Chapter 166: Back Together

All orcs looked somehow similar, but Tristan's eyes were glued to the two new champions. He recognized them as two of the bravest warriors who fought next to him in the last battle against barbarians.

Now, they seem to have grown larger, with impressive muscles all over their body, and longer, more curved teeth. 

Sensing Tristan's stare, Karra explained that this was the reason why all orcs love battle. The more bloody and dangerous the battle they are facing, the higher chance they would reach the peak of their body and evolve.

From gretchin, to grunts, champion and warchief these are their growth. The more Tristan learned about these green creatures, the more fascinated he became.

Tristan then decided to choose the one ear orc as Karra's replacement. The reason was simply being the most fearsome looking and having a recognizable figure.

"I now call you One-ear"

With One ear to take over the camp, Karra could then follow him to the new town.

Before Tristan was able to continue his explanation, he saw someone raise their hand.

"Me! Me! I will come too!" Said none other than the purple-haired fire magician.

When he saw Herrera's enthusiasm, he couldn't help but have some mixed feelings about bringing her. Anyone could see that she's a little wrong in the head, and she might potentially cause some problems for him down the road. But then, on the other hand, she possessed a deep loyalty for him, something very hard to come by in this world.

Serene gave Tristan a look about the situation. In response, Tristan merely smiled and said.

"Okay, Herrera. You may come." Tristan nodded, and the purple-haired magician replied with a genuine, gleeful smile. It was clear that she was elated to be accepted.

"What about you, Seth?"

Seth was not strong, and to be honest, he's a little bit cowardly. But, they had gone through a difficult time together, and Tristan had seen how he can be dependable in a moment of need. 

With the responsibility of managing a town in front of him, Tristan needed all the help he could get.

"Think about it, Seth. I will be assigned as a town mayor. This time It should be an easy and relaxing task" Tristan said, trying to convince him.

To his surprise, Seth accepted the offer faster than he thought. 

"Very good, Seth. Welcome aboard."

Seth was excited, it appears he thought that the months of betting his life on adventures was over. He thought he really could reap the benefits from Tristan's new position. Maybe a position as the head of the guard or maybe a minister. But unfortunately, Tristan was only thinking of the many ways to squeeze every drop of sweat from this poor guy.

Tristan then glanced at Astrid, quite satisfied that his skill was still potent enough to affect the woman for more than a month, even as they spent quite some time apart. Tristan knows Astrid was a Barbarian captain and definitely has a role in his future fight.

When all was settled, The mayor finally said.

"Alright, I wish you all a good and successful journey."

Surprisingly Tristan give him a confused look

"Oh, why did you say that?" said Tristan with a wicked smile.

The fat elf suddenly could feel a shiver went down his spine. He quickly has a bad feeling about this.

"Uriel, you will definitely be coming with me," said Tristan

Seeing the wicked smile and how serious Tristan was, a drop of sweat went down his forehead.

"I see... Haha… you must be joking right?" 

Tristan ignores him and this time he talked to Barry, the Errantel young captain.

"I am sorry, Barry. Please just do this for me for three months, and I will forgive everything you ever did"

Barry was shocked as he somehow understood what Tristan was about to do to him. Left with no choice, he nodded, accepting his fate.

Within a few seconds, wisps of red mist appeared from all over his body and entered Barry's mouth, nose, and ears.

[Blood Seal]

Everyone just stared at it quietly. They knew what Tristan was doing, including Uriel. The fat elf gritted his teeth, with trembling legs and wide eyes. He braves himself to say.

"Tristan…!! The king said-, no, you are not allowed! To use that skill"

Tristan calmly respond with a smile

"Lord Uriel, the king, gave me such a short deadline. If I would be judged afterward, I need to make sure I gave him my best performance, don't I?"

After the red mists were fully inside Barry, Tristan glanced at the mayor with a wicked smile.

The fat elf became even more panicked. He didn't realize that this outlander elf was going to be this crazy. Without wasting time, he put his hands in his pockets and fished out a small black stone about the size of his palm. The stone shone under the light and reflected a purplish glow. 

"I have a god stone here! Don't waste your energy; your skills won't affect me!"

Tristan chuckled, not scared at all by the fat elf's attempt at threats. Even without the god stone, he has no plan to blood seal the elf.

The mayor kept his eyes trained at Tristan as he stepped bit by bit towards the entrance, but right as he was close to freedom, he bumped onto the 4 orc champions standing guard on his path. 

He once again looked at Tristan begging

"Please, please… I know you are a cultured person…"

"Don't worry, it will only be for just a month," Tristan answered calmly, repeating all Uriel's words before.

That was the last thing Uriel heard before someone hit the back of his head. He slumped to the hard floor, unconscious.

Serene stared at Tristan with a concerned expression. But, yet again, Tristan gave a cryptic smile and said.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt him…just think of it as I am helping him."

Serene raised her eyebrows in surprise. "In which way are you helping him?"

Tristan chuckled when he arrived at the perfect answer.

"I'm going to make him thinner… Hehehe."

Tristan actually had kept this idea in the back of his mind since Uriel rejected his offer. Now that Uriel was inside 'his' camp, kidnapping him will be as easy as taking candy from a kid.

As for Barry, he made sure that the mayor's most trusted guard captain would inform all Erantell ministers about the mayor's sudden vacation.

Now that his team was set, it is time to go to Carleon City