Assimilate All Talents

Kuruck and Reena's eyes widened in surprise at Sol's response. Kuruck because he didn't expect that answer, and Reena because she didn't think he would be so direct and honest about it.

'I thought for sure he would stop me if I tried to tell them... What is his angle here?' Reena wondered.

It had to be said that the elves and orcs had long enjoyed friendly relations, especially when compared to the tense relationship both had with the humans of Crestelia. There were many mutual benefits between Sylmasera and the Frostaxe Clan. For example, Sylmasera's rich wood in exchange for the Frostaxe Clan's high quality stone, helping each other cover their deficiencies as the Great Forest lacked mines while the Frostaxe Clan lacked wood. While not allies in the formal sense, there was enough cooperation that Reena doubted Kuruck would jeopardize their relationship over a single human they called the "Savior."

Kuruck gave Reena a long look, then spoke.

"I know humans are drawn to elven beauty and have… gone through great lengths in the past to obtain it. But I don't believe you're that sort of person." He said, addressing Sol. "However, as Chieftain, I'll need an explanation. Holding an elf here against her will could bring trouble to my clan."

"It's not like that." Sol replied calmly, brushing aside any assumptions that this was due to twisted affection. "I don't plan on holding her for long, just until she sends us back."

He then quickly briefed the Chieftain on the events that had brought them there, from entering the Great Forest, to the encounter with Reena, and how she'd teleported them to the void and then to the Orna Mountains. He didn't go into great detail, but it was enough for Kuruck to understand the situation.

Reena interrupted a few times, offering her own version of events, along with some pointed jabs at Sol's expense.

Once they finished recounting the story, Kuruck sat in thoughtful silence for a moment, then said, "If that's the case, then I see no issue with her staying here."

"What?!" Reena was flabbergasted. "Aren't you supposed to help me in this scenario?"

Was the Frostaxe Clan really going to side with one human over the entire elven nation of Sylmasera?

Kuruck laughed at her expression. "Don't get me wrong, lass. I'm not helping him, either. I'm not siding with either of you."

"Huh?" Sol blinked. "What do you mean?"

Kuruck leaned back in his chair, the wooden frame creaking under his massive weight. He smirked.

"I'm simply choosing not to get involved."

Sol and Reena exchanged confused glances, but Kuruck continued, his tone even.

"The Frostaxe Clan will take a neutral stance in this matter. This is a dispute between individuals. Since neither of you has broken any of our laws, there's no reason for me to intervene."

Reena, unable to believe his decision, raised her voice. "But he kidnapped me—!"

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"It's quite the opposite." Kuruck countered, his tone now firm. "You were the one who teleported him and his companions here without consent. Technically, that makes you the kidnapper."

Reena flushed. "I only cast that spell because he infiltrated the Great Forest! He's a criminal!"

"That may be true." Kuruck said, waving dismissively, "but that's Sylmasera's law he broke, not the Frostaxe Clan's. As far as my clan is concerned, he's done nothing wrong."

Reena opened her mouth to argue again but fell silent. Her frustration was evident. It really did seem like her situation was hopeless.

"Don't worry, lass." Kuruck said, softening his tone a bit. "While you may not be allowed to leave, you'll be safe under my protection. No one here is allowed to harm you in any way." He then turned to Sol. "Are we in agreement?"

It was one thing to simple prevent her from leaving but if Sol or anyone else for that matter harmed Reena then the Frostaxe Clan might actually be in big trouble.

Sol nodded, he didn't plan to do such a thing. "I promise I won't lay a hand on her. All I need is for her to stay within fifty meters of me to maintain suppression of her space magic."

While Sol had never precisely tested the limits of [Lesser Channel Control], he knew the range was well beyond fifty meters. The farthest he had used it was just under two hundred meters, but he deliberately lowballed the number for safety. If Reena did try to run, he'd still have plenty of time to react.

"That's fair." Kuruck said with a nod.

The only one not in agreement was Reena herself, but it was clear she had little choice.

Seeing her expression, Kuruck felt some pity for her. He empathized with her situation and added, "Cheer up, lass. While you're here, you'll be treated as an honored guest. Go and explore the city. With the Rite of Ascension approaching, there's plenty of excitement in the air and things to do. Enjoy the festivities."

Reena's shoulders sagged in visible frustration, but she didn't protest further. She could tell that Kuruck had made up his mind. Any more complaints would only make her look childish. Still, she cast a sharp glance at Sol, eyes narrowed in silent promise: This isn't over.

Kuruck stretched with a loud exaggerated yawn. "Well, now that that's settled, how about we turn in for the night, aye?"

He rose, towering over the table, then looked down fondly at the pile of sleeping orcs, some snoring into mugs, others mumbling softly while dreaming.

"They're out cold. I'll have the servants carry them to their rooms."

He turned to Sol and Reena. "You're welcome to stay in the house you were lent earlier. That used to be my own home before I became Chieftain. You're free to use it however you wish."

Sol hadn't realized that the house they were staying in was Kuruck's personal former residence. He bowed his head slightly. "Thank you. We'll take good care of it."

Kuruck chuckled. "Don't worry if you don't. You don't know how many times that place has been destroyed, accidentally or otherwise. Don't worry if you break a few things. I swear, the place is cursed. It gets wrecked far too often…"

'And you want us to stay there?' Sol was speechless.

He briefly considered booking an inn instead, but decided against it. The house seemed sturdy and comfortable. He couldn't believe it had been rebuilt so many times. More importantly, it also had a large shed in the back, big enough for Thorwyn to sleep in comfortably. He doubted any inn could accommodate a beast that large.

Kuruck gave them one final nod and exited the dining hall, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. Moments later, a pair of servants entered to begin clearing the table, while others began quietly lifting the passed-out orcs and carrying them off with practiced efficiency. It was clearly not the first time this had happened, and it wouldn't be the last.

Sol stood and looked to Reena. "Come on. Let's get some rest."

She rolled her eyes but followed a few steps behind as he moved to wake Thorwyn.

The great wolf stirred from his nap and groggily lifted his head. "Hrrn... (No more… I'm full…)"

Sol gave him a gentle scratch behind the ears. "Come on, buddy. Time to sleep."

"Hyunn… (Okayyy…)"

Thorwyn gave a content rumble and followed them toward the exit. On the way out, Amber rejoined them, a small notepad in hand. Sol caught a glimpse of it before she slipped it into her spatial ring.

"What was that?" He asked.

"Frostaxe Clan Recipes." She replied simply, offering no further explanation.

After mastering Crestelia's cuisine, Amber was now expanding her culinary repertoire with the Frostaxe Clan's dishes.