A fierce gale swept across, howling as it passed by.
Thunderhawk Rayden soared within that wind, feeling slightly uneasy.
"Don't panic. Keep heading north!"
Orion's composed voice reached the thunderhawk's ears, calming him considerably.
Lowering his head, Orion surveyed the land beneath him.
In the distance, where Boar City used to stand, uneven stone fortresses now rose one after another.
Those fortresses were the handiwork of the insectoids, and that sudden gust of wind was Lokiviria's way of probing. Once Lokiviria realized it was Orion passing by, he withdrew rather than show himself. He clearly had no intention of cozying up to Orion.
"Lokiviria, my love, what's going on?"
Rowena of the Skybond clan stepped out from a newly built stone palace and rested her head against Lokiviria's broad chest. By now, Rowena's belly was already distended, and the child within her had grown significantly. Usually, insectoids have a six-month gestation period, but unlike other insectoids, the baby in Rowena's womb had yet to fully form even now. She would need at least another six months before giving birth.
"It's nothing. A Legendary-level powerhouse passed by, that's all."
Lokiviria turned his head, glancing at Rowena and her belly. He didn't ntion that it was Orion who had been traveling through. Lokiviria was well aware of the hatred between Rowena and Orion—he had no desire to see that animosity affect the child she carried.
"Co on, let's head back inside. We'll stay here for another half-month, and then I'll take you further south."
After the recent war between North and South, Lokiviria had abandoned the northern territory, moving his people into what used to be boarfolk land. Of course, so of the insectoids would continue migrating southward along the territory until they reached the land ceded by the Blood Elves.
"If Orion is heading north, does that an soone is invading his territory?"
"Heh heh heh, I hope they end up fighting and injure each other badly."
Casting one last look to the north, Lokiviria drew Rowena closer and walked with her back into the newly built stone palace.
High in the sky, on Thunderhawk Rayden's back, Orion wasn't at all surprised Lokiviria didn't make an appearance. But the fact that both Lokiviria and Bluehide had shown themselves in territories farther up north made Orion's heart sink a little.
"This is definitely not so coincidence."
"Lords from other regions must have seized certain areas."
Holding Lumi close, Orion spoke far less than usual on this journey. Lumi was naturally reserved, so she felt no discomfort at his silence.
Sure enough, half a month later, Orion's suspicions were confird.
Awooo!
A wolf's howl echoed from the distance. It was both a warning and a reminder.
"This is werewolf territory—outsiders, leave at once!"
The speaker hadn't yet shown himself, but his voice had already reached them.
Monts later, a burly werewolf rose into the air with magic, blocking Thunderhawk Rayden's path.
Orion fixed his gaze on the werewolf lord. He had never seen this individual before, nor was this territory familiar. Previously, it was part of ogre's land, but Aldous had abandoned it. Which ant this newcor must be a lord who had either migrated or invaded from the central regions. Continue reading on My Virtual Library Empire
A faint smile curved Orion's lips as he unleashed the pressure of an Upper Legendary being, forcing the werewolf lord into submission.
"Since we were the victors in the western war, are you seriously trying to keep
from my own territory? Or does your werewolf tribe want to change its habitat?"
Orion's voice was cold, as though he would fight at the drop of a hat.
"Respected Giant Lord, Lycan ant no offense."
"We werewolves only recently took over this area, and we know little about the situation around us. I ask for your pardon."
With a peculiar salute, the werewolf Lycan returned to the ground. Orion wasn't in the mood to press the issue, as he wanted to reach Thunderwood Forest without delay.
"Rayden, let's go!"
Thunderhawk Rayden let out a powerful cry and accelerated northward.
Down below, when Lycan landed back on the ground, several of the tribe's elderly council mbers gathered around him.
"My king, was that intruder soone we need to drive out?"
An aged, one-eyed werewolf—an arch elder of the tribe and Lycan's ntor—spoke up.
"No, he was rely passing by."
"His power is imnse—he's an Upper Legendary. He was part of the recent North-South War and a victor in the western battle. From what he said, his territory lies even farther north."
Lycan's first two statents elicited little response, but the final sentence caused everyone to frown.
"My King, are you saying that lord might invade us from the north later on?"
That was the concern everyone silently harbored, and they looked to Lycan for a more reassuring answer.
"I have no idea."
"Since he was victorious, he likely already has land in the south. It's possible he might abandon land in the north."
The tribe elders were quickly reassured. After all, the south was more fertile, whereas the north was harsh and provided little for growing crops.
"Rest easy. From what I know, our neighbors to the north are those cowardly goblins. If that giant wants to invade, he'll have to conquer those green-skinned goblins first."
Hearing that, the werewolves let out a collective sigh of relief. Having another race in the way ant more ti for them to prepare.
anwhile, as Thunderhawk Rayden continued flying northward, Orion sensed yet another unfamiliar Legendary-level presence. The mont they entered territory once held by the insectoids, a green-skinned goblin lord—standing close to 10 feet tall—leapt into the air, releasing his own aura to frighten and drive Orion's party away.
However, before that goblin lord could approach, Orion unleashed a powerful surge of energy that forced him to back down.
"Keep going north. Don't stop."
Cowed by Orion's overwhelming display, the green-skinned goblin lord landed back on the ground, offering no further reaction as he watched Orion and his companions disappear into the distance.
"Okara!" (Goblin language)
"Just who is that mighty lord who barged in here?"
"Thank goodness I didn't try to fight him, or I'd have to pack up the whole tribe and look for a new place again!"
Green-skinned goblins are notorious for being bullies to the weak and cowards before the strong.
Though they migrated from the central region in force, they would never risk a direct confrontation with a power they couldn't handle. They might be strong when facing easier targets, but they shrank in fear now that they'd encountered soone legitimately formidable.
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