As the priests surrendered, squads of Orc Legion soldiers brought over batches of human captives, Huo Keduo's opponents, and slaves of various races from God knew where. There were even giants and ogres among them.
The captives and slaves were shoved beside the massive pit into which the archbishop had just fallen. As Bane's priests muttered prayers, they used ornate sacrificial knives studded with gemstones and precious metals to slit their throats, chop off their heads, and toss them into the pit!
A massive blood sacrifice had begun!
Watching the ritual commence, Huo Keduo smiled in satisfaction. He then returned to his main tent with his personal guard. Bartel, one of his trusted subordinates, had seemed hesitant to speak from the beginning, until everyone unrelated inside Huo Keduo's tent had withdrawn.
Loyal Bartel finally gathered his courage and said to Huo Keduo, "My king, isn't this... isn't this too hasty? We don't need to be in such a rush. Doing this will only create more opponents."
After saying that, Bartel immediately felt half the strength leave his body. He could not help being afraid. There was no denying that Huo Keduo possessed tremendous personal charisma, but kindness had never been part of the qualities Black Orcs admired.
Black Orcs liked powerful leaders—the more brutal, the better. They despised weakness. Huo Keduo happened to be a leader who perfectly matched Black Orc aesthetics. He was extremely brutal! Not just anyone had the status or courage to advise a tyrant.
In the past, it had always been the wise man Zelemi who handled such matters. Only he could restrain this terrifying tyrant. But Zelemi was dead now, and Bartel's loyalty would not allow him to turn a blind eye to something he believed was wrong. So, he could only offer his advice