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.

darkness. Aside from that, he could

ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right until he

channel his aura and he pressed with

Rumble.

room started

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

take long for the darkness

"Better."

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

wasn't satisfied for long as his face once again turned solemn once he turned around to face a

There, a cell stood.

small gaps in between, a dense rotting smell, and long

been a while,

he faced the

the cell. His features were somewhat hidden by long white hair that covered his face and muscles that were only half as

none other than the previous orcen chief,

orc in Immorra who rivaled his strength, and the person whom he defeated in order to become

war, it has been hard

room fell silent

slowly raised

to

and deep voice echoed out from his

upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he

"We are."

honest with his

no point in

"I see..."

lowered his head, his

this

"I need your help."

It was within their culture to go straight to

the ones that shied away from asking for help

that made them

"...My help?"

again raised his head, blinking his languid

years have passed? What

"Because of the people."

calmly replied. His tone contained unbounded

go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs that have survived will die, and we will be nothing but rotting

once again descended on the room

I

became very tense as a result of

at each other without

"So be it."

come

both hands against

what if you betray me? I

Cre...aaak

Silug's muscles began

bend to the side, allowing Silug to step

before Omgolung in

knelt down on one

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

***

looks

surroundings

hand extended, a bird gently paused on her

for a brief moment before reopening them

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