Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 330, Part 20: The Fantastic Journey of World Sa - Meeting Master Hogger is Your Good Luck, You Little Brat - [25]

(Bonus chapter for "Huo Zheng Ting Hao" [2/5])
"Guil, my son, why is your life so bitter?"

When Diakum arrived in Goldshire with the frantic Gaiara, he heard Lady Draka crying.

Well, this tough orc heroine shouldn't be like this. If anyone dares to touch her son, she'll definitely pick up an axe and their family register to give a scathing critique. But as everyone knows, a woman's temperament often changes drastically during breastfeeding.

Orcs are mammals, so it's normal for her to act this way.

What's unusual is that the person comforting Draka isn't an orc, but a glamorous high elf.

"Stop crying. Your body is already weak after giving birth, and crying like this will cause problems. Fenna! Fenna, hurry up and brew the medicine and bring it over. It's a secret recipe from Quel'Thalas, specially made for breastfeeding mothers."

Don't worry, Elwynn Forest has been reclaimed now, hasn't it?

It's not as dangerous as you think.

Diakum's eyes widened at the sight. How could the orc heroine have become friends with the high elf archmage? And were the two of them sharing parenting tips?

Is it so outrageous?

"So what exactly happened? You haven't explained it to me clearly the whole way here!"

Diakum looked at Gaiara, who was also tear-streaked. The latter was clearly disoriented and needed the Vigilant to use mental magic to calm her down.

Gaiara said in a hoarse voice:

“As you know, a ceremony is held in the first month after an orc child is born. My father is fighting in the western wilderness and definitely can’t watch it, but he said he would definitely not miss Gu’er’s big day. Today is the day when the second batch of Mag’har orcs came to Azeroth to help in the war, so my mother and I thought of bringing Gu’er here to reunite with my father.”

They had been traveling smoothly and had safely passed through the Dark Portal, but when they were passing through a clearing in the woods near Westfall Fortress, a group of greenskins suddenly attacked them.

We were not afraid of them, but in the chaos of the battle, a ghost wolf rushed into Mother's carriage. Although Mother killed the ghost wolf, it threw Gül's swaddling clothes off before it died.

That damn guy can move through the shadows, we can't find where Guil has fallen.
I summoned the elements, but they only told me that Güir was safe; they wouldn't tell me more, and I don't know what happened.

"Because your brother is a born shaman, perhaps the elementalist believes that this is his destiny and shouldn't be interfered with by you?"

Diakum stroked his chin and said:

“The elements’ thoughts are always hard to guess. I even suspect that your brother’s extraordinary elemental talent might have been triggered in a dangerous moment, causing problems in your communication with the elements. But the best news is that Guil is safe now.”

Have the soldiers at Xiquan Fortress been notified?

“Yes, Brigadier General Windsor has sent out all his scouts to search the area. I have also found Princess Lacey. The harpies and Anzu’s ravens are also helping us search, but right now the humans are at war with the greenskins, which has caused chaos throughout Elwynn Forest.”

Gaiara, leaning on her battle axe, said in a sorrowful voice:

“How can a baby protect itself in this situation? If any danger comes, my little brother will be finished! Oh my god, my mother and I haven’t told my father about this yet, we’re worried he’ll get too anxious.”

"That's not the case. Your father is the Great Chief of Mag'har, after all. He certainly has that much composure."

The vigilant looked out the window and said:

"If Guir's swaddling clothes were left in the forest, it wouldn't be particularly dangerous. The local wolf packs are now clearly divided, but neither the Black Wolf God's nor the White Wolf God's hunting packs are here. The wild animals in the forest have also been almost wiped out by the Greenskins and Gnolls hunting them."

Even with the swarms of crows deployed by the Ansu God, they still couldn't find your brother. I suspect that his swaddling clothes were likely picked up by someone when he was born.

There are exiles from the northern frontier and jackals in that area.

The former is fine, but what about the latter?

Gaiara's eyes reddened upon hearing this. Having fought in Stormwind Kingdom, she knew what kind of people the gnolls were. Glancing at her grief-stricken mother, she gritted her teeth and turned to rush out.

"You stay here!"

Diakum pressed down on Gaiara's shoulder and scolded:

“You are the great prophet of Maghar, but how can you act so recklessly when you are still young? You need to be calmer when the situation is unclear. Use your brain. Although the gnolls are brutal, they now have a master.”

"Aww, that's right! They are followers of the Black Wolf God."

Gayala's eyes lit up, and she said:

"So finding the Black Wolf God will solve the problem. But what about our position and its implications?"

"We need to talk about it."

Diakum said softly:
“Come with me, let’s talk to that black wolf. I think there’s something fishy about this. Maybe it’s the one pulling the strings behind the scenes.”

------

Hogg, feeling dizzy, opened his eyes in his tent.

Before I even got up, I felt a sharp pain. It let out a few whimpers but tried its best not to cry out.

This has always been the rule among the gnolls: when a gnoll in a clan is injured and unable to hunt, he is abandoned. The clan chief is in even greater danger; once the gnolls sense his weakness, the danger of "subordinates rebelling against their superiors" can arise at any time.

Hogger knew that it could not afford to show any weakness in front of its ferocious people.

But it also knew that the crushing defeat near Azura's Tower a few days ago had caused it to lose all prestige within its own pack, especially that damned white wolf Bolvar Fordragon.

That creature was a chosen one of Goldrinn, and it fought against him on behalf of the White Wolf God, while he, representing the Black Wolf God, was mercilessly crushed.

Hogg has already tried his best.

But it really couldn't defeat Bolvar Fordragon. Before he became a werewolf, he was a legendary warrior. Before gaining the favor of the Black Wolf God, it was just the gnoll leader of Elwynn Forest.

To be honest, Hogg felt that he had already proven himself to be very capable by escaping the clutches of the ferocious white wolf.

Unfortunately, the foolish gnolls don't think that way.

Moreover, in order to better promote the teachings of the Black Wolf God, he had gathered together the most ferocious and brutal gang of thugs among the local jackals, thinking that this would make his hunting pack prosper. But in fact, these guys only knew how to pray to the Black Wolf God for power, but they were not as receptive to the Black Wolf God's teachings as he was.

A beast is a beast.
Hogg complained helplessly.

Although it is also furry, Hogg has come to realize the importance of "wisdom" during this period of war.

They were initially recruited by the Greenskinned Orcs as their servants. At that time, the Gnolls felt very powerful and could beat up the humans who had bullied them before. After the Greenskins occupied the entire Elwynn Forest, the Gnolls became even more arrogant.

They wreak havoc on the farm in droves, brazenly running into the warehouse to eat delicious giant pumpkins, eating one and throwing the rest away! Then they drag out the fattest and strongest pigs on the farm, slaughter them, and roast them over the fire.

No longer do we need to fear the farmers with pitchforks and their hunting dogs, nor do we need to sneak around.

Ah, those good days of having a full belly seemed like they would never end.

But the human counterattack came so fiercely that after witnessing the mighty Greenskins being routed, Hogg's gnoll tribe of tens of thousands of men almost fell apart overnight.

An illusion!

Their strength during this period was just an illusion!
The gnolls are still the same gnolls. Even though they have a numerical advantage, a strong and united human infantry force can easily disperse and defeat them.

Hogger doesn't quite understand what the problem is yet, but it has realized that the gnolls have no hope if they continue like this.

This is not the hunting pack that the Black Wolf God desired to see!
Since he was chosen by the Black Wolf God, he had to think of a way to achieve his goal.

Hogg was badly injured. Despite the blessing of the Black Wolf God, it would still need several days to recover. But humans wouldn't give them any more time. Therefore, Hogg knew that it had to lead its people away from the camp in the forest clearing before the human army swept in and find a place to go.

Its plan is to cross the river, then traverse the Sunlit Forest to Stranglethorn Vale.

It had previously chatted with the green-skinned goblin merchants from the venture capital firm and bought a decent set of third-hand leather armor and a useful steel spike flail from them at a high price. The goblins told Hogg that the trolls of Stranglethorn Vale seemed to be fighting amongst themselves, and the Gurubashi trolls might be splitting up.

That was the perfect opportunity for the gnolls to claim territory.

Hogg pondered this: with his own hunting pack and the blessing of the Black Wolf God, he might be able to seize a territory, then slowly develop it, learning from the organizational structure of war tribes to build his own large clan.

As it was deep in thought, it suddenly heard a commotion outside the tent, along with faint, strange crying sounds.

It sounded like a baby crying, but it didn't sound like a human baby.

"Ok?"

Hogg didn't intend to pay any attention, but it inexplicably got up.

As the chief, he had to maintain the stability of the pack at all times, especially now that they had to escape. When he followed Chief Fenris Wolf Clan, the chief taught him that the more unstable the pack was, the more ruthless the leader had to be.

Yes, when I was with Fenris Wolf, we won every battle. But after that pretentious fool Zul'Gurub took over, even the mighty Greenskins lost.

Hmph, I will become a fierce and powerful chieftain like Fenris the Wolf, and I will never become an incompetent coward like Zul'shid.

With that thought in mind, Hogg stepped out of the tent.

It was still very weak, the wounds on its body torn by the white wolf's claws were still bleeding, and its head was a little dizzy, but Hogg, the leader, gritted his teeth and stepped forward, roaring:
"What's all the noise about? Are you afraid you won't attract any humans? There are thousands of humans in Xiquan Fortress. If we attract them, we'll all die!"

you!
What are you holding in your hand?

Hogger slashed at the gnoll warrior beside him with a ruthless paw, kicked aside a few others, and stepped forward, staring at the gnoll captain who had caused the chaos. The captain was carrying a swaddled animal skin, from which the crying was coming from. Hogger had also set up a pot for cooking meat nearby and even lit a fire.

What they plan to do is self-evident.

"Bring it!"

Hogg bared his teeth and extended his claws.

But the strong gnoll barbarian captain didn't want to give it to him.

Its eyes were fixed fiercely on Hogg, especially on its still-bleeding wounds. The barbarian captain gritted his teeth and said:

"I found this little cub! It's definitely mine. It fell from the shadows and landed right next to me. I haven't eaten for two days. This is meat bestowed upon me by the Black Wolf God! None of you are allowed to take it!"

"I told you to bring it!"

Hogg emphasized his words.

It sensed the creature's eagerness to resist, and while gnoll warriors in the surrounding tents were watching, no one stepped forward to stop it.

Hogg realized the danger.

It knew that it had lost control of the hunting pack and that its authority was crumbling.

"No!"

The barbarian captain shouted:

"I'm starving! I have to eat this lump of meat! You're a bad chieftain, Hogg! You should have fed us properly, but you didn't!"
You lose.

Many of your people saw you being slammed to the ground by the white wolf's claw; you are the weak one!
The weak are not qualified to lead the Black Wolf God's hunting party! You have disgraced the Black Wolf God.”

"Boiled!"

Hogger stepped forward and swung his claws, slapping the captain across the face, causing blood to splatter everywhere.

It was indeed very weak, but the power bestowed by the Black Wolf God was far beyond what an ordinary gnoll barbarian could withstand. Under the fearful gaze of the other gnolls, Hogg killed this fool who dared to defy it in no time.

It brutally lifted the mangled head and slammed it towards the camp beside it, its fierce eyes scanning the surroundings as it cursed:

"Who else wants to challenge me? Hmm?"

No gnoll dared to meet Hogg's gaze, so the chieftain bent down, picked up the still-crying cub, and froze when he looked at him.

Not human.

It was a green-skinned baby.

Do not!
No, it's a brown-skinned baby.

The little thing was wrapped in very exquisite swaddling clothes, wrapped in three layers of luxurious animal skin, and covered with a large clan emblem on the outermost layer.

Hogg felt as if he had seen the orcish emblem somewhere before.

It carried the baby with an arrogant gait as it walked through the camp like it was carrying its own trophy, but its mind was racing. Finally, it remembered that it must have seen the baby in Chief Fenris Wolf's tent!

Yes, it's that white wolf head emblem.

It also asked Fenris why he kept that old blanket close to his body, since it wasn't the emblem of the Thor clan.
Fenris did not answer it at the time.

But Hogg remembered clearly that a sadness and an indescribable heaviness flashed in the eyes of Fenris, the usually cold and powerful chieftain of the Wolf Clan.

Later, he learned from a few gossipy greenskin warlocks that Chieftain Fenris used to be a member of the Frostwolf Clan. He despised the weakness of his own clan and chose to break away and join the weaker Thunder Clan. In that way, he gained his first army and trained and shaped the Thunder Clan according to his own ideas, eventually making a name for himself.

So, this little cub is a child of the Frostwolf Clan?
Hogg blinked.

Strangely enough, when I picked up the little guy, he stopped crying, as if he had found a safe place.

But it was clearly the most brutal and powerful gnoll in the entire camp.
"What a strange little guy, but very brave!"

Hogg hadn't eaten for two days, and it had planned to use this lump of meat to give itself a good meal, but the Frostwolf insignia made it change its mind.

Although Fenris Wolfline died in Stormwind, Hogg respected him. The chieftain of the Thunder Clan had taught him a lot, and he had been learning from him how to lead his people. Now it seemed that he hadn't learned enough.

“Since you are also a member of the Frostwolf Clan, I will let you go for the sake of Chief Fenris.”

Hogg stared at the little cub, making a decision in his mind.

But it couldn't just abandon the little cub; its own people were starving.

So Hogg found a tattered basket in the tent, put the sleeping cub in it, and then, in the dark, went to the river in the forest clearing, put the basket in the river, and looked at the Frostwolf Clan emblem blanket in his hand.

It hesitated for a moment, tore off one half as a keepsake, and covered the little brown leathery body with the other half. Then it gently pushed it away and watched it drift westward with the current toward the fertile fields.

It knew that there were fierce Mag'har orcs fighting the Greenskins, and those guys were brown-skinned. If they found the little cub, it could survive.

Hogg got up and rubbed his empty stomach. Hearing the rumbling of his rumbling stomach, he felt a little silly for a moment.

Leaving meat in one's mouth is not a virtue of gnolls, nor was the Black Wolf God taught it to be so merciful, but Hogg felt he should do so; it was the last thing he should do for the person he respected.

Fenris Wolf is dead, which means he wasn't strong enough!

I should learn from him, but not everything; I should strive to become stronger than Fenris.

It turned and headed toward the camp, pondering how to get to Stranglethorn Vale, but then a flash of inspiration struck Hogg, and the memory of Fenris Wolf's lineage gave him a new idea.

Fenris believed that the Frostwolf clan was weak and incompetent, so he started his own clan, which led to the power of the Thunder God clan. Since his own hunting party was already in chaos and disloyal, why should he bother to unite them?

There are plenty of jackals in this world!
As long as I can survive, I can easily start anew with any gnoll clan later!

Yes.

Hogger narrowed its eyes, realizing it might have found the right way.

Storm Kingdom is no longer safe!

Humans will surely retaliate fiercely, and all the gnolls left here will die, but is Stranglethorn Vale really a good place?

Hmph, not necessarily. Trolls are much fiercer than humans, and gnolls don't have much of an advantage against them. Since I'm leaving anyway, I might as well go somewhere even further away.

Let's take the sea route!
Those goblins would deliver goods to the greenskinned orcs of the western wilderness, knowing their delivery times. With just a small squad of loyal gnoll warriors, they could seize a ship, and then...
Set sail!

Moreover, Hogg also figured out how to escape.

It thought back to the time it had spent following Zul'Gurub, and the way that green-skinned warlock did things. That bastard would always encourage others to charge ahead while he hid behind and reaped the benefits. Although it was very dishonorable and disgraceful, Zul'Gurub's continuous success showed that this insidious method was also very useful.

Just do it!

Hogg felt reassured, and the pressure in his mind instantly dissipated.

It emerged from the shame of defeat, and the Black Wolf God, who hadn't contacted it for two days, let out a relieved laugh.

“Very well, Hogg, I thought you would get lost in that false power.”

Lecanthos reminded:
"Head north, all the way north! To the wetlands, where there are larger gnoll clans, a chaotic mess, a disorganized rabble. Go there and build your empire. Also, I just got some interesting news from a 'friend,' Hogg."

The fog of the world is about to dissipate, and those ancient lands will reappear. In the mountains of that continent called 'Dragon Islands', your more powerful brethren have established a great gnoll kingdom.

But the gnolls there do not obey me.

Why won't you help me solve this problem?

------

"Are you sure the Black Wolf God will help? Can we really find Guil in the Western Fertile Lands?"

Riding the Raven of Fear, Gaiara hesitated before speaking to the watchman in front of her:

"It's not that I don't believe you, but the Black Wolf God is, after all, our enemy."

"Your enemies are the greenskins. Lycanthos has never said that it hates brown-skinned orcs, Gaiara."

Diakum reminded him:
"It's not wise to make a formidable enemy for yourself, and the western wilderness is vast. If you don't intend for the greens to know about your brother, you'd better keep a low profile."

As for why I came along…

Dick shrugged and said:

“I suddenly realized that the loss of Guil might also be an inability to resist fate. Yes, I don’t want to miss this moment.”

(End of this chapter)