Chapter 317: March

A booming shout bellowed through the orc's camp. The thunderous roar was merely a single word, a simple command exclaimed by a lean, slender, young, dark-green-skinned figure.

He didn't look imposing, he was wearing torn, shredded clothes. His upper body was virtually barren, free for everyone to gawk at. Small cuts and bruises could still be seen, although they have healed a lot since his last fight against the Guardian Spirit.

An invisible pressure was being released from the depth of his body, rings of energy waves rippled, expanded as they traversed through the air, reaching all ends of the settlement.

A simple command, that no one would normally believe that such stubborn, warrior race like these gathered orcs would listen to. 

Yet, what happened next would have shocked everyone. The naysayers, the non-believers would have gasped with wide eyes in utter disbelief and shock at the incredulous, unbelievable sight that followed next.

Upon his single command, one by one the rows of lined up orc warriors in the opposing army, fell down to their knees on the ground, prostrating, kowtowing to this singular, youthful existence. Behind him, his servants the strange, evolved creatures also went to one knee, closing their eyes and turning their attention towards the ground. 

In unison, they shouted. Even the ex-goblins used the same orcish language that the others as if it was a practiced ploy.

"[Orc] WE SERVE THE YOUNG MASTER! OUR WHOLE EXISTENCE, BODY AND SOUL BELONG TO HIM!"

After their exclamation, they followed up with a simple shout, a short exclamation that rocked the hearts of all living creatures in the vicinity.

"[Orc] LONG LIVE THE YOUNG MASTER! LONG LIVE OUR LORD!"

The orcs continued to fall down to their knees one by one, without much resistance. The clinging of metal rang as they all dropped their weapons, kowtowing on the ground towards this singular existence, without any resistance.

Quickly, one by one the prostrating orcs joined the chorus, shouting their new lord's name.

"[Orc] LONG LIVE THE YOUNG MASTER! LONG LIVE OUR LORD!"

After the frontline squads, the lined up ranged specialists also fell down, just as easily as their battle-hungry brethren. 

Moments later they also joined the ever-growing chorus, their unified voice thundered through their settlement.

Behind their closed visors, the orc officers, the leaders of the current army were greatly flabbergasted at the sight.

However, before they could have uttered any commands to the last line of defense, the elites, they too fell to the mental command.

The elites, one after another dropped their weapons, joining their lower-class brethren, changing their allegiance, and swearing up to this mysterious figure standing proudly in front of them.

Finally, the line, even the officers were pulled into the fold. The mental command combined with the strange aura that surrounded them was too much for their feeble minds.

"[Orc] LONG LIVE THE YOUNG MASTER! LONG LIVE OUR LORD!"

Just like that, the once proud and feared orc army of the famed Horde has been subjugated. Before they had a chance, the threat that lurked at the edges of human civilization was thwarted by a single being, a young man.

With a simple word of his, the more than a thousand-strong army of battle-hungry, bulky humanoid creatures have prostrated on the ground, awaiting their next command.

Aiden was looking calm as his glowing golden eyes slowly scanned through the large army of newly joined members of his family. Although it didn't show outwardly, he was actually quite surprised that he was successful on the first try. He wasn't sure if his little experiment would bear fruit so easily.

He merely wanted to try the power of his newly formed aura that he created through the fusion of his two existing ones, the still quite mysterious lording domain he got from his newest form and the very first one, which was filled with the mystical, higher-tiered [Soul Power], the one that came from his innate skill, the [Dragon's Wrath] ability.

While the fact that he somehow made the two totally different types of auras into one was a mystery in itself, he wanted to test it out and learn what it was capable of. Now, looking over the prostrating creatures, he wasn't totally certain what to do, he hadn't planned this far ahead.

However, his mind was running in overdrive, he quickly came to a decision.

Turning his head sideways he raised his right arm waving towards the tallest of his first quarter of servants, Roas.

"[Orc] Roas, come forward." He addressed his self-appointed guardian with a warm, but commanding tone.

Without hesitation the tall giant stepped forward, kneeling down on his left knee once he was facing the young master.

"[Orc] Yes, Young Master! I'm am eagerly awaiting your orders!"

This time, although he wanted to, he didn't reach out to help him up. From the many memories he had already digested, he understood the first rule of governing such a large mass of people. You needed to show your authority, your irrefutable rule.

Steeling his heart, he looked behind the kneeling Roas, as he waved his right hand in the air, drawing a small curving left-winged arc.

From his notion, the air behind the tall giant began to buzz, lining up into an unseen formation as they activated, reacting to an unknown spell they connected to each other.

The now-familiar-looking gate materialized behind the servant, showing a still image of the lush green and empty fields of the system's Minion World.

"[Orc] From now on, these orcs belong to you. Guide them to the other side and teach them. I will not interfere in their evolution directly but will grant you the power to do so yourself later on."

Listening to Aiden's command, Roas had a conflicted look on his face. While on one hand he was glad and honored to receive such an opportunity, to be able to fix the mistakes of his past, but on the other hand, he wanted to stay by the Young Master's side and serve him as his trusted aide. 

Even without the connection, they shared as master and servant, Aiden understood the conflict rising inside his first minion. He placed his left palm over his right shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze, he whispered his next words so only he and his other servants would hear it.

"[Orc] I know that you want to stay by me, but I will be returning to the human city soon. We would be garnering too much attention if you were to appear amidst them. Remember that they do not allow any other race than themselves in their settlements. For the time being, be patient, and lead your people. The land they all were hoping for is already there. In that other world, they can be free and live in peace."

Roas clenched his fists tightly, giving a silent promise to himself that he will not fail the trust the Young Master has put in him. The conflict faded from his place, only leaving conviction and an unwavering will. 

With a determined look shining on his face, Roas nodded, exclaiming proudly.

"[Orc] Young Master, I promise that I will not fail you! I will make sure to lead this group to a better future under your banner!"

With his promise proclaimed, Roas stood up and turned around to look at the newly subjected army.

His bead-like dark brown eyes coldly scanned through the members of the subjugated orcs. His lips parted, he bellowed his first command.

"From now on, you are under the rule of the Young Master! Form an orderly line and enter the gate behind me! The new land that was promised to us by our ancestors is awaiting you. A new world for those that have joined the Young Master.

As he exclaimed, he released an aura similar to the young master, although slightly lower quality. However, due to the fact that they were all under the same master, his aura automatically provided him with the leadership he needed.

Even though the orcs were a militaristic, warrior race where the hierarchy was decided purely on strength, they couldn't go against the [Aura of the Orc Lord] that Roas was subconsciously emitting from his body.

Even the strongest of them, the officers, the group leaders, captains of the orc army couldn't go against such an oppressing force. 

Without any word, the large army formed into two arranged rows, in front of their new leader, Roas, waiting for his command to begin their march.

Roas took one last look at his Young Master, with a wry expression, before the cold, strict outlook returned to his face. He turned to face his old-new people. The very same people that not too long ago have exiled him after dethroning him.

The very same people, that shunned him, now look up to him once more.

Thanks to his Young Master, his lord, he regained his lost power, his people, and his authority. All thanks to a single decision that he made he was even stronger than before with an irrefutable lordship over this swarm of orcs that came from several tribes.

Looking at his Young Master one last time, his lips curved into a thankful smile, he gave a slight nod, before he raised his right arm in the air, and exclaimed the command for the march.