Dark ritual.
That was a ritual performed by the Beastmen to submit to the Demons. By drinking the blood of the Demons, they would obtain incomparably powerful and terrifying strength.
But …
"Have you decided?
My friend? "
The werewolf leader gazed at the Beastman King with a complicated expression.
In fact, the relationship between the three races was also very subtle. Back then, the werewolves and the Beastmen rebelled against the rule of the terrifying Demon King.
But after that, the two races didn't choose to continue walking together.
After the werewolves broke free from the Demons' rule, they turned around and found a new Demon God to serve.
After all, they were well aware that it was beneficial to have a leader to protect them in this desolate border.
However, the Beastmen chose to go their own way. After abandoning the gods, they decided to carve out a new world with their own hands.
Frankly speaking, the werewolf leader was very impressed by the Beastmen's decision.
Of course, this didn't mean that the werewolves made the wrong decision. In fact, there weren't many races on the continent who rebelled against the gods that protected them, but there were definitely many who fell under the hands of the Demons.
This was because the Demons were too cruel and tyrannical, so anyone who had the slightest bit of strength and thought that they could change their fate wasn't willing to be bound by the Demons.
Besides, due to the disharmony between the Demon Kings in the lower realms, no other Demon Kings would come looking for trouble even if they rebelled successfully.
This was also the reason why the Beastmen, who rebelled against the Demons, were able to join forces with the werewolves and the giants.
The Beastman King didn't reply to the werewolf leader's question. On the contrary, he recalled what the old priest had said to him a few days ago.
"My King, brave, courageous, yet short-sighted King, I can sense the regret and powerlessness in the depths of your heart.
Why aren't you willing to turn back?
Look at everything our ancestors have done. Haven't you realized why we need the protection of a powerful existence? "
"I'd rather die than bow down to that damned evil monster with pus and blood!"
The Beastman King swept everything on the table to the ground with a sweep of his arm. Then, he lifted his head and glared at the old priest.
"My grandfather, my father, they sacrificed their lives to fight against that evil monster … and your father!!
Have you forgotten?
Who was the one who sealed the Planar Passage? Who was the one who sacrificed their lives to give us the final victory?
Could it be that this is your final choice?
The final answer!! "
"But we have no choice!!"
Upon hearing those words, the old shaman who had been calm suddenly roared in rage.
He gripped his staff tightly and glared at the Orc King.
"My king!!
Foolish and righteous king!
Haven't you woken up yet? "
The old priest spread his arms apart and waved them in front of the Orc King.
"Look at this!!
Look at this world!
My king!
What the world needed was not willpower, but power!
Why do you think our ancestors signed a contract with that terrifying existence?
Don't they know what kind of tragedy this will put the Beastmen in?
Do you really think that apart from you, the previous kings of the Beastmen are a bunch of f * cking idiots?! "
In the end, the old priest almost bellowed this sentence. Facing the old priest's outburst, the Orc King was stunned for a moment.
He didn't expect that the gloomy, gloomy old man who made one uncomfortable no matter how one looked at him actually possessed such explosive power.
The Orc King felt as though his aura was being suppressed by the old man. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something.
But he realized that he couldn't say anything at all.
That's right. The previous kings of the Beastmen weren't idiots. There were even some talented and bold beings among them. But why did they choose to submit to that monster in the end?
"Because we need power."
"We're already very powerful."
Upon hearing the old priest's words, the Orc King let out a snort in displeasure.
Facing his reply, the old priest revealed an ice-cold smile.
"Powerful?"
The old priest spread his arms apart and gazed at the Orc King with a mocking gaze.
"We just escaped from death and countless soldiers died in the cannon fire. And now, you're telling me that you're powerful?
My King, don't tell me that you're still dreaming? "
"How dare you speak to me like this!"
The Orc King couldn't hold it in any longer. He roared and unsheathed the giant ax on his back, pointing it at the old priest.
Facing the snow-white blade, the old priest didn't react in the slightest.
"Am I wrong?
King?
Are you still immersed in your fantasy? Have you not woken up yet? "
"You … What do you mean?"
Upon hearing the old priest's words, the Orc King puckered his brows and asked.
Facing the Orc King's question, the old priest let out a snort.
"Indeed, my King. You're powerful.
But in this world, there are many beings who are more powerful than you.
I've told you more than once. Indeed, my King, your wish for the Beastmen to rise on their own is a very grand dream.
But … "The old priest glared at the Beastman King as he spoke.
"… Dreams are just dreams in the end!!
In this world, there are Gods and Devils. How can we Beastmen rely on our own strength to control our own destiny?!
Gods have divine grace, and devils have demonic might!
In front of them, we are nothing but ants!!
Do you really think that the army that attacked us was a human? "
"You mean …"
"There are many gods that protect the humans. If we invade the Klein Continent, we will definitely pose a threat to the humans.
Indeed, those humans are incomparably weak. They are no match for our brave soldiers.
But what about the gods?
Are we strong enough to fight against those gods?! "
"…"
Hearing the old priest's roar, the Orc King fell into silence for the first time.
Indeed, although he did not like the Demons, nor did he like the Gods.
However, the Beastman King knew very well that even if the entire Beastman Race gathered their strength, it would still be impossible to destroy those Gods and Demon Kings.
If they really had such power, they wouldn't have been driven to this remote and desolate place.
It was just that before this, the Beastman King had never paid much attention to them.
In his opinion, those legendary beings were so far away from him that they were as illusory as stories.
But now, for the first time, the Beastman King felt that those existences were so close to him.
It was just like the roaring cannons.
At this moment, he seemed to have finally realized something.
That's right. If it were an ordinary army, there would definitely be casualties and fatigue.
But if it was a military force from the gods, then it made sense.
The Barbarians had once participated in that dreadful ancient war. Even now, there were still many unimaginable legends about that war circulating among the Beastmen.
And now, it seemed that those legends weren't as simple as they seemed.
"That's why we need a strong backing, my King.
To be honest, you might think that I'm cold-blooded, but I'm not surprised by this failure at all. Frankly speaking, my King, I'm even happy about it.
Because I'm really worried that if we were to invade the Klein Continent and wait until we're complacent, those Gods will suddenly send down divine punishment. If that happens, we won't even be able to escape.
And now, even though we've suffered heavy losses, at least we're able to clear our eyes and return to the right track.
We shouldn't be blinded by false strength and act irrationally. "
Gazing at the Beastman King who gradually fell into silence, the old priest continued.
"We need a strong presence to be our most reliable barrier.
This is also why our ancestors chose to pledge allegiance to a Demon Overlord when they came here back then.
Of course, if possible, we also hoped to have a better choice. But back then, we didn't have a choice. "
"Do you mean that we have a choice now?"
The Beastman King asked calmly for the first time.
Upon hearing his question, the old priest nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, my king. I've found an even more powerful force. If you're willing, I can perform a dark ritual and beg that powerful existence to descend. Her wrath is enough to destroy everything. Her dark shadow will cover the sky, and no one will be able to reach her!!
And what we have to offer is … our loyalty and lives … "
This time, the Beastman King finally wavered.
Just like what the old priest said, there were Gods and Demons in this world. Besides, even though both sides were usually quiet, this didn't mean that they didn't have a presence.
In fact, the Beastman King was also clear that even the evil presence that once ruled the Orcs had helped them through many difficulties.
If it weren't for the fact that his demands were too much for the Orcs to bear, they wouldn't have rebelled to this extent.
On the other hand, it was impossible for the Orcs to survive until now with just the Orcs.
Although they were indeed powerful, this was only relative. No matter what, the Beastman King wasn't arrogant enough to think that he could slay the gods and demons.
And if the army that attacked him earlier was really created by the gods that protected the humans, then … it was only natural that they would fail.
Mortals couldn't resist the might of the gods.
"So, I've decided."
After recalling the past, the Beastman King lifted his head again and looked at the werewolf leader and the giant queen.
Indeed, just like what the old priest said, if they were really attacked, the werewolf leader, the giant queen, and their respective gods would protect them. At the very least, they wouldn't protect them from complete destruction.
But when that happened, what about the Orcs?
Who else could the Beastmen go to?
Therefore, they needed an existence, a powerful one.
"Decision?"
Upon hearing the Beastman King's firm words, the giant queen couldn't help but frown and ask.
But before the Beastman King answered, a series of sharp whistles tore through the sky.
Shortly after, an explosion sounded.
Upon hearing the sound, the three leaders were taken aback. They stood up hurriedly and looked out the window.
Right before their eyes, flames descended from the sky.