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.

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

foot against the ground, Silug extended his hand

he channel his aura and he pressed with

Rumble.

started to

in a darkish green glow that snaked forth like several

didn't take long for the darkness to

"Better."

was left satisfied once the room was brightly lit and

face once again turned solemn once he turned around

There, a cell stood.

dense rotting smell, and long chains that were connected to

been a while,

he

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

than the previous orcen

defeated in order to

has been

silent for a

low, slowly

about to lose, aren't

deep voice echoed out from his

upon hearing his words.

"We are."

honest

point in hiding

"I see..."

lowered his head, his tone fading a

took this moment to

"I need your help."

to go straight to the point instead of going at things in a roundabout

that shied away from asking for

was this trait that made

"...My help?"

once again raised his head, blinking

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

"Because of the people."

replied. His tone contained

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 nothing

again descended on the room as Omolug quietly stared at

I betray

very tense as a result of his

figures continued staring at each other without

"So be it."

response didn't come

both

one year make with now? So what if you betray me? I will die regardless of choices, if so, I will gladly gamble on this

Cre...aaak

bars apart with his arms, Silug's muscles began

to bend to the side, allowing Silug to

Omgolung in

a deep breath, he knelt down on one knee and extended

hand and help me avert this calamity and help our people live,

***

situation looks quite

our surroundings when I heard

a bird

for a brief moment before reopening them and looking at

the land has already been overtaken by the demons. There doesn't seem to be any orcs in the