The Clash of Two Worlds
As expected, the orcs didn't launch an immediate counter-offensive.
Before long, signs of them conducting armed reconnaissance were detected.
See? It’s always better to beat them into submission than to kill them. Since no one was actually dead, they were still capable of acting with a modicum of reason—which was exactly what I had been banking on.
Once I confirmed that, I sealed the dungeon entrance once more. I repeated the process from before: forcing tree roots to grow, covering them with mud, and adding some "decoration" to make it blend into the surroundings, finishing it off by having Sharan tidy up the area.
With that, the dungeon was perfectly concealed.
Besides, we have our own version of the Viet Cong tunnels. Even if the front gate is blocked, it doesn't hinder our movement at all. Plus, there’s a water source underground, so holding out isn't a problem.
We’ve even stockpiled food.
"Good."
I’ve done all the preparation I can.
The rest is just waiting for the results.
I did draft an emergency escape plan using the tunnels, but I hope I never have to use it. If it comes to that, we’re truly screwed. Not only would I lose most of my subordinates, but my identity would be exposed as well.
"Please."
So, what I need to do right now is...
"Just pray."
But wait.
As a demon, who am I supposed to pray to?
"Ching."
Ching.
"Genghis Khan."
Genghis Khan, the master of the empire and a genius of slaughter. Even he was nothing more than a pathetic loser in his youth. He faced death countless times. Yet, he overcame it all and ruled half the world.
"Give me strength, Genghis Khan."
And so, I prayed to Genghis Khan.
And then.
The human regular army appeared.
"..."
I felt like my eyes were about to pop out.
Serineu was currently holding the summoned Evil Eye. It was more stable to have a Pixie operate it than to try and move it myself.
Anyway, Serineu was currently wearing a ghillie suit Sharan had made for her, hiding among the thick leaves of a tree and acting as a CCTV camera.
"There are so many humans...! I'm scared...!"
Serineu whispered into the Evil Eye's ear hole with a terrified voice. Since my senses were linked to the Evil Eye, how should I put it? It felt like someone was whispering directly into my right eye, which was tucked away inside my face.
I understood how Serineu felt. But I couldn't speak back to her. So, I blinked my eyes a few times. Four times, to tell her to calm down.
"Haa."
Still, Serineu carried out her mission. She slowly aimed the Evil Eye she was holding, showing me the human encampment over there.
"Hmm."
Those are the human regular troops.
Their armament is quite good.
They’re equipped with quilted armor, round-brimmed helmets, and boots, armed with one-handed swords and round shields. Their belts are loaded with utility pouches and canteens.
A real, full-scale army, then.
If we clash with bastards like that? We’re toast. Our monster army isn't ready to face a human army yet. At the very least, the Goblins need to grow to human-sized proportions for that to be possible.
Still, they aren't wearing iron armor. It would cost a fortune to give that to every common soldier.
Good.
All we need now is for the humans to find the orcs. They’ve marched this far, and the orcs are preparing for battle and conducting reconnaissance.
It’s certain they’ll clash before long.
"Ha, seriously."
I’m nervous as hell. Sending Serineu out there makes me incredibly anxious, too. But it had to be done, so there’s no helping it.
"Demon King. You're sweating."
"Cool me down with some cold water."
"Okay."
Lumika wiped my face with a cloth soaked in cold water.
"Are you that worried?"
"Honestly, I'm fucking terrified. If we get caught, it's over."
"Don't worry too much. We prepared so hard. It'll go well."
"Yeah... it has to."
Showing them how worried I am won't do any good.
"Demon King-nim. It's okay. If anything happens, Sharan will protect you!"
—*Thwack!*
Sharan smiled brightly and raised her fist.
"Hehe, right. I'll trust in you, Sharan."
Seeing Sharan acting all cute made the anxiety in my heart subside a little.
"Sha-sha."
If Sharan had a tail, it would be wagging like crazy right now. I patted her head. She really is like a large dog.
Well, as I was calming my nerves...
"Hey."
Reika walked in.
"Sister Reika? What brings you here?"
When I asked, she...
"..."
She avoided my gaze and mumbled. Does she have something to say that she can't quite get out?
"That..."
"That?"
"Ah, fuck. How do I say this? Haa. That, that."
That.
"That... if we end up fighting, we have no choice but to fight too. So, well, don't worry about that part. I don't plan on dying."
"Oh! Are you going to fight the humans for my sake!"
"If my life is on the line, I have no choice. So..."
"Yes! I won't worry too much! I love you, Sister Reika!"
"Shut up!"
With those words, Reika turned and left.
So tsundere.
"Fufufu, Reika has gotten a lot kinder, hasn't she? Demon King."
"I guess so."
Ah, even if she acts like that, it's certain she'll follow my orders. Anyway, I closed one eye and focused on the Evil Eye's vision.
And then.
"Ah...! O-over there!"
Serineu shouted in a voice only I could hear.
"Something is moving suddenly! They must have found something...!"
Is it the orcs?
I immediately blinked my eyes three times, ordering her to stay perfectly still.
"Did they find the orcs?"
I hope so. As I prayed for that, the Evil Eye's vision distorted. The time limit had been reached, and it was starting to melt away.
"..."
Now, I have to pray that Serineu returns to the tunnel safely. Seriously. She must be trembling right now. Just imagining it makes my heart ache. Even if she doesn't look like it, Serineu is a coward.
Please, just ignore her.
Night.
"I was so fucking scared! Waaaaah!"
Serineu, who had returned safely, burst into tears and hugged me. I patted her back to comfort her.
"You were scared, but you held out well, Serineu. Thanks to you, I know the situation. Thank you for enduring it and carrying out your mission."
"I never want to do that again!"
Is it too much to ask her to do it again?
"I got it. I won't ask you again. Get some rest today."
"*Sob*... Okay."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine now that I'm home... but I'm tired. You have no idea how anxious I was from the moment the Evil Eye started melting."
"Yeah, yeah. Go get some rest. I'll wake you if anything happens."
"Okay."
I guided Serineu to the Pixie barracks.
"Good."
Now it's night. From here on, there's no need to use the Pixies. Even if the Evil Eye flies around on its own, they probably won't notice.
"Going to the tunnels. Sharan. Follow me."
"Yes, Demon King-nim."
I went straight to the tunnels with Sharan. After passing through the narrow passage and reaching the exit, I summoned the Evil Eye.
"Sortie."
I launched it immediately.
—*Flap flap.*
My vision linked with the Evil Eye. Controlling it is still difficult, but it's gotten a bit better.
—*Whoosh.*
After taking flight, I scanned the surroundings for any anomalies. Something caught my eye.
"Torches."
A group of humans holding torches were gathered there. If I look at the direction... it's toward where the orc tribe is!
"Yes!"
The humans have found the orc tribe! I immediately controlled the Evil Eye and approached them.
—*Flap flap.*
It’s not very fast, so it’s frustrating. But my heart was filled with ecstasy. The humans have clashed with the orc tribe! Seeing them holding torches, it’s clear they’re conducting a night raid under the cover of darkness!
Doesn't this mean they’re pouring all their might into a subjugation attempt?
As I approached a certain point.
"Don't fall behind!"
"Always check your battle buddies!"
"Keep the formation! Never break it!"
"Let's wipe out those orc bastards!"
The shouts of the soldiers reached me. Soldiers holding torches and armed soldiers were advancing toward the orc tribe in formation.
"Chiiiiiik!"
"Chiiik!"
And orcs appeared from somewhere, attacking sporadically. Of course, there’s no way these savage species, caught in a night raid, could defeat such a trained army.
—*Stab!*
—*Stab!*
Soldiers shielding their front with round shields stabbed their swords into the orcs. And as the spearmen in the rear supported the attack...
"Chii, chiiiiiik!"
"Chiiik chiiik! Chiiiiiik!"
The attacking orcs fell in an instant.
Looking closely, there were quite a few orc corpses scattered around. Perfect. The plan is flowing perfectly. The humans are subjugating the orcs on our behalf.
If there’s one thing that deviated from my expectations, it’s that the human casualties seem almost non-existent. I thought they would die at least a little while dealing with the orcs, but I don't see any human corpses yet.
Well, I guess.
They’ve trained this much, so why would they die?
"Whew... Sharan. I think we survived."
"Are the humans fighting the orcs?"
"Yeah! They're fighting!"
"Sha!"
Relief washed over me, and my heart felt at peace. I controlled the Evil Eye again to observe the other side.
—*Crackle.*
The orc tribe was already burning. There were also many corpses. The soldiers had lit fires and were searching the tribe.
"Did they really kill all the orcs?"
"No matter what, there's no way a knight would be defeated..."
"Could they have been ambushed?"
The soldiers were searching while saying things like that. The soldiers, too, were questioning the series of disappearances.
And.
"A-armor! I found armor!"
Another shout came from over there.
It’s the items I handed over.
"..."
Slowly.
I landed on a branch of a nearby tree and observed the scene closely.
—*Tap tap tap!*
Someone who looked like a non-commissioned officer came running over in a hurry.
"Bring it here at once!"