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.

moment was an endless darkness. Aside from that, he could also hear

large foot against the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the

he channel his aura and he pressed with

Rumble.

started to

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

didn't take long for the darkness to

"Better."

and he

his face once again turned solemn once

There, a cell stood.

dense rotting

been

greeted when he

muscles that were only half as large as they had once been, but nonetheless, the figure still bore a striking resemblance to the figure he knew

than the previous orcen

order to become the next chief in line. Someone who

has been hard for me to

room fell silent for

slowly

about to

croaky and deep voice echoed out from his

face changed upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he

"We are."

was honest

no point in hiding

"I see..."

his head, his tone fading

took this moment to

"I need your help."

their culture to

shied away

that made them extremely

"...My help?"

again raised his head,

after all of these years have passed? What makes you think

"Because of the people."

His tone contained unbounded

the demons arrive. If by then, nothing happens, we will go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs that have

on the room as Omolug quietly stared at

if I betray

very tense as a result of his

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

"So be it."

response didn't come long after

pressed both hands against

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

Cre...aaak

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

the bars to bend to the side, allowing

Omgolung in no

a deep breath, he knelt down on

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

***

looks

hill to overlook our surroundings when I heard Ava's

her hand extended, a bird

a brief moment before reopening them and

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