Daniel looked at him steadily. “I am Ethan Zhou of the Li House of the Empire. I will accompany you, Urdek of the Wolfhide Clan.”

Daniel took a deep breath. “I will accompany you to meet your leaders.”

The words felt heavier once spoken aloud. Not because he doubted them, but because he knew exactly what they implied.

The scout’s eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second, then widened just as slightly. Respect, maybe. Or recalculation. He dipped his head once, sharp but measured, as if marking something down that he had just understood.

Daniel turned his back. “Honorable Urdek of the Wolfhide Clan—give me a moment to confer with my people, and we will leave.”

Urdek nodded and took several steps back, giving them space. Daniel fought a smile as he heard the orc whisper. "Well done, human. "

There was talking from everyone all at once, but in the recesses of Daniel’s mind, Ethan spoke clearly.

Are you sure this is a good idea?Ethan said, his tone tight with concern.This seems like an unnecessary risk. No—actually, that’s too kind. It’s stupid. This is a stupid idea.

Daniel considered that as he watched the Iron Tide in the distance.

The mere fact that they had not attacked yet was telling in and of itself. He had meant it when he explained to the others earlier that the Iron Tide’s presence alone, especially after the near-total destruction of the demon-touched orcs, was significant. Any force that wanted blood would have taken advantage of that window immediately.

Instead, they had waited. That, coupled with his understanding of the situation (Vivian, the Princess, Ethan’s sisters, the Gate, the search for Divine Moonsteel, and even the Iron Tide coming to the mainland instead of attacking the Murai) told him that hehadto talk to the orcs. It was important when things change as quickly as this, there needs to be a catalyst for that change. Daniel needed to figure out what it was. He had to trust his instincts here. Since the Iron Tide was not here to attack, not yet, at least. They were here for something else.

The problem was that, for the life of him, he could not figure out what that something was.

This is a calculated risk just like the one to sit in the pavilion,Daniel replied internally.We don’t know why they’re here, but it’s pretty clear they’re not here to fight—at least not at this point. We have got to play this out.

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You don’t know that,Ethan countered.And you’re about to walk into an orc camp just to… what? Find out whether they want to kill us or not?

They’re not trying to kill us,Daniel said.It doesn’t make sense to come in under a white flag just to pull someone like me out. Even if I were the most powerful person here. Even if I were the actual leader.

He paused, then added,Sure, it could be a ruse. But that’s a lot of effort just to get back to the same place you already are—attacking a fortified position.

Ethan was quiet for a moment, turning that over.

You’re probably right,he admitted.Orcs aren’t exactly known for their duplicity. They follow a fairly brutal code of conduct, but it’s still a code. They don’t usually fight through deception.

There was a faint note of comparison in his thoughts.

They’re actually closer to the Murai that way than most cultivators realize. More violent. More rigid. But still a warrior’s code.

Daniel tried not to grin.Remember, you hate that word.

Shut up.

Daniel grew serious.So we’re agreed? We go?

I still don’t know what the point is,Ethan replied.Why they’d want to see us at all. But yes—if they’re not attacking, then they must be here for another reason, and we should probably figure out what that is.

Daniel’s gaze shifted back to Urdek, who was trying not to watch him. He was a middle-sized orc, tusks sharpened but not exaggerated, posture confident without being overtly aggressive. Curious eyes hid behind a practiced mask of intimidation. Even so, Daniel could feel the magic rolling off him.

That strange flavor again. The mana that wasn’t quite mana.

I know,Ethan said.That description still annoys me.

Daniel almost smiled.You said the orcs call it the Pulse, right? I’m starting to wonder if it’s a hybrid—some kind of bleed-over between mana and Aether.

We’re going to have to sit down and really study that,Ethan replied.Figure out how it works, how it interacts with everything else. It really strengthens them. That sort of reinforcement isn’t something just mana can do.

Daniel nodded faintly.I have a feeling understanding these other systems might matter more than we realize. Especially for the war that’s coming.

Ethan gave a quiet, humorless chuckle.Yeah. We’re really going to fight a war against the demons, aren’t we?

Daniel smiled to himself.You’re damn right we are.

A touch on his shoulder pulled him from the internal exchange. Daniel turned to see Vivian Li. His wife was looking at him with daggers, her expression sharp enough to cut.

“I’m coming with you,” she said.

He opened his mouth to object, but she continued before he could speak.

“I’m not letting you walk into an orc camp alone.”

Daniel was already preparing a protest when another voice joined them.

“I’m coming as well,” Sophie said.

She stepped forward, every ounce of her Imperial bearing on display. There was steel in her posture now, not just ceremony.

“I am the representative of the Imperial family,” Sophie continued. “If the orcs want to talk—about anything—then they will speak to someone who carries that authority.”

She hesitated, then added honestly, “I don’t know what they want. But if they want words instead of blades, then they should hear them from someone who represents the Empire.”

Daniel looked between the two women, felt Ethan’s unease echoing in his own chest, and knew this argument was far from over.

But the path forward was already narrowing.

And the Iron Tide was waiting. They needed to figure this out. Now.

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