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.

Aside from that, he could also hear a faint rhythmic

the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right until

his aura

Rumble.

started

a darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes

for the

"Better."

was left satisfied once the room was brightly lit and he was

wasn't satisfied for long as his face once again turned solemn once

There, a cell stood.

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

has been a

greeted when he faced the

the chained figure inside the cell. His features were somewhat hidden by long white hair that covered his face and muscles that were only

was none other than the previous orcen chief,

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

it has been hard for me

silent

hung low, slowly raised it till his

about to lose,

voice

face changed upon hearing his

"We are."

honest with

was no point in

"I see..."

his head, his tone fading

this moment to

"I need your help."

were. It was within their culture to go straight to the point

the ones that shied away from asking

this trait that made

"...My help?"

his head, blinking his languid

for my help after all of these years have passed?

"Because of the people."

replied. His tone contained

longer than a year before the demons arrive. If by then, nothing happens, we will go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs that have survived will die, and we will be

again descended on the room

I betray

very tense as a

continued staring at each other without saying anything.

"So be it."

come long

forward and pressed both hands against the

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

Cre...aaak

his arms, Silug's muscles

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

arrived before Omgolung

he knelt down on one knee and extended his

help our people live, or will you allow our

***

looks

a hill to overlook our surroundings when I

a bird gently paused on her

eyes for a brief moment before

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