Demand

Under the spacious tent, Zul'ra Jin sat cross-legged on the ground, listening to Lostro speak alongside Dakkalai and Hamia. They would reach Jintha'Alor by tomorrow, so they had to settle their plans tonight: how to face the Witherbark and Vilebranch tribes upon arrival, and under what circumstances they should launch a campaign against the Smolderthorn.

"Why don't we just go and wipe out those scrawny Smolderthorn?" Hamia listened to Lostro's agenda, a flicker of impatience crossing his eyes. Hadn't that already been decided?

"Hamia, you must understand the goal of our campaign against the Smolderthorn. We are here to win over the Witherbark and Vilebranch, to make them willingly gather once more under the banner of the Amani Empire, not simply to annihilate the Smolderthorn." Zul'ra Jin glanced at Dakkalai, and seeing him keep his head low and silent, he could not help but speak up.

Zul'ra Jin could tell that Zul'jin had grown suspicious of him, though the extent of that suspicion remained unknown. However, through observing his confidant Dakkalai over the past few days, he had deduced that this suspicion was still confined to questioning his loyalty; he had not yet been branded an outright rival.

It was precisely because he was not yet viewed as a rival, but merely in the stage of questioned loyalty, that Zul'jin had dispatched Zul'ra Jin to the force preparing to attack the Smolderthorn. He had also arranged for Lostro, a former subordinate of Kal'ma, to accompany him, while simultaneously sending the unpredictable Hamia and his own loyal subordinate Dakkalai to join the expedition—a balancing of power and a test of character.

"And what about the collusion between those Smolderthorn fellows and the Horde?" Hamia asked, his eyes flickering as he listened to Zul'ra Jin.

"In your heart, what is more important: hatred for the Smolderthorn, or restoring the glory of the Amani?" Zul'ra Jin watched the flickering gaze of Hamia and couldn't help but ask. Hearing this, Dakkalai raised his eyes to look at Hamia; the leader of the Mossflayer tribe was not as genuinely submissive to Zul'jin as he appeared.

"Of course, restoring the glory of the Amani is more important." Hamia felt Dakkalai's gaze from the side and straightened his chest instinctively.

"Therefore, destroying the Smolderthorn is not the priority this time; successfully bringing the Vilebranch and Witherbark under the Amani banner is what matters most. If those two refuse, we must instead court the Smolderthorn to erase the courage the Vilebranch and Witherbark have to reject us. Dakkalai, what do you think?" Zul'ra Jin looked at the righteous-looking Hamia before turning his head to ask Dakkalai.

"Zul'ra Jin, you are truly the wise man Zul'jin praises." As Zul'jin's envoy, Dakkalai naturally knew what to say. Currently, unifying all Forest Trolls under the banner of the Amani Empire was paramount. That Zul'ra Jin was working toward this goal proved his loyalty to Zul'jin.

"And we will still destroy the Smolderthorn, right? Those weaklings aren't fit to be one of us?" Hamia asked, still unwilling to let it go.

"Yes, that is correct." Zul'ra Jin looked at Hamia and nodded naturally. Beside him, Dakkalai's expression shifted slightly, but he remained silent.

"If that is the situation, then that is for the best. To be honest, if we go straight to war with the Smolderthorn the moment we arrive in the Hinterlands, even though they are weak, I personally do not favor that scenario. We will need sufficient supplies; we cannot let our warriors fight on empty stomachs." Lostro looked at Zul'ra Jin, offering his explanation before stating his position.

"I think we should talk to them first once we arrive, and then decide who to wage war against. What do you think?" Lostro asked Dakkalai and Hamia for their opinions.

"Agreed." Dakkalai nodded with a straight face.

"Agreed." Hamia looked at the stony-faced Dakkalai and could only nod along.

"Is there anything else that needs to be added?" Lostro clapped his hands together, and seeing everyone shake their heads, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Then it is decided. Now, it is time for us to enjoy our dinner. The feeling of having a full stomach is quite nice, don't you think?" Lostro laughed, breaking the tension. Dakkalai and Hamia rose to leave, but Zul'ra Jin remained in the tent.

"You don't mind if I dine with you, Lostro?" Zul'ra Jin asked with a smile after the other two had left the tent.

"Of course not. Care to guess what we're having tonight?" Lostro looked at the two who had just stepped out of the tent, nodding and asking with a smile, showing no signs of anything amiss.

"Rice porridge, I imagine. If we're lucky, there might be some meat in it." Zul'ra Jin replied with a grin.

Dakkalai, who had just stepped out of the tent, heard the aimless chatter from within and exchanged a look with Hamia before walking away naturally. Hamia, observing the situation, twitched his tusks and had no choice but to retreat as well.

Soon, dinner was delivered: a thick porridge made from newly harvested rice. Just as Zul'ra Jin had said, it contained some greens and minced meat, seasoned with salt, making it quite savory. After dismissing the troll who delivered the food, Zul'ra Jin and Lostro opened up, reminiscing about their past friendship over the delicious meat porridge.

"Lostro, has there been any sign of Zul'jin's right eye or left arm growing back?" Zul'ra Jin suddenly tossed out the question amidst their aimless small talk.

"Hmm, I am not sure, but it seems there is no sign of regeneration." Lostro held his clay bowl, spooned some porridge into his mouth, and looked at Zul'ra Jin with a flicker in his eyes. He paused for a moment before speaking again.

"Zul'ra Jin..."

"Yes!" Zul'ra Jin brought the clay bowl from his tusks to his mouth, cast a glance at the big man, and waited for his reaction.

"Is there anything you want me to do?" Lostro looked at the troll who was drinking porridge while watching him, his gaze dimming. Since returning from Zandalar, Zul'ra Jin hadn't sought him out, which left him feeling frustrated and ashamed, as he had no way to oppose Zul'jin either.

"Go find Dakkalai later. Convince him to let me kill Hamia." Zul'ra Jin looked at the dimming eyes of the big man, shifted his gaze away, and calmly issued the request.

"You've thought of how to do it? You have..." Lostro's eyes brightened.

"Just tell me if you can do it or not!" Zul'ra Jin interrupted the big man. Zul'jin's ferocity was severe, and while this big man still seemed to hold onto his friendship with Kal'ma, one could never truly know a person's heart. He could not rely on him too much, nor could he rely on anyone else; the trolls were a savage society that revered violence.

"Fine! I won't ask. It's a small matter; I can handle it." Lostro looked at his indifferent companion, his eyes shifting slightly, and he nodded firmly.

"Be careful yourself. Use the right approach to persuade him; don't make your intentions too obvious. The sooner, the better." Zul'ra Jin saw the big man agree, his expression softening slightly as he gave the warning.

"Don't worry!" Lostro flashed a relaxed smile.