Chapter 304
Chapter 304
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 304
Chapter Title: Chapter 7. Land of the Scorching Heat
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The old orc tilted his head to the side. What could he possibly want to confirm by asking them, a different race? Could he even answer that question? If he couldn't, would he resort to threats?
Every conceivable worry flooded his mind. Still, he figured he'd only know after hearing it out, so after some deliberation, the old orc nodded.
"Fine. Ask away."
Judah, who had been waiting for those words, immediately spoke up.
"Didn't you hear screams... coming from around here?"
"Screams?"
"More like wails, really. The cry of a young woman, so laden with emotion that it would make anyone weep along, no matter their race."
"You speak as if you've heard it yourself."
The old orc let out a strange, rumbling snort.
"And it seems you know something about it."
The words might have sounded like utter nonsense to some listeners. Yet even after being asked outright, the old orc's expression didn't change. If anything, his eyes seemed to question how Judah knew.
Judah fell silent for a moment after speaking. In the meantime, Arhil spotted the orcs treating wounds from their fight with the raptors—smearing on herbs and wrapping dirty cloth like bandages. Feeling pity for them, she approached and healed them. Gabriel's holy power could mend even dark-attributed ghost knights, let alone these near-monstrous异種族 orcs.
The old orc glanced at the sight and continued.
"You've come searching for those fragments that fell from the sky, haven't you?"
"Something like that."
"Well, if not for that, what would humans like you gain by venturing into a desert like this?"
The Land of the Scorching Heat was grueling even for those born and bred there. Outsiders unused to such heat had no reason to come without some compelling motive. The old orc drew in a deep breath and let it out.
"I don't know who told you, but... best not to go. A hundred years ago, survivors alongside tough Draconians who swore to hunt down the culprit roamed this land. They eventually entered that otherworld, but not one came back alive."
"Speaking from experience?"
At Lime's remark, the old orc burst into absurd laughter.
"As if. Sure, this land's mana and Draconian influence have let me live longer than most... but that's only relative to orcs. I haven't lived that long. Our kind has shorter lifespans than humans—how could it be personal experience? I just know the stories handed down."
Lime scratched his head, abashed. But with sand tangled in his hair, it only soured his mood further.
"Calling it an otherworld, it sounds like you know what it is."
"I do. We're a nomadic tribe wandering the Land of the Scorching Heat, clinging to past glories and faith in the Draconians' return, scraping by in this barren waste. We've heard those screams brimming with sorrow and despair. We've seen the door leading to where they come from. And we've watched fools like you charge right through it."
"......"
"You won't come back alive."
"They're just unrelated humans to you, aren't they? If you don't want to tell us, we'll head out."
He felt grateful—they'd saved them from the raptors and angels, and now were healing his wounded tribesmen over there. It was a far cry from the occasional humans who stumbled into this land. Not all humans are bad, he'd thought. That's why he wanted to stop them from marching to their deaths.
He'd tried scaring them once, but it fell on deaf ears. They even said they'd leave since there was nothing more to say. The old orc sighed. Fine—even without his help, they'd find their way.
They were born different, after all.
On a broad scale, humans versus异種族. Narrow it down, and they were enemies. Back when Draconians ruled this land, who cared if foes lived or died?
"You're asking us because you already know where it is, right? Just confirming?"
Judah nodded. It could be a misstep, after all. That's why he was checking. No big deal if they didn't tell.
"About two days ago, I heard it. From here... hmm, that way?"
Judah nodded, confirming the direction the old orc indicated—tilting his head and glancing back—matched the path they'd taken and were following. Constantly tweaking the dragon head's course while checking the had been spot on. They'd come the right way.
"Thank you."
"The sandstorm drawing near that <otherworld> door is your sign. Don't shy away from it. There's a sandstorm smack in the center... and a way through it. Hold on a sec."
With that, the old orc rummaged through the luggage strapped to the back of their massive, lizard-like pack beast and handed over a stone.
'What is this?'
He'd said there was a way through the sandstorm, so it couldn't be ordinary. Runes were etched into it, and it gave off a faint glow of its own. Fine cracks marred its surface—marks of age, or perhaps the limits of prior use. It was an item he'd never seen in the game, so he checked its details.
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[Name: Stone of Protection]
[Grade: Ancient]
[Description]
A stone the Draconians once made to shield the异種族 under their rule. With luck, it can be found in the Land of the Scorching Heat. Use-limited, but in dire straits, it summons a potent barrier. The barrier holds even while moving, usable against natural phenomena.
-Efficient Barrier (Active): Creates a barrier protecting allies within a 20m radius. Mana-formed and centered on the user, it moves with them and repels anyone the user deems hostile the instant it manifests.
-Mana Absorption (Passive): Usable with the user's mana, but it draws from ambient mana too, minimizing consumption.
-Durability Decline (Passive): Even with Draconians mass-producing quality goods via dwarves, time and harsh environs take their toll. Unknown how many uses remain.
-Draconian Legacy (Passive): A relic once used by Draconians. Unobtainable now outside the kingdom of <Reilisa>.
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'Ho?'
A genuine ancient-grade item. But compared to the ancient-grade gear in Judah's memory, this was bottom-of-the-barrel. As the description noted, ages and brutal conditions had weakened it—or perhaps that's what downgraded it to ancient-grade. Either way, the web of cracks suggested it wouldn't last long.
"Krng."
Catching Judah eyeing the cracks, the old orc cleared his throat awkwardly in his peculiar way.
"The heart of that sandstorm's probably raging. You could handle it easy, taming beasts like that, but for your companions... this is essential. Use it the moment you enter the storm, and you'll slip right into the <otherworld>."
He knew.
"That sandstorm is the door itself to the otherworld. Good luck. May the Dragon King's blessing be with you."
"Hmm..."
Judah kept gazing at the stone despite the words. Even if limited, it was surely a vital safeguard for them. And he'd handed it over freely. Maybe he hadn't planned to at first, but Arhil healing his tribesmen seemed to sway him. Judah pondered briefly, then opened his <Bag> and offered rations to last them ages in the desert, plus a selection of useful magic stones bought from the Ranglitsa Mage Tower. He'd considered pulling out a keg of elven fruit wine but decided they didn't need to pick up a taste for booze.
They gawked as Judah pulled items from thin air. He set them down roughly and turned to the old orc.
"Not sure if this matches the stone's worth, but consider it payment. We'll be off, then."
The dragon head, sensing the group ready to depart at last, obligingly lowered its head for easy mounting. They were getting used to it now. Lime clambered up with grunts, while Iris hopped aboard lightly from the side.
Judah went to help Arhil up, but her cheeks were faintly flushed. Her skin felt a touch feverish. Her eyes held a subtle allure, and he realized—ah. It had been ages since their last night together. It wasn't from faded feelings or a strained bond.
Fresh into the Byron Empire, holing up at the [Veil of Light] inn to recruit Iris, they'd kept it to light touches. Before the labyrinth, too many eyes around. Even after escaping, with Iris and Lime there, it hadn't felt right... and this Land of the Scorching Heat offered no cozy spot anyway.
Thankfully, it wasn't dire.
"What's wrong? Something on my face?"
Arhil beamed at Judah. He shook his head and scooped her up by the waist and thighs. Leaning in close as he lifted her, he whispered something to delight her.
"You're still as beautiful as ever."
"Oh?"
He sprang up onto the dragon head. As he set her down, the old orc bellowed from behind.
"Beware the angels! You seem capable, but lately they've descended here, searching for something! They might be after the fragments too!"
Judah nodded to the old orc without replying. By then, Arhil had settled into the chair Iris had conjured atop the dragon head, and Judah took his seat beside her. The dragon head set off once more, bearing the group on its crown and slicing through the sands like a swimmer through the sea.
========== Author's Note ==========
1) Ah, damn. I lay down for a quick nap and passed out. Woke up at 2 AM in a panic; finished writing at 4. Gotta head to school. I'm off to bed!
2) Into the storm of time and space!
3) You might recall—Judah has just the item to cure Arhil's status ailment.
4) Kidnapping and confinement are crimes, folks. Of course, if you hire me and lock me up to write, I'd gladly accept!