Decision

The thoughts of Kim, the steward of the arena, were exactly what Barlock was thinking at that moment. His other soul was human, so he was naturally very aware of the flaws of humans, especially in this world where orcs were in an extremely low and weak position. He was very clear-headed; even though he had roared madly in the arena and said things he shouldn't have, it wasn't just because he had lost his rationality at that time, but rather because a sudden idea had sprouted in his mind, leading to an instant decision.

In the royal capital of Paddington, everything wasn't as straightforward as it seemed. Indeed, King Korek needed him to cure his daughter, which was why he had generously granted him the decree of freedom and allowed him to freely enter and exit the arena to see his fellow tribesmen. But that didn't mean he had gained the king's appreciation. Rather than a reward from the king, it was more like the king's charity. The two should never be confused! The reward was what Barlock deserved, while charity was merely pity given to the lowly.

The king had provided a path, requiring the orcs to risk their lives for freedom, which made Barlock uncomfortable but helpless. Could they really not escape from the human royal capital? As he left without looking back, Barlock began to ponder Sert's words, feeling that the crazed gladiator had a point. He was bound to be arranged to enter the arena, to fight and entertain the humans. Lady Celine couldn't stop it, her influence in front of the king was actually not as great as imagined, otherwise she wouldn't have been so powerless in her own marriage.

Barlock couldn't abandon his tribe and escape on his own, nor could he watch his tribe being slaughtered in the arena. Therefore, he had to do something, and participating in the fights became inevitable! He never doubted his determination to win, but reason told him that humans would never let the orcs emerge victorious. What the hypocritical upper class valued most was their reputation. If the lowly orcs defeated the human gladiators in front of the Imperial Prince of Audria, it would be a disgrace to the entire kingdom and become a laughingstock in the human world!

Although he didn't know what despicable means the humans would use to scheme against him, Barlock had made a decision. He wouldn't sit idly by; he needed to prepare as soon as possible!...

Barlock went straight back to the academy. Due to the early hour, there were actually guards guarding the academy gates, but fortunately, the royal decree came in handy, and the soldier seemed unphased by the presence of an orc and let him in! Barlock was initially puzzled, but then he understood... even allowing orcs to manage the library in the academy, the racial discrimination here should be considered the lightest.

Returning to Lady Celine's small house, he could hear Sela's cheers from upstairs. Lady Celine had also returned, and there was a faint sound of her elegant voice upstairs! Barlock smiled slightly; this innocent girl should officially become a member of the academy now, right? He just wondered if the students who entered through the back door would find a good mentor.

Rak, the mutt, was nowhere to be seen, but Barlock wasn't worried. This dog, who seemed foolish, was actually quite cunning, a typical bully who feared the strong. He wouldn't provoke powerful wizards, and the powerful secret technique taught to Barlock by the Hebrewton Wolf Cult was formidable enough. Rak was just a mutt and couldn't attract the attention of powerful wizards.

But sometimes it wasn't that the wizards didn't pay attention; it was just that trouble didn't come knocking. When a commotion came from the corner of the living room, Rak sneakily slipped in through a crack in the door, saw Barlock return, and joyfully pounced over. Barlock complained as he hugged the obviously fattening mutt, "Hey, brother, you're getting too heavy. You should lose weight! If the wise and mighty Frost Giant Wolf turns into a fat pig, those wolf ladies won't pay attention to you."

Rak wagged his tail, ignoring Barlock's words, and stuck his big mouth out. Barlock immediately frowned when he saw blood in Rak's mouth. His face darkened instantly. "Damn it, who hurt you?"

Rak shook his head, mouth close to Barlock's hand, and then spat out a metal object. No... it should be said, a bloody finger, with a metal object on it!

That ring left a deep impression on Barlock. It was almost identical to the inconspicuous ugly ring Lady Celine wore, just slightly larger, presumably meant for a man. It was a storage ring!

Barlock immediately picked up the finger, tucked the ring away into his chest, and casually threw the severed finger into Rak's mouth. "Brother, we can't leave evidence. Eat it quickly, destroy the evidence. Tell me, what exactly happened?" he said, while quickly running out of the room. He circled around the small house, carefully looking around to ensure Rak hadn't left any traces. Only then did he return to the room, staring into Rak's eyes, which were filled with a smug look. Using the secret shamanic technique, he communicated with Rak's soul, and vaguely saw the mutt's ordeal...!

Bored lying in the house and having eaten the last chicken leg in the kitchen, Rak decided to go out and find food. His wolf's nose was keen, and he quickly found the restaurant. The scruffy little figure easily slipped into the kitchen, took advantage of the cooks' inattention, and dragged out a freshly roasted, larger-than-himself pig leg.

Just as he slipped into the bushes, a call came from the kitchen, and several cooks rushed out, catching a glimpse of the second half of the pig leg disappearing into the bushes. A group of cooks grabbed their cleavers and cursed as they chased after him.

Helpless, Rak also knew he couldn't cause trouble for his good brother Barlock. He reluctantly gave up the delicious food on his lips and turned to "flee for his life". It was a bit unlucky; he kept diving into the dense bushes, and although he shook off the cooks, he unknowingly ended up outside a wizard's tower. Just as several elegantly dressed students emerged from the tower, one of them saw Rak and kicked him far away, laughing heartily and feeling quite pleased with himself!

As a sixth-level magical beast, the Frost Giant Wolf was extremely proud. Being kicked by an ordinary wizard's apprentice was a great humiliation for Rak. Regardless of whether it would cause trouble, the ferocity of a wild beast erupted, but it made an extremely obscene move... wagging its tail, pretending to be joyful as it ran towards the apprentice, as if trying to please him, but actually eyeing the area under the apprentice's crotch... It was preparing to teach that kid a lesson he would never forget!

Just as it was getting closer to the wizard's apprentice, ready to strike, it suddenly noticed the ring on the apprentice's left hand. Rak knew how much Barlock coveted Lady Celine's storage ring. Finding a good thing, one must always consider one's good brother. Changing its target on the spot, it jumped up and bit the apprentice's finger, shaking it, and the finger snapped off cleanly like a radish! A piercing scream rang out, and while everyone was stunned and shocked, Rak disappeared into the bushes like an arrow!

The secret technique of the Hebrewton Wolf Cult was truly powerful. When Rak was around them, several people couldn't even see what it looked like. By the time they wanted to chase after it, it had vanished without a trace. Even when the wizards and instructors from the magic tower came out to search using special magic, they found no trace of it.

Barlock came back to his senses, not knowing whether to laugh or scold. "You troublemaker, do you think I'm not troubled enough? Well, whatever, it's already bad enough now, let's just stir up some trouble!"

Knowing that he hadn't been exposed for the time being, Barlock didn't care anymore. He took out the storage ring, looked at it with delight, and didn't know how to use it!

Right, he should ask Lady Celine. He thought of it and acted on it, rushing upstairs. He even pushed open Lady Celine's door without knocking. "Lady Celine, I have a question for you... Ah...!"

Barlock was a little dumbfounded, and the two women in the room also looked stunned. After a moment, two sharp screams rang out: "**... get out!" A few pieces of clothing were thrown over by the embarrassed women.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were changing clothes!" Barlock turned and fled in embarrassment, not forgetting to take off the light cloak hanging on his shoulder, which seemed to... have a faint fragrance...! It was really unexpected. Lady Celine's body was mature and voluptuous, especially her fair and sexy buttocks, which were full of extremely enticing curves. But it didn't stop there; it seemed that even Sela, with her apple-like figure, was also well-endowed. As a man, Barlock had shown remarkable self-control by not immediately having a nosebleed.

Back in the downstairs living room, it took a long time for the two women to slowly come downstairs, their faces still flushed with embarrassment and resentment. Women absolutely couldn't be given the chance to erupt. Barlock directly changed the subject and said, "Lady Celine, I went to the arena today to see my tribesmen, and I also met Duke Delta!"

Sure enough, Lady Celine's attention was diverted. She paused at the mention of Duke Delta, seemingly thinking of something, and her expression turned cold: "What was he doing there? Did he make things difficult for you?" She had sent someone to assassinate Barlock last night. If they knew about Barlock's relationship with Lady Celine, they would not let him off easily.

"At least not for now!" Barlock replied.

"Hmm?" Lady Celine looked at Barlock with puzzlement.

Shrugging, Barlock said indifferently, "I had a fight there and severely injured a gladiator named Sert, then said some irrational things. I think your husband would be happy to report me to the king."... He briefly recounted what had happened.

"Barlock, you're too impulsive. Delta is narrow-minded, he won't let you off, he will definitely report you to the king. And His Majesty..." Lady Celine frowned and smiled bitterly, "For now, you'll be fine. The king won't do anything to you, at least until Claire recovers fully, and he will also warn Delta not to come looking for you. But..."

Lady Celine suddenly felt a little guilty. Barlock was brought to the royal capital by her, and if anything happened to him here, it would make her uneasy. "Barlock... how long will it take for Claire to fully recover?"

"Oh, soon." Barlock answered casually. He didn't want to tell the truth.

Turning to the puzzled Sela, Lady Celine said, "Sela, my dear sister, go back to your room and get ready. I need to talk to Barlock alone. Then I'll take you to meet your teacher." The innocent girl could understand many things now, and seeing that Barlock was in trouble, she reluctantly went upstairs!

After Sela left, Lady Celine took Barlock into his room and asked seriously, "Barlock, tell me the truth. How long does Claire need to recover?"

"Um, alright." Barlock didn't actually want to deceive the kind Lady Celine, but anyway, this matter would soon be noticed by the queen, that high-level mage: "Just seven days, and I can completely repair the princess's spiritual sea. After that, she will be no different from an ordinary person, and her talent is very, very good. She will be an excellent mage in the future."

"Very well, then leave after seven days. I will help you escape from Pardia." Lady Celine seemed to have made a decision and said very seriously.

"What?" Barlock almost thought he had misheard and asked in disbelief.