Chapter 167: Beneath the Roaring Trees – As the burly forms of the Orcanine warriors stomped back into the village nestled deep within the dense emerald forests of the Falcon region, the ground beneath them trembled with ancestral pride. Their return did not go unnoticed—far from it. The moment the scouting parties were spotted emerging from the mists of the outer glades, a deafening cheer erupted across the thatch-roofed huts and bonfire-lit courtyards.“BU! TO! TO!”The jubilant tribal chant echoed through the canopy like war drums rousing the spirits of old. From elderly shamans to wide-eyed orcling children, every member of the Orcanine tribe rushed forth, eager to greet their kin. Their massive arms slapped against thick, callused thighs in rhythm, their war paint freshly applied for ceremonial joy rather than violence.“Did the gods favor your blades?” one of the older women bellowed, her tusks gleaming in the firelight. “Tell us! Was the pact sealed?”Another voice, younger an

Chapter 169 – The Serpent’s Tongue and the Goddess’s Deception Within the lush and sacred emerald canopy known as the Verdant Sanctuary—hidden deep within the mist-veiled territories of the Orcanine Tribe—the ancient wisdom of the Chieftain's bloodline echoed like a heartbeat in the trees. These lands, revered and untouched, were whispered by elders to be consecrated solely for the embrace of the Earth’s Celestial Architect. It was not merely forest—it was hallowed breath, forbidden ground, where even the smallest creature dared not tread. No chirp of bird nor scurry of squirrel ever disturbed the solemn silence of the Kakao trees, whose bark glimmered faintly with divine residue. No beast, winged or clawed, had ever dared violate this space, not even in the earliest remembered moons. The Chieftain had always taken this as holy confirmation: only those chosen by the Goddess may walk this path. So when his weathered gaze locked upon a sinu

Chapter 171 — The Whispering Slime and the Cacao Conspiracy The morning mist that curled across the eastern tree line of the Ashed Lands carried more than just dew and dust—it carried the rich, unmistakable scent of cacao. The faint bitterness mingled with ash and pine sap, teasing the senses of Elias as he stood near the eastern barricade of Neo Orcus, arms folded, eyes narrowed. In the distance, massive figures—towering and tusked—disappeared into the gloom of the forest, their lumbering silhouettes framed by rays of sunlight that pierced the smoky canopy. Hundreds of kilos of cacao beans. That was the number being whispered by the Dragonborn porters, who had just returned from negotiating with the Orcupine tribes. And yet, Elias couldn’t piece together why they had offered him such a bounty. The world had changed drastically after the quakes that tore through the Falcon region. Soil had shifted. Plant life had vanished. Cacao, once abundant, had become a relic. Or so he’d thought.

Chapter 173 — Envoys of Trade Beneath the Hollow Skies"Pardon me, but... is this Orcus Town?" one of the travelers asked, a grizzled merchant whose accent carried the dust of far-off lands and the hesitation of a man out of time.Zion tilted his head, half-distracted by the cookie he was savoring. "Hm? This place? Nah. You're standing in Neo Orcus.""Ah, we must have been mistaken then...""Wait, no—actually, you're half right," Zion muttered, blinking as if the realization had just struck him mid-bite. "Neo Orcus used to be Orcus Town. That was before we got here."The peddlers exchanged glances, murmuring amongst themselves. One of the older traders, seasoned by years along the Golden Road, narrowed his eyes. "You're serious? This... this can't be the same place. It’s nothing like I remember."Zion waved them forward like a showman unveiling a stage. "You want to see for yourself? Come on. Walk a little. Let your feet feel the