章節 12: Changing Area

Suddenly, Volk snapped back to reality from the sound of chanting—"Breed! Breed! Breed! Breed!"

The cries rang through the air, echoing off the trees and reverberating through the forest.

Startled, Volk nearly lost his footing, stumbling slightly as he carried Solluha'r in his arms. Her weight was different now, heavier, more substantial. But it wasn't just her physical transformation that caused him to pause; it was the nature of the chants that caught him off guard.

"Breed! Breed! Breed! Breed!"

The Orcs and Elves around him continued to shout, their voices growing louder and more insistent.

Volk slightly felt a flush of embarrassment rising in his cheeks. He had forgotten how deeply ingrained this practice was in the tribe.

In this magical orc and elf tribe, where survival was a daily battle and their numbers were constantly dwindling due to the relentless pursuit of the Dark Elven Witches and the Red Elven Warlocks, breeding was seen as an urgent necessity.

As soon as a symbiotic connection was established, it was expected that the pair would procreate immediately, ensuring the continued growth of the tribe's population.

Sollahur, cradled in Volk's arms, blushed deeply, and it's obvious that her face turned into a brilliant shade of red. She hid her face in his chest, trying to escape the stares and the cries that surrounded them.

She knew this was the tribe's way, but it didn't make the situation any less mortifying.

Volk's thoughts raced as he tried to regain his composure. He knew the logic behind the tribe's insistence on breeding—it was a matter of survival.

If the tribe were attacked again—which happens occasionally—and many were killed or captured, the offspring would ensure that the tribe could repopulate and continue to resist their enemies. But the expectation still pressed heavily on his chest.

As Volk continued forward, he noticed a massive adult Orc and an Elf standing ahead of him.

The two figures were imposing, their presence commanding respect.

They were clearly waiting for him and Solluha'r, and as Volk approached, they both stared in awe at Solluha'r's enlarged form.

"Look at her size!" the Orc exclaimed, his voice a deep rumble. His eyes were wide with astonishment as he took in Solluha'r's transformed body. "I've never seen a female this massive before!" He turned to Volk, his gaze filled with admiration. "You must be an incredibly talented, young one! To have a partner become this big after your union… AaaHhh the tribe will benefit greatly from your union!"

Sollahur's face grew even redder, and she squirmed in Volk's arms, trying to hide herself from their scrutinizing eyes.

The compliments, though well-meaning, only added to her embarrassment.

The old Orc suddenly looked up at the sky, raising his arms dramatically. "Praise the Orc Lord!" he bellowed, his voice carrying through the forest. "This must be a sign! With a union like this, we will become a powerhouse! We will rise up against our oppressors and reclaim our land!"

The Elf beside him, clearly his partner, giggled softly. "You can pray later, old one," she teased, nudging the Orc playfully. "For now, let's focus on leading these two younglings to their new quarters."

Volk felt a surge of gratitude toward the Elf for redirecting the attention away from him and Solluha'r.

The chanting in the background continued—"Breed! Breed! Breed! Breed!"—but it seemed more distant now as the Elf began to lead them away.

As they walked, the Elf explained the structure of the tribe. "There are four main areas in our tribe," she began, her voice calm and melodic. "Where you came from was the Cubling Area. That's where the young cubs and baby ones are reared. It's heavily guarded by some of our strongest warriors to ensure their safety."

Volk nodded, taking in the information. He had noticed the guards earlier but hadn't paid them much attention, his mind too focused on Solluha'r.

"Now," the Elf continued, "we're heading to the Wilding Area. It's where you'll be living from now on. This area is a bit more… free. You'll have the opportunity to breed, of course, but there are also other activities you can take part in, like the Catacomb Excavation Mission. That one's quite popular, though it's not without its risks." She paused, giving them a knowing look. "The tribe rewards those who contribute, so if you're looking to prove yourself, that's one way to do it."

As they walked, Volk noticed Solluha'r's face growing even redder, her embarrassment almost palpable. She tried to hide herself again, but this time, using her long, green, shining silver hair to shield her face from view.

Volk's heart went out to her; this was all so overwhelming, and he could only imagine how she must be feeling.

"The other two areas," the Elf said, "you'll learn about them in time. But for now, just focus on settling in and… enjoying yourselves."

Sollahur's face turned crimson at the Elf's words, and she buried her face even deeper into Volk's chest. He could feel her body trembling slightly, whether from exhaustion or embarrassment, he wasn't sure.

Finally, they arrived at a small tower, nestled among the trees. The Elf gestured to it with a flourish. "This will be your new home," she explained. "It's sturdy, built of brick and stone, and even the air can't penetrate it. It's designed for privacy and protection." She led them to the entrance. "It's like a two-story house. The first floor is where you can cook and take care of daily tasks. The second floor… well, that's where you'll be you know-"

Volk stared at the tower, speechless.

But he nodded absently as the Elf continued her explanation, but his mind was elsewhere, spinning with the weight of it all.

Finally, the Elf and the old Orc bid them farewell, leaving them alone at the entrance to their new quarters. Solluha'r was still trembling in his arms, her face hidden. Volk took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew what was expected of him, of them both. But that didn't make it any easier.

"Breed! Breed! Breed! Breed!"

The distant chants still echoed in his ears, a constant reminder of the path that lay before them.

With one last deep breath, Volk pushed open the door to the tower and stepped inside, carrying Solluha'r with him. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of magical lamps casting flickering shadows on the walls. The first floor was simple, with a small kitchen area and a few chairs. But Volk's eyes were drawn upward, to the stairs that led to the second floor—the you-know-uhrm floor.

He felt Solluha'r's grip tighten on him as they ascended the stairs. Her embarrassment was almost overwhelming, but Volk knew he had to stay strong, for both their sakes. This girl's shit is heavy. Both of them might fall down if he's not careful.

When they reached the top, Volk paused at the doorway, his hand resting on the handle. He looked down at Solluha'r, her face still buried in his chest. "Are you ready?" he asked softly.

Sollahur didn't respond at first, but then she nodded slightly, with her hair brushing against his skin.

Volk nodded in return.