Crossing the River on Orcs

With the arrival of spring in the tenth year of the Dark Portal, the weather began to slowly warm. Many trolls in Zul'Aman remained in a state of decadence and confusion, but many others began to regain their spirits. In the empty, desperate winter, they had found a new motivation and goal for their struggle from Zul'ra.

After spring began, Zul'ra selected over a dozen outstanding male and female trolls from his many followers, including the female farmers led by Haimuxi and the male craftsmen led by Baki, tasking them with leading the trolls in production.

They implemented production tasks by using small teams as leaders and models, selectively clearing farmland, planting crops on a large scale, and training more craftsmen to forge more weapons. One person would learn and teach ten, and those ten would then teach a hundred.

Beyond production tasks, Zul'ra's ideology spread rapidly along with his team. Many Forest Trolls, both civilians and soldiers, were attracted, forming a significant wave of momentum. It was amidst this tide that news began to filter in from outside Battleaxe Ridge.

Perhaps because the expedition to the Dark Portal had ended, cracks began to appear within the Alliance, and their blockade lines were disintegrating. Forest Troll scouts began to hear news from the outside world and made contact with the nearby Mossflayer Tribe in the Thalas Mountains.

The leash that had been wrapped around his neck was finally loosened, and Zul'jin was granted a moment to breathe. This Amani chieftain immediately began to stir, urgently craving an action that could alleviate his inner guilt and restore his reputation.

Although the Alliance was powerful, Zul'jin believed that their victory over the Orcs could not have come easily; they had suffered heavy losses. If they could find the right method and unite all the Forest Trolls, they would surely reap rewards—at the very least, reclaiming some lost territory would be a good start.

One must know that the Amani and Darkpine tribes of the Forest Trolls had been completely forced out of the Darkwood, and the Mossflayer Tribe was also blockaded in the wilderness of the Thalas Mountains and North Valley. All had suffered heavy losses, and the Forest Trolls were in dire need of living space.

Facing Zul'jin's thoughts, Zul'ra offered some dissuasion. At this current juncture, the Lordaeron Alliance was on the verge of disintegration; taking action against them now might provoke them to reunite, and even if it didn't, it would make the Elves and humans wary of the Forest Trolls.

"If we set aside the matter of reclaiming lost territory, then what can we do? How are we supposed to survive?" Zul'jin expressed his lack of understanding regarding Zul'ra's words, asking urgently.

"Zul'jin, I understand your feelings, but you need to know that we are not an equal match for the Alliance. As for survival, we are already clearing fields; there is enough food to eat." Zul'ra pacified Zul'jin, noting that as long as they worked hard, there would always be a place to survive, and they shouldn't gamble their lives away.

"But those are just grains, vegetables, and melons. My warriors shouldn't be eating such messy things." When Zul'jin heard Zul'ra call them an "unequal match," anger flashed in his eyes. He understood this well, but the more he understood, the more frustrated he felt.

"Those grains and so-called 'messy things' were grown by our kin through hard work. They were watered with diligence and sweat, and they have saved our lives." Zul'ra looked at the furious Zul'jin and raised his voice. You don't even show gratitude for the crops grown with blood and sweat, and on top of that, you call them messy things.

"Apologies." Hearing the heavy tone, Zul'jin's heart skipped a beat. He felt a bit ashamed of his words, glancing away and not daring to meet Zul'ra's gaze. Then, feeling a sense of cowardice, he forced himself to look back at the other and speak.

"But besides dealing with the Alliance, what else can we do? I mean, things outside of hunting and production. Although we have the harvest from the fields, we will still need meat."

"Indeed, we will need meat, but we can raise livestock. This is troublesome, as we don't have many people experienced in this line of work. As for what we can do, I think our Orc allies have left us with plenty of experience." Zul'ra replied calmly. Eating only grains and vegetables without the intake of protein and fat was certainly not sustainable, but as for what they could do, there was plenty.

"Hmm?" Zul'jin raised his head slightly, signaling for Zul'ra to continue.

"Before our Orc allies came here, we had countless skirmishes with the Elves and humans, yet we were always at a disadvantage. But the moment the Orcs arrived, they immediately crushed one of the human nations in the south and forced the humans to join forces with the Pale Ones and Dwarves. Zul'jin, how did the Orcs manage to do that?" Zul'ra thought of something and recounted it to Zul'jin.

"Because they possessed many powerful warriors, and they united with us and used the right strategies. You mean..." Zul'jin didn't think twice, a flash of inspiration crossing his mind, but he failed to grasp it because his cognition and thinking were different from Zul'ra's.

"Yes, that is correct. Zul'jin, it is time to end the fragmented rule of the various tribes, integrate the major tribes, and let the banner of the Amani Empire fly once more. When that time comes, we can gather our strength and, at the right moment, reclaim the land that belongs to us from the humans or the Pale Ones." Zul'ra explained to Zul'jin why the Orcs were strong: because many Orc clans were united under the Warchief, whereas the Forest Trolls were different—the Amani Empire had vanished.

"They will not be willing to let such a situation happen." Zul'jin pondered. Restoring the banner of the Amani Empire might restore his shattered reputation, but those tribes would not willingly give up their independence.

"Therefore, when necessary, we need to show them our strength. Hold a spear in one hand and offer food with the other. If they accept the food, that is best; if they refuse the food, use the spear to make them eat it." Zul'ra explained his strategy—the carrot and the stick—they had to unify the Forest Trolls.

"I must admit, your words have moved me, Zul'ra." Hearing Zul'ra's words, Zul'jin's eyes brightened slightly. Either accept unification or be forced into it; he liked this style.

"Then do you have a plan, Chieftain?" Zul'ra asked, watching Zul'jin's brightening eyes.

"Of course. First, we must clarify the current situation of those tribes. The Alliance's blockade has weakened our connections. We don't even know if the Vilebranch, Witherbark, and Smolderthorn are still alive, aside from the Mossflayer Tribe." Zul'jin nodded affirmatively and explained.

"You think more deeply than I do." Zul'ra offered a slight compliment.

"Zul'ra, your suggestions are also excellent. After my empire is established, you will be my capable assistant in helping me govern the empire." Hearing the flattery, Zul'jin nodded with satisfaction and made a promise.

"Thank you for your generosity, Zul'jin." Zul'ra replied with a smile, while inwardly thinking, Assistant? I am the one who is going to become the Great Troll Warlord.