Another part of his mind was trying to devise a road to survival , but he could only see one path forward .
It was my mistake! I am willing to bear all punishment for my actions , so I beg your eminence to spare the Greenleaf Tribe , - Kruta shouted as he slammed to his knees .
Your tribe? They are fine . We left the Ralphi Continent right after you came aboard , - the voice scoffed . - You think I’m so bored I’d go around bullying a bunch of juniors? I can’t believe this . I’m gone for a few hundred thousand years , and the family’s reputation is in the gutter when I return . Those brats back home really need a talking to . -
Kruta almost cried in relief upon hearing the tribe was fine , but joy was followed by sorrow . He wasn’t out of the woods . This unreasonable elder was one of the main reasons for the Tayns’ wretched reputation , yet she wanted to blame it on the younger generations? His mouth opened and closed a few times , but no words came out .
He was afraid to say the wrong thing , something that would trigger this lunatic . What if she turned the ship around or sent him back to that purgatory for a second round of torture?
You stumbled onto an opportunity and created a string of fate that shouldn’t exist , - Mistress Thousandflame said . - You should know , our family’s learned to be quite attentive to fate . So I asked that old goat , Sendor , why a Karmic Thread emerged from his realm and latched onto my little niece . What if one of our old enemies had returned? I figured I would deal with this mess on my way back . -
Sweat poured down Kruta’s back from the realization that he’d truly been targeted by the Thousandflame Eccentric , almost resulting in him being made another example . The fact he and his clan hadn’t been turned to fertilizer for the Thousandflame Galley should be proof she’d learned he didn’t have any evil designs on Iz Tayn . But it couldn’t hurt to make sure .
Kruta bears no ill will! I was told the young princess might be willing to help , and I agreed to contact her . That’s it , I promise! -
Relax , will you? - the voice said with exasperation . - The way you’re acting makes me feel like I’m some old evildoer . I told you I’m not burning you or your little tribe . -
The Thousandflame Eccentric was deeply in denial , but Kruta would die before he pointed that out . Instead , he went with the flow , standing while trying to look grateful and impressed . Kruta felt those who said orcs were inflexible and crude would have to swallow their words after seeing his performance .
Or was it the human ancestry of his great-grandfather that had given him the adaptability needed to navigate this tribulation? He’d considered that a blemish on his name throughout his youth , but Kruta knew better than to blame his ancestry on any of his shortcomings today . Zac had showed with blinding clarity humans could be just as ferocious as the orcs .
Who would have thought such exciting events would take place just as I returned to the Integrated Territories? - the Eccentric sighed . - My little niece is clearly meant for greatness . The boy you met inside that delusional old spirit’s realm isn’t half-bad , either . As for you . . . Eh . You’re okay , I guess? -
Veins bulged on Kruta’s forehead , and he narrowly held back a spicy response . He even managed to look thankful for the backhanded comment , though it felt more taxing than climbing that scalding wall .
So , you want our help to reach the frontier , - the Thousandflame Eccentric continued . - That way , you can continue to hang onto this thread of borrowed fate . A bit shameless , wouldn’t you say? -
The rational part of his mind urged caution . He was almost there . But years of torment refused to be pushed down any longer . He would be shaming the ancestors if he kept his back bowed any further . Besides , no one liked a coward . Kruta sensed it was time to risk it all for a chance at glory .
Kruta borrowed nothing! I earned this opportunity by risking my life , standing by my friends , and even going against the Seven Heavens! -
His voice echoed across the arena , possibly representing his final burst of defiance before his life winked out . Kruta steeled his heart . For no matter what came next , life or death , he’d stand tall . However , no flame descended to consume him .
Finally , you found your courage , - Thousandflames laughed . - Good! I was starting to wonder if the primal flame in your soul had been extinguished . -
Kruta knew his guess had been right . The Tayns were battle maniacs , and being too obsequious could result in having your fate tested . Kruta wracked his brain to figure out what to do next , but his thoughts scattered when the most beautiful orc he’d ever seen appeared before him .
Her muscles were refined beyond perfection , her bushy eyebrows capturing the deadly beauty of a raging fire across grassy seas . Fiery runes covered her sanguine skin , containing the deepest truths of the true fire of the universe . Her eyes were striking green , reminding Kruta of home , the plains , and of war .
She held no weapons , but why should she need any? She was already a weapon refined beyond perfection . The faces of his fiancées rapidly faded as Kruta took in the true expression of deadly grace . Kruta couldn’t think of what to say , so he simply gaped at her appearance .
Come to think of it , he’d never heard what kind of background the Three Scourges had . He’d assumed they were some unique mythological beings born from the cosmos , like the Empyrean Throne , or part of the Human Tayn bloodline .
Surprised? - the orc laughed . - You shouldn’t be . Would I have treated you so gently if not for our shared ancestry? It’s not so easy to grab onto the coattails of the Empyrean Throne without getting burnt . -
Kruta’s expression collapsed . Years of suffering , desperate battles , and breathing ash and smoke was considered gentle treatment?
Why look so glum? - the fiery orc snickered . - I never said I wouldn’t help . -
Kruta appreciates the offer , but the event has already passed , - he sighed , unwilling to spend even one more second with this lunatic . Beauty or not , Kruta couldn’t withstand much more of her attention . - If the ancestor can drop me off somewhere convenient , I would be most grateful . -
What are you talking about? It’s over three years before the event for the juniors begin . -
Ah? - Kruta said , his eyes blank before he understood . - Time Dilation? -
Why hadn’t he noticed? The Heavens were almost completely drowned out by the endless flames , but he was certain the Dao hadn’t been twisted by temporal distortion . He was even close to evolving his Branch of the Layered Blade to Late Mastery . How had Mistress Thousandflames accomplished something like that? Was this the benefit of holding a throne?
No . I’m saying you’ve been on board my ship for a couple of months . Since when did it become years? -
Huh? -
Seems you got turned around by eating all those roots . I thought you realized they were poisonous when you spent two full days emptying your bowels in the bushes , but I guess you’re a bit of an idiot , - the orc sighed . - Well , that’s fine . It’s not the smartest guys who walk out of a battlefield in one piece . It’s the strongest one . -
Kruta was flushed with joy . He hadn’t missed it . He’d thought the old eccentric had prevented him from being sent to the Left Imperial Palace when three years had passed in his mind . Turns out he was out of his mind on toxic roots . Thank the ancestors! However , the frowning expression on Thousandflames’ face made Kruta rein in his jubilation , and he looked at her attentively .
But what’s the deal with your aura? Your fire’s soft and gentle like a courtesan’s , even after tempering yourself a bit in the penal colonies . What good are you to my niece in your current state? -