Everyone had focused on the image of the girl carrying spring winds into the tent. Only one person was thinking about what the words she spoke told. This person, remaining silent for a while, would jump in, taking advantage of the silence that formed.
"Ma'am, if I may, can we have a meeting after the assembly about the practices you implemented?"
Orcs who couldn't see the speaker were horrified. Who could dare to make such an offer to the person Chief Alyon's son was interested in? They turned to where the voice came from immediately, but their tension didn't last long because they found Gulag facing them.
"Why not? I have many things to learn from an experienced administrator like you too!"
The old man was very pleased with this answer. He showed they agreed by giving a head bow with respect to the young girl. Due to Gulag's age and position, Kitapkurdu wasn't uncomfortable either, and beyond that, he was one of the few people who knew the real situation in Nikonya.
"A nice thought, Lord Gulag! I would very much like to join this meeting too!"
The old man's cheerful state from a moment ago would evaporate in an instant after Nafız's words. His wrinkled face was stretching; this situation was practically having a botox effect on him.
"We hadn't found the opportunity to meet for a long time, ma'am! Your presence will honor us!"
Although uneasy, Gulag didn't have many alternatives. He accepted this proposal with his hands tied. From here on, the tempo of the meeting would increase; leaders of the Trade Region's new tribes were quickly explaining themselves and the actions they took.
The biggest fear wasn't the military attacks of the Main Orc Tribe but their cutting off the trade routes. In this case, the region would be under the danger of turning completely into trash. However, due to the loss of mines in the Arid Region and the occupation of Parthenia, their financial situations weren't good at all either.
To not lose the transit fees they received from merchants, they couldn't do anything about this matter. What a bitter contrast that they had to feed the cancer growing in their bodies to not die.
After discussing minor problems, Alyon decided to announce a new system to be created in the lands they ruled. In the session that started when the sun was high, he would suggest eating before reaching an hour close to sunset. When the participants, whose stomachs were full and minds rested, settled in their places, the Chief of Orcs decided the time had come.
"My warriors, my chieftains, and humans who are our guests, I will tell you about the new regulations that will be valid in the region we rule!"
Alyon specifically increased the volume of his voice. He wanted everyone to listen to him with all their attention.
"First, two military bases and an orc war academy will be opened in the Trade Region. You will ensure these units, which will be structured connected to the existing base, become operational as soon as possible!"
The news created a bombshell effect within the command echelon. What did two new bases mean? It meant they could achieve higher ranks and titles by showing themselves.
"The Orc War Academy will be a formation open to every race, contrary to its name. Here, people who will shape the future of the continent will be raised!"
The real bomb was exploding. The repercussions of this decision, taken with a radicalism never seen before on the Orc Steppes, would be great.
"It is obvious from your looks that you are quite surprised, but you will get used to it. I assure you, among the changes to be experienced, this thing you heard will be the simplest!"
Nafız, interjecting her friend's words, spoke looking at the faces of all guests one by one.
"I will explain the details of the subject to you! The biggest duty of the orc tribes in the region from now on will be to send warriors of the desired number and quality to the academy every moon cycle. Those who succeed in this will be rewarded; chieftains and division chiefs of unsuccessful tribes will be changed!"
When Kitapkurdu started conveying the details of the regulation made, warrior orcs fully felt the weight of the subject.
"The supply of human warriors is the responsibility of the Trade Cities. The duty falling to their share will be to send a hundred talented young people to the academy every year cycle!"
They were really serious about this. Humans and orcs would be subjected to military training under the same roof. Besides those welcoming this situation with pleasure, there were also those feeling anger inwardly, but they knew quite well what would happen to them if they spoke up right now.
Alyon didn't speak for a while to gauge the pulse of the environment. While watching around with careful eyes, he was making a special effort not to miss the slightest reaction. When some time passed, he opened his mouth again to make the tent, which became silent after his son's speech, groan with his booming voice.
"From this day on, we will live for a single purpose. And that will be the liberation of all Orc Steppes. Return to your tribes, your lands, and start working to fulfill the job given to you. Remember; he who loves his country most is he who does his duty best!"
Alyon touched the hearts of orcs with his last words. They all jumped from their places and shouted, "Yes, sir!"
The meeting ended when the night slowly descended upon the tribe with all its weight. Guests coming from all four corners settled in the tents reserved for them. It was time to meet again for those who had agreed since morning around these times. Everyone knew about two of them, but somewhere else, a secret meeting far from eyes was being held.
The parties of this meeting were Chief Alyon, Kasaphaydo, Asiyürek, and Miloş. The most authorized people of two regions and the military responsible for the Sacred Lands were together. They had come to learn the real reason lying behind the changes announced during the day.
"Friends, I gathered you here to tell our most important plan in the future. Orc War Academies to be newly established constitute only the starting leg of this!"
Seeing the three people in the tent listening to him attentively, Alyon continued speaking with a calm tone of voice.
"I want to establish an army consisting of the chosen ones. This unit will consist of warriors with the best physical features and highest intelligence level. Academies will be places where we gather people with high potential. By choosing the best of the best here, we will send them to the tribe located in the Sacred Lands!"
What was told was getting more and more interesting. Sparkles in the eyes of the three warriors whose curiosity was attracted were becoming visible in the dim environment of the tent.
"Miloş, the command of this place will be with you. While the tribe meets the needs of the school to be established, you will create the orcs I want to turn into a war machine in the full sense. I don't set a limit for your requests; money, material, manpower, Kitapkurdu will provide whatever is needed!"
Now they understood what was going on. Although everyone thought he aimed to increase general power, Alyon's goal was to establish a core cadre. Over time, these people would multiply, and orcs breeding from them would form the majority thanks to natural selection. Their chief was practically grafting the plane tree called orc; currently, they were about to dry up, but this way they could revive and become fruitful.
"The second subject will be related to the fighting system we created for orcs. After research and developments lasting more than a year, we were able to create some booklets for people with potential to learn. Its first three stages will be taught through Orc War Academies, and warriors mastering these will earn the right to enter the Sacred Lands!"
Lands they once fled to hide would now open their doors only to the chosen children of the race. Who knows, maybe other bloodline powers could also awaken this way.