Cthulhu Gonfalon

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The addition of 50,000 people was no small help for the Kingdom of Dwarfs.

The total population of the Kingdom of Dwarfs numbered over a million, so 50,000 normally wouldn't count for anything. But as a matter of fact, suddenly obtaining 50,000 people really allowed them to breathe out a huge sigh of relief.

Not only that, but this incident also helped the Kingdom of Dwarfs to make the diplomatic breakthrough they'd been wanting for a long time now: setting up relations with the Orc Empire.

Orc Emperor Junero didn't have much time left on this earth, so he wasn't as fussy over a lot of things as he'd once been. The only thing he cared about right now was to create as good an environment as he could for the Orc Empire before he left the mortal plane, and to leave a relatively even path for his successors to follow. This would ensure stable development for his country's future.

For this reason, he was willing to make concessions, incredibly large ones at that.

He could turn a blind eye to Sui Xiong's elimination of Iris and even secretly offer assistance; he could also open up foreign relations with the Kingdom of Dwarfs without any demands or benefits. He even willingly sent out people of the bear and ox races—who had relatively honest temperaments and high physical strength—to help the Kingdom of Dwarfs carry out construction for their people.

In regards to cooperation with the Kingdom of Dwarfs, his only minimum requirement was that if the Kingdom of Dwarfs wanted Orcs to take the place of dwarves on the battlefield, they must first consult with the Orcs and prepare compensation payment for those who were injured or killed.

"We Orcs do not fear death, but a dead man can't leave his debts uncollected. As long as you prepare the compensation fee, our warriors will be willing to fight for you at any time," Emperor Junero said as he confronted Gela Sancho, king of the Kingdom of Dwarf. Gela Sancho had come in person to conduct these negotiations.

Emperor Junero spoke very frankly, "In any case, as far as we Orcs are concerned, it doesn't matter where we're fighting, as long as it's against the human race."

Gela Sancho naturally welcomed this suggestion, happily promising that the Orc soldiers would receive the same treatment as the dwarven ones. They would most definitely not be discriminated against.

"In that case, let's add this line to the treaty," Junero said. "We'll count this as official—don't worry, if the Orc soldiers are fighting for you, then that makes them your subordinates. Govern them however you feel is right. If there are any who disobey your orders, or if there is a need, feel free to kill them; the Empire will not dispute with you over such matters."

This was yielding to an extreme degree, to the point that even the Orc Empire's upper class were having difficulty putting up with it. But Junero persuaded them all after it was done.

"In the current world, humans and Orcs are basically the two strongest races in the land. The conflict between us will one day decide ownership of this boundless earth and confirm who is the Main Plane. Regardless of what price we must pay, all will be worth winning this conflict!"

"But… the dwarves are currently in such dire straits that only one million people remain of their population; can they truly be of help to us?" a duke asked.

"They might, and they might not. But of one thing I can be certain: as long as the Dwarf Race can maintain their current scale, then their gods will not grow weak," Junero smiled as he said. "A majority of you are legendary fighters, so you must learn to look at problems from an even higher level. At the level of ordinary people, dwarves will certainly be of no help to us, but looking at it from the level of a god, they will be a powerful help indeed!"

The dukes all nodded their heads thoughtfully.

"Currently, the situation on the deity level is already more-or-less clear; the human gods are unquestionably the strongest, followed by our Orc gods. As for the dwarf gods, naturally they all either don't have enough high-level fighting strength or lack basic-level fighting strength; in short, none of them can compare to us," Junero patiently gave his analysis. "The current greatest variable is the Void Mask God System. But judging by the Void Mask's conduct and deeds these past few years, though they will not show a special preference for any particular race, I can tell by their words and actions that they have a very slight preference for humans."

"Now this may just be an insignificant leaning, but at a crucial moment, this insignificant learning could influence their decision. Therefore, we must do our utmost best to forge good relations with them. Meanwhile, we must also put great effort into involving those weaker God Systems in order to prepare for the decisive battle in the coming future."

"Aren't affairs on the god plane too far away for us to be considering them?" another duke asked.

"Are they really? I don't think they are," Junero said with a smile. "Those who don't consider the distance will never get very far. No matter how powerful the gods may be, they were mortals once too. They must hold apprehensions over their own followers and their own faith. So to influence the gods from the mortal plane isn't as impossible as you may think."

"Let me speak first of the dwarven gods. If we earthly Orcs help the dwarves to work, to fight, sweating and bleeding in defense of their country and race, this would inevitably earn us friendship with the dwarven people. This friendship will become a part of their faith, indirectly affecting the dwarven gods' attitudes toward us. The one day in the future, when the final battle begins between our Orcs and the human race, there will be a higher possibility of the dwarven gods standing on our side."

Not waiting for the dukes to react, he continued to speak, "As for the Void Mask, that situation is somewhat easier to manage than the dwarven gods. This god's level of interest in mortals is unparalleled among the gods. While I do not know why an immortal being of their level holds such fascination in insignificant mortals, this makes for a great opportunity! As long as we put effort into pulling them to our side, sooner or later they will change their stance and lean more towards our Orcs in terms of preference."

"This… isn't all that doable?"

"Yes, but it's very difficult," Junero said. "This will be a very long task, one I will be unable to complete with my own hands—it likely will not be finished even under the next emperor, the fruits of our labor never to be seen by any of us standing here today. But what does that matter? Even the farthest place can be reached if you keep walking; even if we ultimately turn to dust, those great immortal gods will certainly be able to see our success!"

It was then that the Orc dukes finally ceased their hesitation, all nodding their heads.

After the meeting was adjourned, His Majesty, Emperor Junero Tiger had all the attendants leave. Sitting solitary and alone in the shining golden hall, he gazed up at the sky and let out a heavy sigh.

"There's no need for you to sigh." Morani's figure appeared at his side. "Your actions are undoubtedly correct!"

"Perhaps." Junero laughed. "I think so as well."

Though he laughed, the tone of his voice grew gloomier as he spoke, "It's just… I can't quite be certain…"

"You've always flaunted yourself as having everything all planned out, what is there to be uncertain about now?"

"I have everything all planned out? Back then I'd thought I would certainly defeat you, becoming a powerful emperor. And how did that turn out?" Junero shook his head and smiled. "Let's not speak of mere mortals; could even the great immortal gods have everything planned without a flaw? If such a thing were true, my old friend, then why did you change from the Orc God of Forging into the head god of the Desolation God System? And now you've become a member of the Void Mask God System?"

Morani didn't dispute him having been a member of the Void Mask God System. He only smiled calmly.

"Regardless of what you say, I'm quite satisfied with my current circumstances," he said. "Oscar is a good person; once you get to know him, you'll naturally come to understand."

Junero nodded. "I know he's good, which is why I hope to become his friend rather than his enemy."

"I'll tell him you said so."

"Thank you." Junero laughed again. He looked up at the sky and said, "It's about time for me to leave."

"Where are you planning to go?" Morani asked.

"First, I think I'll take a walk around a few stars I once explored," Junero responded. "I've always wanted to do a proper study of the cultures and races of other stars. Now is a good chance to do it."

As he spoke, he stood up, a golden light slowly emerging from his body.

"Oh yes, once you're gone, who should the emperor's seat be passed on to?" Morani asked.

"I'll contact the mortals again," Junero happily replied. "Don't worry, it's fine."

After speaking, the light on his body shone more and more brightly. Finally, he was wrapped in a pillar of light that shot straight up towards the sky.