Orion nodded, "Deal."
Both parties exited the tent to inventory the goods. The importance of firestone to the Serpentfolk seemed to exceed the giants' expectations, as Vhisss appeared even more eager than Orion.
Orion thought for a moment and said, "For your safety and to show we won't pull any tricks, I suggest you transport it back to the Serpentfolk tribe in five trips, 100KG each time."
Elder Vhisss understood the logic; it was indeed safer, ensuring they wouldn't lose everything if ambushed.
The only concern was the giants reneging, so he proposed, "Let's sign a soul magic contract."
"Agreed," Orion had no objections.
The main reason was that the mine had just started, and the giants couldn't produce 500KG in a day, but they couldn't reveal this to the Serpentfolk, so they found an excuse to delay.
After obtaining the soul crystal, Orion immediately administered it to Clymene.
Orion felt a vast yet invisible force explode within Clymene, dispelling all curses.
Clymene slowly opened her eyes, seeing her brother who had been tirelessly working for her, her eyes moist, "Thank you, little guy."
"No need to thank me, it's what I should do," Orion replied.
Clymene patted his forehead, smiling gently.
A moment later, a soft voice came from outside, "Master, may I bring in the food?"
"Come in."
A graceful Serpentfolk girl slithered into the tent with a tray, her unique, beautiful snake eyes glancing shyly at Orion before retreating.
Clymene's eyes lit up, looking at her brother with amusement.
"Ahem, her name is Lysinthia... part of the Serpentfolk trade deal."
"Hmm, my brother finally understands, that's good," Clymene stretched, comfortably starting to eat.
Giants had strong physiques, and eating a lot could speed up recovery, rather than resting.
In the following days, firestone was continuously mined, steadily filling the Blackstone Tribe's warehouse.
Of course, aside from what was kept for the tribe's use, the rest was traded for supplies.
Elder Rendall counted the warehouse daily, his smile growing with the firestone reserves.
Though it was early autumn, the Black Forest's weather grew colder by the day, with some areas even starting to snow.
Firestone became a hot commodity, with many tribes sending members to trade various goods for it.
"Elder Rendall, the Gnoll Tribe wants to trade 7 gold bone fragments and 15 C-grade cores for 50 kilograms of firestone..."
"50 kilograms? Tell them only 20KG, take it or leave it!"
"Elder! The White Bull Tribe is back, this time with 500 bull testicles and a soul horn..."
"Has the White Bull Tribe gone mad? What about the cows?"
"Elder, the Ogre Tribe wants to..."
"Make them wait in line!"
That's how it was, Blackstone tribe had plenty of firestone!
Elder Rendall had lived in the Blackstone Tribe for decades, never feeling so prosperous. Now he looked at Orion like a son, no, more like a father.
Even better, Orion was smart.
He controlled the daily supply of firestone, making tribes bid against each other, maximizing profits.
Thus, before winter arrived, the Blackstone Tribe amassed a wealth of supplies!
Of course, due to the different cultures and characteristics of each tribe, the supplies were not only comprehensive but also included various oddities.
"Damn, what are ogre snot and a dark magic sword? Is this sword alive? It has eyes and moves?!" Orion's head ached.
"The magic sword is a fine enchanted weapon, and ogre snot is good stuff, cures all ailments," Elder Thorak eagerly explained, "Here, try it, one gulp and you'll feel refreshed."
"Get lost! Keep it for yourself!" Orion shooed him away in annoyance.
Elder Thorak laughed awkwardly, now fully convinced of Orion's leadership, knowing he wasn't truly angry.
He just didn't like those things, so it was best not to flaunt them in front of Orion.
Inside the tent, Orion lay on soft furs, surrounded by various supplies, thinking about where his parents might be and how they were doing.
Come back soon... Mom, Dad, I've taken care of things for you. This winter, no giant will go cold, they'll be well-fed, and I'll look after them.
They're my people too.
===
While Orion brooded over the memory of his parents, Lysinthia slithered into the tent, curling up beside him with the quiet grace of a stalking predator. Her silence was a balm, her presence a steady anchor in his storm.
He glanced down at his maid and paused. She'd changed. Gone were the rough leathers; instead, she wore a diaphanous scrap of white gauze that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. The sheer fabric clung to her curves, her nipples dark and inviting against the ghostly material.
"Where the hell did you get that?" Orion asked, his voice rough.
"Master, the Succubus tribe came through to trade firestone today," she purred. "They left behind crates of their… distinctively seductive lingerie. The giants of the Blackstone Tribe have no use for such delicate things, so Elder Rendall tossed the lot to me. I have dozens of styles. I can wear a different one every night, if it pleases you."
Orion didn't answer with words. His left hand came up to cup the heavy weight of her breast, thumb grazing the hardened peak through the gauze. His right hand drifted lower, tracing the arch of her spine until warm skin gave way to cool, smooth scales—the place where her womanly hips merged into the powerful coil of a serpent.
"You're stunning, Lysinthia. Truly," Orion murmured, a shadow crossing his face. "Perfect tits, a face like an angel… it's just a damn shame about the rest. You're still so fragile, and the tail…" He shook his head, unable to hide the regret.
Lysinthia's eyes flashed with determination. "I'm weak now, Master, but I won't be forever. I will evolve. Just wait. Once my power hits the threshold, the tail goes. I'll grow long legs. I'll grow a pussy. Anything those other females have, I'll give you double."
To prove her point, she didn't wait for permission. She pressed her body against his, sliding her chest down the hard planes of his torso, friction sparking heat between them.
She glided lower, reaching the heavy bulge at his groin. When Orion didn't push her away, she took it as the invitation it was. With a playful nip of her teeth, she snagged the edge of his fur loincloth and tugged it down, freeing him.
His cock sprang free, heavy and thick.
"Wow," Lysinthia gasped, the air leaving her lungs. She'd never seen a humanoid hung like this. And the terrifying part? Giants didn't stop growing until thirty. This monster of a cock could vividly double in size before he was done.
"Impressive view?" Orion laced his hands behind his head, leaning back with a smirk. He watched her hunger with detached amusement. "Well? You uncovered it. What's the plan?"
"I'm going to show you a trick only my kind knows," she whispered, her eyes locked on the prize. "Let me help you relax."
She leaned in. Suddenly, her jaw unhinged, her mouth expanding impossibly wide to accommodate his girth. Her tongue, long and forked, flicked out like nimble fingers, lashing over the broad head and swirling around his heavy balls.
"Fuck… yes. That's it," Orion groaned, his eyes fluttering shut as the wet heat hit him.
Emboldened by his praise, Lysinthia ramped up the intensity. She used both hands to stabilize the massive shaft, lowering her head to gorge herself on him. The elasticity of her jaw allowed her to take an impossible amount of length, swallowing him whole.
Orion's head hit the back of her throat, buried deep in the slick, tight warmth of her gullet. Her body hung from him, suspended by the suction.
Then, she added the friction. Her tail whipped around the base of his cock, tightening like a living cock ring to trap the blood, pulsing rhythmically against his sack. She began to bob her head, sliding her entire upper body up and down his shaft, utilizing the unique, vibrating suction of the Serpentfolk to milk him dry.
The tent filled with the wet, sloppy sounds of deep-throat suction and Orion's guttural groans. For the first time all day, the heavy burden on Orion's heart lifted, replaced by pure, blinding pleasure.