Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 626: Negotiations

TL: Rui88

A winding river cut across the land, its water flowing peacefully.

But the atmosphere on its two banks was anything but peaceful.

On the north bank, great herds of warhorses galloped back and forth, kicking up clouds of dust that seemed to obscure the very sky. The riders upon these horses were tall, strong, and fierce-looking orcs. They brandished their weapons, constantly showing off their equestrian skills, from time to time casting provocative glances toward the opposite bank and letting out all sorts of strange cries.

And on the south bank of the river was another army. Unlike the boisterous orcs across the water, they did not run about in disarray. Instead, they were arranged in neat square formations. From officer to soldier, none spoke a word, their expressions solemn as they watched the opposite bank.

One side was in a tumultuous uproar, the other stood in disciplined readiness; both were brimming with killing intent.

Siegfried placed a hand on his forehead, frowning as he watched the orc army across the river.

These barbarians looked as if they had no order, running about chaotically. It seemed as though a single charge from an organized army could scatter them like a plate of loose sand.

But Siegfried knew that if one were to truly launch a reckless charge, the orcs would retreat in a manner that seemed disordered but was, in fact, orderly, luring you into a step-by-step pursuit. Your army would become stretched out and disorganized in the chase.

Sometimes, to facilitate this, the orcs would deliberately leave behind some valuables to tempt the enemy soldiers into looting.

When a gap appeared in the enemy’s defense, they would transform from a plate of loose sand into a ferocious wolf pack. Aided by their highly mobile warhorses, they would break through the enemy’s defensive loophole in a single stroke, throwing the enemy’s formation into utter chaos.

During this time, orc cavalry on the flanks would constantly harass with bows and arrows, coordinating with the heavy cavalry charging the formation.

Ultimately, the orcs’ enemies would face a terrible rout.

In the several clashes before, it was fortunate that Gabella itself had a considerable number of cavalry as auxiliary forces. Coupled with the fact that the imperial army was better equipped than the orc barbarians, they had managed to fight the orcs to a standstill despite being at a numerical disadvantage.

While Antonio and Siegfried were observing the orcs, the high command of the orc army was also observing the Gabella army.

“Truly a powerful nation in the human world!”

Grand Chieftain Abal looked at the opposite bank with some envy.

“Look at those neat formations, that fine armor, and those sharp weapons. They are all things we should learn from.”

“Great Chieftain Abal!”

The general beside him, Arroyo, bellowed, “We can form neat formations too, but that armor and those weapons are not easy to come by!”

“That is why I told you all to treat those human craftsmen well!”

A glint flashed in Grand Chieftain Abal’s eyes. “They are all precious assets. We orcs are skilled in battle, but we lack the patience and brains for crafting objects. In this respect, we must rely on the humans!”

Arroyo grinned, his massive tusks gleaming under the sun.

“Great Abal, I will plunder more slaves from the human world and present them to you. They will bring more skills, and their skills will make you even happier.” ṘÁΝố𝔟Êꞩ

“Fool!” Abal struck him with his whip, but it did not hurt.

“I want subjects, not slaves!”

“Yes! Yes! Great Abal.”

Arroyo laughed heartily, knowing the Grand Chieftain was not truly angry. “I will bring you more subjects. They will be as numerous as ants!”

Kalem, who had been silently watching the human army from the side, spoke up to remind him, “It is about time. I think you should go over.”

“Alright! Let me go and meet this young lion of Gabella!”

Abal laughed loudly.

“Hmm, it looks like they are coming out!”

Siegfried, who had excellent eyesight, said, “We should go over as well.”

“Let’s go!” Antonio nodded.

Aldridge, at his side, also flicked his reins, and his mount’s hooves began to move.

Antonio, Siegfried, and Aldridge rode together toward the riverbank.

And on the other side of the river, Abal, Colum, and Arroyo also walked toward the river.

“Eagle! Eagle! The eagle of the plains!”

The orc cavalrymen stopped their roaming, raised their arms with clenched fists, and shouted continuously.

A powerful, surging momentum rushed across to the other side of the river.

Abal waved smugly in their direction.

“Hmph!” Aldridge gestured, and the Gabella military formation behind him immediately roared to life.

“Lion! Lion! Lion! The lion of Gabella!”

Though fewer in number, their shouts were uniform and synchronized, their momentum not losing out to the orcs in the slightest.

The two groups each took a small boat and came to a large, anchored wooden raft in the middle of the river, upon which a table and stools were placed.

Abal and Antonio saw each other up close for the first time.

“My brother!”

Abal opened his arms and greeted Antonio.

Siegfried frowned upon hearing this. “My brother” was a common form of address used by rulers of human nations when they met.

A foreign barbarian was actually using it!

“Honorable Grand Chieftain Abal!”

Antonio did not hesitate. He stepped forward and embraced Abal, but he did not address the other as “my brother.”

The faces of Kalem and Arroyo, who were beside Abal, all showed displeasure. These self-important humans believed from their very bones that orcs were a lesser race.

The two men in the center of the raft sat down across the table from each other. Although they had been locked in a life-and-death struggle on the battlefield just yesterday, today they seemed to be negotiating a business deal.

Antonio smiled, but his brow was furrowed. “I must admit, Chieftain Abal, I have always considered you to be impolite, entering another’s home to be a guest without an invitation from the host.”

“Oh, do not misunderstand, Your Highness!” Abal wore a sincere expression. “In fact, I was just leading my people to see if there was anything you needed help with. The situation within Gabella seems a bit… unstable? Especially concerning you.”

“I believe you are joking, Grand Chieftain.”

Aldridge, who stood behind and to the side of Antonio, said, “Right now, His Highness is the only legitimate heir in Gabella. Regardless of what certain people may be thinking, they have but one choice when it comes to action.”

“Alright! Alright! Let’s speak plainly then! Your Highness Antonio, what practical matters should we discuss?”

“The Nerodan Corridor!”

Antonio looked at Abal and said directly, “As long as you withdraw your troops here, that great valley is yours.”

Abal’s heart pounded. “Hmph! Nerodan is in the hands of Ordo!”

“I have a way to get your army in there! Of course, the rest will be up to you,” Antonio said.

“You have a way? On what grounds?” Abal was somewhat disbelieving.

“I know what you have been doing with the dwarves!” Antonio smiled.

Abal was shocked.