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.

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

large foot against the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right

aura and he pressed

Rumble.

started

glow 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

his face once again turned solemn once he turned around to face

There, a cell stood.

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

has been a while,

he faced

and muscles that were only half as

than the previous

and the person whom he defeated in order to become the next chief in line. Someone who used stand at the peak of

it has been hard for me

room fell silent

whose head was hung low, slowly raised

to lose,

deep voice

face changed upon hearing his words.

"We are."

was honest with his

no point

"I see..."

his head, his

this moment

"I need your help."

It was within their culture to go straight to the

the ones that shied away from asking for help

this trait that made them extremely

"...My help?"

once again raised his

all of these years have passed? What makes

"Because of the people."

calmly replied. His

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

on the room

if I

became very tense as a

moment, the two figures continued staring at each other without saying

"So be it."

response didn't come

then stepped forward and pressed both hands against the

me? I will die regardless of

Cre...aaak

apart with his arms, Silug's muscles began

bend to the side, allowing Silug to

before Omgolung

deep breath, he knelt down on one knee and extended

my hand and help me avert this calamity and help our people live, or will you allow our people to die knowing

***

situation looks

hill to overlook our surroundings when I heard Ava's voice

extended, a bird gently paused

brief moment

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