Chapter 76: Welcome To Orford

"That was just bait to trick you into retrieving my lost dragon blood," Moriel said indifferently. "Stop thinking in such a self-righteous way, little one. Using your moral standards to judge beings inferior to you is arrogance, but using them to judge beings superior to you? That's just stupidity. If a rat believed you were despicable, that you didn't meet its moral standards, would you care?"

She touched her chin thoughtfully, as if contemplating something. "And besides, in a way, you were always meant to die. Not because I think so, but because Akibard did."

"What?" Asa's ears heard her words clearly, but his mind only grew more confused.

"Do you even know what this seal of Akibard's is?" Moriel gestured toward the black gemstone at the center of the magical formation. "Do you really think a mere human like him could have sealed me so easily?"

She smirked. "That thing was created by sacrificing half of his own magical power and half of his elven lover's lifespan to activate the soul force within the Black Star. That's how he forged a seal even I couldn't break."

"Only a guardian of darkness with the same Black Star imprint in their body—someone who has completed Akibard's meditation technique—can use their life essence to unleash a portion of this seal's power." Moriel pointed toward the cave's ceiling, where an icy passage was sealed shut. "That passage was Akibard's doing. He once told me that anyone coming down from there would be a necromancer who had mastered his meditation. He left that path so that I would kill anyone who walked it."

Moriel sighed with a trace of regret and looked at Asa with an almost pitiful gaze. "You've completely mastered his meditation technique. Even if you were to receive the imprint now, all it would do is merge with the darkness within you."

She shook her head. "Your body contains the same Lifeforce of the World Tree as Akibard… You were practically the perfect key to unlock the seal. But unfortunately… the details of this 'key' are completely reversed."

"I originally planned to cut off your head," she continued nonchalantly, "but I found you rather likable, so I only sliced open your wrist instead. That's when I realized—your blood had absolutely no effect on breaking the seal. You're really quite lucky."

Asa stood frozen for a moment, then suddenly collapsed onto the ground, sitting in stunned silence.

"…Then, could you please explain what exactly is going on?" He looked at Moriel, his eyes now devoid of anger, fear, or confusion. "As long as you tell me everything and make me understand, you can do whatever you want with me."

Moriel chuckled. "Heh, interesting little human." She studied him with renewed curiosity before giving a slight nod. "Fine. Since you're of no further use to me, I suppose I can consider rewarding you with some answers. But first, you'll need to tell me something in return. It's been quite some time since I last had a human to talk to."

"What do you want to know?" Asa asked.

"In the Central Mountain Range… No, in your language, it should be the Saundfest Mountains—there should be a large orc settlement there by now, correct?"

Asa hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "You mean Orford? Yes. But it's not just a settlement—it's already grown into a massive city."

"Orford?" Moriel sneered coldly, a gust of sulfurous air pouring from her mouth. "It's just a gathering of beast slaves with giant bloodlines, and they dare to borrow the name of the Giant's domain. That reptile named Theodorus is truly arrogant."

"You know Theodorus, the city lord?" Asa was stunned.

"He's a knowledgeable guy, knows quite a bit, came to talk to me over ten years ago. But that creature better pray I never see him again." Moriel paused for a moment, as if thinking, before continuing. "He probably has a companion, a half-elf, black eyes. From a human perspective, he might be quite strong. Do you know him?"

"I know him very well," Asa nodded.

"Moriel is not dead..." Theodorus furrowed his brow, his fingers tapping on the table. The high-quality black sandalwood desk emitted a dull thudding sound with each tap. The wood was imported from the depths of the Lizard Swamp, a rare material usually used in jewelry-making elsewhere on the continent, worth more than gold.

Shaman Timmah stood before the table, his enormous figure looming like a small mountain in front of Theodorus.

"And Lancelote, the Temple Knights?" Theodorus asked.

"They escaped."

"Escaped? How is that possible? The scroll I gave you..." Theodorus' face showed clear astonishment.

"The scroll should have been fully used. The priest Marcus I sent, although not very powerful, was quite capable in terms of adaptability and wit. But I don't know why, in the end, they all fled. And one of the Temple Knights even sabotaged our attack on the dark elves, using a forbidden spell scroll."

"Was it the Purgatory Paradise? That scroll is almost a treasure of the Glory Fortress. I never expected Magnus would actually be willing to use it..." Theodorus' expression turned strange. Naturally, he knew the Church had this powerful magic scroll, which had always been one of his greatest concerns. Now that the scroll had been used on Nigen, he should have been relieved, but he also knew that if the Pope was willing to use it, there must have been a good reason.

"At that time, we were locked in fierce battle with the dark elves' army, and tens of thousands of our soldiers turned to ash under the forbidden spell. Our elite forces were almost entirely wiped out. Not only that, but a great mage infiltrated our rear, wantonly slaughtering women, children, and even infants. He also destroyed the Satyr Temple..." The Shaman fell silent for a moment, closing his eyes as if reflecting or hesitating. Then he opened his eyes, sighed deeply, and said, "I came here because I need your help with something..."

Theodorus did not hesitate for a moment and responded decisively, "No problem, my friend. Whatever you need, just ask."

"Given the current situation, Moriel will never spare my people or the harpies. Chief Lorelei of the harpies and I have already escaped from Nigen's surface, but we have nowhere to go..."

"No problem, my friend," Theodorus replied again, showing no sign of hesitation. This elderly man, so vigorous and decisive like a young person, now appeared as bold and loyal as any youthful ally. "Orford has enough resources and land to accommodate friends of any race. Our system is loose and free enough; it certainly doesn't have the exclusionary beliefs and ideologies of the Church Kingdom. Since we have ogres, werewolves, and half-orcs, why would we care about minotaurs or harpies?"

The Shaman seemed completely unprepared for Theodorus' straightforwardness. After a brief pause, he bent down and gave a respectful bow to the human elder. In a voice full of gratitude, he said, "By the name of Satyr, your friendship will undoubtedly earn the respect and gratitude of all minotaurs. In our eyes, even all of humanity is not worth as much as you alone."

"No need to thank me, my friend. For the many years of our friendship, this is but a small favor," Theodorus said with a slight smile.

"But..." The Shaman hesitated, lowering his voice as he continued, "What about... that person... Moriel's adopted son... Grutt?"

The Shaman's voice dropped so low that it sounded almost like a whisper. His deep voice, usually commanding and strong, now took on a tone of caution, as though simply mentioning the name triggered a natural, instinctive response, as if he feared touching something dangerous.

Theodorus looked up, staring at the ceiling as he thought for a moment before smiling and responding, "It shouldn't matter. Everything in Nigen has long since ceased to be his concern."

"Then... where is he now? Should we notify him?" The Shaman, visibly relieved, asked.

"He's not in Orford; he's been in the Saundfest Mountain Range for some time."

"The Saundfest Mountain Range? That place..."

"Actually, if it weren't for the time constraints on your side, if we had more time, this operation would never have failed," Theodorus suddenly sighed.

"Why?"

"With enough time, I could give you not just one Gravity Field and one Blazing Fireball, but ten of them," Theodorus said. His tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable sense of disappointment and regret. "Precise calculations and carefully crafted tactics are, of course, an art, and they are my preferred method. But I must also admit that sometimes, the brutal and reckless bombardment is the truly effective and secure method."

The Shaman said nothing, simply staring at Theodorus with his mouth agape.

When he had recently taken those scrolls from Theodorus, he had been shocked. Whether it was the Blazing Fireball, Thunderclap Bomb, or Elemental Summoning, these were top-tier scrolls highly coveted by any ordinary mage. Not to mention the Space Lock and Gravity Field, which were treasures he had never even seen before, and were priceless in every sense.