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

Silug extended his

then did he channel his aura and he pressed with much more

Rumble.

started to

snaked forth like several snakes and connected with the wall, gliding along the bricks and illuminating

for the darkness

"Better."

room was brightly lit and he was able to get

again turned solemn once he turned around to face

There, a cell stood.

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

has been a while,

greeted when he faced the

that were only half as large as

none other than the previous orcen

his strength, and the person whom he defeated in order to become the next chief in line.

been hard

silent for a

slowly raised it till his

to lose, aren't

and deep voice

face changed upon hearing his words. Nonetheless,

"We are."

honest with

no point

"I see..."

his head, his tone fading a

this moment

"I need your help."

like how orcs were. It was within their culture to go straight

shied away from

this trait that made

"...My help?"

again raised his head, blinking his languid

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

"Because of the people."

His tone contained unbounded

the demons arrive. If by then, nothing happens, we will go extinct from this planet.

descended on the room

if I

tense as a result of

the next moment, the two figures continued staring at each other

"So be it."

response didn't come

stepped forward and pressed both hands against

make with now? So what if you betray me? I will die regardless

Cre...aaak

Silug's muscles began to bulge and a creaking

take long for the bars to bend to the

before Omgolung in

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

avert this calamity and help our people live, or will you allow

***

looks

to overlook our surroundings when I heard Ava's voice

hand extended, a bird

brief moment before

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