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 could

extended his hand toward the right until he felt a

his aura and

Rumble.

room started

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

long for the darkness to

"Better."

brightly lit and he

satisfied for long as his face once again turned solemn once he

There, a cell stood.

dense rotting smell, and long chains that were connected to

been a

when he faced the

long white hair that covered his face and muscles that were only half as large as they had once been, but nonetheless,

was none other than the previous orcen

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

war, it has been

room fell silent

slowly raised it till his eyes met

about to

deep voice echoed out from his

changed upon hearing his words.

"We are."

honest with his

point in

"I see..."

his tone fading

this moment to

"I need your help."

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

ones that shied

this trait that made

"...My help?"

raised his

for my help after all of these years have passed? What makes you

"Because of the people."

calmly replied. His tone contained

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

again descended on the room as Omolug quietly stared

if I betray

as a result of his

staring at each other without saying anything. They

"So be it."

come long after

forward and pressed both hands

I will die regardless of choices, if so,

Cre...aaak

muscles began to bulge and a

to bend to the side, allowing

arrived before Omgolung in

breath, he knelt down

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

***

situation looks quite

a hill to overlook our surroundings when I

extended, a bird

a brief moment before

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