Chapter 354: Become stronger. (1/2)

”We want you to avoid harming humans and mine ore for the city we're building.”

Rosa told the Leader what they agreed upon before their arrival. The Ogres' Leader frowned heavily. He glanced at Arthur, who was still releasing his aura, but shook his head and answered.

”He refuses to be a slave of humans and halflings,” Rosa said with an uneasy expression. ”Should I tell him about the Law of Racial Equality?”

”No, they don't see themselves as Demis.” Arthur looked at them with a thoughtful expression. ”Ask them about their demands because this is an equal trade.”

Rosa nodded and told the Ogres. The frown on the Leader's face eased a bit as he pondered and answered.

”He asks about what will happen if they only avoid attacking humans,” Rosa said. ”He doesn't want to mine the ores.”

”Tell him that we'll agree to that, but we will mine the ores instead of them,”

Hearing his words, the Ogre shook his head. He said a few things before he disappeared with the rest. Arthur frowned and was about to chase them before Rosa stopped him.

”He's not running away but wants us to follow him,” Rosa explained, making Arthur retract his aura. Gruen, however, was worried.

”Is it a safe call to just follow after them in this mountain range?” The dwarf gave a valid point. ”After all, maybe they're luring us into an ambush where those powerful monsters are waiting.”

”Even if I can't handle the monsters, I can get us out of there if things went wrong,” Arthur reassured him.

They walked up the mountain after the Ogres, who made sure they were slow enough for Arthur and co to see them. The Ogres walked deep into the mountain range and didn't stop until Arthur could see a giant altar.

Ogres were surrounding them from each side as they walked through the valley where a giant statue was erected. As they got close, Arthur could see it looked the same as the one he saw earlier.

The Leader waited for them between two giant rocks. He held a massive club in hand and leaned on it for support. When the group got close enough, he said many things to Rosa, who kept nodding in response.

”What did he say?” Arthur asked when the Leader finally closed his mouth.

”He explained why we're here,” Rosa said, taking a deep breath. It seems that she used the active form of her ability even with Arthur. ”This is the altar of the Ogres and a place of worship. The giant altar represents their protector. If they want to work with us, they would have to ask him.”

”Then, why are we here?” Arthur asked. ”We could have waited outside the valley until he asks him.”

”The Protector needs to judge our character. If The Protector senses malice, it will refuse our existence in this land.”

Arthur frowned as he heard this and looked at the giant altar in the middle. Can this statue judge their character? He could sense some presence within it, but that wasn't what bugged him.

'What is this feeling?' Arthur questioned as the presence in the altar was threatening but familiar. He felt as if he knew this feeling, but it was masked with layers of fog.

”Should I agree, Seika?” Rosa asked with an edge of urgency. Arthur hesitated before he nodded. There was no reason to refuse, and several to accept.

Rosa relayed his decision to the Leader, who nodded and turned to walk into the valley. With Arthur in the lead, the group followed the Ogre's Leader into the valley. Inside, countless treasures and bones were lying around.

'How can a creature be this loved by a bunch of monsters?' Arthur looked at the statue in the middle of the horned creature with a frown. The presence was growing stronger the closer he got. No, it was Arthur who perceived it better.

They followed the Ogre on a trail toward the base of the statue. When they got to the platform in front of the altar, Leader Ogre fell to his knees and grabbed his club, leaning on it.

'I hope he's not expecting us to have a worshiping session with him.'

Luckily, the Leader didn't ask of such a thing but kept muttering things. Rosa began to whisper them to Arthur in Yalveran Language.

”Mighty One, I come to you with a question today. These humans and halflings seek out a treaty between us. They demand of us to mine and not attack humans who get close.”

After it finished its words, silence followed. The valley had no other sound but the wind's whistles as it breezed through the countless bones.

'This reminds me of Schelera,' Arthur mused how all religions were the same, worshiping and following entities who ignored them. As he was thinking about getting out  of this awkwardness, a small stone on the statue's base glowed.