Chapter 146 – Dirty South (3)
The questionable knight headed towards Crockta.
“……!”
The bandits and Crockta's party faced each other with the knight in the middle.
"The south is truly strange dot. Knights attacking bandits, and this time the knight is being chased dot."
"Gnome Brother! Save me!"
“Who is your brother dot?"
The bandits flinched as they saw Crockta's ugly face. The leader looked behind him. Bandits were still rushing over. Once there were enough of them, the bandits looked at Crockta with confidence.
"Orc and Gnome! Give that knight to us!"
They raised their weapons as the leader spoke with a threatening manner and voice. They were different from the villagers, as they looked like real bandits.
“Tell me what is your relationship to each other."
"Tell you?" The bandits burst out laughing. “The orc isn't scared! He dares to speak to me, the Mountain King Nodun!"
The bandits behind him also laughed.
"Hey! Knight! Both that orc and gnome are going to die because of you!"
“You aren't a knight but a grim reaper! Kelkelkel!"
“Get along well! Kekeke!"
The bandits taunted the knight's as tears welled up in his eyes.
“Orc Brother, you have a big sword so please lend me your strength…"
However, the knight seemed to become desperate as he saw that the number of bandits kept on increasing. The number of followers of the self-proclaimed Mountain King Nodun continued to grow, and there now seemed to be several dozens. Unlike the other bandits, they were equipped with proper weapons and armor. Archers were aiming bows at them from the rear.
Real bandits. While Crockta could easily handle them, they were at a level that couldn't be matched by an ordinary warrior.
The knight frowned before bowing his head and sighing. "Hoo. It is only up to here. It is a shame."
The knight raised his head. He grabbed the long sword hanging from his waist. He placed the handle and guard section in front of his forehead and whispered.
“The Alaste Knights live without regrets and die while laughing."
The trembling voice slowly calmed down. He looked at Crockta and said, "Orc Brother, I'm sorry. Run away."
"What about you?"
“Out of fear for my life, I have shamefully placed you in danger. I will endure as long as possible. I apologize for the inconvenience."
He stepped forward and took a stance. Mountain King Nodun laughed and raised his axe in response. “Now you want to come out and pretend to be a hero?"
“Do I look like a hero?" The knight rushed forward. “I am an ordinary knight, bastards!"
It wasn't seen when he was running away, but his movements when charging into battle were quite good. There was no contest if he was fighting Nodun one-on-one. The knight pierced through any gaps with brilliant movements and predictions as he aimed at Nodun.
Nodun faced the knight with his axe but he eventually retreated. The difference in skill was remarkable. Nodun immediately called for his fellow bandits.
“Guys! Catch this guy!"
"Yes!"
“Let’s go!”
The bandits stampeded forward. The knight stepped back as if he expected it and cut the person who approached him first before shouting, “I am Knight Vigo of Alaste!"
The knight was remarkably brave when dealing with the bandits alone.
He gave Crockta a good impression. "That guy is different from the fake knights."
Suddenly, the axe of a bandit aimed towards Vigo's back. A crisis situation! At that moment, a light flashed.
Puoong!
Tiyo's magic bullet pierced through the air and hit the bandit. The bandit flew in the air. Tiyo's artifact, General, was gradually becoming more destructive.
"Go Crockta, dot!"
"Bul'tar!"
Crockta got off his horse and joined the battlefield. He grabbed Vigo's collar and threw him back, dealing with the bandits alone. Every time his greatsword swung, the enemies would be broken down. It was an overwhelming force, like a lion among sheep. No one could stop Crockta.
"W-What is this guy?" Nodun stepped back and ordered the archers to shoot.
“O-Our companions are there!"
“Shut up! Just shoot!"
"Yes, yep!"
The arrows fired without caring about the bandits hit as well. Crockta stopped the arrows with his greatsword.
“Ack!”
"…Cough!"
"Keooook!"
The arrows just ended up reducing the people on the same side. The bandits hit by the arrows stared incredulously before dying. The pupils filled with grudges stared at Nodun.
“Uhhh…shit." Nodun gritted his teeth and shouted, "Monster! Run away!"
"Retreat!"
"Retreat!"
The bandits started to run away. The speed at which they escaped was fast.
Crockta watched them and shrugged. “It isn't worth chasing them."
He smiled and turned around.
“Oh my god….!” Vigo's eyes were shaken after witnessing the dance.
It was a short fight but it was enough to guess the orc's level. Only a few knights were able to overcome such a huge difference in numbers. A one-sided slaughter was even rarer. Only a handful of knights, called masters, were capable of it.
The master knights all led a unit and were coveted talents in every city, the most important power. In addition, the orc's skills seemed to be beyond a master. Maybe he was a grandmaster.
Grandmaster! A true legend that transcended a master! There was only one grandmaster in Alaste, where he came from.
Vigo was thrilled as he rushed up to Crockta.
“Orc Brother!
He hugged Crockta and shook his body to the left and right. It seemed like he was trying to lift Crockta, but Crockta was too heavy.
“I'm so lucky to meet Brother! Orc Brother! What is your name?" I'll be your brother from now on! I love you!"
"……"
Crockta couldn't tell if this knight was good or shameless. Then the watching Tiyo came over.
“Kiiyok!"
"Keok!"
“What Crockta Brother dot? I am the one who saved your life, Tiyo from Quantes dot!"
“Ah, Gnome Brother. Hahahat! Brother! Vigo greets you!" He smiled and bowed deeply. “I am Knight Vigo of Alaste! It’s an honor to meet you today! Hahahahat!"
“We didn't allow you to…"
"Crockta Brother! Tiyo Brother! Hahahat!" Then Vigo discovered the hiding Anor. "Hey! Are you their follower?"
"Huh?"
"I'm asking if you are their follower! A thin fellow like you…"
“Why is a bastard like you trying to convert me to a follower?"
"W-What…"
“You fuc…oof! Don’t stop me…this bas…oof oof!"
Crockta blocked his mouth. “This is Anor, a companion."
Vigo nodded as he ignored Anor who kept trying to curse. “Ah…yes…Anor…Brother?"
“Be careful of his swearing."
"I-I will be careful."
“What type of scavenger…oof!"
Thus, they defeated the bandits and met a knight of Alaste.
***
Vigo stood up and shouted. "Brothers! Be Alaste's strength!"
“……!”
Vigo's drunk voice resounded loudly in the pub. The eyes of those drinking gathered on him. Vigo noticed and carefully sat down. The eyes of the drunkards weren't good.
“What, an Alaste bastard?"
“Get out of our neighborhood!"
“They will be crushed and will fall."
The men occupying another table cried out. This was a kingdom of humans. After going south from Maillard, there was a wide forest and after that, they would see a human city. Other species were about to enter, but like Orcrox and Maillard, the humans were dominant and the rulers were also human. This was the first checkpoint city, 'Reynolds'.
“What is a bastard from Alaste doing in Reynolds?"
"Be patient, patient."
"Hey, my mood is bad now."
They stared at Vigo with threatening eyes.
“Beat up that Alaste bastard."
Vigo's eyebrows twitched. He couldn't endure the insults. At that moment, the door opened.
“……!”
Everyone's breathing stopped.
An orc. As soon as the door opened and the horrible face entered the pub, all drunkards regained their spirits. It wasn't a hangover remover. The pub became quiet as the large body with menacing tattoos and the greatsword entered the room.
Orcs rarely appeared in the south. In addition, it was rare to see such a vicious looking orc among the orcs. The orc looked around the pub with fierce eyes before sitting down at a table. It was the table with the person from Alaste.
“Crockta, you came dot."
"Um. You are late."
Crockta had stopped by the blacksmith to repair Ogre Slayer. A lot of blood covered it so it needed to be checked.
“But why do they call you a bastard from Alaste? They use that phrase for you dot."
“Alaste?" Crockta looked around the eerily quiet pub. "It is quiet."
There were no more voices mocking Alaste. Those who made the threatening remarks were now quietly sipping alcohol while staring at their table. After the silence caused by Crockta, Vigo shouted, "Hooray, Alaste!"
"……"
Alaste was unique in the human territory because it was a city that declared itself completely neutral. In other words, it wasn't under the reign of the king. It hadn't been a problem when the king's existence was just a symbol, but now it was a huge problem when the king declared himself an emperor. He demanded Alaste's submission. The king's policy had changed.
“The kingdom will soon become an empire. This isn't just our problem. It is a continent-wide problem."
“Hrmm."
The great chieftain in the north, and an emperor in the south. Crazy people kept appearing.
“The world is becoming ridiculous."
"That's right. It is ridiculous." Vigo lowered his voice as he said, “In fact, I think the guy called the Mountain King was chasing after me because of the emperor."
"What do you mean?"
"He and his men suddenly appeared and occupied the area. They only attack people traveling to Alaste. So I was dispatched for reconnaissance, but my companion was caught."
“Your companion?"
“My companion…" Vigo paused. “My companion is… a brave Alaste knight who is now gone."
“I’m sorry. It is a shame."
"…No. Anyway, those bandits use axes but their movements are definitely trained. In particular, they use the swordsmanship of the kingdom. It is obvious. It doesn't make sense that those guys are just bandits. They must be soldiers assigned here."
Vigo thought that the kingdom deliberately created bandits in order to harass Alaste.
“Alaste's future is dark, but I saw hope today, brother!"
"……"
“Help Alaste!"
Crockta looked at Tiyo, who just shrugged.
“Let's listen a bit more dot."
Anor didn't speak as he quietly sipped his drink. His hood was down so the females in the pub were also looking at him with strange eyes. He was too handsome.
“How can we help? Do we have to spend our whole lives in Alaste? That is impossible."
"That's not it." Vigo took another gulp of his beer before thumping the glass against the body. Then he said. “Compared to the kingdom, Alaste is weak. It is obvious. Everyone knows this. So the king calling himself the emperor took mercy on us and made a proposal."
A one-on-one fight between the most powerful person in Alaste and the kingdom! A proxy war with the best knights! If Alaste won, the kingdom would leave them alone. If the kingdom won, Alaste would join the kingdom.
“Once the king places Alaste and other cities under his control, he will change his title to Emperor and start earnestly creating an empire. Most places have already joined and among the few remaining cities, our Alaste is especially symbolic. It is the biggest situation."
"Um…"
"You might've guessed already. The kingdom is full of tremendous knights. In particular, Grandmaster Paklinche is an unbeatable knight who has never been defeated."
"Paklinche?"
"Yes. He is Adandator Paklinche."
“Does he have a relationship with Leyteno Paklinche?"
“…Ah…the traitor. You know him."
Crockta's eyebrows twitched.
Vigo raised both hands. "I don't mean anything by it. Please understand."
Leyteno Paklinche. The great warrior in the Hall of Fame, 'Master of the Greatsword!' He was why Crockta used the greatsword. A human who hated the false hypocrisy of humans and fought with the orcs against his fellow countrymen.
“Leyteno is a distant ancestor of Adandator Paklinche. A master of the family."
"I see."
“In any case, it is expected that he will come out in the proxy war. If he comes out, there is no knight in Alaste who can fight against him…ah!" Vigo's eyes lit up. “I have Brother today! Please come out in the duel for Alaste!"
Praise the Orc:
Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.
Chapter 147 – Great Duel (1)
“The emperor… one of them dot," Tiyo muttered.
Crockta, who had been sleeping, listened to him.
“Either the king is crazy or the humans are dot."
“Why?”
“A person can't call himself an emperor unless he is crazy. If humans weren't crazy, they would stop their king from calling himself an emperor dot."
"I see."
The status of emperor seemed to have special meaning in the world of Elder Lord. An emperor always appeared just before a great war between species would occur on the continent. The past war between humans and orcs that Leyteno Paklinche took part in also occurred because the humans had an emperor, and it stopped when the emperor died.
"Crockta."
"Hmm?"
“Do you intend to fight in the proxy war?" Tiyo asked.
He thought about the words that Vigo, knight of Alaste, had said. It was a bit much to demand that Crockta help in a dangerous fight after they just met, but it was a sign of his urgency.
"I don’t know. I want to refuse but it seems to be that it will affect not only Alaste, but all of us."
“Indeed dot. The dynamics of humans will cause the continent to fall into confusion." The emperor stood for a military rule. Maybe the continent would be drawn into a species war after a long period of peace. “Ah…there isn't a single day of quiet on our trip dot."
The great chieftain in the north and the emperor on the continent. There was trouble wherever they went.
“Crockta, there is a reason for everything that happens to us dot."
“What a religious remark."
“Bah. Meaning is an attribute that all species with intelligence have dot."
Crockta chuckled in a low voice, “Anyway, the great chieftain in the north and now this place. It is better to think of it as a given mission dot."
“Mission…"
Crockta closed his eyes. He was a soldier who once killed people. He killed people but he didn't know whether the world's suffering was reduced, or whether he only increased the pain. The scale of reality was complicated and difficult to measure.
Compared to that, the missions given to him in Elder Lord were simple. It was so simple that he couldn't afford to not do it.
“I should do the mission."
"Hoh. You will do it yourself dot?"
“I can't ignore it."
"Adandator? Isn't he famous in the south dot? Can you win? Aren't you shaking dot?"
Tiyo started to subtly mock him. Crockta snorted and replied, “Not at all.”
The moon shining through the open window cast a soft light on the bedside. Reynolds was quiet at night. The sound of footsteps could occasionally be heard, but it was mostly calm with only the sound of the wind entering their ears. Anor's breathing was heard from close by as Tiyo and Crockta whispered to each other. The spirit of sleep was entering their brains, making them feel drowsy.
“If you go further down from Alaste, the sea will appear and there is a beautiful resort village. The name…" Crockta whispered.
Tiyo's voice gradually softened. "Gridori dot."
"Yes. Gridori…"
“You want to go there dot…?"
“After the work in Alaste… it would be nice to go there."
“Okay dot. The sea, it has been a long time dot…”
“Do you know how to swim?"
“I am the seal of Quantes dot…"
“That is an exaggeration.”
“Huhu…I will show you dot. My butterfly…"
Both their voices gradually subsided.
“Maybe my father is resting there dot…"
“That would be nice."
Then the two of them fell asleep.
In his dream, Crockta was in the ocean. He was standing on white sand and turned around when someone touched him from behind. Next to him were Han Yeori and Yoo Sooyeon. Then a beach ball flew at his head. There was a sound and he saw Tiyo and Anor laughing while pointing at him. He entered the sea with them.
It was a pleasant dream.
***
Crockta, Tiyo, and Anor woke up early. Tiyo forced his eyes open as they headed to the dining room on the first floor.
Vigo was sleepily eating breakfast with matted hair. "Oh, good morning Brother!" He smiled and raised his hand. He was still in a state where his eyes couldn't open properly. “Breakfast is important in Alaste. Brothers should eat as well. I'll buy."
"Hoh. Really dot?"
"Yes. The food here isn't bad. Landlord!"
The inn owner was dozing off at the counter. Crockta, Tiyo, and Anor ordered breakfast according to what they liked. Crockta ate a steak in the morning, Anor had a salad, and Tiyo ate a sandwich.
“Now, eat a lot since we have a long way to go. Isn’t that right?”
"……"
“Let’s go to Alaste!" They were planning to go, but Vigo's remark was so brazen that they didn't feel like it. It was like there was no middle ground.
Tiyo shook his head. “Rather than Alaste, we are going to the kingdom."
"I have the same thought."
“The kingdom is a place where we can see many things dot."
“Then let's go quickly."
"Brothers! Go!"
Anor frowned as he chewed on his salad.
"Phew, so noisy. Be quiet in the morning."
"Yes…"
Vigo sat down at Anor's scolding started to eat his breakfast again. The guests staying at the inn gradually started trickling downstairs. The dining room became filled with guests again. Those who were leaving this morning exited the door with their baggage.
“Isn't there any knight in Alaste that can deal with Adandator dot?"
“There is one person, a grandmaster like Adandator."
“Then why isn't he dot?"
"He is old…"
Alaste's grandmaster was an old, white-haired knight. His experience and skills were excellent but he was old, so many thought it was impossible for him to deal with Adandator. He was also hard at work training pupils.
“If you go to Alaste, you can see him once. Not only is his swordsmanship famous, he is known as the master of knights who trains other knights in the right way."
"Hoh."
“I am a knight because of him. Hahahat." He laughed loudly. “Crockta is already strong enough, but I'm sure you can get stronger if you meet him. It is the same for the others as well."
“Even if Anor is a necromancer dot?"
“That doesn't matter. As I said, he is a special person. Magicians also learn from him." Vigo spoke enthusiastically
“Then when are we leaving dot?" Tiyo asked.
"Oh! You've decided!" Vigo jumped up.
Crockta laughed as he said, "I will go there and decide if I will fight or not. I want to look at the situation."
“Hahat, that is enough. You'll know when you come to Alaste. The reason why I want to protect Alaste." Vigo shouted, “A drink over here! Give me a drink!"
"It is too early in the morning dot!"
“We have to go a long way and riding while drunk is the best! We have to celebrate you going to Alaste! Hahahat!"
The owner brought Vigo a beer as he requested. Crockta eventually followed him by drinking a glass. The other guests became enthusiastic once they saw Crockta's group drinking in the daylight. It was a rampage in the daytime. Thus, they left the inn smelling of alcohol.
***
"Hah! Hah! Haah! Hut!"
The yells regularly rang out, "Bul'tarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"
A gigantic roar shook the training grounds.
“How are the warriors these days?"
"Not enough."
"It is like talking to Lenox."
This was the cradle of orc warriors, Orcrox. Orcs were training to become warriors. After the death of the great warrior Lenox, another warrior became the new instructor. Hoyt, Lenox's disciple and the one who mastered the hammer, undergoing many fights.
He had spent a long time recovering from his injury but after he recovered, he started enthusiastically teaching the orcs. Now the orcs who came to Orcrox learned from Hoyt, not Lenox.
“Do your best!"
"Yes!"
“Don't just shout! Wield your weapon! One more time! Think of it as the best strike of your life!"
“Understood!”
“This is your greatest attack! Do you want to bet your life?"
"No!"
"Then swing again!"
"Bul'tarrrr!"
Every time Hoyt shouted, the orcs' momentum changed. They squeezed out more strength, surpassing their limits. Although he was originally a warrior, Hoyt wasn't any less stringent than Lenox as an instructor.
“What brings you here? Tashaquil."
The one who came to see him was the great shaman Tashaquil, the orc shaman instructor at Basque Village.
“I had a dream.”
"A dream."
If any other orc had talked about their dream, Hoyt would've ignored it. But the other person was Tashaquil. The dream of a powerful shaman was like a prophecy in itself, as it contained a clue to the future. He wouldn't come here because of an ordinary dream.
"What was the dream?"
“I saw a warrior." Tashaquil smiled. “He is fighting to become a great warrior."
“Who?”
“I won't reveal it to others. It is unfair."
“I can guess who."
“Really? Well, I wonder…" He chuckled in a low voice.
“Fighting to become a great warrior…" Hoyt looked at his hammer on the ground. A masterpiece from Golden Anvil. The name of the hammer was 'Mountain Slasher.' As the name suggested, anyone hit by this hammer would die.
“It is very dangerous.”
“That is a warrior’s life. Die or become great." Tashaquil chuckled. “So I came here. Give me that."
He pointed to one side. Hoyt's expression changed. This wasn't something he could give to Tashaquil.
An old helmet. It was Lenox's legacy, the steel helmet he had used. It was hanging from a bar on one side of the training grounds and watching the orcs, just like Lenox during his life.
“I can't do that. It is Lenox's."
“He is gone. I will give it to someone who deserves it."
“But that…it can't be anything else?"
"Yes."
“I'm reluctant to give…" The moment that Hoyt was about to refuse…
A blast of wind shot through Orcrox. It was strong enough to cause the sand scattered on the ground to rise. Hoyt and Tashaquil covered their faces with their hands.
“……!”
An incredible thing happened. Lenox's helmet was caught by the wind and fell off the bar to the ground. The steel helmet tumbled towards them. It was rare for heavy steel helmets to fly in the wind.
Tashaquil laughed. “Lenox seems to think he needs it."
"……"
Hoyt didn't answer. It felt like Lenox's response.
“Hoyt. Can I send it to the warrior who needs it?"
“Are you going to bring it directly to him?"
“I need to stay in Basque Village."
"Then…"
Tashaquil whistled.
Something emerged. A huge shadow appeared.
Hoyt laughed at the sight. “King of the Forest."
"Yes. This guy will bring the helmet."
"Now I know for sure who the other person is."
A giant tiger. He was 1.5 times bigger than a normal tiger. The ruler of Orcrox Forest, the one who created fear in the creatures of the forest! The tiger who was the king of the forest, Simba. The tiger Simba, who defeated the mutant wolf with Crockta, had now matured and reigned as king of the forest.
He became a friend of the orcs due to his relationship with Crockta, and came here following Tashaquil's call.
"Simba."
"Grrrung…"
“Give him this.” Tashaquil placed the helmet into a sack and tied it around Simba's neck. Simba shook his head and stretched lightly. "Can you go?"
"Grrrrung!"
"Yes. Now go. There is no time."
"Kuaang!"
Simba roared before turning around and running out of the training grounds. The orcs were aghast at the sudden emergence of a tiger.
Hoyt spoke in a despondent manner.
“The tiger and Lenox's helmet. I wonder what type of dream you had."
Tashaquil grinned. He shook his staff and blessed the warriors in the training ground. Some of them would give up and others would continue to walk this path until they eventually became warriors. Maybe one or two might become great warriors.
“The king of the humans is calling himself the emperor."
"Yes. Humans always make the same mistakes."
Tashaquil looked at the distant sky and said.
“He will soon meet a warrior.”
Praise the Orc:
Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.