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.

the moment was an endless darkness. Aside from that, he

the ground, Silug extended his

his aura and he pressed with much

Rumble.

room started

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

for

"Better."

and he was able to get a good

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

There, a cell stood.

rotting smell, and long chains that were connected to the

been a while,

when he faced the

inside the cell. 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 striking resemblance to the figure

was none other than

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

been hard for me

silent for a

was hung low, slowly raised it till his eyes met

to lose,

deep voice echoed out

changed upon hearing his

"We are."

honest with his

was no point in

"I see..."

his head, his tone

took this moment to

"I need your help."

straightforward, just like how orcs were. It was within their culture to go straight to the point instead of going at things in

shied away from asking for help

that

"...My help?"

raised his

have passed? What

"Because of the people."

replied. His tone contained

go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs that have survived will die,

once again descended on the room

I

became very tense as

each other without saying anything. They seemed

"So be it."

didn't come long

pressed both hands against the thick metal

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

Cre...aaak

with his arms, Silug's muscles began to bulge and a

bend to the side, allowing Silug to step

before Omgolung in no

deep breath, he knelt down on one knee and

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

***

situation looks

surroundings when I heard Ava's voice coming

bird

her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them and looking

already been overtaken by the demons. There doesn't