[Collision! #9]
We packed our things immediately and set off.
"They are mere Orcs, but I truly feel pity for them. To have all these crimes pinned on them," Vanessa remarked, falling into step beside me.
"You are a Demon King, evil in name and deed!"
"No, what are you talking about? Killing Orcs is a benefit to the humans anyway. You say you'd kill them on sight, so why are you acting like this toward me?"
"That may be so, but... it is the intent that is evil. The intent. To prepare something like this."
Thud.
The luggage Vanessa pointed to. Inside were various trophies. Yes, the armor of the victims. Among them was the very clothing Vanessa had been wearing. Likewise, it contained the belongings and trinkets once held by adventurers and nuns. It was, quite literally, a comprehensive gift set of the deceased's personal effects.
I had even gone to the trouble of smearing them all with blood and mud. If these were discovered in an Orc tribe, it would add a nice touch of detail. Of course, since I hadn't included every single piece of loot, they might still be suspicious, but that couldn't be helped. It was possible the Orcs hadn't taken everything.
Honestly, it felt like a waste, but what could I do? Safety required detail, so I carried it out.
"Anyway, if we get past this hurdle, we'll be much safer. In truth, whether we hunt Orcs for food or use them like this to get them killed, the result is the same. At least in the sense that we can survive a little longer."
"That is nothing but sophistry!"
It seemed Vanessa was in a foul mood today.
"No, Vanessa, why are you in such a bad mood? Is it because I haven't touched you lately?"
"W-what?! I-I am not...!"
Vanessa’s face turned beet red instantly. It was frustration—sexual frustration. She was protesting because I hadn't touched her lately, claiming I was too busy.
"Hehehe, I understand. When this is all over, I’ll touch you to your heart's content. I’ve felt bad about leaving the beautiful Vanessa alone for so long, too."
"Sh-shut up...!"
She was so cute.
"Ah, by the way. How is the new recruit, Ruby?"
"Changing the subject, are you! Well, she’s timid, but she follows orders well. She’s the complete opposite type to Liliel."
"Is Liliel giving her any trouble?"
"I am guiding her to ensure no such unfortunate incidents occur."
That’s a relief.
I walked along, chatting about such things with Vanessa, who had taken up a position by my side. Even so, Vanessa was the expert when it came to combat.
"Keruk, My King! We’re almost there!"
"Oh, really? How close?"
"Just a little further and we’re in Orc territory! Keruk!"
"Right, right. Once we arrive, make sure you stop the others."
"Keruk!"
We were almost there.
"Shaa. My King."
"Hm? What is it, Sharan?"
"What if the Orcs attack? Wouldn't it be a problem if we fight?"
"That is true."
Timing was crucial here. The regular human army had already advanced within our reconnaissance range. If we got tangled up in an uncomfortable fight with the Orcs in this situation, it could become problematic. But I couldn't just leave them alone, either. It was better if the Orcs were causing a moderate amount of chaos.
So, I would provide the bare minimum of provocation. After dumping this luggage, we would run away immediately and lock the front gate.
"Attention, everyone! We are entering Orc territory! Even if you spot an Orc, do not attack recklessly—focus on defense! Understood!"
"Keruk!"
And so, we entered the Orc territory.
And then.
"Chwiik!"
"Chwiiiik!"
We came face-to-face with two Orcs.
"Sentries, I see."
The pair of Orcs were pointing crude weapons at us, showing clear hostility. We had run into them right as we entered the territory.
"Chwiiiiiiik!"
Since we had the numbers, they didn't attack recklessly. However, they looked terrified. Naturally, they had enough intelligence to realize they were at a disadvantage against a larger group.
"Hehehe."
It was a bit curious that they didn't run away immediately... was it because it was a standoff? Regardless, there was no fun to be had standing around with these guys who were big, pot-bellied, and thick-armed.
So.
"Buril, open the luggage."
"Keruk."
I grabbed the items to be used as bait and approached the Orcs, escorted by Sharan and Vanessa.
"Chwiik!"
"Chwiiiik!"
The Orcs made menacing noises and acted out. Of course, I ignored them lightly, approached them to a certain distance, and then—
Drop.
I let the items fall.
"I don't expect you to understand, but take these."
Even if they couldn't understand my words, body language would suffice. I pointed at the dropped items and mimed with my mouth, and the Orcs tilted their heads.
"Chwiik?"
"Take them."
After delivering the message, I went back, brought more items, and dropped them, too. I piled up all the items I had brought.
"There. Take them. It's a gift."
"Chwiik...?"
We retreated to a reasonable distance.
"Keruk. My King. It’s a bit of a waste."
"I feel the same. Anyway, let's watch. See what they do."
I observed the Orc sentries from that spot.
"Chwiik, chwiik."
"Chwiik-chwiik."
The Orcs started chwiiking among themselves, then picked up the dropped items, tilting their heads in confusion.
"Chwiik? Chwiiiik?"
"Chwiik-chwiik."
Damn, it was frustrating not being able to understand what they were saying. Anyway, as I was observing them like that—
"Chwiik."
The Orcs started heading back, carrying some of the equipment.
"Good!"
With this, the victims' items would flow into the tribe!
"Shaa! My King! The operation is a success!"
"Hehehe! That's right!"
"Shall we withdraw then?"
"No. Let's watch a little longer."
I was planning to incite a bit of violence as well.
In that manner, we continued to observe the Orcs as they transported the items. The sentries who had returned brought back a few more of their pack, and they began to take the items in earnest.
"Hmm?"
But they weren't taking everything. It seemed they checked them and discarded the ones that didn't interest them. I could just leave those there or recover them later.
"Chwiik, chwiik."
The Orcs had taken all the items, and when two more appeared, presumably to do a final check—
"Everyone. Let's go again."
We revealed ourselves in front of the Orcs once more.
"Chwiik...?"
When we appeared, the Orcs gestured and communicated among themselves. However, they seemed less guarded than before. They were completely relaxed.
"Chwiik-chwiik."
They approached us slowly, albeit hesitantly. Did they understand that we had given them a gift? I wasn't sure if Orcs possessed that level of intelligence. But unfortunately, that wasn't a gift. It was more like an assassination bomb.
During the American frontier era, white settlers gave smallpox-infected goods to the Indians under the guise of gifts. The Indians accepted the gifts without suspicion, thinking them very kind. They danced happily, singing of an eternal Indian-white alliance, believing these white men were different from the others. The result was that the Indians were all wiped out by smallpox.
What a foolish thing. To open one's heart to gifts even in a war where life and death were at stake. On the battlefield, the price of foolishness is only death. One should never open their heart. Killing and being killed is the essence of history and the world. There is no justice, no morality, and no good there. Only harming and killing others is the essence of intelligent beings. Since there is no absolute god in this world, how could there be good, evil, or truth? If there is such a thing as justice, it is merely the act of killing each other while fighting for limited resources to survive. There is no other justice.
"Chwiik."
Watching the Orc that slowly approached us, I gave the order.
"Everyone. Hold your spears in reverse. Execute."
"Keruk!"
"Keruk!"
At my command, the Goblins quickly reversed their spears.
"Attack! Beat them to a pulp! Don't kill them, just beat them until they're rags!!!"
Whoosh!
As soon as I gave the order, we kicked off the ground and charged!
"Ker-yaaaaaaaah!"
"Ker-r-r-r-uk!"
Seeing this, the Orcs were shocked.
"Chwiik?!"
"Chwiiiik?!"
They were caught off guard while approaching. Of course, they tried to grab their stone axes and fight back, but our weapon reach and troop numbers were overwhelming.
"Ker-yaaaaaah!"
"Chwiiiiiiiiik!"
The two Orcs screamed as they were beaten to death by my Goblins.
"Chwiik! Chwiiiik!"
Thwack!
Thwack!
The Orcs were beaten like dogs on a dog-meat day. I wouldn't kill them. The other Orcs needed to drag the injured ones back. Killing and merely injuring are worlds apart. If they were dead, even low-intelligence Orcs would go berserk on the spot, but if they were only injured, they would return and calmly decide on a policy for this incident—that was my prediction. In other words, I was giving them time to regain their reason.
If the Orcs spent that time preparing for war in earnest...
That would be right around the time the regular human army would appear.
"Perfect...!"
The Orcs would be wiped out, our suspicion would vanish, and the regular human army would suffer damage as well! A perfect plan! It didn't matter if an Orc tribe was wiped out! Are they my tribe? I only need to protect my subordinates!
"Stop! Stop beating them and withdraw now!"
"Keruk!!!"
At my command, the Goblins left the rag-doll Orcs behind and returned to me.
"Retreat quickly! Sharan, erase our tracks on the way out!"
"Shaa! But it's long, so I can't do it all!"
"Just do as much as you can!"
"Yes, My King!"
With this, the preparations were complete. Now, all I had to do was return, block the dungeon entrance, prepare for contingencies, and observe the situation.
"Phew... my heart is heavy. That humans and monsters should fight each other due to the Demon King's schemes."
"Vanessa, you are a demon now, too. Accept it."
"That is... not something I can accept easily."
"Hey, don't be like that."
Squeeze.
I touched her buttocks, and Vanessa shouted.
"Hah...! Y-you really are obsessed with lewd acts! Focus on returning! If luck isn't on our side, the Orcs might attack us right now!"
Even so, she didn't slap my hand away.
"Yes, yes. I should."
"My King. Touch Sharan's buttocks, too."
Seeing that, Sharan must have become envious, as she clung to me and said that.
"Hehehe, alright. I'll do it when we get back."
"Shaa. Sharan will do a butt dance for you."
"I love it!"
Let's finish our work and have some fun.
"My King."
"Yeah. What is it, Buril?"
"Shall I show you a butt dance, too? Keruk."
"I don't need that, you idiot!!!"
"Keru-rung~"
What a pain!