Chapter 10
“The village’s na was Kragdon.” I found out later, but in the Orc Empire’s language, it ant ‘Shelter of Stone.’
We decided to rest in that village for a while.
In truth, we had no real choice. At that rate, we were all going to starve to death.
Naturally, the residents of Kragdon did not welco us. They feared that the kingdom’s army would kill them. So of them even ca at us with crudely lashed-together spears, trying to drive us away by force.
As the standoff dragged on, Sigrid stepped forward. He knew the Orc Empire’s language.
He shouted at the orc residents in their own tongue.
‘Please give us only enough food to survive for one day. Just a piece of bread and a mouthful of water.’
Even to , who did not understand the orc language, his plea sounded desperate.
Perhaps our desperation reached them, because the orc residents gave us food.
Enough for all of us to eat our fill.
They did not give us from abundance. They were already short on food themselves.
They helped us because they pitied us—because we were people on the brink of starving to death.
We repeatedly expressed our gratitude. Seeing us bow low again and again, the orc residents gradually let down their guard. They allowed us into the village. They gave us food and water, and even places to rest.
We decided to stay there for a few more days.
There were certainly orc residents who disliked the kingdom’s army. But for the most part, the villagers welcod us.
And it was there that I t an orc child.
Whether to call him a child or a boy was hard to say. He was sowhere in between—an orc still young.
His na? His na was… Jubik. Yes. Jubik.
He was young, but clever and full of curiosity.
At the ti, I had developed an interest in the orc language, so I was learning a few words here and there from Sigrid. Jubik seed fascinated by that and kept approaching . Sotis, he even took on the role of a teacher himself, instructing in the orc language.
By the ti I had beco fairly fluent, Jubik said this to .
‘Berian, I want to learn magic. Teach magic.’
I looked into Jubik’s eyes. In them burned a spark of longing for magic.
As he wished, I taught him magic. I should not have, but I did it secretly.
Only Dalmon and Sigrid knew that I was teaching Jubik magic.
As expected, Jubik’s talent was extraordinary. In just a few days, he reached the level of a kingdom army apprentice mage. He was good enough to be assigned to a rear-line mage unit imdiately.
Jubik had an older sister nad Garsha. Despite being an orc, she was not large and was rather slender. Even to us humans, she seed quite beautiful. Dalmon was close to Garsha.
Garsha was interested in human culture, and Dalmon taught her the human language and customs. Just as Jubik and I had grown close, Dalmon and Garsha had beco close in the sa way.
After regaining their strength, so soldiers went hunting and brought back boars or bears, which they gave to the orc villagers. They wanted to repay the kindness they had received.
That was how we lived. After a few days passed, even the orc residents who had initially been wary of us no longer showed hostility.
But then……
***
Mr. Berian’s body trembled violently.
***
The orc army arrived.
It seed that soone among the villagers had reported us to them. That humans were stationed in the village, that we were occupying it and stealing the villagers’ food—things like that.
Humans find it difficult to distinguish orcs by their faces. They all look similar to us.
Especially at night, it is virtually impossible to tell them apart.
Perhaps they took advantage of that. The orc army ca at night.
Because it was so dark that we could not see their faces, we did not realize they were the orc army. Orc soldiers had no reason to co here suddenly, so we naturally assud they were villagers.
Until the mont they drew their spears and stabbed our hearts, we did nothing.
Only belatedly did soone scream.
‘It’s the orc army! The orc army!’
‘Ian’s been stabbed!’
Even then, we were not completely frozen. The orc army began killing us with spears, swords, and maces, and we killed them with the sa kinds of weapons. Magic flew back and forth, and screams, shrieks, and battle cries filled the air.
But we had reacted too late.
It was a sudden ambush, and at the ti, our discipline had been badly lax.
And more than anything—more than anything—We had lost our resolve.
The resolve to kill orcs without hesitation.
We had grown too close to the orc villagers. Even when killing orc soldiers, thoughts of the villagers made us hesitate. They no longer felt like re ‘enemies,’ but like fellow sentient beings…
We lost the battle, and Dalmon and I were taken prisoner.
Though we were prisoners, our treatnt was not poor.
That was largely thanks to the villagers. They defended us, saying that we had not plundered their food, that we had helped with labor and even provided hunted ga to make up for supplies.
Moreover, Dalmon and Garsha seed to be in a very close relationship—closer than I had realized.
Not just friends…… but sothing like lovers.
From ti to ti, Jubik and Garsha would co to the makeshift detention area where Dalmon and I were held, secretly bringing food, or staying to talk late into the night.
While we were imprisoned, several small-scale battles occurred between the kingdom’s army and the orc army.
They were battles to retrieve us—the prisoners.
……We, we gave information to the orc army. We confessed everything about the kingdom army’s weapons, tactics, and overall strength.
If we did not, the orc army said they would conscript Jubik and Garsha.
I had no choice. I really had no choice. I had to stop that.
After about two weeks of captivity, an orc soldier ca to see us. His armor was more ornate than the others’. He was probably an officer.
‘We will release you. Leave this place.’
The orc officer spoke to , Dalmon, and all the other prisoners.
‘We will free all prisoners. Leave this place. Do not trespass into our territory again. Do not advance further. Withdraw. We are exhausted from the prolonged fighting.’
‘Understood. I will convey that.’
When I answered, the orc officer shook his head.
‘Conveying it is not enough. We need a firm guarantee. Otherwise, we cannot release you.’
‘I will make it happen.’
‘Are you certain?’
‘I am a high-ranking mage. Dalmon is a knight—virtually a noble. If we speak, they will withdraw.’
I answered in clumsy orc language. Only then did the officer nod.
Life as a prisoner had not been terribly harsh, but it was not comfortable either. The thought of being released was relieving.
And yet, it was not pure relief. There was regret.
I grabbed the orc officer and said,
‘Before we go, I want to see the two children. I want to see Jubik and Garsha.’
After a mont of consideration, the orc officer nodded.
‘Very well. Bring Jubik and Garsha.’
He knew about the relationship between and Jubik, and between Dalmon and Garsha. He ordered his subordinates to bring them.
***
Mr. Berian’s body trembled violently.
His condition was alarming. Cold sweat poured down, and his eyelids fluttered uncontrollably.
I prepared for the possibility that the hypnosis might break. There was a chance Mr. Berian could awaken and beco violent, so I prepared a sedative—Mist’s Lullaby.
However, Mr. Berian did not awaken from the hypnosis.
He continued to tremble and sweat, but he did not wake.
Despite looking as though he were in unbearable pain, he continued speaking.
***
Thanks to the orc officer’s consideration, the four of us were able to talk in a separate room, away from other prisoners and orc soldiers.
There, we said our farewells. When he heard that we were leaving, Jubik’s eyes filled with tears as he said this to .
‘Berian, co back soday. Next ti, I’ll be a stronger mage than you.’
‘Yes. I think you might. I promise I’ll co back. I will co back and see how strong you’ve beco.’
Those were not empty words. Jubik truly might have beco a mage stronger than . He was that talented.
Dalmon and Garsha were holding each other.
Dalmon remained composed, but Garsha was sobbing uncontrollably.
‘I will miss you, Dalmon.’
‘I will miss you too, Garsha. We will see each other again soday.’
‘Promise you’ll co back. Promise you’ll co see .’
‘I promise, Garsha. This dagger will be the token of that promise.’
Dalmon said this as he gave Garsha a dagger as a gift.
It was the dagger he had been granted when he was knighted.
At that mont, a sound echoed from sowhere.
BANG.
Then ca shouts—‘Waaaaah—!’—and amid them, faintly, the cry of ‘For Luntea!’
Screams and the sounds of battle followed.
The human shouts were overwhelmingly loud. The orc screams were much smaller.
Just from the noise alone, it was clear how nurous the kingdom’s army was.
I looked at Dalmon. Dalmon looked at .
We knew instinctively.
Reinforcents had co to retrieve the prisoners.
The kingdom’s army intended to retrieve us, even if it ant an all-out battle.
Confusion and fear rose on Jubik’s and Garsha’s faces. Having learned the orc language and their culture, I could read their expressions. I could feel their emotions—painfully clearly.
At that mont, Jubik suddenly sprang to his feet, trying to rush outside.
‘Where are you going, Jubik!’
‘I need to find Uncle Muk and Aunt Barash. I have to make sure they’re safe!’
‘No!’
Dalmon shouted. As a knight, his voice was so loud it made my ears ring. He blocked Jubik and Garsha.
‘If you go out there, you will die. The kingdom’s army will kill you—every one of you.’
‘We just want to see if Uncle Muk and Aunt Barash are safe. Why would they kill us?’
‘They will kill you! The kingdom’s army will kill you!’
Dalmon had lost his reason.
I thought the sa way. The kingdom’s army would kill all orcs.
To them, there was no way to distinguish civilians from soldiers.
Killing everyone—civilian or soldier alike—was safer.
At this rate, Jubik and Garsha would surely die.
I grabbed Jubik and said,
‘Say you will enlist in the kingdom’s army. With your talent, you will be treated well.’
There were a few orcs in the kingdom’s army. Forr prisoners who had earned rit and beco regular soldiers. I explained that Jubik could beco one of them. That he should co with us, even if it ant that. That he could beco a citizen of the Luntea Kingdom and live there with us.
‘I don’t want to. I was born and raised in Kragdon. I can’t abandon this place.’
‘The kingdom’s army will kill you. They will kill every orc living in Kragdon!’
‘Then instead of becoming citizens of the kingdom, instead of running away, we should fight!’
Jubik was too young. The reason did not reach him.
‘Garsha, please. Persuade Jubik. This is the only way you can live.’
Garsha was older and wiser than Jubik. She seed to be seriously considering the idea of becoming a citizen of the kingdom.
But before she could persuade him, they arrived—the kingdom’s army.
Adjutant Sigrid, along with three soldiers I had never seen before. The four of them had co looking for us.
Adjutant Sigrid frowned, looking troubled.
The soldiers looked confused. Their expressions seed to ask why we—kingdom soldiers—were together with orcs.
‘These children intend to beco citizens of the kingdom. This boy here, Jubik, has outstanding talent as a mage. He will be of use to the kingdom.’
I spoke as though making excuses.
No one spoke. It was quiet. Too quiet.
That was the problem. It was too quiet.
The silence was unbearably heavy.
I was tense. Dalmon was tense. Jubik and Garsha were tense.
That was the problem. That was the problem…
One soldier stepped toward us. It was probably an unconscious action.
Jubik reacted far too sensitively.
Flas ford in his clenched hand. A f-fireball. A fireball.
The fireball that flew from Jubik’s hand blew the soldier’s head apart. Another fireball followed, blasting another head apart.
Two people died in an instant.
I wish it had ended there.
Jubik then tried to kill Sigrid with another fireball.
I had to choose.
I, I had no choice.
I had to kill Jubik with a fireball.
If I did not, Jubik would kill Sigrid. And if that happened, both Sigrid and Jubik would die. After killing Sigrid, Jubik would never be able to beco a citizen of the kingdom. Th-that is why, for Jubik’s sake, I had no choice…
Jubik died.
Garsha charged at , wielding the dagger Dalmon had given her.
The dagger that had been a token of a promise.
With eyes full of rage, she rushed at …
I reacted instinctively. I ford a fireball, about to throw it at Garsha.
Then—Dalmon swung his sword at .
He was trying to kill to protect Garsha. Dalmon’s blade was flying toward my neck. I thought I was going to d-die.
But Dalmon’s sword never reached my neck.
Sigrid drew his sword first and struck Dalmon’s blade aside.
CRACK.
I heard the sound of Sigrid’s arm breaking as he blocked Dalmon’s sword.
Imdiately after, Garsha lunged at Dalmon.
Once enraged, orcs lose all restraint.
Though Garsha was interested in human culture, her nature was still that of an orc.
Blinded by rage at losing her brother, she did not even seem to recognize Dalmon.
With the dagger that had been a token of promise, Garsha stabbed—stabbed—Dalmon’s side.
Dalmon could have avoided it, but it seed he chose not to. Even then, he was trying to save Garsha.
When Garsha tried to stab Dalmon’s neck, Dalmon finally could not remain still.
Dalmon raised his sword and thrust it into Garsha’s abdon.
Garsha…… looked at Dalmon, and then she died.
Silence fell again. A silence heavier than before.
‘U-waaah… waaah…….’
Dalmon collapsed, covering his ears, crying like a child.
Sigrid stood there blankly. I rushed to him and grabbed him by the collar.
‘We were about to be released! We were about to be released! You bastard, you should have stopped the kingdom’s army! Do you know how well the Kragdon villagers treated you?!’
‘How was I supposed to stop them? On what grounds could I stop reinforcents sent by the kingdom to retrieve prisoners?!’
‘You should have stopped them sohow! Sohow!’
Even though I knew Sigrid could not have stopped them, I blad him. Because he was the only one left to bla…
‘If you hadn’t taught magic to that brat Jubik, none of this would have happened!’
Sigrid shouted at .
‘Then if you hadn’t insisted—insisted on entering this village in the first place—!’
‘We were all about to starve to death! If it weren’t for , we would have died anyway, so—!’
We blad each other.
We could not endure it otherwise. We had to bla soone…
‘……What is all this supposed to an?’
A soldier had been listening to everything we said.
Yurik. One of Sigrid’s subordinates.
Only then did Dalmon, Sigrid, and I realize his presence. We had been so agitated that we spoke of things Yurik should never have heard.
‘Y-you taught magic to an orc? What are you talking about? And what do you an the Kragdon villagers treated you well? A-and Lord Dalmon! Why are you like this?!’
Yurik looked utterly confused. We looked back at him, equally lost. We had no idea what to do.
Then betrayal filled Yurik’s eyes.
‘Y-you traitors…….’
At that mont, I saw it—Yurik placing his hand on his sword hilt. And I saw Sigrid quietly draw his blade.
SLASH.
Yurik’s head rolled across the floor.
Before Yurik could act, Sigrid had severed his neck.
Wiping the blood from his sword in haste, Sigrid spoke.
‘Jubik already killed two kingdom soldiers with magic. And Berian taught him that magic.’
‘…….’
‘If this becos known, Berian will not escape punishnt. They could charge you with collusion or treason.’
Sigrid glanced at Dalmon.
‘We must also consider Lord Dalmon’s honor. It would be problematic if rumors spread that the mighty knight Dalmon killed a single orc and then wept. If rumors spread that he had a romantic relationship with an orc woman, he could even be stripped of his knighthood. I had no choice but to kill him.’
Sigrid continued calmly.
‘Moreover, the orc army has been acting as though they know our kingdom’s tactics and strength. Because of that, the kingdom’s army already suspects that either Berian or Lord Dalmon leaked information.’
‘Th-that can’t be…’
I had nothing to say. It was true that we had leaked information.
Sigrid’s eyes widened.
‘Berian, I will falsify the records. You burn this entire village. Burn it all and erase every trace of us. Any evidence of collusion, any evidence that we were close to the villagers—erase it all. No…….’
Ugh.
‘……Erase even the fact that this place was ever a village. Let us say it was an orc army outpost, and that we burned it down during battle. Only then can we survive.’
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