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.

see at the moment was an endless darkness. Aside from that, he could also hear a

his hand toward the

did he channel his aura and he pressed

Rumble.

room started to

and muscular arms erupted in a darkish green glow that snaked forth like

take long for the

"Better."

lit and

satisfied for long as 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

he

that covered his face and muscles that were only half as large

was none other than the previous

whom he defeated in order to become

has been hard for

room fell silent

slowly raised it till

to

and deep voice echoed out

hearing his words. Nonetheless,

"We are."

was honest with

no point

"I see..."

head, his tone

took this moment to

"I need your help."

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

never the ones that shied

was this trait that made them

"...My help?"

again raised his

years have passed? What makes you think I

"Because of the people."

calmly replied. His tone

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 result

two figures continued staring at each other without saying anything. They seemed to be

"So be it."

come long after

forward and pressed both hands against the

you betray me? I will die regardless

Cre...aaak

arms, Silug's muscles began to bulge and

long for the bars to bend to the

arrived before Omgolung

a deep breath, he knelt down on one knee

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

***

situation looks

hill to overlook our surroundings

hand extended, a bird gently paused

for a brief moment

been overtaken by the demons. There doesn't seem to be any