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.

thing he could see at the moment was an endless darkness. Aside

his large foot against the ground, Silug extended his hand

aura and he pressed

Rumble.

room started to

in a darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes and connected with the wall, gliding along

for the darkness to

"Better."

satisfied once the room was brightly lit and he was able to get a good look

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

There, a cell stood.

gaps in between, a dense rotting smell, and long chains that were

been

he

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

none other than the previous orcen chief,

only orc in Immorra who rivaled his strength, and the person whom he defeated in order to become the next chief

been hard for me to

fell silent for

head was hung low, slowly raised it

about to lose, aren't

deep voice echoed

changed upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he

"We are."

honest

no point in

"I see..."

his

took this moment

"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

prideful, they were never the ones that shied away from

that

"...My help?"

again raised his head,

all of these years have passed? What makes you think I will help

"Because of the people."

calmly replied. His tone contained unbounded

don't have any longer than a year before the demons arrive. If by then, nothing happens, we will go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs that

once again descended on the room as Omolug quietly stared

I betray

became very tense as a

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

"So be it."

come

and pressed both hands against the thick

now? So what if you betray me? I will die

Cre...aaak

arms, Silug's muscles began to bulge and a creaking sound

bars to bend to the side, allowing Silug to

arrived before Omgolung in no

a deep breath, he knelt down on one knee

our people

***

situation looks quite

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

a bird gently paused

brief moment

good. Most of the land has already been overtaken by the demons. There doesn't seem to be any orcs