No Time to Develop

The red glow that pierced the night sky was incredibly eye-catching, and it was only after a long while that it finally began to fade. Tian Sang watched with a pounding heart; if the commotion was visible from this far away, just how massive a fire had the Horde set?

The red light vanished from the horizon at some unknown hour. Tian Sang drifted into a fitful sleep filled with wild thoughts, and by the time dawn broke, the glow was gone. Barhan was already calling for his men, ordering the hunting party to pack up and load their spoils onto the tamed black bears and Raptors, preparing to rush back to Zul'Aman.

Unlike the journey out, which had taken several days as they observed and hunted along the way, the party made a forced march on the return trip, choosing the most direct route. By the time they reached Zul'Aman, the sky was already turning dark. The moss-covered stone walls were lined with torches, and a wave of frantic cheering erupted from behind them.

"What happened? Have we won?" Barhan strode across the stone steps of the Zul'Aman gate, questioning the Forest Trolls he encountered along the way.

"Chieftain Zul'jin sent Dakkalai back with good news."

"The Horde launched a surprise attack on the Pale Ones."

"They burned the Pale Ones' forest to the ground."

"We have achieved victory."

"Our forest is about to return to us."

The Forest Trolls along the path cheered as they relayed the news, though the specifics remained vague. Barhan hurried toward the Altar of Deities, while Tian Sang ordered the hunting party to unload and process the catch before quickly following suit.

The Altar of Deities was the political heart of Zul'Aman, housing the temples of the Loa worshipped by the Forest Trolls: the Snake Goddess Ulatek, the bear spirit Nalorakk, the Eagle God Akil'zon, the lynx Halazzi, the dragonhawk Jan'alai, and others.

Beyond the many temples, the Amani chieftain Zul'jin and his inner circle usually announced major decisions regarding Zul'Aman here. It was also the very place where he had declared the Forest Trolls' decision to join the Horde.

At this moment, a massive crowd of Forest Trolls had gathered before the Altar of Deities, cheering loudly. Tian Sang squeezed through the crowd behind Barhan and scanned the altar steps, spotting a figure who stood a head taller than the average troll. He was covered in green moss, his muscles bulging, his posture slightly hunched, and his head completely bald—a rather dim-witted-looking fellow.

"Lostro!" Tian Sang recognized the towering troll immediately and called out loudly. The giant heard him, looked over, and walked down from the steps.

"Zul'ra, you're standing straight." The giant Lostro looked at the figure standing among the hunched, stooped tribesmen and couldn't help but look surprised.

"If I didn't stand straight, how would you see me? Lostro, what's the news from the front?" Tian Sang looked at the fellow, who was taller than he was even when standing upright, though his build was somewhat obese. He was a follower of the mentor Kal'ma, a Nightmare Troll.

Nightmare Trolls were an anomaly among their kind, much like people with gigantism in a human population. They were born taller and stronger than ordinary trolls, possessing far more muscle mass. They were not ostracized by their kin, and many troll leaders were happy to accept them as followers due to their sheer physical power.

"You're so conspicuous now, of course I can see you. The priest asked me to bring you a message: autumn is coming soon, and you must organize everyone to gather enough food." Lostro spread his thick, broad hands.

"Gathering? I asked about the news from the front!" Tian Sang blinked at Lostro's words.

"That is what the priest told me to tell you. As for the front, I know as much as the others. Those Orcs, with their green skin just like ours, fight with great ferocity. They burned the Pale Ones' forest, but the priest is not satisfied with their methods." Lostro looked at the pestering Tian Sang, scratched the back of his head with his three-fingered right hand, and stopped there.

"Fine!" Tian Sang looked at the Nightmare Troll, who seemed simple-minded but was actually quite shrewd. A moment of thought allowed him to grasp the situation: Kal'ma opposed the burning of the forest, but given the red glow of last night, it meant Zul'jin had agreed to it—or at the very least, tacitly allowed it.

"Is the battle won now?" Tian Sang listened to the surrounding cheers and suddenly remembered something, looking back at the Nightmare Troll.

"No, we only returned to report the news and to summon more warriors to support the front." Lostro shook his head.

"..." Tian Sang looked at the cheering trolls all around and bit down on his tusks. Was Zul'jin out of his mind? Sending word of a victory that wasn't even fully realized back to Zul'Aman to summon more warriors to the front? If they were defeated, how would he explain this to the people? Was Mentor Kal'ma asking him to gather enough food for the autumn for military supplies, or in preparation for the aftermath of a defeat?

"Zul'ra, what's wrong?" Lostro followed Tian Sang's gaze, looked around, and asked.

"Nothing, nothing at all! Just thinking about some things!" Tian Sang shook his head.

"You seem different." Lostro looked at the fellow shaking his head, feeling something he couldn't quite put into words.

"Oh, really?" Tian Sang looked at the big guy, whose expression seemed off, and felt a sudden jolt in his heart. He put on a look of surprise. He wouldn't recognize that I'm an imposter, would he? Well, do I even count as an imposter?

"You used to be a bit gloomy. Never mind, maybe I'm just too tired. We have to return to the battlefield as soon as possible." Lostro looked at the surprised fellow, shaking his head slightly. Something felt wrong, but he couldn't pinpoint what.

"Oh!" Tian Sang looked at the suspicious giant who had sensed something amiss and felt his heart sink. In his memories, he hadn't interacted much with this fat guy. If he could tell something was off, would Kal'ma, who had raised and taught him, realize he was a transmigrator? Should he be feeling afraid right now?

"We leave tonight, and you must start organizing the gathering tomorrow." Lostro looked at the now-silent Tian Sang, too busy to dwell on his doubts. He had to leave Zul'Aman tonight to return to the front, but the priest's instructions had to be carried out.

"So soon?" Tian Sang was surprised. It was already dark; were they really marching out in such a hurry?

"Yes. Only by defeating the Pale Ones and driving them from our forest can we be at peace. It's just that the priest's task..." Lostro nodded, mentioning the task once more.

"I know. I will issue the call in the teacher's name, and the tribesmen will cooperate with me, right?" Tian Sang looked at the persistent Lostro and gave his assurance, though he hesitated as he glanced around. Zul'jin had ordered the warriors to be pulled away; would those left behind listen to his call?

"Yes. I have already issued the task to the tribesmen with Dakkalai. The purpose of these supplies might not necessarily be..." Lostro looked at the hesitant Tian Sang and nodded, but he didn't finish his sentence. These supplies might not be for military use—they could be for the emergency of a defeat.

"Not necessarily what?" Tian Sang looked at the worried giant. He understood exactly what the unfinished sentence meant, but he played dumb and asked.

"Just do as you're told." Lostro looked at the seemingly ignorant Tian Sang and said no more.