Chapter 24: Dancing with Orcs! (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 24: Dancing with Orcs! (5)
The banquet prepared by the orcs was more lavish than I had expected.
Whole roasted goat, smoked meats, and various other traditional orc dishes.
For those who had been intruders just moments before, it was unimaginable treatment.
And in the midst of that feast, I...
“Hahaha! Honestly, brother, the moment our swords first crossed, I knew. I knew my blade would never reach you!”
“I was the one who was surprised. I never imagined your muscles would be like stone. And the power behind that greatsword? If I had made a single mistake, I wouldn't be here right now.”
...became sworn brothers with Lugar.
It happened while we were drunk, but so what?
Aren't all sworn brotherhoods formed by drunken mistakes anyway?
And once we became brothers, the atmosphere of the banquet softened even more.
The people who had been acting cautiously at first gradually began to participate more actively in the feast.
They shed tears over a banquet the likes of which they hadn't seen in who knows how long. The orcs saw this, laughed, and served them more food, telling them to eat up.
Of course, not everyone enjoyed the feast in a normal fashion.
“I heard you became sworn brothers... hic, but between the two of you, who is the older brother and who is the younger?”
Some guy just had to add his two cents when he could have just shut up and eaten.
Normally, as the victor of the duel, it would be right for me to claim the title of older brother. However, for a prideful orc, there was bound to be resistance to calling a human ‘older brother.’
I was planning to just brush it off, but that clueless Calios had to point it out.
Well, it’s not like there wasn’t a solution.
“Brother! That shameless bastard is testing our bond! Shouldn't we make him pay the price for daring to test our friendship?”
“You speak the truth, brother!”
Lugar nodded and commanded the orcs.
—Seize that man and lock him in the cells until just before the feast ends!
—Yes!
Perhaps displeased by the human’s audacity, the orcs gladly dragged Calios away.
“Huh? Huh?! Hey, let go of me! There’s still so much I haven’t eaten! Let go! Do you have any idea who I am...”
Calios squealed like a pig being led to slaughter, but as he was dragged further away, his voice grew fainter.
We returned to enjoying the feast.
As the banquet was winding down, Lugar and I were drinking together inside the chieftain’s tent.
Whether it was because we had become sworn brothers or because of the drinks, Lugar began to confide in me about his difficult past.
He spoke of how his father, the former chieftain, had died challenging a giant scorpion, and how he had felt immense pressure taking over as chieftain at such a young age.
“That must have been tough.”
“It was. Every night, I wanted to run away.”
“But you didn't.”
“How could I, when my tribesmen were looking only to me?”
“You’re a good chieftain. I can see why the other orcs respect you.”
“Don't flatter me. I only did my duty. I'd rather hear your story.”
“My story?”
“Yes. Though I haven't lived long, I have never seen anyone as skilled with the sword as you, brother. Not among humans, and not even among orc warriors. How did you come to possess such skill?”
At Lugar’s words, I let out a small laugh.
I swirled the ale in my mug, watching it slosh around.
“It’s true that my swordsmanship is exceptional. But that’s not because I’m exceptional. It’s because my friends were.”
They were heroes.
Heroes who stood tall on the continent, each with their own grand saga.
I only copied what they achieved, their accomplishments. That’s not to say I just stole it; they taught me.
They said a Hero should at least be capable of this much.
“So generous of them.”
How magnanimous must one be to so easily pass on what they had spent a lifetime achieving?
Perhaps it was because they were such great people that they were able to reach that position in the first place.
As I was smiling bitterly at the memory of them, Lugar nodded.
“It seems you have a story you cannot tell.”
“Thank you for understanding. Let’s call it a night here. My head is starting to ache.”
I took out two pouches of money from my coat and placed them on the table. Seeing them, Lugar’s eyes widened.
“This is...”
“Payment for today’s meal. I’m not so shameless as to accept a free meal from orcs.”
Lugar stared at the one million gold for a moment before shaking his head firmly.
“As chieftain, I was merely hosting a guest of the tribe. I cannot accept money from a guest.”
“Oh? So I’ve been promoted from intruder to guest?”
“I cannot consider my brother an intruder.”
Lugar grinned, revealing his sharp tusks. I smiled back and tossed the two money pouches to him.
“Just take it. I’d feel bad if your tribe went hungry because of me.”
“Urgh. Still...”
“If you really can’t accept it, then just grant me one request.”
“A request? Is there something you want?”
“That, uh... that mark you orcs carve. Can I get one too?”
I asked, cautiously watching Lugar’s expression. As expected, his face hardened. Even after becoming sworn brothers, there was this much resistance...
How the hell did that bastard Gis get one?
Did he sleep with a female orc chieftain or something?
I sighed and said, “I was just asking. I won’t insist if it’s not possible.”
“...No. It is a request from my brother. Wait here a moment.”
With that, Lugar left the tent and returned a short while later, rubbing his head, which was red and swollen as if he’d been hit by something.
“...I’m sorry, but it seems it’s not possible. They say they cannot carve the mark on an ordinary human.”
“So it’s fine if I’m not an ordinary human?”
I took the Hero’s Badge from my coat and tossed it to Lugar.
Seeing the badge, Lugar tilted his head.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a badge that proves I’m a Hero. Take it and go ask them again.”
Lugar’s expression turned to one of shock.
“A Hero? You were a Hero, brother?”
“Yeah.”
“Haha, is that so? Of course! There’s no way Lugar, son of Roxar, would lose to an ordinary human! Right, brother, wait just a moment!”
Lugar dashed out of the tent, looking excited. When he returned, his face was even more swollen, as if he’d been beaten much harder than before.
“...Brother. The elders wish to see you for a moment.”
“Uh... okay...”
Man... sorry about that.
The elders fit the image perfectly—they were all venerable old men. Dressed in shabby clothes, their faces were covered in wrinkles, and the distinctive muscles of an orc were nowhere to be seen on their limbs.
But the unique aura they possessed was something no other orc could match.
Five such elders sat solemnly, their eyes rolling as they scrutinized me.
“So, you are the Hero of this generation?” the elder in the center asked, his voice filled with the weight of years.
“Yes.”
“From which kingdom are you a Hero?”
“I am a Hero of the Prona Kingdom.”
“Ah, the Prona Kingdom. The bread made from their wheat is truly delicious.”
“The Prona Kingdom may not excel in other areas, but their farming is second to none.”
“Indeed... That is why everyone hopes to receive wheat from the Prona Kingdom after the Harvest Day. Regrettably, the stronger tribes take it all.”
The elder chuckled as if it were a shame.
“But more to the point, our young chieftain tells us you wish to receive the mark?”
“Yes.”
“From the distant past until now, we have never once carved the mark on a human. If we were to carve it on you, our tribe would be the first in history. And that is not an entirely honorable position to be in. Are you aware of this?”
“Yes.”
“I am glad you understand. Then let me ask you one thing. What reason do we have to bear such dishonor and carve this mark upon you?”
“First Elder!”
“Chieftain, stay quiet. This is a matter of great importance to the tribe. It is not something to be decided by your personal feelings. Now, Hero, speak.”
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. That’s what the First Elder was saying. I answered without hesitation.
“You would be able to form a friendship with a Hero.”
“And why would that be beneficial to our tribe?”
“As I understand it, most orc tribes rely heavily on the grain they plunder from the three kingdoms.”
“That is an undeniable fact.”
“Until now, the three kingdoms have pretended to be helpless against the orc forces and offered up their grain. They will likely do so this year, and even next year. But the year after that will be different. They will not give the orcs their grain.”
“And if they do not?”
What will you do about it?
The First Elder asked with a sharp gaze.
“They will choose war.”
“Hah... Are you saying that mere kingdoms, not even the Empire, would dare to challenge our forces?”
“Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible. No matter how diligently the kingdoms prepare, how could they contend with orcs born with the hearts of warriors? However, what I’m trying to say is that these are not normal circumstances.”
I pointed to the Hero’s Badge.
At that, the elders’ gazes hardened.
“A Hero...”
“That’s right. Each kingdom now has its own Hero. Beings who are human, yet not human. They are growing stronger even as we speak. And someday, when they have become incomparably more powerful than before, the kingdoms will no longer hand over their grain to you.”
“Are you saying the Heroes will step in?”
“Is there any reason they wouldn't? They are destined to hold great power in their respective kingdoms one day. Do you think they will stand by and watch as orcs take their kingdom’s wealth?”
“Would the Empire remain idle?”
The orcs’ plundering of the kingdoms was also beneficial to the Empire. The orc tribes seized the kingdoms’ surplus production, shackling their growth.
The First Elder was asking if the Empire would stand by while someone tried to remove those shackles.
“Who knows. By that time, I doubt even the Empire will be able to boss the kingdoms around.”
Until now, it had been possible for the Empire to crush the three kingdoms with its overwhelming military might.
But even the Empire was not powerful enough to face all three fully-realized Heroes at once.
“...So, in the end, you’re saying our tribe should align with you?”
“Politically speaking... yes. To be honest, I could get the mark from another tribe if I wanted to. Among all the tribes out there, do you think not a single one would be willing to give me the mark? However, among all those tribes, I would rather build a relationship with the one my brother belongs to.”
“...Please step outside for a moment. I will discuss this with the other elders.”
Several hours passed before I was finally told I could re-enter.
“We permit the carving of the mark.”
And so, I became the first human to ever receive the mark.
“Are you sure this thing actually works?”
I muttered, looking at the black, dot-like thing on my shoulder.
“It’s supposed to be like that. Later, when you take on the deeds of a monster, it will change into a mark befitting it.”
“I see. So, how much further to the border?”
“Not much farther now. Ah, I can see it.”
In the direction Lugar pointed, a massive wall was visible.
It was the border that separated the orc territory from the Empire.
As we approached the wall, the soldiers guarding the gate aimed their spears at us.
“Halt. Who are you? And why are you accompanied by an orc?”
I gestured to Calios with my chin. He straightened his back, put on a solemn expression, and pulled something from his coat, presenting it to the soldiers.
“This is who I am.”
What Calios presented was a crest proving his lineage in the Goldenbaum Family.
The tension vanished from the soldiers’ faces.
“You are a noble of the kingdom. Please forgive our rudeness. But why has a person of your stature come here from the orc lands?”
“The ship I was on from the Alitia Kingdom was wrecked in a storm. When I opened my eyes, I was here. Fortunately, I met a kind orc who guided me to this place.”
“A kind... orc, you say...?”
The soldier looked at Lugar with an expression that said he’d just heard the most bizarre thing in his life.
Hey, my brother is pretty kind, what’s with the attitude?
“...Understood. We will open the gate. Hey! Open the gate!”
With a series of creaks and groans, the massive gate opened. The people entered, their faces showing relief that they were finally safe.
I was about to follow them when I noticed Lugar wasn't coming in and stopped.
“What are you doing? Aren't you coming in? Didn't you come to buy provisions?”
“Orcs cannot enter. It has been that way since long ago.”
They can’t cross?
“Then how do you buy food?”
“The orcs give us something of value, and the guards buy the provisions for them.”
The answer came not from Lugar, but from an unexpected source. The person who answered my question was a middle-aged man wearing a red cloth over his chainmail.
“And you are?”
“I am the captain of the Empire’s border guard. To continue answering your question, we can't have orcs running rampant in the town, so we prepare the provisions for them.”
“Hmm... is that so?”
At first glance, it sounded like a reasonable idea.
Friction could easily arise between orcs and the townspeople.
The guard captain looked at Lugar and said, “Orc. What have you brought this time? I don't see anything that looks valuable.”
“This time, it is not goods, but money.”
Lugar handed the guard captain a money pouch from his belt. The captain’s eyes widened as he opened it.
“Th-this is...”
“500,000 gold. I expect you to prepare grain and livestock befitting this amount.”
“...Wait a moment. How did you lot get this much money? Did you plunder it?”
“We did not plunder.”
“Don’t lie! There’s no way you could have come by this amount otherwise! For now, this is confiscated. I’ll have to visit your tribe and search for any evidence!”
The captain, glaring, started making unreasonable claims. I had a pretty good idea why he was acting this way. He was obviously trying to pocket the money. I could tell from his greedy eyes.
I raised my hand and spoke to him.
“I gave him that money as payment for guiding me to the border. It wasn't plundered, so you don't need to worry.”
As I spoke, I took out a few more money pouches and dangled them in front of him.
The guard captain’s expression hardened. He bowed his back slightly and asked cautiously, “My... my lord, which family do you hail from?”
“I’m not the son of any particularly noble house. Just a rich adventurer.”
“Ah, is that so?”
The back he had bent straightened in an instant.
What a massive change in attitude!
“Ahem! Since the source of the money is clear, I will ask no more questions. I will prepare the grain and livestock with this money.”
With that, the guard captain left.
I watched his retreating back for a moment before stepping back outside the gate with Lugar and the other orcs.
“You can go back now, brother...”
“No. There’s just something I need to check.”
I had a nagging concern and planned to stay with the orcs until I could confirm it.
A few days later, my fears became reality. The guards brought only seven carts of grain and seventeen head of livestock. The situation was absurd.
How is this worth 500,000 gold?
It wasn't even worth 100,000 gold, let alone 500,000.
Are these bastards taking us for fools?
I was about to grab the guard captain by the collar and slam him into the ground when I heard something.
—Chieftain! We've never received this much before!
—With this much, we can hold another feast when we get back, can't we? Chieftain, it was a good thing you became sworn brothers with that human!
—Mmm, I do make good brothers.
The joyous voices of the orcs came from behind me. I turned to see them looking at the carts and livestock with expressions of genuine satisfaction.
Seeing that, all the fight went out of me.
Aigoo... you clueless idiots...!
Just how badly have they been fleeced to be happy with this...?
I couldn't help but sigh.
...Alright, calm down. It’s not like they scammed me directly.
If I threw a fit here, it would only hurt Lugar and his tribe.
Worst-case scenario, if the Empire refused to trade with them anymore because of this incident, Lugar would be left with no way to get food, and his future would be bleak.
I needed to screw them over in a smarter way than just beating them up.
A way that would stop them from pulling these tricks in the future.
What kind of method would that be...
Should I reveal that I’m a Hero?
Revealing I’m a Hero would solve the problem easily. What Imperial soldier would dare defy a Hero’s command?
Especially a perfectly reasonable command not to embezzle.
However, I was reluctant to reveal my identity. If word got out that Cloud the Hero had passed through the Empire’s border, my identity would be known in all the nearby cities.
I wouldn't be able to act freely as an adventurer like I had been.
It was then, as I was deep in thought.
The guard captain, who had been watching the orcs collect their grain with a smug look, suddenly went pale and started running.
He rushed out of the gate and bowed his head to a figure approaching on horseback.
“Lady Frillite, you’ve worked hard. I will escort you inside.”
The person the guard captain was bowing and scraping to was none other than Frillite.
A beauty with snow-white skin and a red ponytail. Unlike when I saw her in the Imperial capital, Frillite was clad in splendid silver armor.
What was she doing here?
The question crossed my mind, but there was a more important fact.
She was also a Hero.
“My friend Frillite. Long time no see!”
I walked up to her as she was talking with the guard captain and slung an arm around her shoulders.
Frillite’s and the guard captain’s eyes went wide.