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Chapter 97: Alliance Reached

Reiner led Fiona and followed the madam into a spacious, opulent room.

She pushed the door open and signaled to someone inside with her eyes.

When they stepped in, they saw Connor lying in the very center of the bed, arms spread wide, snoring loudly.

He was hugging two naked women on each side.

Judging by the scene, he clearly possessed two iron kidneys as well.

It was almost noon and he still had not gotten up, obviously having ridden the wave of drink through a whole night of battle.

Nora and Martina looked on with utter contempt.

Perhaps hearing people enter, he pulled his hand back, rubbed his bleary eyes hard, propped himself up a little, glanced over, and mumbled, “Why are you here? Didn’t you say you dislike the women in this place? I don’t understand why you like those skin-and-bones types so much; women who can bear children are the real joy…”

As he spoke, Connor kneaded the woman beside him with his rough, calloused hands.

Reiner was momentarily speechless.

Their tastes were worlds apart, and he felt nothing for these plump middle-aged aunties.

Besides, Nora was far from skin and bones.

After a few months of nourishment she had put on a bit of flesh.

Slim where she should be slim, full where she should be full… now that was perfection.

Reiner shook his head and said, “My lord, I have something important to tell you, more urgent than chasing women.”

“Something important?” Connor sobered up, shoved the women on both sides awake, and motioned for them to leave.

Once they were gone, he sat up in bed. “Speak.”

Reiner reached out, lowered Fiona’s hood, and revealed her green skin.

Fiona bowed her head slightly and said politely, “Greetings, my lord, I am Fiona, priestess of the Rocky Ridge Clan, and I have come to ask a favor…”

The half-awake Connor snapped completely sober, strode about naked, grabbed the battle-axe by the bed, leaned in to scrutinize her, then asked Reiner, “You caught another orc? And she can even speak our language!”

Fiona shrank back a few steps in fear and instinctively hid behind Reiner.

“She isn’t a captive; she came of her own accord and wants to form an alliance…”

“An alliance? Tell me the details.”

Reiner repeated Fiona’s words roughly for Connor.

He seemed especially interested and, while dressing, said, “The Rocky Ridge Clan… I remember they were the strongest orc tribe in the north 20 years ago; I never thought they would be wiped out so soon. How many of your people are left now… 1,000? 500?”

A hint of sorrow flashed in Fiona’s eyes as she whispered, “Fewer and fewer, which is why we seek cooperation.”

Connor finished dressing, slung the axe over his shoulder, and walked up to them. “I have to discuss this with my elder brother. The Black Wolf Clan truly is a serious threat, but the decision is not mine alone. I will give you an answer in 3 days. In the meantime, find a way to stay in touch with Reiner; if there is news, I will look for him.”

Fiona nodded.

Connor patted Reiner on the shoulder again. “Come drink at the tavern tonight; my treat.”

“Again?” Reiner waved his hands at once. “No, no, I really can’t keep up; you drink without me.”

“Such a lightweight? What a pity.”

Reiner told Fiona to raise her hood and left the place with Connor.

They finally parted ways at the street corner.

Reiner escorted Fiona out of the city.

As soon as they reached the woods north of town, 6 orc guards emerged from the bushes one after another, still eyeing Reiner warily.

“Go back. Regardless of the news, I will come here again in 3 days,” Reiner said, resting his staff on his shoulder and stifling a yawn.

Fiona nodded, offered a brief farewell, and left with the orcs.

Watching her depart, Martina muttered, “So orcs have civil wars too… weird.”

Reiner stroked her soft cheek. “That should be normal. A dozen clans with different traditions and views… humans also fight wars between nations, let alone these orcs. Judging from Connor’s reaction, the Rocky Ridge Clan has probably never attacked humans, and if we can work together to wipe out the belligerent Black Wolf Clan, that will be a good thing.”

Junice nodded in agreement.

Reiner poked Elyanna, who stood beside him.

She raised an eyebrow slightly. “What?”

“Has this clan ever attacked you elves?”

Elyanna thought for a moment, then shook her head. “No. Basically only the Black Wolf Clan dares to bother us; no one else would.”

Reiner shrugged.

They continued hunting slimes in the area.

After completing the commission, he led the group back to the city.

On the morning of the 3rd day, someone knocked on Reiner’s door.

Aidan and Connor sat on horseback at the entrance, with a squad of Barnite warriors behind them.

Before Reiner could greet them, Aidan spoke first with an impassive face. “Take me to the orc; I need to talk to her.”

Though they were brothers, he felt completely different from Connor.

His words were terse and forceful, and he carried a faint aura of authority at all times.

Connor, on the other hand, was much more amiable, able to befriend anyone over a drink.

“Please wait, my lord.”

Reiner called to the others inside to gear up, then led the way, quickly arriving at the agreed meeting spot with Fiona.

As soon as they approached, several orcs led by Fiona stepped out of the shrubbery.

The Barnite warriors reflexively raised their axes.

The orc guards responded by raising their own weapons.

They did not lower them until Fiona spoke to stop them.

Aidan ordered coldly, “Put the weapons down. No one moves without my command.”

He and Connor dismounted, then turned to Reiner. “You come too. We’ll talk somewhere private.”

“Yes, sir.”

Reiner followed them alone.

He served as interpreter for Fiona, whose Barnite was still clumsy.

The discussion lasted about half an hour.

In the end, Fiona promised that after wiping out the Black Wolf Clan, they would not covet human territory and would deliver a monthly tribute of food, so Aidan agreed to the alliance.

From the talks they learned that in 2 days they would launch a surprise attack on the Black Wolf Clan’s settlement to exterminate it completely.

Aidan would lead the frontal assault, while Fiona’s task was to circle around, hit them from behind, and cut off any fleeing orcs.

Aidan turned around suddenly and said, “Reiner, we need your help…”

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