After a long standoff.
The atmosphere inside the Battle Pig Camp was terrifyingly oppressive.
“Are the Humans still refusing to come out for a decisive battle?”
“How much food do we have left?”
Bad news arrived one after another.
Food supplies were critical. The rations left on the front lines were insufficient for two days. Because of this, conflicts had even erupted with the subordinate Orc tribes.
“Why should we share our food with you Battle Pigs?”
“The Humans are entrenched in the mountains. Why should we fight for you and still go hungry?”
“You Battle Pigs eat meat, while we eat husks and weeds?”
Internal strife was intensifying.
Aililan had merely manipulated the economic situation. The real major battle hadn’t even begun, yet the Battle Pigs were already divided and on the verge of collapse.
Late at night.
On a desolate sand dune.
A figure flapped its wings, descending from the sky, and warily looked at the Human ahead.
“Lionus, second young master of the Winged People, an ambitious individual. Am I correct?”
“Human, you’d better give me a reason not to kill you.”
The Human diplomat smiled. “As a diplomat, dying for diplomacy is my greatest honor.”
“What exactly do you want from me?”
“Our Saintess requires your loyalty.”
“You seek death!”
Lionus raised his spear, flapped his wings, stirring up a fierce wind, and instantly appeared before the diplomat, the tip of his spear pressed against the man’s throat.
Yet, the diplomat showed no fear, even wearing a hint of a composed smile.
It was as if, from the very beginning, he was certain the other wouldn’t kill him.
He reached out and gently pushed the spear aside.
“In five days, we will launch a full-scale assault on the main Battle Pig camp.”
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the Battle Pigs?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Because the Saintess doesn’t care.”
“Why?”
“You shouldn’t ask me. You should ask your own heart.”
The diplomat’s gaze was calm. “Are you truly content to remain a vassal of the Battle Pigs for your entire life?”
Lionus’s expression froze.
“Don’t be hasty.”
“You should understand the current situation clearly. If it becomes a war of attrition, the Battle Pigs will certainly lose.”
“Let me tell you another piece of news—the Elves may join the war at any time.”
Lionus’s pupils contracted sharply.
He couldn’t help but ask himself: Can the Battle Pigs… really win?
Even if they win, what will they gain?
The rise of the Battle Pigs originally relied on Human support. Could they possibly turn around, capture Atester, and force the Humans to submit?
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
He remained silent for a long time before asking in a low voice, “What do you want me to do… and what can I gain?”
The diplomat smiled slightly, his tone casual:
“Act as an insider when we launch our surprise attack on the main Battle Pig camp.”
“Of course, you can refuse. We don’t care.”
“But this is your chance to prove your loyalty.”
“I asked—what can I gain?”
“You can lead the Winged People to become the second most powerful force within the Battle Pig faction.”
“You plan to spare the Battle Pigs?”
“We don’t have time to cultivate another force capable of suppressing all the races from scratch.”
The diplomat’s tone was placid:
“But we can give you an opportunity.”
“If you are truly as outstanding as the rumors say—what’s wrong with replacing them?”
“After the war, one-third of the Battle Pigs’ spoils will belong to you.”
“We will also give you half of the trade share.”
“Even… if you have the capability, establishing a Winged Folk Kingdom would make no difference to us Humans.”
“These are empty promises.”
“Perhaps.”
The diplomat chuckled lightly. “But opportunities are only for those with courage.”
Having said that, he turned and left.
Lionus sat alone on the sand dune.
The night wind howled.
His gaze was deep and steady.
To choose the crumbling Battle Pigs, or to choose the Humans…
The answer had already surfaced in his heart.
—
Time passed slowly.
The Battle Pigs completely ran out of food.
Some Orcs even stripped the leather from their shields and crossbows to boil and eat.
Tree roots and grass once again became food on the table.
After another failed assault on the stronghold, the morale of the Orc side completely hit rock bottom, shrouded in lifeless gloom.
The moon reached its zenith.
Aililan drew her longsword and pointed it forward:
“Soldiers, the time to achieve glory and build your legacy is now—follow me and attack!”
Rows of soldiers stood tall and proud.
Before the war began, the Monks in the army had already explained to them—why they were fighting.
They were loyal to the Church, and even more loyal to that benevolent and powerful Saintess.
They were an army with faith.
“Kill!”
“Kill! Kill! Kill!”
Following Aililan’s command, morale soared to its peak.
Faith, discipline, superior equipment, and ample logistics made this army incredibly powerful.
The cavalry charged first, tearing through the enemy formation, wreaking havoc before swiftly withdrawing.
Immediately after, the sword-and-shield infantry advanced.
Their physical strength was inferior to the Battle Pigs’, but their willpower and faith far surpassed their opponents’.
The first collision—
They merely paused slightly before forcefully pushing back the hastily organized Battle Pig defensive line.
The battle line slowly advanced.
Victory was already assured.
“Hold! Everyone, hold the line!”
The Battle Pig Commander roared, “They’re just a bunch of weak Humans! As long as we kill a few of them—their morale will collapse!”
He had never anticipated that the Humans, who had been turtling in defense, would take the initiative to attack.
“As long as we crush them, this stronghold will be ours!”
Just as he was preparing to organize a counterattack—
A Battle Pig soldier rushed in frantically.
“My lord, it’s terrible! The Winged People…”
“What about the Winged People?”
“They’ve betrayed us!”
Thud—
The Battle Pig Commander staggered and heavily collapsed onto the table.
“The Winged People… How dare they?”
“I swear, after this battle, I will slaughter every last one of them!”
Before his words faded—
A sharp arrow pierced through the air.
“Before settling accounts with us, think about your own fate first.”
Lionus stepped into the tent, his expression dark.
He led the Winged People in a surprise attack from the rear of the Orc forces, forming a pincer attack with the Humans.
This was the loyalty he offered to the Saintess.
He understood very clearly—
The Saintess would still make use of the Battle Pigs.
But she had never said the Battle Pigs couldn’t be weakened.
So what he had to do—
Was to slaughter as many Battle Pigs as possible in this war, weakening their power and influence.
This was his offering, his proof of allegiance.