Their connection with the Earth Goddess had never been this strong ever since they lost their relic. It felt like they were bathing in her bosom, being showered with her love and her care.
The power they felt from the Mithril Artifact was only second to the connection they felt with the mana on their surroundings.
The two Orc Chieftains looked at each other and realized that this was the relic that they had been searching for their whole lives.
And the person who allowed them to feel Her presence once again was none other than Michael.
The snake messenger was right. Michael was indeed the chosen one by the Earth Goddess.
Meanwhile, Michael watched the two Orc Chieftains experience the feeling of having their Magic Output increased by at least 30%.
"How is it? Was it similar to the relic you lost before?"
If their relic was indeed a Mithril Artifact from the ancient times, then Michael wanted to know if his Mithril Artifact was different from the ones the dwarves created back in the days. Maybe it would give him insight on what could be improved upon.
"It is as I remembered," the Orcanine Chieftain said, squatting down and raising both his hands above his head.
Michael knew that the Orc was about to perform his ritual once again, but was too late to stop him.
"BU! TO! TO!" the Chieftain cried out, slapping his chests with a vigor and passion unlike anything he had ever expressed before. Michael found this extremely awkward as the Orc maintained eye contact with him.
"RAH! TAH! TAH!"
The Orcupine Chieftain beside him added onto the awkwardness, as he too began doing his ritual of thanks towards Michael. He began striking his quills, each one producing a different tone that combined into an enchanting melody.
And despite being rivals for their whole lives, the two Orc Chieftains were able to create a wondrous beat and melody that Michael would have enjoyed if not for the prolonged eye contact from both the Chieftains.
"Please, there's no need for this," Michael said.
"This is not just for you, human," the Orcanine Chieftain said. "We are mainly giving thanks to the Earth Goddess for letting you walk into our lives. If not for her grace, we would have never met and you would not have restored the pride of our tribes."
"That is right," the Orcupine Chieftain agreed. "We are showing our thanks for the Goddess by praising you!"
Michael lightly coughed. "Well, if you want to thank me, then there's other ways you could do that. For example, maybe, joining my Nation as citizens."
The two Chieftains finally stopped their rituals and looked at Michael with a look of obedience.
"I was already planning on asking this of you," the Orcanine Chieftain said, bowing to Michael.
"I as well. With my tribe at your beck and call, I am sure that we can make the Earth Goddess proud," the Orcupine Chieftain added.
"BARK," the Orcanine coughed. "I believe that my tribe will be able to serve your nation best.
The two Orcanines flashed another glare at each other, before turning to Michael like two eager sheeps ready to be praised.
"But…maybe it would serve the Earth Goddess best if we work together to serve Her chosen one," the Orcanine Chief added.
"That, I will agree. I am willing to work together with your tribe under his banner. And since the Reborn company is blessed by the Earth Goddess, we are essentially working under hers."
Michael still sensed a rivalry between the two Chieftains, but he was glad that they seemed more willing to work together now.
It turned out, Fudge was quite the essential little helper in this mission. If it weren't for his convincing work as the snake tempter, then the two Orc Chieftains wouldn't have been so easily convinced of joining Michael.
The downside of this was that Michael would have to pretend to be the chosen 'Earth Goddess', or whoever that may be.
[You are blessed by the Goddess] ChatJK3 reminded Michael.
She just owes me a life, that's why she gave me these powers. Not because I was chosen or something. My death was a mistake, remember?
[...]
Anyway, the two Orc Chieftains wouldn't have believed him anyway if he told them that he wasn't blessed by the Earth Goddess. Just the fact that he gave them the Mithril Artifacts was enough to convince him of his holy connection.
Michael could only imagine what sort of reaction they would have when they realized what he did with all the Kakao beans they gave him.
They wouldn't turn chocolate into their sacred food, would they?
[It is more than probable.]
"So, I guess the unity of your tribes is official now?"
The two Orcs couldn't help but frown at each other, but still, they nodded to Michael and affirmed his question.
"But I don't know how my tribe will take this news," the Orcanine Chieftain said worriedly. "They hate the Orcupines down to their muscles."
"My tribe will surely revolt," the Orcupine Chieftain speculated. "The thought of spending their days with the Orcanines would make my tribesmen want to pull out every single quill on their bodies."
The two Chieftains were sure of their tribes' hatred for the other because they were the one who taught them to hate in the first place.
"Good news," he said to them. "Your tribe will probably like it more than you think."
Michael gestured for them to follow him, which the two Orc Chieftains did but with doubtful looks on their faces.
He led them out of their meeting place and towards a metal fence overlooking a large field.
There were large lights beaming down onto the field and illuminating it from the dark.
The two Orc Chieftains wanted to ask Michael about the 'stars' that he was able to harvest, but was distracted at the sight of their tribesmen mingling in the field.
Orcanine Ocs and Orcupine Orcs were playing and laughing with each other as they played baseball in the night.