Chapter 765: None of this is necessary

"Arch Elder, worrying cannot improve our strength, nor can it increase our talent. Worrying is just borrowing trouble."

Thundar looked through the tent flap at the world outside—the land, the dark clouds, the forest... everything was very beautiful.

"Many kinsmen(tribesmen) have sacrificed themselves. Compared to them, my worries about the future are truly rather superfluous."

"At least we are still alive and have witnessed a prosperous and flourishing era, haven’t we?"

"Arch Elder, I figured things out a long time ago."

"I want to be an elder without burdens, to appreciate the happiness of the present, to care for the Tribe, and to look out for every bloodline warrior who joins the cavalry regiment."

"As for other things, let nature take its course."

Thundar was very composed. Facing Rendall’s gaze, he actually felt a long-lost sense of ease.

"Thundar, you have more promise than I do!"

Rendall picked up the wine pot from the low table and took a fierce gulp.

"It should be said that the Arch Elder cares more about our kinsmen than I do!"

Thundar shook his head. His words once again drew Rendall’s attention, a little more doubt appearing in Rendall’s eyes.

"The reason the Arch Elder is so worried is surely because he fears he cannot keep up with the Lord’s pace and cannot do enough for the Giant Tribe."

"Arch Elder, actually, none of this is necessary."

Thundar raised his wine cask and drank with Rendall.

They had known each other for many years, were comrades-in-arms of many years, understood each other, and held mutual respect.

"Our generation had harsh conditions when we were young and suffered too much hardship; it’s inevitable that our talent is poor."

"Whether we can advance further, in most cases, is not something we ourselves can decide."

"I didn’t quite understand it before, but later I thought it through. The sudden disappearance of Orion’s parents was not an accident; there must have been a reason."

"If Orion’s parents had always sheltered him, his achievements might not be as great as they are now. Orion’s parents made a difficult but correct decision: to entrust the Tribe to the next generation, to hand over the tasks of the future to young people more capable than us. The Tribe belongs to them."

At this moment, Thundar thought of the former chieftain Hyperion, thought of Rolan.

He thought of Orion’s adopted daughter, that genius girl who was currently learning magic.

He thought of the Giant Prince who had already learned to walk—that was the true future of the Giant Tribe.

Of course, there were also those two little pups from Dirtclaw’s family with Hellhound bloodlines.

At this time, the Stoneheart Horde was full of emerging geniuses, brimming with talent.

"As for us, with our flawed and aging bodies, carving out more territory for the Horde, defending the glory of the giants—dying on the battlefield is our best end."

Thundar tilted his head back and drank continuously for a minute, finishing more than half the wine in the cask.

Having said these words, Thundar felt suddenly enlightened, the last trace of unease hidden in his heart completely vanishing like smoke into thin air.

"With our flawed and aging bodies, carving out more territory for the Horde, defending the glory of the giants, dying on the battlefield is our best end..."

And opposite him, Rendall was staring blankly at the tabletop with his head down, continuously muttering Thundar’s words.

Lorelia City, deep within the caverns.

A fluctuation of void energy, and Orion stepped out from the cross-realm teleportation array, pulling Lumi, who was waiting nearby, into his embrace.

"Missed me?"

"Yes!"

For Lumi, those cloying words of love and affection were things she simply couldn’t say.

To be able to respond to Orion with a "yes" meant she truly had missed him.

"Once the war here is over, we’ll go back to Blackstone City together, to the northern ice plains, to see the ice and snow there."

Lumi rested her head on Orion’s chest. The coolness and gentleness transmitted through her hair soothed a trace of hidden anxiety in Orion’s heart, making it considerably less.

"Now that there’s no war in this southern half-continent, you can go out and travel a bit."

Lumi shook her head slightly, saying nothing, just quietly leaning against Orion.

Lumi knew very well how important Lorelia City and the cross-realm teleportation array were to the Stoneheart Horde; she couldn’t possibly feel at ease going off to travel.

Three days later, Orion, riding Thunderhawk Rayden, headed towards the Swamplight Refuge Outpost where Leonidas was stationed.

Behind the Thunderhawk was a makeshift flying army exceeding one hundred thousand.

Although this flying army was motley and its strength uneven, they were ultimately flying beasts and would certainly be useful on the battlefield.

Besides, Orion had a use for bringing them here.

"Master, this land below, is it really all our Stoneheart Horde’s territory?"

"Everywhere your eyes can see is my territory."

"Wow, Master, I didn’t expect you to have conquered such a vast territory again! You are truly great!"

Orion smiled, noncommittal.

"West of Red Moon Valley, there is a range called the Stratus Mountains. There used to be an Aarakocra Nest there."

"If your flying army achieves merit on the battlefield, I can consider enfeoffing that place to your Thunderhawk race."

"That mountain range is very large, enough to sustain a flying beast population of over a million."

Correct. This was the bait Orion dangled for the flying army.

Only soldiers who aspire to become generals are good soldiers.

Similarly, only Thunderhawks who yearned for the sky and wished to advance further were worthy of becoming Orion’s flying mounts.

"Master, rest assured, this flying army I’ve brought will definitely shine brightly on the battlefield!"

Thus, Orion chatted casually with Thunderhawk Rayden.

A few days later, Orion arrived at Marshlight Sanctuary.

In a renovated palace, Orion met Leonidas.

"Hahaha, bro, I didn’t expect you back so soon! It seems you are determined to get the Spring of Life."

Orion nodded. Now that the Spring of Life had appeared, he definitely had to strive for it.

"Bro, there’s a flying beast force of over one hundred thousand outside. I brought them to make up for our lack of air units."

"Although their combat effectiveness isn’t high, they should still be usable for reconnaissance."

Leonidas had long since sensed the arrival of Thunderhawk Rayden and the others.

"Hahaha, they’ve come at just the right time!"

"The more motley these flying beasts, the better their stealth."

"Let them cross the Ashenfang Traverse and scout for more intelligence on the Silver-Eyed People for us."

"This is great! My Wyvern armies can now hatch their young peacefully."

Orion didn’t say much, handing over command of Thunderhawk Rayden and the flying army to Leonidas.

"Bro, what exactly is the situation on the other side of the mountain?"

Orion’s expression turned a bit more serious. Although they had entered a period of recuperation, their reconnaissance of the enemy on the other side of the mountain had not stopped for a moment.

"After you left, I dispatched some beasts and shadows over there. Although the losses were heavy, the gains were also significant."

"You were right. The other side of the mountain is the domain of the Silver-Eyed People. It has already developed into a civilized nation with its own system."

Leonidas’s tone gradually became solemn; a large faction with a high level of civilization implied they possessed considerable wisdom.

At the same time, it also meant they possessed formidable individual strength and advanced technology.