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.

thing he could see at the moment was an endless darkness. Aside from that, he could also hear a faint

foot against the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right until he felt a

channel his aura and he pressed with much more

Rumble.

room started to

the process, Silug's thick, and muscular arms erupted in a darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes and connected with the wall, gliding along the bricks and illuminating

for

"Better."

brightly lit and he was able to get a good look

face once again turned solemn once he turned around to face a certain

There, a cell stood.

metal bars with small gaps in between, a dense rotting smell, and long

has been a

when he

the chained figure inside the cell. His features were somewhat hidden by long white hair that covered his face and muscles that were only half as large as they had once been, but nonetheless, the

was none other than the previous

in order to become the next chief in

has been hard for me to

silent for a

was hung low, slowly raised

to

and deep voice

face changed upon hearing his

"We are."

honest with

was no point

"I see..."

his tone

took this moment

"I need your help."

were straightforward, just like how orcs were. It was within their culture to go straight to the point instead of going at things in

never the ones that shied away from asking for

trait that made them

"...My help?"

again raised his

of these years have passed? What makes you think I

"Because of the people."

His tone contained unbounded

than a year before the demons arrive. If by then, nothing happens, we will go extinct from

once again descended on the room as Omolug quietly stared at

I betray

very tense as a result of

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

"So be it."

didn't come long after

both

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

Cre...aaak

Silug's muscles began to bulge and a creaking

didn't take long for the bars to bend to the side,

before Omgolung in

a deep breath, he knelt down on

this calamity and help our people live, or will you

***

situation looks

atop a hill to overlook our surroundings

extended, a bird gently paused on

brief moment before reopening

Most of the land has already been overtaken by the demons. There doesn't seem to be