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.

only thing he could see at the moment was an endless darkness. Aside from

his hand toward

did he channel his aura

Rumble.

room started

that snaked forth like several snakes

take long for the darkness

"Better."

left satisfied once the room was brightly lit and he was able to get a good look at his

once again turned solemn

There, a cell stood.

dense rotting smell, and long chains that were connected to the

has been a

greeted when he

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 figure still bore a striking resemblance to the figure he

was none other than the

rivaled his strength, and the person whom he defeated in order

has been hard for me to

room fell silent for

slowly

about to

deep voice echoed out

his words. Nonetheless, he

"We are."

honest with his

was no point

"I see..."

head, his tone fading

this

"I need your help."

words were straightforward, just like how orcs were. It was within their culture to go straight to the point

they were never the ones that shied away

this trait that made them extremely

"...My help?"

raised his head, blinking his

all of these years have passed? What makes you think I will help

"Because of the people."

His tone contained unbounded

we will go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs that have survived will die,

descended on the room as Omolug quietly

if I

became very tense as a result of

the two figures continued staring at each other

"So be it."

response didn't come long

and pressed both hands

with now? So what if you betray me? I will

Cre...aaak

muscles began to bulge

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

Omgolung

down

you join my hand and help me avert this calamity and help our people

***

looks quite

to overlook our surroundings when I heard

hand extended, a bird gently

for a brief moment before reopening

land has already been overtaken by the demons. There