Translator: Cinder Translations
...
As a scholar of the Gabella Scholar Tower, Alvey knew what shamans were in the orc community.
On the vast plains, the orcs generally believed in the existence of the Spirit of the Grasslands, and shamans were the group responsible for communicating with this spirit. However, their work was not limited to this; they also had the responsibility of passing down clan knowledge, or in other words, educating the next generation.
What shocked him even more were the words of the old orc, "And I also know your name is Alvey."
This left Alvey extremely confused, unable to speak for a moment. It was the old orc who explained the mystery to him: "Many years ago, I traveled with a merchant caravan to Gabella, and I heard your speech beneath that towering white tower. I must say, it was an unforgettable experience."
"I see, this world really is small!" Alvey sighed, thinking about his current situation, a wave of sorrow overcoming him. "I never imagined that many years later, I would follow a merchant caravan to your land, only to end up as a prisoner."
He was quite pessimistic about the fate that awaited him, as, in the common human perception, orcs were a brutal and savage race, and these uncivilized savages likely had no respect for knowledge and its holders.
The old orc cracked a smile, revealing large tusks, "Master Alvey, the wise human, why should you be so sad? Allow me to introduce myself, our name is Otasi!"
"O… Otasi!" Alvey's eyes widened, and even his long eyebrows trembled.
The rise of Chief Abal and the royal tent did not happen overnight. The Gabella Empire in the south was certainly aware of the long-standing events on the vast plains, especially since the two sides had just fought a battle.
As a senior member of the Gabella Empire, Alvey was also aware of many important figures on the plains, many of which he had been informed about by McDonald, who took the rise of the orcs very seriously.
Among the many orc-related pieces of intelligence Alvey had, one was about Otasi, who was said to be a highly important figure to Abal.
As the fearsome orc chieftain, Abal's growth had been rough. He lost his father's affection at an early age, and it was Otasi who took on the responsibility of raising him, always by his side, teaching him carefully.
Due to his special upbringing, Abal developed a personality of endurance and secretly cultivated his own power, while Otasi remained by his side, silently assisting him.
The previous royal tent chief passed away unexpectedly, and there was no time to make arrangements for his successor. Under such circumstances, Abal, as the eldest son, should have been the natural next chieftain, but his long-term lack of favor from his father led to much controversy, especially from his brothers who were dissatisfied with him. They joined forces and rebelled, their forces far surpassing Abal's in terms of numbers and power, which undoubtedly put him in a dangerous situation.
At the critical moment, Otasi firmly stood by Abal. By then, he had become the highest-ranking shaman in the royal tent, and his stance greatly tilted the balance in Abal's favor.
After a series of brutal civil wars, Abal won and became the undisputed chieftain of the royal tent on the plains, while Otasi, as his longtime supporter, became the second most important figure in the royal tent, second only to Abal.
"Forgive my rudeness, Lord Otasi!" Alvey placed one hand over his chest and bowed slightly to this figure, who was akin to a prime minister in a human kingdom.
He did not question whether Otasi was an impostor because few orcs dared to show disrespect to the shamans who communicated with the spirits.
Alvey asked, "So, does this mean we are at…"
"Are you asking if this is the royal tent?" Otasi smiled and continued, "No, the royal tent follows the chieftain. Wherever the chieftain is, that is where the royal tent is. This is just a regular orc settlement. Our great chieftain is still in Aldor."
"Thank you for the clarification!"
"You're welcome, Master Alvey." Otasi smiled. "As I understand it, you escaped from the Gabella Empire?"
Although the upper echelons of the empire had not publicized Alvey's departure or openly pursued him, as the second-ranking member of the Scholar Tower, an important figure in the empire's high command, Alvey's sudden disappearance could not have been hidden. It was likely that some circles had already spread the news.
Surprised by the old orc's remark, Alvey wondered how the orcs, so far away, knew of his escape.
It seemed that the orcs had their own spies within the empire.
"Yes, I had some political disagreements with the current emperor," Alvey reluctantly admitted.
"Let me guess…" Otasi narrowed his eyes, his thick fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "You were probably being chased, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't have fled in such a hasty manner and ended up on our plains."
"Yes," Alvey confirmed. "The emperor sent assassins after me, and I am constantly in danger."
"Heh!" Otasi laughed. "That means you have some connection to our plains, and under the guidance of the Spirit of the Grasslands—though the method was a bit unusual—you were brought here."
He looked at Alvey, gently stroking his graying beard. After several minutes, he spoke again. "Alvey, perhaps we can strike a deal?"
"A deal?" Alvey asked.
"Yes, a deal!" The old shaman nodded. "The royal tent will protect your safety, and in return, you will pledge allegiance to the royal tent and to Chief Abal!"
Alvey nearly questioned if he had heard correctly, pointing at himself. "I… a human, pledge allegiance to the orc chieftain?"
"Yes!" Otasi confirmed. "Alvey, your knowledge, your wisdom… they are exactly what the orcs, who are trying to escape barbarism, need. Our society is indeed primitive, and I do not feel ashamed to admit that."
The old orc looked at Alvey with sincere eyes. For a moment, the scholar's heart stirred slightly, but he still shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I can't help you!" Alvey firmly rejected Otasi. "My intellect is too shallow to serve Chief Abal. Please let me face the storm alone!"
"Heh!" Otasi was not angered but said, "I hope you'll stay here for at least three years, in exchange for your freedom."
He deliberately emphasized the term "freedom." It was then that Alvey remembered he was still a slave to them.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (FF) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c863. [+1]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (5) Series, (2.8K+) Chapters, (3.9M+) Words.