Second World

Jack spent the afternoon talking with most of the council chiefs inside a meeting hall, discussing serious matters and non-serious matters.

Four Winds, on the other hand, was shown around the city hall and was informed of his tasks as one of the council chiefs. He had himself some sort of a throne in the great hall. Peniel had come out of her hidden dimension and was touring the place with him. Peniel informed him that the large seat in that hall was where he could operate the partial monarch system.

Four Winds sat on the seat but nothing happened. His guide told him that he had to be inaugurated first before he had access to the system. His inauguration was scheduled two days later.

Four Winds thanked the guide after the tour. He then talked to Peniel to know everything about the partial monarch system, so he didn't waste too much time grasping in the dark once he started operating the system.

On Jack's side, Umeza was also in the meeting hall, drinking tea with Jack. During the talk, he said to Kabaka, "Grand chief, now that we are no longer at war with Themisphere. What should we do with the human prisoners?"

"Prisoners?" Jack's ears perked up after hearing it.

"You are right," Kabaka said. "I almost forgot. King Storm Wind, we have captured some humans from the invasion war, as well as some human adventurers who brazenly adventure around our land. Now that we have buried our hatchet, we will of course release them."

Kabaka turned to Woga and gave him the instruction. He assured Jack that the prisoners would be freed by tomorrow.

Kabaka said to Jack, "Your side might also have some orc prisoners. I believe you will do the honorable thing and release them as well."

"I am honestly not aware of any prisoner. But you have my word, if there are prisoners, they will be freed," Jack replied.

Kabaka nodded.

Jack asked, "Where are the prisoners placed?"

"They are in jails in different cities," Kabaka answered.

"Are there any in this city?"

Kabaka turned to Woga, who answered, "There are two. One was captured during the invasion. Another was an adventurer captured a long time ago."

"May I see them?" Jack asked.

"I will have them brought here," Woga said. "It is improper for a king to visit the jail." Woga then call a soldier and gave him the instruction.

They continued chatting until the door was opened and the same orc soldier brought two human natives with ragged clothes in.

"Laurent!" Jack called after seeing one of the humans.

"Storm…?" Laurent was dazed seeing Jack's presence.

After Laurent sacrificed himself to block the orcs from chasing after Alfredo and the others, he had been caught. He thought he would be executed. But instead, he was brought back as a captive and put into jail.

Just now, the orc warden had come into his jail, removed his shackles, and then brought him to city hall. He was wondering what it was all about. Then he saw a familiar outworlder, sitting together with orc leaders as if they were best friends. Not to mention, the outworlder was wearing regal outfits that he had only ever seen worn by the king.

"You…," Laurent was completely lost.

"A lot has happened," Jack said with a wide smile as he approached. "When I heard that they have prisoners here, I have been hoping that one of them is you. Duke Alfredo and Duchess Isabelle will be very happy to see that you are alive."

"You… Your clothes," Laurent stammered.

"As I said. A lot has happened. Well, short version. I'm now the king of Themisphere."

"How… How…?"

"We can talk later," Jack said and turned to Woga. "Is there a place where he can clean himself?"

"Of course," Woga then ordered the soldier who had brought Laurent here. "Bring him to the bath, and give him a clean set of cloth."

"What about my friend?" Laurent gestured to the other prisoner he came in with.

Jack turned to that person and used Inspect. The man's name was Robinson, and he was a level 75 rare elite.

'Impressive level and grade,' Jack thought. Jack turned to Woga who nodded and said to the soldier, "Him too."

After the two ex-prisoners left, Jack resumed chatting with the orc leaders for the remainder of the afternoon.

In the evening, he was presented with a feast. Both to celebrate Four Winds' ascend to the Council of Ten and also to entertain a foreign monarchy visit.

The news about how Verremor and Themisphere would be burying the hatchet had spread all around the city. The news soon traveled to other cities. Kabaka let the news spread. He was actually the one who ordered it. This should help prepare the mass when the human race started entering their cities.

Laurent and Robinson joined the feast. Being the only three humans in the crowd, they stuck together. The two ended up acting as Jack's entourage, following Jack around as he greeted important orc officers.

In between the necessary greetings, the three chatted. Robinson was already in jail before Laurent was tossed inside. Being the only two humans inside, they became close friends.

Robinson was originally part of a group of adventurers who braved the Fulgur region. One day, his group accidentally encountered a high-level mythical monster. His group was slaughtered except for him. He only managed to save himself after running for days.

He was not fully aware of his direction during his run. He ended up inside Verremor territory. He happened on patrolling orc soldiers, who captured him because he was a human. He was then brought to Mjiku Maba and tossed into its jail, where he had stayed since.

He was not sure how long he had been in jail. He thought it should already be more than one year because before he was put in jail, outworlders had not arrived yet.

Jack was sorry about his situation. Jack asked him what was he going to do now. Jack asked whether he was going back to the adventuring life.

He said adventuring alone was too dangerous for him. All his companions were gone. He admitted that he honestly didn't know what to do.

Hearing that, Jack offered him to join the kingdom. With his high level and grade, Jack said that the kingdom would need his help.

He was hesitant at first. But probably he saw that he owed Jack for saving him from jail. So, he agreed. He would report to the kingdom office once they were back in Themisphere.