Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 193
Chapter Title: Corin's Shadow (9)
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[Totem: The Best Defense is a Good Offense has been completed.]
This totem wasn't made for me. Its effects were largely useless to me from the start. The effect of [The Best Defense is a Good Offense] was quite straightforward. When attacked, one percent of the incoming damage gets stored in the Mud Rhino's core. The damage accumulates in the Mud Rhino's core until it reaches its limit, at which point it unleashes all the stored damage through the Iron Hedgehog's spines. It was a totem that combined the Mud Rhino's energy storage ability with the Iron Hedgehog's energy release capability.
One percent of incoming damage might seem trivial, but storing it up and releasing it all at once could deal massive damage to enemies. Which made this a totem exclusively for tanks. It wouldn't be much use to me, watching from the rear and providing support, but it would be a huge help to Lloyd. And with orcs involved this time around, it would prove especially useful.
“Master!”
I was admiring the totem with satisfaction when I heard footsteps hurriedly climbing the stairs, followed by El calling out to me.
“El?”
“Lord Lloyd is back!”
Speak of the devil. Lloyd had returned right on cue. Behind El, who burst through the door, loomed a tall, dark shadow. I greeted him warmly.
“You're back.”
“Sorry for being late.”
“It's fine. You're not late.”
Not yet, since the subjugation hadn't started. As he entered the room and El took his coat to hang it on the wall, Lloyd sank into a chair with a weary sigh. Days of stakeout would tire anyone, even him. I poured him a cup of water and handed it over before turning to El.
“El, go to the innkeeper and get a hunk of meat, then head to the stables. Aira should be there too.”
“Yes, Master!”
Once El left, I closed the door and locked it securely, just in case. Then, lowering my voice, I asked Lloyd,
“You look exhausted.”
“……”
“Was there something worth worrying me about?”
Lloyd fell silent for a moment before nodding.
“Orcs are gathering more and more in Sequoia Forest.”
“……”
“Some of them were patrolling outside the forest boundaries. It's odd. Stepping beyond the forest line means more chances of getting attacked by humans……”
Patrols.
It felt like they were preparing for the subjugation.
“I've tangled with orcs plenty of times, but this feels different. They seem a bit more cunning.”
“……I see.”
Lloyd nodded gravely.
“Nothing else?”
“……”
That reaction meant there was.
“What is it?”
“……This is just my speculation.”
“Yes. I'll take it into account. Go ahead.”
Lloyd stayed quiet for a long stretch, as if hesitating. It was out of character, leaving me puzzled, but I waited silently for him to speak first.
“Someone was using the secret passage.”
“……!”
I knew it!
“But it wasn't for sneaking outsiders in or out of the castle.”
“Then what?”
“Someone from inside……”
-Gulp.
“……seemed to be using it to collude with the orcs.”
“……What?”
“I don't speak Orcish, so I couldn't tell what they were talking about.”
Was that the issue right now? Someone from the castle colluding with orcs!
But I could understand Lloyd's reaction. Considering his ties to Louis, it must be hard to believe.
“Didn't see who it was?”
“……No.”
Well, it was obvious enough without seeing. Either Dawood or that 'Fabio' he kept around.
“Good. That's plenty of intel. You couldn't understand because they spoke Orcish, but we can guess what they discussed.”
“……”
“It's obvious. It had to be about the upcoming Sequoia Forest orc subjugation. Some kind of 'deal.'”
What deal had Dawood struck with the orcs? I paced the room thoughtfully. Legion, who had been dozing on the bed, started following my footsteps, playfully manipulating shadows. Careful not to step on his tail, I kept walking until……
“Lloyd.”
“……”
“Orc subjugations are usually done in three stages, right?”
“Yeah.”
I had no personal experience with orc subjugations, but I'd picked up trivia from fellow mercenaries during my sellsword days.
Orc subjugations typically happened in three phases. Elves might wipe them out in one or two goes, but for humans, three were needed to call it a proper 'subjugation.'
The first sweep targeted the rabble—the weak orcs—while deliberately luring and avoiding the strong ones.
The second focused fire on those tough orcs skipped in the first wave. No orc, no matter how mighty, could withstand concentrated attacks from skilled humans.
Once the orcs were thinned out enough, the third and final push hit their main nest, slaughtering any young left behind and torching the place to raze it completely.
“So……”
The colluder and orcs must have bargained over the first subjugation. How many sacrifices each side would stomach, how to steer the flow……
Linking it to the 'offering' in Blackie's letter pointed to one conclusion.
The 'offering' was……
The mercenaries.
Whether for the orcs or some third party like a demon, I couldn't say yet.
If for the orcs, Dawood could offer up mercenaries in exchange for the territory's safety—or orc aid. Corin was already secure, so the latter seemed likelier. And that would lead to something sinister. Probably.
If for a likely demonic third party…… The outcome was clear. The subjugation was a ruse. They'd herd the ragtag mercenaries into Sequoia Forest under the orc pretext, perform the ritual, summon the demon. No one would question mercenaries getting massacred by orcs in the forest. The orcs would get due compensation……
'……Either way, it's grim.'
But.
There was definitely an 'opportunity.'
'The first subjugation. That's our chance.'
I stopped pacing and faced Lloyd. He still looked a bit downcast—clearly tormented by the castle insider trading with orcs. Made sense; he was Louis's old friend. His mind must be a mess.
“Actually, that's good.”
“……”
Lloyd stared at me like he'd misheard. I shrugged innocently. In the pause, Legion had scampered up my body and was mimicking me from my shoulder.
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said.”
“……”
“During the first orc subjugation, Corin will be empty. The castle too. Dawood said he'd join, so Fabio will tag along.”
“And?”
“We'll use the gap to head to the castle with Louis.”
“The castle?”
“Yeah. Hit 'em where it hurts. Searching it'll turn up something.”
“But the mercenaries joining the subjugation……”
“Don't worry.”
Lloyd shook his head, baffled. I patted his shoulder reassuringly and flashed a subtle smile.
“I've sent someone there already.”
“Someone?”
“Well, technically an elf, not a human.”
Callisto. With him around, the subjugation wouldn't go as they planned. Especially against orcs—and even if it was a trap……
'Callisto can survive and report the truth to me.'
That's what they call stretching your legs only after finding a spot to lie down.
“An elf?”
“Yeah. Met a good contact while you were staking out……”
Not hired muscle, so it was tricky to explain. But Lloyd just nodded without pressing.
“……Then that's a relief.”
As he exhaled long, tension easing,
-Grroooowl……
A thunderous rumble erupted from Lloyd's stomach. Whoa, that startled me.
“……”
“……”
An awkward silence hung. We stared at each other wordlessly. Ahem. I cleared my throat, then let out a booming laugh to break the ice.
“Haha, it's fine, Lloyd. Makes sense. Five days? No, a week? That was a long stakeout. Just jerky and biscuits the whole time?”
That's why I told him to pack a lunch. He even refused my offers to bring food…… With his size, his energy burn was higher than average—had to be rough. Even with years of harsh training, hunger doesn't play favorites.
“……I'm a bit hungry.”
“It's late, but I can borrow the inn kitchen.”
“Something to fill the void would do……”
“No way. It's your first real meal in a week!”
“……Thanks.”
“Come on. Save the thanks for after you eat. Go bathe, change, and come down. I'll have food ready.”
I confirmed his nod and left the room. Legion, snug in my pocket, asked in his most cutesy voice.
[Theo. Me. Dinner?]
“No. You already ate. This is for Lloyd.”
[Theo. Me. Can eat. Dinner. Twice.]
“……Fine, you can have a taste. Got it?”
[Theo. Me. Yay. Taste!]