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

the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right until he felt a rough

aura and he

Rumble.

room started to

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

long for the

"Better."

brightly lit and he

for long as his face once again turned solemn

There, a cell stood.

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

been a

greeted when he faced

on the chained figure 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,

was none other than the previous orcen

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

has been

room fell silent

hung low, slowly

about to lose,

croaky and deep voice echoed

his words.

"We are."

honest

no point

"I see..."

head, his

this moment to

"I need your help."

were. It was within their culture to go straight

were never the ones that shied

was this trait that made them extremely

"...My help?"

raised his head, blinking his

help after all of these years have passed?

"Because of the people."

His tone

happens, we will go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs

on the room

if I betray

as a result

the next moment, the two figures continued staring at each other without saying anything. They seemed to be gaging

"So be it."

didn't come

then stepped forward and pressed both hands against the thick

So what if you betray me? I will die regardless

Cre...aaak

his arms, Silug's muscles began to

didn't take long for the bars to bend to the

arrived before Omgolung in no

deep breath, he knelt down on

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

***

situation looks

our surroundings when I heard Ava's voice coming from beside

extended, a bird gently

for a brief moment before reopening them and looking

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