The orcs, clad in tattered leather armor and carrying short axes and warhammers at their waists, were once enemies on the battlefield, but have now been incorporated into Prince Yuriko's army, becoming his "loyal warriors."
The crowd began to stir. Some people who had been cheering on the roadside retreated, and some even pulled their children to hide under the eaves of houses on the side of the street.
Several elderly women clutched their chests tightly, murmuring prayers to the gods, while several vendors hurriedly packed up their stalls, fearing that these "barbarians" would approach.
The beastmen walked along the shimmering streets, their steps heavy and hesitant, yet their gazes seemed to be drawn to their surroundings.
To them, this human city seemed like a miracle built of stone and magic.
The towering towers, the rooftops covered in colorful glazed tiles, the neatly arranged shops on both sides of the street, and the exquisitely carved fountains all seemed incredible to them.
Sunlight streamed through the tall archway, casting dappled patterns of light on the stone pavement, making the entire city seem to breathe. They had never seen a place like this before.
"Is this...the dwelling place of the gods?" a young orc murmured, his voice filled with awe.
"No, they are human nests," the other replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "But they are built more solidly than our tribes."
Their eyes greedily scanned every detail of the street—the well-dressed citizens, the exquisite tapestries, the utensils made of materials they couldn't understand, and even the street vendors' stalls amazed them.
"Their food…smells even better than ours." An orc sniffed the aroma of roasted meat and spices wafting through the air and couldn't help but swallow hard.
"Their women…" Another orc stared at a noblewoman in a gorgeous dress as she walked by, but before he could finish speaking, his companion slapped him on the back of the head.
"Don't look around," the older orc warned in a low voice. "This is their territory, not the grassland."
Even so, their eyes still gleamed with an undisguised excitement.
They were no longer enemies, but "converts", and they were allowed to enter the city and walk the streets, instead of being locked in cages and taken to the arena.
This was an unprecedented experience for them.
Some of them even began to whisper among themselves, describing what they were seeing in Orcish:
"Those lamps...were they made by magic?"
"There's actually a bridge over that river!"
Their walls... are higher than mountains.
Their eyes were filled with curiosity and amazement, and even a hint of longing.
Yuriko keenly sensed the unease around him; the atmosphere was gradually cooling, the cheers were becoming hesitant, and the crowds on both sides of the street began to retreat, as if afraid of the alien warriors clad in animal skins and wielding battle axes.
He sat on his horse, his brow furrowed slightly, then decisively pulled on the reins, stopping the white horse in the middle of the street. He straightened his back and raised a hand to signal everyone to be quiet.
"My fellow citizens of Jingyao!" His voice was loud and passionate, piercing through the whispers and commotion of the crowd, "You have no need to panic!"
He pointed to the silent, standing orc soldiers, his tone tinged with pride:
"These warriors are no longer our enemies! They surrendered to me at Storm's End, and now they are the most loyal soldiers under my command!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, his voice even more resolute: "They are no longer the beasts of the grasslands, but the warriors of Aldor!"
The streets were silent; people looked at each other, still somewhat hesitant.
But soon, an elderly citizen was the first to applaud—he was a veteran who had personally experienced the war against the orcs. He looked at the orcs who bowed their heads in submission, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
"The prince actually managed to make these barbarians bow down..." he muttered to himself, then raised his voice, "Amazing!"
This exclamation seemed to ignite a powder keg.
"The prince is truly a hero!"
"Even orcs can be subdued!"
"As expected of His Majesty the King's brother!"
The cheers erupted again, even more enthusiastically than before.
The children, no longer afraid, peeked out from behind the adults' legs, curiously observing the foreign soldiers. The merchants returned to their stalls, smiles on their faces, and several bards took out their instruments and began to improvise new songs about the prince's subjugation of the orcs.
Yuriko smiled with satisfaction. He slowly raised his hand and waved to the crowd again, a victor's smile on his face.
The unease and doubt that had once troubled him were now replaced by enthusiasm and adoration; he had succeeded.
He is now not just a triumphant general, but a hero who can subdue foreign tribes and rule over all people.
The procession finally arrived at the Royal Palace Square.
Sunlight streamed onto the golden-domed palace, casting a solemn and radiant glow. The palace gates were already wide open, and Rodney XVIII, dressed in formal royal robes and wearing a golden crown, stood on the steps, followed by Rupert, Merlin, and other ministers, quietly awaiting the prince's arrival.
Yuriko rode his white horse slowly forward until he reined in his horse at the steps. He dismounted with clean, swift movements, his cloak billowing gently in the wind. He looked up at his brother, his face filled with undisguised pride and anticipation.
"Welcome back, Yuriko," Rodney said with a smile, his voice loud yet gentle. "You have brought glory to the kingdom."
He walked down a few steps, took his brother's arm, and pulled him closer.
"I heard you were the first to storm Storm's End," the king said with a hint of approval. "In such a difficult time, you showed courage and decisiveness, which is exactly what the Aldor need."
Yurico's eyes lit up immediately, and he could hardly hide the smile on his lips.
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty!" He straightened his chest, his tone full of pride. "I charged alongside the warriors of the Guardian Knights at the forefront, never retreating even when faced with a hail of arrows from the rebels and orcs!"
Rodney gently patted his brother's shoulder, his tone gentle yet firm:
"I hope you will continue to have this courage. The war with the orcs is only the beginning. There are many more places that will need your protection in the future. The peace of the Aldor needs brave warriors like you."
Yuriko was deeply moved, as if his whole being had been ignited by these words.
"I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's high expectations!" he responded loudly, his tone full of passion and confidence.
The knights of the Kingdom's Guardian Order behind him shouted in unison: "Fight for the Kingdom! Fight for His Majesty!"
Cheers echoed across the square once again.
Rodney looked at his younger brother, a gentle smile still on his face. Although the results were somewhat exaggerated, Yurico had at least mustered the courage to fight, and he deserved encouragement.