Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix - Chapter 326

Chapter 326: The Orc’s and Human Culture
Grom’Gaius and his brothers were given a small area in the city close to the western wall. The buildings were abandoned by the first to flee, with a small area to cook outside and warm homes with everything they might need.

What truly astonished the people about the orcs was their unexpected similarity. Despite their imposing stature and choice of attire, which some might consider revealing, their manners were far from the brutishness the kingdom had painted them with.

‘It makes me feel calm seeing my brothers able to relax like this. That man kept his word—at least for now, I shall follow his lead and continue to observe him.’

“My brother’s! Soon, we will do battle against those who turned our brothers into monsters and held our women captive!” Grom sat before the flames holding a large wooden bowl, normally used for an entire family’s salad—instead, for the orcs, these bowls were used for their savoury oats.

“Oooh! Bless Grom and praise Asura, the fierce warrior!” One of the orcs started a chant with many of the others joining in to support their leader and the promise Asura gave them.

Many of the orcs found the small human women interesting, treating them like delicate children when they brought the hot porridge and meat to season it ‘orc style’, as they called it. The same felt true for the women, who found the exotic men with bulging muscles quite refreshing compared to the lazy males with beer bellies who hadn’t exercised in decades.

The most interesting fact was that none of the orcs acted with the brutality and force that most humans were taught. They didn’t try to snatch women or drag them into their homes—instead spoke about their homeland, different culture, and their beloved wives.

‘Can we truly come to a peaceful end?’

Grom’Gaius oversaw his men while gazing at the wall. He could see Asura standing alone in silence, gazing east, where they would be attacking in two days.

‘He still hones himself even now? I must take Asura’s dedication to perfection and follow his ways.’

Asura stood on the tallest part of the western wall, holding the black sword he used to defeat the orcs and archbishop. He didn’t perform fancy movements or techniques but swung his sword repeatedly without moving or taking a step. That huge sword continued to swing.

“My brothers, I will be back.”

Grom grasped his axe, his huge body cracking as he stood from the fire. Many of his brothers noticed him heading towards the walls and saw Asura practising in the darkness.

“Our chieftain never stops practising.” An orc whispered with a great smile while accepting a drink from a local barmaid.

“It’s admirable that you all practise so hard. This drink is on the house.” Her curly brown hair and face filled with freckles carried a natural beauty as she hopped around and made the orcs feel at home. To her, they helped protect her home and the place where she was born. “Be careful. This one is a little strong.”

“Thank you, pretty little human.” The orc accepted the drink with a smile, feeling like he was back in his homeland with his wife serving him drinks after a long day of hunting.

“Oh, my? Are you hitting on me, handsome orc brother?” The lovely girl’s Eastern dialect brought a charm that the orcs didn’t know. Thus, the orcs who didn’t have wives enjoyed the small interaction. The girl winked at the orc before moving on to the next, her eyes clearly trying to learn the faces of each one. “Al’Da, I’ll make sure to carry your drinks with extra effort.”

Grom looked back, seeing his brother interacting with humans so peacefully. A feeling in his chest grew. This was his father’s long-cherished dream: to make peace and learn more about humans. His gaze turned back to Asura, the second human he met who looked him in the eyes and never once showed disgust or judgment.

‘If I could meet more men like Alan and Asura, would the world be ready to accept the orcs? Rather… Following that man gives me the feeling it will happen with certainty.’ He thought, looking towards the approaching figure of Asura.

“I shall return soon, my brothers!” Grom walked up the stairs to the western wall, approaching Asura from behind. “Asura, I wish to train with you.”

“Grom’Gaius…” Asura stopped swinging his sword, turning to look at Grom with a small smile. “I am honoured to train with you. However shall we focus on form and improve our basics?”

Grom nodded, gripping his axe as he took a stance. “Do I just swing with all my power?”

Asura let out a rare chuckle. He rarely laughed unless with his women, but Grom found the laugh not to be mockery as he knew. “First, focus on posture.” Asure then showed Grom an example.

His movements were extremely slow, but from the moment the blade touched the sky to slashing down, it did not deviate from his arcing path. “Then repeat, each time adding more strength and speed, gradually until you can do it like this.” He lifted his arm, then winked at Grom before releasing a slash.

Woosh!

The black blade vanished from the moment Asura slashed, a thick line appearing on the wall of the fortress, followed by a shockwave almost forcing Grom’s body to slide back, covering his face with both arms.

‘When did he move!?’ Grom’s mind felt a sense of awe because his arm seemed to remain above his head, yet the damage to the wall appeared, and this burning gale of wind couldn’t be fake!

“Now you try.” Asura smiled at Grom, who nodded while taking a stance.

Grom focused his mind, trying to replicate Asura’s movements. He felt his body shaking, but he tried to hold it steady as he lifted his axe. He then slashed down, but the moment he did, his body leaned back, and his blade altered its course.

“Slower Grom, feel the axe’s weight, then use your body to control it. Your axe is heavy, so you must use your body to guide it.” Asura watched Grom closely, seeing his form was excellent but lacked the control needed to use such a heavy weapon.

“I understand.” Grom took a deep breath, focusing on his posture as he lifted his axe again.

This time, he slashed down, this time slower and without using all his strength. He felt his body shake but managed to keep his posture. He then repeated the action several times before Asura nodded.

“Good, now add more strength and speed.” Asura watched Grom closely, seeing his form improving with each swing.

Grom nodded, adding more strength to his swing while maintaining his posture. This training seemed to last for hours. When Grom came back to his senses, he was breathless. A burning sensation filled his body, from his legs holding his stance to his arms swinging his axe relentlessly.

“Good work, Grom’Gaius. You have improved greatly.” Asura smiled at Grom, who finally realised he was covered in sweat. “You must rest now; tomorrow, we will try again.”

“Asura, I wish to continue training with you.” Grom looked at Asura with a serious expression.

“Well, Grom, let’s meet again and train for an hour like today. Sorry, big guy, but I have a lot of women to please, and there’s one up there who seems a little angry.” Asura’s voice carried a slightly different tone to what Grom knew, but he recognised that tone.

‘When my wives tell me to stop fighting with my brothers and come home for quality time… It’s the same tone.’ While Grom remembered why he recognised the tone, he saw a beautiful woman with long red hair sitting on the edge of the western tower, her lips pouting, holding her spear with a fiery aura.

“I see… brother, stay strong,” Grom uttered the words his brother said to him in the same situation, causing Asura to smirk with a bitter look in his eyes.

“Thanks, brother.” Asura patted Grom’s shoulder before walking towards the tower where his wife waited.

Grom looked at Asura’s back as he walked away. He felt a strange feeling in his chest, one he never felt before. ‘Is this… respect?’ He looked at the moon in the sky, then turned to look at his brothers resting around the fire.

He felt a sense of peace before continuing to swing his axe alone, trying to match even a small level of Asura’s abilities.

The evening in the western part of Utgard was filled with a peaceful and joyful atmosphere. The barmaid from before now sat beside Al’Da their atmosphere more affectionate. However, Grom wouldn’t mind or judge Al’Da; instead, he would be happy if they managed to create the bridge needed for humans and orcs to come together.

***

The next day, Grom continued to train with Asura, who showed him how to improve his form and posture and taught Him how to use his body to control his axe’s weight and power.

After training with Asura for an hour, Grom returned to his brothers and continued to train. However, he forced them to join them. It became quite the scene where hundreds of orcs held their weapons and swung them in what seemed to be slow motion.

Asura watched them from the western tower with a smile, proud that Grom took his training seriously. He then turned to look at the eastern horizon. A feeling of change flowed in this small city, and Asura realised his feelings and the kingdom he desired.

‘I want to create a world where people like Grom and his brothers can live in peace and be accepted.’

Asura held his sword while looking east. His eyes narrowed as he gazed into the distance. The sun rose over the horizon, bringing light to the land while Asura remained silent. ‘Alan, that man is definitely needed for this task.’

“My lord, breakfast is ready.” Mu Xue came to the wall in a slightly skimpy maid outfit, her eyes filled with love and desire as she looked at Asura.

“Mu Xue… I told you to wear something more appropriate.” Asura looked at Mu Xue’s outfit with a sigh. He knew she wore it to please him, but he didn’t want her to dress like that in public.

“My lord, I am only wearing this for you.” The next moment, she snapped her fingertips, and the fully formed dress appeared, but it seemed like an illusion. “Only you can see this form of my outfit, my love.”

“Mu Xue… I shall punish you later.” Asura kissed Mu Xue’s forehead before carrying her in his arms and jumping from the wall.

“I look forward to it, my love.” Mu Xue giggled as she kissed Asura’s cheek while being carried in his arms.

Asura landed on the ground with ease, walking towards the main palace where everyone awaited him.