Chapter 266 - 115: Since You’re Here! Served with the Black Prison

Chapter 266: Chapter 115: Since You’re Here! Served with the Black Prison

The Blood Claw Priest’s deep eyes remained calm as he said faintly, "The purpose of our raids has been achieved. We have made the humans feel pain and fear, forcing them to focus their attention back on us... That is enough."

He paused, lightly tapping the ground with his Beast Bone Staff. "The humans, with their new weapons—especially that Necromancer named Lynch—will surely want to eradicate us completely to eliminate this threat. What we must do next is wait."

"Wait for him to lead his army into the Mist Jungle, and wait for him to step into the hunting ground we’ve prepared for him..."

A flicker of excitement finally entered the Blood Claw Priest’s eyes. "When that time comes, the great Lord of the Hunt, the Forefather of Gnolls, the Vanguard and Guide of the Abyss—Yenogu—will make him pay a price he’ll never forget."

Upon hearing the name "Yenogu," a fanatical light erupted in the eyes of Chieftain Grom, who was prostrated on the ground. Even his breathing grew ragged. "Lord Yenogu... will... will he descend?"

In the hearts of all Gnolls, Yenogu was an irreplaceable god, ancestor, and savior.

Thousands of years ago, during the "Advent of the Abyss," the still-primitive and savage Jackal Wolfman Tribe was driven by Abyssal Demons to serve as minions and vanguards in the invasion of the prime material plane.

And Yenogu, since that time, was the first and only great being to rise from the ranks of a humble Gnoll to ascend to the revered position of an Abyss Lord.

He was regarded by all Gnolls as the progenitor of their race, the source of their strength, and the guide to their future.

Ancient prophecies and oral traditions passed down among the Shamans all promised that when the Abyss opened its passage once more, the great Yenogu would lead the loyal Jackal Wolfman Tribe into that land of eternal bloodshed and plunder—the Abyss.

From then on, the Jackal Wolfman Tribe would be able to enjoy endless "blessings."

The Blood Claw Priest was silent for a moment before slowly shaking its head. "That human... is the champion of a Demigod from the Netherworld. According to the ancient, unwritten rules of the planes, a deity cannot personally act against the ’champion’ of another deity. Otherwise, it would be seen as undignified and graceless, and could easily trigger a conflict at the divine level."

Seeing the flash of disappointment in Grom’s eyes, the Blood Claw Priest’s tone shifted, a blood-red light flaring in its own eyes. "However, the great Yenogu foresaw this possibility and has left behind a contingency powerful enough to obliterate that insect."

"As long as he dares to set foot in this forest, shrouded in mist and ancestral power—as long as he enters our hunting ground—this place will become his grave!"

Grom’s fanaticism was reignited.

It raised its head excitedly, letting out a low, thrilled snarl. "For the great Lord of the Hunt!"

The Blood Claw Priest also raised its Beast Bone Staff, chanting in some ancient tongue. The mist swirling within the tent seemed to stir in response. "For the great Yenogu! For the glory of the Abyss!"

*****

「Several days later.」

Lakefront Town Garrison, Second Basement Level.

In the dim corridor, only the sparsely placed torches on the walls provided a faint light. The air was thick with a damp, musty smell.

"CLANG!"

"CREEEAK..."

The outermost iron-barred gate was opened.

A grim-faced officer clad in the standard-issue Armor of the Ninth Battle Battalion walked in carrying an oil lamp, followed by two silent Black Corpses, each carrying a bucket of food.

"Chow time!" the officer yelled in a hoarse voice, kicking the cell door twice with a loud BANG.

The Black Corpses mechanically walked to the iron bars of each single-person cell, ladling two large scoops of a grayish-brown paste into the large wooden bowls inside. A few vegetable leaves and some unidentifiable tubers could be faintly seen within the sludge.

"It’s this pig slop again! It’s pig slop again!!"

In the cell furthest to the back, a mustached man named Fritz seemed to have reached his breaking point. He lunged at the bars, his face pale with rage, and roared, "I am a direct descendant of the House of Hohenzollern, and you dare make me eat this stuff every day?! I want to see Lynch! I want to negotiate with him! I can pay—a lot of money! Just let me have a decent meal!"

The officer walked expressionlessly to his cell, pulled an oil-soaked leather whip from his belt, and without a word, lashed out viciously through the bars!

"CRACK!"

The tip of the whip struck Fritz, instantly tearing his shirt and leaving a red welt on his skin.

"Aargh!" Fritz screamed in pain and recoiled.

"Pah!" The officer spat. "You should be grateful you have anything to eat at all." He cursed, "What are you howling about? Don’t you know that three southern provinces of the Empire are being ravaged by disasters and rebels? How many people do you think are starving to death every day? Out there, this bowl of mush could save a life! Keep being picky, and tomorrow you won’t even get mush."

Tears of desperation, indignation, and fear welled up in Fritz’s eyes. "I... I want to see Lord Lynch... I’m begging you, please just pass on the message..."

"CRACK!" Another lash of the whip struck him, sending him into continuous, agonized wails.

"Our Lord is swamped. He has to train soldiers, defend against the Gnolls, and manage the daily lives of over seven thousand people in this town. What makes you think he has time for a piece of trash like you?" the officer said impatiently. "Stay put and shut up. Make another sound and I’ll starve you for three days!"

At that moment, the Holy Priest in the adjacent cell couldn’t help but speak up. "You there... young man. No, I mean, Sir."

He tried to keep his voice as gentle as possible. "Could I trouble you to pass a message to Lord Lynch? We wish to discuss the terms of our release with him. For example... a ransom? The House of Hohenzollern is willing to pay reasonable compensation. The Holy Light Church and the North Wind Legion will also remember this favor."