Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: King of the Orcs (3)
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Cain gripped the reins tightly. The dragon steed, reading his intent perfectly from the pressure of his grip, halted its hooves.
Green-skinned beasts resembling humans, their eyes blazing with intense yellow light, came into view all at once.
Those were orcs. Each one treated as knight-level force thanks to their superior physical prowess and skills...
And standing at their pinnacle was the middle-aged orc in the center, his face covered in beard and wrinkles.
He knew it instinctively. That orc grinning with a massive axe was Emperor Urdan.
Cain dismounted from his horse. Deep down, he wanted to draw his sword right then and there, but for now, that wouldn't do.
"Emperor Urdan."
"Yeah, so you must be Cain Blackguard, the Empire's undefeated general."
"Where are my men?"
"What's the rush? Now that you're here, have a drink first..."
"Where are my men?"
Interrupting someone was a grave discourtesy. It wouldn't be strange for displeasure to show. And that held true even for orcs.
Yet Urdan clamped his mouth shut and pondered for a moment. There wasn't a trace of irritation in his demeanor.
But it was only for an instant. Soon, Urdan curled his lips into a smile. It was the pure grin of a child who had found a new toy.
"Orcs don't take prisoners. And neither do we. We sent them all to a good place, honoring them as warriors."
"...I see. Then our conversation ends here."
The emperor had confirmed it. There was no need for further talk. Cain drew the sword he had been holding back.
The ominous black aura cloaking the blood-red blade was enough to make even the emperor break into a cold sweat for a split second. So this was what felled him!
The moment Emperor Urdan faced Cain's power, he grasped its essence. It was death incarnate.
Indeed... The Beast King hadn't fallen to mere luck or chance. But rather than fear, Urdan found himself laughing.
"Impressive. Who would've thought the day would come when I'd clash with death itself."
"Enjoying this? You'll be suffering soon enough."
"We'll see about that once we try!"
Nox and Urdan's axe collided with full force, without the slightest hesitation. The sheer clash unleashed devastation.
The shockwave swept through everything around them like a typhoon. In the end, magic had to be deployed just to block the aftermath.
Surprisingly, the one overpowered was none other than Cain. He gritted his teeth. He had swung with everything he had.
It felt like striking not a rock... but a mountain, a very piece of the earth itself with his sword. It was that heavy.
"Looks like this is the first time you've been outmatched in raw strength since becoming a Master. Don't take it as a humiliation. When it comes to pure power, I'm the best."
Of course, it wasn't a claim backed by official records. He hadn't gathered every Master for an arm-wrestling match or anything.
But his opponent wasn't just any Master—he was one who had reached that level with the body of an orc, a race born for battle.
Thus, when judging solely by physical ability, it was easy to believe he might truly be the pinnacle among all Masters.
But what did that matter? Nothing changed. All that remained was to kill the orc who had slain his men.
"Enough with the chit-chat. Just die right here. That's your only option."
"Right, that's how a true warrior should be. Victory or defeat, survival or death. Focus only on that."
Urdan shivered with excitement. It had been so long since he'd encountered such pure killing intent—one that disregarded his own fate entirely.
It was killing intent bordering on ironclad resolve to slay the enemy before him. How many years had it been since he'd faced something like this...?
Decades ago, during the era when orcs and the Seven Beast Kings had clashed in a war of slaughter. It felt just like back then.
Urdan's lips stretched into a tearing grin. Now he understood why the Beast King had fallen. With an opponent like this.
'It's not about strong or weak. A Beast King who called himself king yet filed down his own fangs could never win against this!'
Cain was nothing more than a mere human. Yet right now, Urdan saw something else in him entirely.
A beast? No, it wasn't something as insignificant as that. Something far grander and more powerful.
The supreme race that claimed the vast skies as its home, annihilating armies with nothing but its breath.
Yes, a dragon. In this moment, Urdan saw the form of a dragon in Cain. Yet he did not retreat.
"Full power right from the start? Fine by me. Let's ignore the weaklings around us and fight with our lives on the line."
The two Masters clashed without a care for anything else, unleashing their full might. And in that instant...
The world was dyed pure white.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Defeat Regression was a deeply authoritarian system. Even if the individual perceived it as a victory.
If Defeat Regression deemed it a defeat, it would regress without the slightest hesitation. But he had benefited from it nonetheless.
Cain blinked vacantly. He had clearly dismounted his horse. And after that, he had clashed with Urdan with all his strength.
He remembered that much clearly. No—his body remembered. How could he forget such an intense memory?
Yet when he opened his eyes again, Cain was back astride his dragon steed. Urdan stood there, axe in hand, eyes aglow.
He hadn't been defeated or killed. If he had, Cain would surely know. Which meant...
'The scenario deviated massively... or else the clash between Masters dragged my people into it.'
Extremes.
The symbol of Mastery, attainable only by those who had reached that realm. Naturally, its power defied imagination.
If two Masters collided with their Extremes at full force, heedless of what lay behind them, those around wouldn't escape unscathed.
'...Hoo. Calm down. Don't forget your top priority.'
Top priority.
His reason, engulfed in rage and burning, regained its cool. Thanks to that, Cain finally pulled himself together.
Cain dismounted quietly from his dragon steed. But this time, it wasn't to kill his foe—it was clearly to protect.
Conversely, Urdan, who had watched it all from the beginning, inwardly marveled. To control himself like that.
"The title of undefeated general isn't just for show. Not only do you cherish your men, you master your fury perfectly too."
"... ."
"Well, as a warrior, it's a bit disappointing... but that kind of strength is still strength. Not a bad matchup."
"Where are my men."
"That's not a question—it's certainty. Why do you think I kept your subordinates alive?"
Sensing the conviction in his voice, Urdan tilted his head. It was genuine curiosity, not mockery.
Orcs generally didn't take prisoners. Urdan himself despised it.
Yet this man was utterly convinced they had. In response, Cain snorted and spoke.
"If you'd killed the prisoners, you'd have strung their corpses up long ago. I would've charged in blinded by rage."
"Hmm, can't argue with that. I do prefer that approach. Perfect for provoking the enemy."
"And yet you took them alive. Probably to have this talk with me. Now state your purpose."
"Spot on. Correct."
Urdan nodded readily. It was a straightforward, honest response fitting for a simple orc.
And as if on cue, the orcs dragged forward the prisoners, bound in ropes.
Not all were unharmed, but over 70% still breathing was fortunate, at least.
For a fleeting moment, Cain's eyes turned ice-cold, but he quickly reined himself in. War was the act of taking from others.
And if one took up the sword personally, they had to be prepared to lose to the enemy. That was war, after all.
Having suppressed his emotions, Cain stared silently at Urdan. A wordless pressure demanding he state his terms.
"I didn't target them specifically. You know that, right?"
"The kingdom has fallen, and the Empire hasn't fully secured its territory yet. So you aimed for that gap."
"Exactly. They were well-trained warriors. Cost us some blood too. Still, it was a fine fight."
"...What are the terms for releasing the prisoners?"
"No terms. We just crossed paths and fought. The reason for taking prisoners... I wanted to meet you face-to-face and talk before the real battle."
Cain Blackguard. That name had been drilled into his ears across the alliance. The reason the emperor showed such interest?
Because the man who had slain his sole comrade, the Beast King, with the sword was none other than Cain Blackguard.
And it had been more enjoyable than expected. Urdan shoved a liquor bottle toward Cain and grinned.
"The fight starts tomorrow. Depending on your choice, it might be tonight."
Here's hoping for a good battle.