Chapter 167: The Sterilized Orcs

Rhett's heart tightened as he took a deep breath and said, "Commander Avalan, please give me a moment. There's something I must tell you."

He outwardly adopted a mysterious expression, all while sneaking a few more glances at the formula.

However, Avalan's eyes turned cold, and with lightning speed, he snatched the parchment and Dawn Powder from Rhett's hands, immediately applying the powder.

Rhett had no time to react; the items were gone from his grasp. Internally, he cursed, realizing his mistake. He then met Avalan's cold and disappointed gaze and heard the words, "Rhett, why did you deceive me?"

Rhett remained silent, which only fueled Avalan's anger. He placed a firm hand on Rhett's shoulder, the weight of his grip making it hard for Rhett to breathe.

"Sigh, it's time to end this simulation," Rhett thought to himself as he silently chose to terminate the simulation.

A ripple spread before his eyes.

The scene around him changed instantly.

Rhett blinked, feeling disoriented, but quickly found himself back at the gates of Blueleaf Castle. Everything he had just experienced felt both real and fleeting, like a dream.

After calming his mind, Rhett reflected on what had just transpired. The recent experiences confirmed to him that this method was indeed viable! As long as he continued simulating...

He could definitely get his hands on the formula for Black Crow's Sorrow!

However, this time, he didn't rush back into a simulation. Instead, he stood there, staring at the gates of Blueleaf Castle.

"Lord, long time no see!" Henk, emerging from Blueleaf Castle, greeted Rhett with a smile of delight and excitement.

Rhett smiled faintly, stepping forward to greet him. "Henk, it's great to see you again! I came to visit you today, but just now, I received an urgent task. Unfortunately, I'll have to come back in a couple of days."

"Haha, Lord, you go ahead and handle your duties. I'm enjoying my time here, refining potions and learning from many other alchemists. It's been quite rewarding!" Henk replied with a smile, showing he didn't mind at all.

After exchanging a few brief words, Rhett quickly returned to Sub-Fort No. 1.

He sat at a desk, pulled out some paper and a quill, and began to record the information he had just acquired.

In just a few moments, Rhett had filled four and a half lines of text on the page—but there was still much more to add.

So, he immediately started another simulation.

"Do you want to start a real simulation? Each day of simulation will consume 1 Destiny Point."

"Yes!"

As the ripples spread, a smile appeared on Rhett's face. He stood up calmly and walked out of the room.

With his prior success, Rhett embarked on an endless loop of simulations.

Each time, he would pick up where he left off, recording new information.

After a dozen real simulations...

Rhett sat at his desk, hands resting on the sheets of paper filled with countless words and diagrams. Although his memory was good, he sought perfection, ensuring not a single character was wrong. After fully copying the formula, he even used a simulation to verify the entire formula.

At this moment, he confirmed that what he held in his hands was indeed the complete and flawless formula for Black Crow's Sorrow.

Rhett exhaled slowly, a smile spreading across his face as his eyes scanned the formula in his hands.

Just then, McCoff quietly approached, his face full of curiosity. "Rhett, what are you writing? You're being so secretive..."

"Haha, it's a secret for now!" Rhett quickly folded the paper and tucked it into his chest.

"Humph, keeping secrets from me? I'm not even interested!" McCoff grumbled, shaking his head as he returned to his bed.

Two days later.

News of the retreat of the orc royal bloodline spread to everyone.

Avalan officially announced: the war had reached a significant victory! But even though the battle at the gorge had calmed, it didn't mean peace between humans and orcs. Vigilance was still necessary.

During the day, patrols and missions continued as usual.

At night, not everyone could abandon the front lines to attend the celebration banquet.

Only a portion of the officers and soldiers attended the banquet hosted by Avalan—and Rhett was naturally among them.

Military celebration banquets lacked the pretense of nobility.

There were no unnecessary speeches or long-winded formalities. The event focused on one thing—acknowledging the contributions of the soldiers, which took the most time.

At this moment...

Avalan stood on a makeshift platform, conjured by an earth mage.

In the center of the gathering square, his mature yet clear and resonant voice echoed across every corner of the square: "Earl Nilo, for slaying two third-tier Blood Moon Werewolves, three third-tier Venomous Serpentfolk...

Baron Gale, for slaying two second-tier Blood Moon Werewolves and assisting in the slaying of three third-tier Venomous Serpentfolk...

Viscount Toronto, for slaying one second-tier Venomous Serpentfolk..."

As Avalan continued to announce the achievements, some soldiers rejoiced while others despaired.

Those who were joyful were naturally the nobles who had earned enough merit to advance from baron to viscount.

Those who despaired were the nobles who had failed to achieve much, or worse, had lost soldiers or even close family members.

This included Gale, who had grown up under the tutelage of his father, Rocky, learning many survival skills on the battlefield and training diligently. By following Rhett's team, he reaped considerable benefits and participated in the slaying of several royal orcs. Though his contributions weren't significant, Rhett ensured he received enough merit to advance to viscount.

Unfortunately, his strength still held him back, preventing further advancement.

As for Rhett's other in-law, Roy, his situation was far worse. He hadn't made any special contributions during the war and lacked the courage to fight heroically. Even if Rhett wanted to share some credit with him, it was impossible.

In cases where multiple soldiers anonymously reported false claims of merit, if the reports were verified, both Rhett and Roy would face severe consequences.

Ten minutes later...

Avalan's booming voice continued.

Finally, Rhett's name was mentioned.

Avalan paused briefly before announcing, "Finally, I need to introduce someone special to all of you—our rising star on the gorge's front line—Rhett.

Returning to the battlefield as a fifth-tier Archmage, Rhett slew dozens of fourth-tier royal orcs and dozens of third-tier royal orcs..."

The crowd erupted in murmurs and whispers.

As Rhett's strength and extraordinary achievements were revealed, the entire square was abuzz with conversation. People looked around, trying to spot Rhett.

"Rhett? I think I've heard that name before—he was a seasoned squad leader. And now he's a fifth-tier Archmage?"

"You're out of the loop. I heard that Rhett became a noble by chance after taking a Bloodline Potion, which gave him his current talents!"

"A Bloodline Potion? That's enviable!"

"But still... he earned his accomplishments. You have to admire that."

Standing in a corner of the square, Rhett remained calm.

In truth, Avalan's disclosure of Rhett's achievements was modest.

The major pieces of intel Rhett had provided earlier were significant contributions.

But according to Avalan, these achievements couldn't be publicly revealed yet because they were still searching for the "mysterious person." Only his orc-slaying feats were made public.

"Congratulations, Rhett! In just two years, you've accomplished so much. That's legendary even by Southwest Border standards!" Earl Nilo squeezed through the crowd and made his way to Rhett. His eyes were filled with amazement and admiration as he looked at Rhett.

"Thank you, just lucky," Rhett replied modestly, shaking his head.

"Rhett, you've been hiding your strength! When did you become a fifth-tier Archmage?" McCoff asked, his eyes full of surprise as he looked Rhett up and down.

"I told you last time that I was close to a breakthrough. I just managed it not long ago," Rhett shrugged.

"Father, you'll soon be the strongest in the Southwest Border!" Tuck said with a laugh, his hands on his hips.

Rhett scowled and playfully smacked Tuck on the back of the head. "Far from it! The gorge is the true gathering place for strong individuals in the Southwest Border!"

Tuck scratched his head and grinned sheepishly.

Earl Nilo smiled broadly, but inwardly he sighed. Despite Rhett's humility, he knew that the power dynamics in the Southwest Border were about to shift dramatically...

The celebration banquet didn't last long—half an hour at most.

And as soon as it ended, most of those present had to return to the front lines to continue their duties.

Only those stationed in the rear could finally relax a little.

Under normal circumstances, the nobles wouldn't miss the opportunity to socialize and would host a grand party.

Unfortunately, this was a military camp—solemn and disciplined—with no chance for such festivities.

As night fell...

Rhett made his way alone to the central war fortress. According to regulations, he could leave once the celebration banquet was over.

In fact, most of the nobles had already left the gorge as soon as they received the news that the alert had been lifted.

"Rhett, you're still here?" Anbiru turned away from the map he had been studying and smiled at Rhett. "Have you changed your mind and decided to stay?"

Rhett let out a small chuckle. "Commander Anbiru, I'm here to exchange some of my merits for two orcs, and I wanted to report that to you."

"Exchanging for orcs?" Anbiru's tone rose slightly, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "With your current merits, you're more than qualified to be promoted to earl. Exchanging for two orcs won't be a problem."

"However, since the gorge's front line was established, very few people have chosen to exchange for orcs."

"Oh? Who was the last noble to exchange for orcs?"

"That would be Ragnar, the first earl of the Southwest Border. He exchanged for a Nightcat orc years ago, but I heard it died within a few years."

"I see." Rhett smiled. "Thank you, Commander Anbiru."

Anbiru nodded. "There's one rule you need to know. Once you take these orcs, they're yours to do with as you please on your territory—no one will question that."

"But remember, orcs cannot be resold or transferred. They are not allowed to circulate within or outside the kingdom."

"I understand the rules. Don't worry, Commander Anbiru," Rhett replied with a smile.

"Fody, take Rhett to the slave camp and let him choose personally," Anbiru instructed with a shake of his head.

Fody, who had been quietly working at a desk in the corner, stood up and led the way to the door, smiling. "Please follow me!"

The slave camp was located deep within the military camp.

The orcs confined there had all been subdued, and though not particularly strong, they performed hard labor.

They were tasked with tasks like hammering iron, chopping wood, and transporting supplies.

Without authorization, entry into the camp was impossible. Even though Rhett had been stationed at the gorge front line for over a decade, he had only ever seen the massive, pitch-black gates from a distance.

This was his first time inside.

Rhett followed Fody to the gates of the slave camp. After reporting their identities to the knights guarding the gate, the doors were opened from within.

With a mix of groaning and creaking, the heavy, ancient doors slowly parted.

A towering figure appeared before Rhett.

"Commander Avalan?" Rhett saluted.

"Rhett, we meet again. What brings you here?" Avalan asked with surprise. Then, realizing the answer, he asked, "You're here to take a few orcs back, aren't you?"

"That's correct," Rhett nodded.

Avalan stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Rhett's shoulder. "Rhett, I want to personally ask you to stay at the gorge front line."

"With your talent and abilities, you'll achieve great things here! In the future, I can't guarantee a duchy, but when you reach the sixth tier, I will personally write to the king and recommend you for the title of marquis!"

Even Fody, who was standing nearby, looked at Rhett with surprise, his gaze becoming more serious. The knights standing still at the gate couldn't help but glance sideways, curious about the man their commander praised so highly.

Feeling the weight of their gazes and the sincerity in Avalan's eyes, Rhett took a deep breath and repeated the same words he had said to Anbiru earlier: "Commander, my family is waiting for me back home. I've been away from them for too long, and they need me by their side."

"I cannot accept your request."

"But I promise you this—if the front lines call, I will return without hesitation!"

A trace of disappointment flickered in Avalan's eyes, but he was also moved. He gave Rhett a firm pat on the shoulder before leaving.

Finally, Rhett entered the slave camp.

Behind the black iron gates, despite the presence of hundreds of towering orcs moving back and forth, Rhett could sense the overwhelming despair in their eyes.

It was as if they had sold all their vitality just to survive! Even with Rhett's arrival, the orcs barely glanced at him, continuing to haul heavy ores on their shoulders like lifeless shells.

"These are all low-tier orcs. You can choose any of them," Fody said, pointing at the orcs as if they were mere commodities.

Rhett didn't feel much pity or sympathy for them—it was simply the fate of the defeated. Human prisoners captured by the orcs wouldn't fare any better, and if they ended up in the hands of draconians, their fate would be even worse!

"By the way, what if one of these orcs becomes pregnant in my territory?" Rhett suddenly asked, considering the potential issues.

Fody gave Rhett a strange look. "Pregnant? That won't happen..."

"These orcs were sterilized after they were subdued. They've lost the ability to reproduce."

"Unless someone is willing to give them rare potions or they somehow advance to the saint level, they won't regain their reproductive abilities for the rest of their lives."