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"The 'Victory Totem' has gone missing, and we have no way of retrieving it. However, the 'Doomsday Horn' was taken by 'Sword Saint Ancestor' Reinster and has been sealed in the underground chamber of the Radiant Temple on Saint Spirit Mountain. When this old man infiltrated Saint Spirit Mountain, it was for that artifact, but I couldn't find a way in, so I had to turn my attention to the 'Eternal Chalice' instead. Now, young friend Xuanfeng, since you possess the 'Holy Ice Thorns Aura,' if you disguise yourself as a 'Chalice Knight' and infiltrate the Temple, it should be easier to get your hands on it. Then we can crush the icefield barbarians, break through the War God Corridor, and reclaim the Golden Plains."

"..."

"Lord Xuanfeng, do you have any questions?" asked the orc king Samantha.

"Hmm, I want to ask, if a dragon demonstrated the 'Emperor Martial Overlord Technique' and then claimed to be a lion orc, would you believe it?" Who came up with such an absurd plan? Has the alliance's leadership gone mad?

"Haha, Lord Xuanfeng's doubts are understandable, but you don't know some secrets of the Orc Alliance. In fact, we have the ability to transform you into a standard human. The vampire and werewolf clans in the human world are actually the result of our bat and wolf tribes from the Heavenly Wolf Tribe being transformed. They've been our spies among humans, gathering intelligence and executing critical missions." Seeing my confusion, the patriarch explained slowly.

It turns out that the orcs who fled to the northern lands never abandoned their desire to counterattack. During the time of the "Mother of Orcs," many orcs with less obvious traits were sent back south to act as spies. However, the Radiant Temple, which had fought orcs for centuries, had developed methods to identify them, leading to the deaths of most of these spies, and those who survived were ineffective. Later, the alliance sought other means. The pig tribe chieftain's offering to the "Black Moon God" and receiving the "Staff of Dominion" eventually became known to the orc leadership. After continuous efforts, they formed an alliance with a dark deity of the same rank as the "Spider Queen Lolth" worshipped by the dark elves. This deity granted them the artifact "Mirror of True Deception," which could transform orcs into human forms. The orcs finally succeeded in infiltrating the human world. Although the Radiant Temple suspected something, they couldn't uncover their origins. The bat and wolf tribes involved were also the source of the rumors and deliberate misinformation that turned them into the vampires and werewolves of ghost stories.

"But I heard that werewolves transform into pure beasts under the moonlight. I have no intention of becoming a lifelong spy, so let's forget it. Besides, my city of Fontainebleau is developing rapidly, and I can't leave."

"The early techniques were imperfect and deliberately misleading, leading to such rumors. Currently, the alliance's technology allows you to freely switch between orc and human forms during the full moon without any harm. As for your Fontainebleau, it will likely be in a rapid development phase for years, with more trivial tasks than major decisions. With Lady Catherine in charge, she might even do better than you. Plus, with my reputation, you won't need to worry. If you can recover the 'Doomsday Horn' within a year or two, the War God Temple will grant you the title of 'War God Knight.' The benefits would far outweigh staying in Fontainebleau."

"Senior, I am grateful for your kindness. However, the 'Chalice Knights' need to drink the holy blood from the chalice to activate the 'Holy Ice Thorns Aura.' Shouldn't every person who drinks the holy blood be recorded? Surely the Temple knows who the 'Chalice Knights' are. Can I still impersonate one?"

"Young friend, each 'Chalice Knight' who activates the 'Holy Ice Thorns Aura' can condense their holy blood into a holy blood bead upon death. If not returned to the 'Eternal Chalice,' this bead can only exist outside for three days. However, consuming the holy blood bead has the same effect as drinking the holy blood. Twelve years ago, I killed a 'Chalice Knight' in the Xixite Mountains within the kingdom of Fasin, completely destroying the body but leaving behind some equipment and tokens. If you pretend to be his descendant, with our intelligence and support from our spies, it shouldn't be too difficult to pass. What do you think, young friend?"

"Well... please allow me to consider it carefully for a day."

Chapter 44: The August Flowers Fade

After four hundred years of conflict, the human world gradually divided into several major powers. The eastern lands were primarily divided between the Sovereign Dragon and Tiele Empires, while the western world was mostly controlled by the four Holy Kingdoms led by the Radiant Temple and the powerful Viking Empire. The rich southern territories were split into dozens of small and large nations, including many non-human races, where the Commercial League of Free Nations thrived. The vast deserts and wilderness in the central regions belonged to the Mercenary Empire and the Kutu Tribal Alliance.

The Kingdom of Fasin, one of the four Holy Kingdoms supporting the Radiant Temple in the west, is officially called the "Sacred Light Fasin Protectorate Kingdom." It covers two million square kilometers, has a population of thirty million, nearly a hundred cities, and a million-strong army, protected by a dragon knight. Though not a superpower, it is considered one of the strongest nations on the Mainland. Due to its proximity to the vital north-south artery, the Sunken Star Canyon, despite the canyon being guarded by the unbreakable fortress of the Star Shattering Abyss controlled by the Mercenary Empire, Fasin still benefits greatly as a trading hub, making it a wealthy nation.

The city of Jacia is located in the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Fasin, near the Xixite Mountains. It is a large commercial city that developed due to the north-south trade route. At the beginning of autumn, when the weather is slightly cool, it is a busy season for merchants, and the city's shops and guild halls are bustling. Consequently, the taverns, closely tied to the trade routes, are also quite lively.

The "Elven Dewdrop" tavern has nothing to do with elves. Neither the owner nor anyone else in the tavern has elven blood, and in the twenty years since its establishment, there has hardly been an elf entering it. The previous owner was merely an elf enthusiast, hence the name. However, today, many bored patrons are whispering about "elves."