman responded, “Don’t you know Beast God's Transfiguration?”
Charlot was once again astonished and asked in return, “Senior, how do you know about that?”
Since Menielman was already aware of his ability to use Beast God's Transfiguration, Charlot decided there was no point in hiding it. Yet, he couldn’t help but wonder how Menielman, being so far away at sea, had found out.
Menielman smiled faintly and said, “Tumisan used to be one of my subordinates. Distrusting the Byron vampires, he quarreled with the other orc tribal leaders and led a group of orc assassins to join me across the sea.”
“When the orc coalition besieged Strasbourg, Tumisan was forced by the Orc Elders’ Council under the binding of the Orc Blood Oaths to return. After their catastrophic defeat, he encountered you. That’s when he thought of disguising you as an orc slave to infiltrate Saint Michael Island and taught you Beast God's Transfiguration.”
Charlot froze for a moment before asking, “So...”
Menielman explained, “He wasn’t there to assassinate you. He was delivering a message from me.”
Only then did Charlot realize why that old leopard-man had infiltrated the orc labyrinth guards—it was all for this reason.
Menielman smiled again, adding, “Tumisan said you were amusing and quite suitable for infiltrating Saint Michael Island, so he gave you a bit of a scare.”
Charlot recalled the old leopard-man’s parting words: “You must master Beast God's Transfiguration. The next time I return, if you’ve made significant progress, I’ll take you along for something big…”
It turned out that the “big thing” Tumisan mentioned was this mission.
Charlot hesitated. Acting as a spy often led to disastrous outcomes. He said, “Senior, I’m too timid and terrible at disguises. I’m afraid I’ll ruin your plans.”
Menielman replied, “Tumisan also told me that if you’re willing to act as an informant, he can resolve the crisis of Agmirlas.”
This time, Charlot wasn’t surprised. He remained silent for a while before asking, “Is he knowledgeable about the Labyrinth God?”
Menielman answered, “Tumisan once visited the New Continent and even created a labyrinth there. He wanted to establish a passage between the two continents. It would have been incredibly convenient if it had succeeded, but unfortunately, he failed.”
Charlot nodded and said, “I’m willing to help you take Saint Michael Island.”
Menielman whispered, “Thank you.”
After a brief silence, the Empire’s First Rose said softly, “Few people are willing to help me. Among them, you are the most unique. If I survive this ordeal, I will never forget how a junior went to such lengths for me.”
Faced with this show of gratitude, Charlot readily accepted and replied solemnly, “Senior! I’ll also need a copy of the orc’s Bloodthirst Combat Energy manual.”
Menielman beamed and said, “I’ve already prepared it for you.”
The orc’s Bloodthirst Combat Energy was said to be a secret technique passed down by the Eternal and Illusory Dragon, one of the Nine Just Gods. It was compatible with all orc races, but the resulting energy varied greatly among different races.
Orc combat energy, similar to the extraordinary knights’ path of humans, didn’t form a Knight Proof after reaching the tenth rank. Instead, practitioners forged a covenant with nature through the Eight Orc Blood Oaths: they must pass on their lineage, never abandon their comrades, never betray their allies, defend their faith to the death, embrace self-sacrifice, face death without fear, show compassion and care for life, and respect the cycle of nature.
Tumisan was forced to join the siege of Strasbourg because of the “never betray their allies” clause in the Blood Oaths.
The Eight Orc Blood Oaths were the source of orc strength. Breaking them would cause the Blood Oaths to collapse, leading to a sharp decline in power, often with no chance of recovery.
Charlot had never considered practicing Bloodthirst Combat Energy. Although it wasn’t a secret among orcs, he had never bothered to seek it out.
Menielman handed him a wax-sealed parchment and said, “This is something Tumisan left for you. It’s an original manuscript from when the Eternal and Illusory Dragon first taught the technique. It’s said to carry a slight chance of summoning this Just God’s favor.”
Charlot was wary of anything capable of summoning a god but reasoned that a Just God might be different from an Evil God. He accepted the manuscript.
With the mission now accepted, Charlot felt unexpectedly calm. He asked, “Senior, once I’ve infiltrated Saint Michael Island, what should I do?”
Menielman outlined three objectives: “First, send out as much intelligence as possible. We need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of Saint Michael Island. Second, support the internal resistance forces. While we don’t have insiders there, the island’s factions aren’t entirely unified. There’s a group called the Golden Rams; try to establish contact with them. Third, find a way to infiltrate Saint Michael Island’s prison. Three Saint-ranked individuals are held there. Freeing them will undoubtedly plunge the island into chaos.”
“As soon as Saint Michael Island shows a vulnerability, I will lead the fleet in a full-scale assault.”
“The island’s master once dueled a certain someone to a draw. Though that was years ago, and I doubt their strength surpasses mine now, I’ve still prepared three Saint-ranked fighters for the Golden Rams Fleet to ensure victory.”
Hearing about the three Saints, Charlot was astonished. He had initially thought Menielman’s situation wasn’t very favorable, but now he realized he had underestimated the Empire’s First Rose. Despite facing both internal and external difficulties, she had still managed to recruit Saint-ranked allies.
Truly, a formidable and capable woman!
Menielman continued, “Their magical alchemy warship comes from the Fars Empire. It originally belonged to the Duchess of Mesu and served as the flagship of the Northern Fleet. How it ended up at Saint Michael Island remains a mystery.”
“However, the most formidable assets of Saint Michael Island are an ancient magical warship and the island itself. Both originate from the ancient Saint Michael Kingdom. I don’t know their secrets either.”
“If you can uncover the secrets of the ancient warship and the island itself, it will significantly aid our conquest.”
Charlot committed each task to memory.
After talking with Menielman for several hours, Charlot was given accommodations in the lord’s manor. His former room had been taken over by his senior, but Charlot didn’t mind. He switched rooms and slept soundly.
The next day, Charlot began preparations for his infiltration of Saint Michael Island. Many weapons couldn’t be carried on the mission. He arranged for Berserker Blade and the Unicorn Griffon to be sent back to Machubi. Instead, he brought the Silver Rhino, Blood Rose, Red-Blue Rattlesnake, Withered Rose, and Blood Rhinoceros.
Yes, and also the Blood Spirit Rhinoceros.
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