Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 573:
Chapter 573:
TL: Rui88
Kalem stuck out his tongue and licked his somewhat chapped lips. On the winter plains, the cold wind blew against one’s face like a knife, feeling as if it would peel the skin right off.
Even for orcs, this kind of cold wind was difficult to bear.
Kalem wrapped his fur coat tighter, took down the wineskin tied to his waist, pulled out the stopper, and gulped down several mouthfuls of wine. Stimulated by the alcohol, a bit of warmth grew from his abdomen, keeping his body from being so cold.
Almost there, he would be back at the King’s Tent soon! He shook the reins, and the warhorse beneath him picked up its pace.
Ah, soon he would be able to enjoy roasted meat sizzling with fat, and milk wine so warm it could melt the heart. At this thought, saliva inevitably formed in Kalem’s mouth.
He turned around and shouted to his troops, “Warriors, speed up! Warm tents are waiting for us.”
“Woah! Woah!”
His subordinates raised their arms one after another in response to their leader.
“Move it!” The warrior in charge of guarding the prisoners fiercely whipped the lash across the bodies of those who were about to become slaves.
This troop of orcs, in addition to the warriors on horseback, also included a large group of prisoners walking on foot with their arms bound by ropes. They were also orcs.
Compared to the warriors, these prisoners were thinly clothed, and some still bore wounds, looking utterly miserable. But there was no unwillingness or resentment on their faces; they just silently obeyed the orders of those who managed them, desperately moving their legs to keep up with the speed of the warhorses. The orcs of the plains worshipped the strong; this was a tradition passed down for thousands of years. They would spontaneously offer their loyalty to those who could conquer them with force, but once a conqueror showed signs of weakness, they would also unhesitatingly draw their weapons and pounce on their former conqueror…just like the changing of the alpha wolf in a wolf pack.
Kalem was a young general in the Zalg Clan. He was tall and powerfully built. Having grown up in the harsh environment of the plains, he had developed astonishing combat skills. Moreover, he had a sharp mind and was good at learning. With these strengths, Kalem had won the trust of the Grand Chieftain of the Zalg Clan, Abal. Starting as the Grand Chieftain’s bodyguard, Kalem had step by step gained his trust and learned the skills of leading troops into battle from the Grand Chieftain. Just after Grand Chieftain Abal announced his intention to restore the glory of the Zalg Clan and establish a new generation of the King’s Tent, he was finally appointed as a Centurion.
In order to establish the authority of the King’s Tent, Chieftain Abal used both grace and power to successively subdue the surrounding orc tribes. In this process, it was inevitable to use force against those disobedient tribes. In the course of campaigning everywhere, Kalem became a dazzling new star under the King’s Tent, rendering meritorious service for Grand Chieftain Abal. The Grand Chieftain was just, and Kalem was promoted step by step to Chieftain, and not long ago was promoted again to Myriarch. This meant that Kalem had become a major figure in the King’s Tent who could stand on his own. Under Grand Chieftain Abal, there were only five Myriarchs, including Kalem.
Kalem was now leading his troops back to the King’s Tent after completing the conquest of a tribe.
After continuing for another half a day, they finally saw the outer walls of the King’s Tent.
The current Zalg Grand Chieftain, Abal, after solidifying his position, went against the traditional nomadic customs of the plains orcs and ordered the construction of the orcs’ own city. At first, it was just a small castle with a very rough architectural style. Then, with it as the center, more and more buildings were constructed. With the addition of newly conquered tribes, the population grew larger and larger, and the area grew wider and wider, eventually forming the scale of a town. Of course, the ecology of the plains could not support the existence of a large city, and the orcs’ current production could only rely on nomadism. Therefore, the population of Grand Chieftain Abal’s city fluctuated between forty and fifty thousand. Living inside were the Grand Chieftain’s direct army, the leaders and chieftains of the conquered tribes, and the shaman priests revered by the entire plains.
In the periphery of this town, large and small orc tribes lived scattered, still maintaining the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the plains orcs.
After approaching the town, Kalem dismissed his army. The orc warriors took their spoils of war and slaves and returned to their own tribes. Although according to tradition, a triumphal ceremony should have been held at this time, Kalem’s expedition had unconventionally chosen winter. No one wanted to participate in a triumphal ceremony in the biting cold wind, especially when in this cold and harsh winter, their wives and children at home were in urgent need of the spoils they had obtained.
Fewer than 100 orc warriors remained by Kalem’s side; they were his personal guard, subordinates who had followed him since he was a Centurion.
Kalem and they escorted the remaining majority of the prisoners into the town. This was a gift for Grand Chieftain Abal.
The orc town was not well-planned. From a human perspective, the layout of the buildings could be described as nothing short of chaotic. However, directly opposite the entrance was a wide and neat main road that led straight to Grand Chieftain Abal’s great tent…yes, Grand Chieftain Abal still lived in a tent most of the time to show that he was a man who respected tradition, even though his tent was pitched inside the town.
Kalem and his men went straight to the front of the great tent. The guards on watch outside welcomed him and conveyed the Grand Chieftain’s order to hand over the prisoners to the guards and go in directly to see the Grand Chieftain. After giving a few simple instructions to his men, Kalem entered the tent.
“Oh! Our fledgling hawk has finally returned to his nest.”
After entering the tent, a loud and familiar voice welcomed him.
A roaring fire was burning inside the Grand Chieftain’s tent, making one’s body feel soft and warm. A whole, skinned fat bull was on a rack above it. The servant in charge of cooking was turning a crank, and grease dripped continuously into the flames, making a sizzling sound.
Kalem moved his nose; it was simply too fragrant.
The tent was laid with exquisite carpets from human kingdoms. A circle of orc chieftains sat on the floor, each with broad shoulders and a round waist, strong and sturdy. To be able to enter this tent, they were all the Grand Chieftain’s confidants. Ꞧ𝔞𐌽оᛒĘs̩
And sitting in the main seat directly opposite the entrance was an orc even taller than the other chieftains. It was precisely the person Kalem was loyal to, the supreme ruler in the eyes of all the orcs, the unquestionable king of these plains…Grand Chieftain Abal of the Zalg Clan.
Chapter 573:
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