The Author's POV

A castle was perched alone atop a cliff, surrounded on all sides by tiny towns. It had been standing there for many centuries, heavily worn out from the times.

With some mismatched towers and asymmetrical designs, it had a fairly crude appearance. Even yet, it did not lessen the imposing impression it left.

But in contrast to its imposing exterior, it was completely empty inside.

In a large hall where large banners cascaded down the sides and a large throne sat at the far end, a meeting was taking place.

"...We've lost ground. The demons will reach the city within the next year."

The orc kneeled down on one foot.

"One year?"

A low, solemn voice filled the room.

"How long will our supplies last?"

"Five years. Supplies aren't a problem."

"...I see."

Silence descended on the room.

It was only after a while that the voice once again echoed.

"You may leave."

"...Understood, Chief."

Standing on two feet, the orc thumped his chest once and left the hall.

Silug kept his gaze locked on the orc until he left the hall. Once he left, only his presence and pressure filled the room.

"Forty years..."

Today marked the fortieth year that he had been the orcen chief. The path wasn't simple. He only succeeded in becoming chief by pure luck. Had it not been for that human that had helped him many years ago, none of this would've been possible.

He was then able to prevent the orcs from losing the conflict and forcing a stalemate with the demons.

Unfortunately, it didn't look like this deadlock would last much longer. The demons proved to be far too powerful for them to handle, and the orcs were overwhelmed by the lack of reinforcements, losing more than three-fourths of their forces during the course of the previous ten years.

"There might be a way."

Thump.

Silug pressed his foot against the hard ground.

Immediately, the hall trembled and a shockwave pulsed in an outward manner. Cracks began to form beneath the throne as Silug slowly stood up from the throne.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

The cracks quickly became larger, and the throne behind him began to slant into one of them. Soon after, a hole started to appear, and the throne sank into it.

Silug stepped toward the black hole where the chair fell and he similarly fell.

Thump.

His feet crashed against the earth as rocks raced past him after he fell directly down the hole for more than ten seconds.

"...It's dark."

His voice echoed throughout the dark space.

was an endless darkness. Aside from that, he could also hear a faint rhythmic

ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right until

did he channel his aura and he

Rumble.

started

erupted in a darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes

long for the darkness to

"Better."

the room was brightly lit and he was able to get a good look at

satisfied for long as his face once again turned solemn once he turned around

There, a cell stood.

with small gaps in between, a dense rotting smell, and long chains that were connected

has been a

when he

hidden by long white hair that covered his face and muscles that were only half as large as they had once been,

none other than the previous orcen

person whom he defeated in order to become the next chief in line. Someone who

been hard for me to

fell silent

slowly raised

to lose,

croaky and deep voice echoed out from

upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he nodded his

"We are."

was honest with

was no point

"I see..."

his tone fading a

this moment

"I need your help."

was within their culture to go straight to the point instead of going at things in

shied away from asking for help from

this trait that made

"...My help?"

raised his head, blinking his languid

help after all of these years have passed? What makes

"Because of the people."

replied. His

go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs that have survived will die, and we will be nothing but rotting corpses and

the room as

if I betray

tense as a result of his

moment, the two figures continued staring at each other without saying anything. They seemed to be

"So be it."

response didn't come

and pressed both hands against the

betray me? I will die regardless of choices, if so, I will gladly gamble

Cre...aaak

apart with his arms, Silug's muscles

take long for the bars to bend to the side, allowing

Omgolung in

down on one knee

join my hand and help me avert this calamity and help our people live, or will you allow our people

***

situation looks

a hill to overlook our surroundings

her hand extended, a bird gently paused

her eyes for a brief moment

situation does not look good. Most of the land has already been overtaken by the