Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: King of the Orcs (1)
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The hardliners in the Alliance did indeed hate the Empire and crave war, but they had their reasons for it.
The Alliance was fracturing. What did that mean? It meant that the longer time dragged on, the weaker it would become.
When the solidarity and cooperation forming the Alliance's foundation weakened, suspicion would inevitably sprout among them, leading to its ultimate collapse.
In extreme terms, it meant yesterday's Alliance was stronger than today's—and that repeated every single day.
"I acknowledge the view that we need to settle things with the Empire before the Alliance completely falls apart... but isn't it too hasty?"
"The kingdom and Andre were just bait to ignite the war anyway. Nothing's changed. We orcs will always emerge victorious."
"But this time, there were far too many variables. The kingdom's near-miraculous stand was one thing, but the Empire conquering that very kingdom..."
The faces of those holding a smooth conversation via the crystal orb, even from distant lands, were far from cheerful.
These were the Alliance's hardliners, insisting that they must force a decisive showdown with the Empire, win or lose through war.
The Alliance was growing weaker by the day. Weak nations banded together to wield power and check the mighty ones.
The reason that worked was that most of the Alliance's powerhouses bore an irreconcilable grudge against the Empire.
"The Alliance as it stands is broken. The weak band together to raise their voices, and the Alliance Leader bows to them. Yes, it's definitely wrong."
"I know that. That's why we used the kingdom to spark this war. At least the first button has been fastened successfully."
"But who would've thought the kingdom wouldn't last even half a year... Given the momentum at the war's outset, something's off."
The kingdom had fallen into the Empire's grasp in a mere half year, leaving the nations of the Alliance in disarray.
First off, the kingdom had indeed fought valiantly. Beyond valiant—it was bordering on miraculous. Driving back the Empire and seizing territory?
That was something possible only during the Empire's chaos decades ago... back in the Alliance's absolute peak.
Even then, it was a time when everyone cooperated at full strength to repel the common enemy known as the Empire.
The kingdom had achieved alone what required the full might of the Alliance at its zenith.
That was why even the Alliance hardliners had trusted and acted on the kingdom's strength. Believing it wouldn't fall easily, at least...
"I never expected the kingdom to crumble in just half a year, that's for sure. Where did that initial momentum go?"
"The opponent is Cain Blackguard, isn't he? The Empire's undefeated legend and rising comet."
"That damned Blackguard is blocking our path."
"Hmph, a strong one isn't bad at all. I'd actually like to clash with him properly."
Now, even within the Alliance, Cain Blackguard's name had transcended mere caution to earn outright recognition.
And understandably so.
Though an enemy, he had personally proven his achievements and abilities to a breathtaking degree.
"On top of that, he's using the unfortunate incident in the kingdom as a pretext to paint the entire Alliance as worshippers of evil gods."
"What nonsense... Wait, don't tell me...?"
"Unfortunately, that part seems to be true."
"Well, it's only natural. A mere kingdom couldn't hope to challenge the Empire on its own."
The others, excluding the orcs, were at a loss for words. They'd predicted it wasn't through normal means, of course.
But even so—evil gods? On this continent, there was only one deity called an evil god.
The Evil God Lets.
The worst of them all, who waged war against the early benevolent gods and nearly dragged the continent to ruin.
"Did they receive an oracle from Lets? Is there concrete evidence?"
"No. But the Empire claims there's ample circumstantial proof."
"That's a silver lining in this mess. Lets is such a vicious evil god that merely possessing its symbol is a crime."
If it was just circumstantial claims without hard proof, they could dismiss it as Empire conspiracy theories.
But if solid evidence emerged? That would be trouble. The man sighed. The kingdom was lost anyway.
If Cain Blackguard bypassed through the kingdom to strike the Alliance, that would certainly pose a problem.
"We need forces to block Blackguard if he attacks via the kingdom..."
"I'll take that role. I've had some interest in the man who defeated the Water King of the Seven Sovereigns in a frontal clash."
"If the Overlord steps up, we have no reason to refuse. I'll trust you with it."
Overlord.
One of the Alliance's masters, the orc chieftain who vied for the spot just below the War God, the supreme warrior, against even rocks.
The strongest leader among orcs, a battle race where every individual was a fighter. At the very least, he wouldn't go down easily.
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Cain now faced two tasks. The first was stabilizing the kingdom plunged into chaos by the king's death.
The second was attacking the Alliance using the conquered kingdom's routes. The second wasn't too difficult.
The real issue was the first, by far. Pacifying a chaotic kingdom in short order was incredibly tough.
Especially if rumors spread that Andre had sacrificed his own people as offerings, turning into a monster...
Fortunately, there was a reliable expert he could entrust it to—none other than Princess Anna.
Her experience and knowledge from the Empire, combined with her status as kingdom royalty, allowed her to swiftly quell the chaos.
"Of course, we can't resolve all the turmoil in just a month, so I suggest leaving some troops here and striking the Alliance with the rest."
"I think the same, Your Highness the Princess."
"When it's just the two of us..."
"...Morgana."
At Cain calling her by name directly, Morgana nodded with a satisfied expression and moved to the next phase.
To control the chaotic kingdom and establish defensive lines, troops were ultimately essential.
Besides, while Anna couldn't compare to Cain or Morgana, she had her own experience leading armies.
Realizing the gravity of her mission, Anna burned with determination and began fully unleashing her abilities.
Thanks to her, Cain and Morgana could sit face-to-face and leisurely discuss their next plans.
They had conquered the kingdom, but the war wasn't over. The formidable Alliance still loomed.
"Scarlet, who was guarding Renheim, along with her beastkin subordinates and wyverns, are heading here with reinforcements."
"Once all twelve armies assemble here, we can launch the assault on the Alliance."
"Exactly. Though the chance of the Alliance striking us first isn't negligible."
With the full might of the twelve armies gathered, the Alliance couldn't just sit idly by. They'd be on highest alert.
Right now, Cain Blackguard's name lacked only a fancy title, but it held prestige equal to the Empire's Sword Ghost.
In the arena of war, he even surpassed that Sword Ghost in sheer danger.
Of course, if he heard that himself, he'd wave it off. Comparing him to that Sword Ghost, of all people?
"What do you think the Alliance will do?"
"They'll probably send either the dragonkin or the orcs to stop Lord Blackguard."
"I get the orcs, but dragonkin? Are they the same breed as beastkin?"
"If a dragonkin heard that, they'd try to kill you on the spot."
Dragonkin.
A race born with dragon blood. They walked upright like humans but had horns and scales absent in ordinary humans.
Decisively, they bore heads akin to dragons. Hence the derogatory term "reptilians."
"But it's true they carry dragon blood, so they're a race capable of wielding extraordinarily powerful magic."
"I see. So the orcs are the exact opposite of dragonkin?"
"Yes. If dragonkin are blessed with magic... then orcs are the battle race blessed with physical prowess."
It was only because orcs were bluntly straightforward and dragonkin few in number that they hadn't overrun the Empire yet.
Judging purely by their prowess, they were foes no mere kingdom could compare to.
And in Morgana's view, to block Blackguard, the Alliance would play the orc card.
'The orcs' overlord and one of the Alliance's masters... Overlord Urdan. No matter how I think about it, it has to be that monster.'
It would be a grueling fight, but defeating Urdan and the orcs would seize victory in one fell swoop.