Aftermath

With Liam's victory over Sir Cedric, the tide of battle shifted dramatically in favor of the orcs.

The sight of their leader standing victorious over one of the humans' strongest knights inspired the orcs to fight with renewed vigor.

Roaring with determination, they pressed forward with unrelenting force, pushing the human army back step by step.

Uldren, sensing the shift, amplified his magic. Mystical auras enveloped the orc warriors, bolstering their strength and speed.

Spells of fire and lightning rained down upon the retreating humans, while healing and protective wards ensured the orcs continued their advance with minimal losses.

Grothar, a relentless force, charged through the human ranks, cleaving through enemies with brutal precision.

The human forces, already demoralized from the loss of their commander, faltered under the combined might of Liam's leadership, Uldren's magic, and the orcs' ferocity.

What had been a hard-fought battle soon became a desperate retreat for the humans.

Some attempted to flee, while others threw down their weapons, surrendering in hopes of mercy.

Liam raised his weapon high, signaling the final charge. "Push forward! Victory is ours!" he roared, his voice cutting through the battlefield like thunder.

The orcs surged ahead with a collective battle cry, their momentum unstoppable. The human forces, seeing no way to regain control, began to fall apart entirely, scattering in every direction.

*Many hours later*

Several hours after the battle, the dust had settled. The scent of blood still hung in the air, but the once chaotic battlefield was now silent, save for the distant sounds of orcs tending to the wounded and gathering the fallen.

Inside a large tent at the heart of the Ironblood tribe's settlement, Liam sat at a round table, surrounded by the key leaders and orc heroes.

"We have gained much," Liam began, his voice steady but somber. "The humans have retreated, and we've captured their commander—a viscount.

Their forces are disorganized, and they've sent word to negotiate for his release. It's a significant bargaining chip."

"However this win was not without sacrifices" Grothar Interjected

"The Ironblood tribe has lost its chief. He fought Sir Cedric before My LOrd and fell in battle."

His eyes briefly shifted to Liam, who had avenged the fallen chief by defeating the knight.

The room fell silent, the weight of Grothar's words sinking in. The death of a chief was no small matter, and while they had claimed victory, the loss of such a key figure left a power vacuum that could destabilize the tribe.

"The chief's death will have a ripple effect," Uldren added, his voice calm yet grave.

"Orc tribes often fracture after the loss of their leader. Without a strong figure to unify them, we may see internal strife, especially now that we've gained recognition for this victory."

Uldren turned his wise, calculating gaze to Liam. "There is only one way forward," he said slowly.

"My Lord, you must lead us. You have shown your strength, your courage, and your wisdom in battle.

"The orcs have seen it. They know it. There is no one better suited to lead this tribe out of the ashes."

Grothar, standing beside Liam, nodded firmly. "He's right, my lord. The tribe has no chief now, but you've proven yourself. The orcs will follow you."

The murmurs around the table grew, the orcs nodding in agreement. They had seen Liam in action, leading them to victory in the heat of battle.

The respect he had earned was palpable, and the orcs—battle-hardened and pragmatic—understood the value of strength when they saw it.

Liam stood from his seat, looking at the orc leaders one by one. "If the tribe is willing to follow me, I will lead."

"We will move to the oasis, rebuild, and prepare for whatever comes next. Together, we will be stronger."

The orcs grunted their approval, and Grothar thumped his fist on the table in support. Uldren nodded, a satisfied glint in his eyes.

"Then it is decided. We leave this place behind and move to the oasis. There, a new tribe will be born, and under your leadership, Liam, we will rise stronger than ever before."

The decision was unanimous. The Ironblood tribe would migrate, leaving their shattered camp behind.

As all the orcs dispersed after the discussion leaving only Liam and Grothar behind. 

Liam Submerged in his thought was startled by Grothar as he called him

"My Lord!"

"Ahh yes Grothar speak" 

"My lord, there is something else. While we were cleaning up the battlefield, some of the warriors found a chest—strange and locked tight. None of us have been able to open it."

Liam raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "A chest? What kind of chest?"

Grothar's eyes narrowed slightly, as if recalling the memory in detail. "It's similar to the one we found after defeating the golem in the dungeon."

"I didn't want to bring it up in front of the others until I knew what it was, but... it feels important, my lord."

Hearing this Liam became visibly excited hearing this news

Without hesitation, he nodded firmly. "Bring it to me, Grothar. Immediately."

Grothar nodded and left the tent without another word, moving swiftly.

Moments later, Grothar returned, flanked by two orc warriors carrying a heavy chest between them.

Its surface gleaming Blue under the flickering light, the same intricate symbols etched into its dark metal, pulsating faintly with an otherworldly energy.

They placed it before Liam, who stepped closer to inspect it.

As the orcs exited the tent, Liam put his hands on the chest

[Do you wish to open a Blue grade chest]

"Yes"

[Heart of Oasis obtained, Huge resource cache obtained, Huge essence cache obtained]

Liam stood there, processing the magnitude of what he had gained. This wasn't just a reward—it was what he lacked at the moment.

Liam stared at the immense wealth before him, realization dawning on his face.

The massive caches of resources and essence solved the primary challenge he'd been facing for weeks—his lack of resources to build the structures he desperately needed for his growing empire.

"I can finally build everything," Liam whispered, his eyes gleaming with newfound ambition.

The blueprints of various powerful buildings he'd acquired over time flashed through his mind—the walls, the Arcane Hall, the Altar of Ancients to summon legendary warriors.

Each had been a distant dream, an idea he could not realize because of the sheer amount of resources they demanded. But now, with this enormous cache, those dreams were within reach.

With these new riches, Liam could enhance the oasis into a true fortress

"With these... we are unstoppable," he muttered under his breath.

He then focused on the other rewards.

The heart of oasis was like a large scale permanent buff to the land. Increasing fertility of the land and the strength and vitality of everything living on the land.

And the token was described as an entrance ticket to the merchant association.

Liam unsure of what it was just decided to see what it was when he reached home.

Liam excited by this unexpectedly big haul called grothar and told him that he will be returning first and that he is leaving Uldren with them

Liam, unable to contain his excitement from the unexpected windfall, quickly summoned Grothar to his side.

"Grothar, listen up. This haul is bigger than I imagined. I need to return to the oasis and start putting these resources to use immediately,"

Liam said, his voice filled with a new sense of urgency and anticipation. "I'll be heading back first, but I'm leaving Uldren here with you to ensure the migration goes smoothly."

Grothar nodded firmly, his respect for Liam growing as he saw the newfound drive in his leader.

"Understood, my lord. We'll make sure everything runs according to plan. Uldren's wisdom will be more than enough to guide us."

Liam clasped Grothar's shoulder.

"Good. Make sure the orcs stay unified and strong during the journey. I'll be waiting at the oasis, ready to welcome the Ironblood orcs into our fold."

Taking a horse captured from the human army, Liam mounted the steed with a sense of anticipation.

The terrain began to change as he rode further away from the battlefield, the sand dunes rolling gently beneath him. 

Liam reached the oasis in just five days, navigating the journey with care and avoiding any unnecessary trouble along the way.

As the familiar sight of his camp came into view, a sense of relief washed over him. The shimmering waters of the oasis reflected the sunlight, a beacon of tranquility amidst the harsh desert.

As he approached the camp's perimeter, Liam was pleased to see Rorgash, his loyal warrior, patrolling the borders diligently.

Rorgash's towering figure cut an imposing silhouette against the sun, his vigilant eyes scanning the horizon for any threats.

The moment he spotted Liam, his expression shifted, and without hesitation, he rushed forward.

"My Lord!" Rorgash called, his voice full of relief and respect. He dropped to one knee before Liam.

"You've returned safely. But I don't see the other warriors. Where are they my lord?" Rorgash continued with a worried expression.

Liam dismounted, giving Rorgash a firm nod of acknowledgment. "It's good to see you, Rorgash."

"The others are at the Ironblood camp, handling various matters. How has the camp fared in my absence?"

At this, Rorgash's expression brightened even more. "The camp remains secure, my Lord," he replied, his voice brimming with pride.

"The warriors have been training diligently, and we've had no incidents. I've increased the patrols as you instructed, and morale is high among the troops."

"Excellent work," Liam said, clapping a hand on Rorgash's shoulder. "Gather the workers; I have important news and plans to discuss."

Rorgash's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "At once, my Lord." He bowed slightly before rushing off to summon the others.

Liam watched him go, taking a deep breath. The oasis felt like home now, but there was still so much to do.

With the arrival of the Ironblood orcs soon and the resources he'd brought back, the next phase of their growth was about to begin.

Liam gathered all the workers around him, his voice steady and authoritative. "Listen up, everyone!"

"We will be having a significant influx of new warriors and families arriving soon—around 700 to 800 orcs from the Ironblood camp. It's crucial that we prepare for their arrival."

He paused to gauge their reactions before continuing. "I want you to start constructing living quarters immediately."

"Focus on creating durable shelters that can withstand the elements. We need to make sure that every orc has a place to call home when they arrive."

With renewed energy, the workers nodded in agreement and quickly dispersed to begin the construction efforts, fueled by Liam's vision for their future.