75. He’s back again!
Now that we know of Ludwig’s existence and intentions, and considering her previous actions, it’s not too hard to guess the dangerous script that little fox Zelus is about to encounter. I’m not pleased with Ludwig’s chaotic evil antics, but what I’m even more suspicious of is her true purpose…
What benefit does stirring up trouble in the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian tribe bring her? Aside from amplifying her notoriety and escalating her wanted level from three stars to five, it seems there are no other outcomes. What is Ludwig’s goal?
Something feels off, but preparations must still be made because…
As I anticipated, “danger” soon approached. Hidden in the residence of Gelo and Gu Erdan, Kefir and I quickly caught wind of some news.
Not long after, the once peaceful Austro-Hungarian tribe welcomed back a “guest” who was not so well-received.
“Brother Gu Erdan, it’s bad! The orcs outside are saying that the expelled archmage has swaggered back in!”
When Gu Erdan, who had temporarily taken the archmage’s place after his expulsion, heard this “strange” news from his good brother Gelo and hurriedly set aside his affairs to rush out, he indeed witnessed a scene that made him feel very uneasy outside the temple of the Austro-Hungarian tribe!
The archmage had returned with a small number of his clan’s rat-orcs! The archmage’s previous schemes against the people of the Austro-Hungarian tribe had already led to his punishment by the great chieftain, and he had been uncontroversially expelled by the orcs, never to return!
Yet now, not only did he swagger in, but he also intended to force his way into the great chieftain’s temple. Even when stopped by the furious high-ranking orc warriors who had seen him, this guy showed no signs of fleeing, his expression unchanged!
Though he knew his mind wasn’t the sharpest, Gu Erdan was confident enough to realize he wasn’t a fool among the orcs. He quickly reached a conclusion: the archmage must have some “backup plan,” which is why he appeared so fearless!
“You traitor of the Austro-Hungarian tribe, what right do you have to return? If you don’t want to die, get out of the tribe quickly!”
“Traitor? Hahaha! You ignorant fools, what do you understand!? I am not just a traitor; this time, I have returned to prophesy the fate of the Austro-Hungarian tribe and save our clan!”
Indeed, facing the furious roars of the other high-ranking orcs, the archmage not only did not glare back in anger but even spoke with a sense of superiority, uttering even stranger words!
Before this situation could grow increasingly bizarre, Gu Erdan stepped forward to intervene!
“Enough! Everyone calm down! If we start fighting, we’ll be in the wrong!”
Blocking the archmage’s path to the temple with his body, Gu Erdan then… lowered his voice, laced with a hint of anger.
After all, just thinking about the archmage’s previous actions, which disregarded the lives of the Austro-Hungarian tribesmen, made Gu Erdan want to kill him! However, as the temporary stand-in for the archmage, he needed to remain calm to lead the Austro-Hungarian tribe in avoiding various dangers.
With that thought, Gu Erdan slowly spoke, baring his fangs as he glared at the archmage.
“The Great Wizard, you are no longer the Great Wizard of our Austro-Hungarian tribe. What right do you have to return after being exiled!?”
“Of course, it’s to lead the Austro-Hungarian tribe back to order under my guidance!”
The Great Wizard’s entire demeanor radiated excitement, as if he had encountered the future and gone mad with it! Coupled with his “sneaky” appearance as an orc, it only made Gu Erdan feel that things were going awry.
“Nonsense! We orcs know very well what you’ve done! Your punishment was personally decreed by the Great Chieftain! You have no right to return to the Austro-Hungarian tribe!”
“Hahahaha! That’s because you foolish pigs have all been deceived by your ‘Great Chieftain’! If the Austro-Hungarian tribe is to be destroyed, it will be by you idiots and the so-called Great Chieftain you speak of! Hmph, hahahaha, do you really know what your esteemed Great Chieftain is!?”
The reason all orcs in the Austro-Hungarian tribe respect and strive to grow stronger is precisely because of the “Great Chieftain,” something every orc knows! To say such things is to provoke the dignity of all orc warriors!
“You dare insult the Great Chieftain!”
“Do you want to die!?”
Faced with the righteous anger of the other orc warriors, Gu Erdan merely clenched his fists tightly.
Because this Great Wizard knew full well how reckless his words were, and that he probably wouldn’t even make it out of the Austro-Hungarian tribe alive, yet he still mocked the orc warriors with impunity!
“Foolishness! That’s why I have appeared for the Austro-Hungarian tribe! Your ‘Great Chieftain’ is deceiving you; that orc has lied… Hmph, as for what lies he told, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you now. Why not… set up an altar and let him come out and tell you himself!?”
“You…”
Ignoring the fury of the orcs, the Great Wizard continued, “If you have the guts, let him come out and judge me himself! If I die then, so be it!”
“Bind this guy who slanders the Great Chieftain!”
This time, the other high-ranking orc warriors would not tolerate the Great Wizard’s provocation any longer. Each one kicked the still-laughing Great Wizard to the ground, then roared, “Lord Gu Erdan! This orc who slanders the Great Chieftain, we…”
“He disregards the Great Chieftain’s punishment and still dares to return and provoke us! Since he wishes for the Great Chieftain to judge him again, then let us summon the Great Chieftain tonight for an even harsher judgment! First, let’s restrain him and his kin!!”
As Gu Erdan waved his hand, watching the high-ranking orc warriors push the Great Wizard away, the Great Wizard still wore a sly grin.
“Hmph, you fools, you won’t be so proud for long! Soon you will know that only I am the true orc! I already have evidence to dethrone the Great Chieftain you speak of! When the time comes, I will make you incompetent orcs my slaves, and you will die for me…”
“Shut up! Get out of here!”
An orc warrior’s fist slammed into the Great Wizard’s old face, finally silencing him.
However, that sinister, cold smile of his lingered in the heart of the silent Gu Erdan, never fading away! Could it be that this guy really returned to be judged once more by the Great Chieftain, only to come back and “face death” again!?