Chapter 32: Woooooooooh! (1)
Chapter 32: Woooooooooh! (1)
“Keep your wits about you and follow me. Anyone who screws up dies.”
“Yes, sir!”
They were patrolling the outskirts of Patrick’s territory.
What began as a simple patrol to clear out monsters around the estate had gradually grown in both the number of personnel and the depth of their exploration.
“Young Master, haven't we come a bit too deep?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
“No, sir, there’s no telling what kind of monsters might appear this far out.”
“That’s exactly why we’re here, isn't it?”
“Pardon?”
“How else are you guys going to train, earn money by collecting byproducts, and clear out the local pests unless powerful monsters show up?”
“And what if we die?”
“Men who make a living by the sword shouldn't be afraid of dying.”
“……”
At Patrick’s nonchalant reply, Soldier A—no, Oliver—found himself at a loss for words.
What is this? It sounds like a reckless remark, but it’s strangely logical, so I can’t even argue.
It was because everything he said was true.
In fact, Patrick was reaping three benefits from this single patrol.
He was increasing the safety of the residents, giving the soldiers practical combat training, and accumulating wealth by hunting rare and powerful monsters.
Since he had decided to hand over monster materials for gold every time the Red Merchant Group visited, this was a vital task.
The only useful resource around here is monsters, so of course we have to hunt them. Though, it is a pain that I have to step in personally every time.
Patrick glanced at the soldiers following behind him and let out a sigh.
They had improved significantly, but they were still lacking.
Sanson could probably beat the old Brian now, and a few other soldiers seemed capable of fighting on par with Brian as well.
However, from Patrick’s perspective, Brian—who had only been at the 2-Star Level—was a mere small fry, so the soldiers' growth felt underwhelming.
It’ll take time for the Heavenly Martial Body to grow and pull its weight, and it’ll take time for these guys to do the same. Tsk, I don’t have anyone I can use as an immediate elite force.
Ultimately, this meant Patrick would have to continue leading the soldiers on these patrols for the next few years.
“Young Master! It’s a Giant Bear!”
“Oh, Sanson! Take the boys and handle it.”
“Yes! Understood, Young Master!”
In the midst of their march, a demonic beast several times larger than a human appeared. Patrick stepped back, crossing his arms leisurely to watch the soldiers engage the monster.
“Scatter! I’ll take the front. Use your spears to harass it from the flanks and keep it distracted!”
“Yes, Captain!”
“Over here, you monster!”
“This way! Over here!”
Seeing the soldiers fight bravely and systematically against a large demonic beast they wouldn't have dared face before…
“Yeah, they really have improved. Well, I suppose if they’re human, they’d have to improve after I taught them so kindly. Yes, indeed.”
Though they were still lacking in Patrick’s eyes, it was a massive leap forward compared to their past selves.
In truth, what other territory had soldiers capable of handling a monster like a Giant Bear on their own?
Just looking at this, they were quite—
“Aaaagh!”
“Baldor!”
Patrick slapped his hand against his forehead and shook his head.
I shouldn't have praised them. Not even for a second…
One soldier had been knocked back by the Giant Bear’s attack and collapsed.
He seemed to have sprained his ankle during the fall and couldn't get up. The other soldiers were desperately blocking the Giant Bear to save their fallen comrade.
“Young… Young Master!”
“Young Master! Quickly! Hurry!”
“Aaaaaah!”
Patrick sighed as he watched the desperate soldiers.
“Fine. I’m coming, I’m coming, you lot…”
Just as he was about to step forward and casually take the Giant Bear’s head off…
“Wooooooooh!”
A massive warrior clad in green clothing leaped out, wielding a gargantuan Stone Blade, and slammed it into the Giant Bear.
—Roaaaaar!
Patrick, who was about to run forward, skidded to a halt.
The soldiers were also momentarily dazed. Regardless, the warrior who had suddenly intervened swung his crude Stone Blade—which was as large as his own height—with ferocity and shouted.
“Weak humans, stand back!”
“Huh? Weak humans?”
Is he talking to me?
Weak? Me?
Patrick’s brain momentarily stalled at a word he had rarely heard in his entire life.
And once he processed the situation…
“Where does this bastard get off…”
Just as a delayed surge of rage hit and Patrick was about to charge, the soldiers, who were already on standby, frantically held him back.
“Young Master! Please, calm down!”
“That’s an Orc! An Orc!”
“You can’t fight an Orc! It’ll start a war!”
The soldiers had adapted to Patrick by now.
Once this demon exploded, there was no stopping him.
Therefore, if it looked like he was about to blow, they had to cling to him and stop him beforehand.
The soldiers' desperate clinging managed to stop Patrick.
For now, at least.
“Orc or whatever, if he’s got no manners, he needs a beating.”
“An Orc tribe has hundreds of members! Are you going to go to war with the entire tribe?”
“Hundreds? There are hundreds of guys like that?”
Patrick looked at the Orc who was fiercely overwhelming the Giant Bear alone.
He had thought the creature was wearing green clothes, but looking closer, its skin was simply green.
Except for a tattered rag around its waist, the Orc’s entire body was exposed, its muscles rippling with every movement.
Seeing this, the corners of Patrick’s mouth curled up into a smirk.
“That looks like it’d be a good workout.”
“……”
This guy is hopeless.
The soldiers realized once again how futile it was to try and persuade Patrick with words.
Meanwhile, the Orc warrior delivered a powerful blow to the head of the Giant Bear he was facing.
“Wooooooooh!”
The massive Stone Blade, swung with immense force, buried itself halfway into the Giant Bear’s thick waist.
It would be more accurate to say it crushed its way in rather than cut.
But regardless of the quality of the strike, it was undoubtedly a fatal wound for the recipient.
—Grrrr….
The massive Giant Bear collapsed, frothing blood from its mouth.
The Orc then stepped on the fallen Giant Bear, raised his weapon high, and…
“Wooooooooh!”
He let out a thunderous roar at the top of his lungs.
It was the roar of victory, a unique custom of the Orc race.
Watching that valiant display, Patrick thought with a satisfied smile:
What a load of crap.
* * *
After taking down the Giant Bear, the Orc approached Patrick’s group and spoke.
“Are you alright, humans?”
“I’m not alright. You Orc… Mmmph!”
Patrick’s attempt to speak was muffled by the soldiers' hands. Instead, Sanson stepped forward to address the Orc.
“We are fine. Thank you for your help, warrior of the Orc race.”
“It is only natural for a warrior to help the weak.”
“Mmmph! Mmm-mmmph!”
Patrick was twisting his entire body in protest, but the soldiers did their best to ignore him.
Patrick was undoubtedly the highest-ranking person in this group.
But wasn't there a right person for every situation?
The world called the Orcs a race of warriors.
They possessed powerful bodies and a valiant spirit; once they identified someone as an enemy, there was no submission or surrender.
Once a fight started, they were the type who had to see it through to the end, whether they died or their enemy did.
If they made an enemy of such Orcs…
No. The territory would be finished.
We have to stop him at all costs.
Setting aside rank and status, their top priority was keeping the bomb known as Patrick Schneider tightly under wraps.
Sanson, acting as the representative, spoke again.
“Ahem, if we have intruded upon your territory, we apologize. It was not intentional.”
“It is fine. We do not mind the presence of weak beings.”
“Mmmph! Mmm-mmmph!”
Except for one person who looked like he was about to burst from frustration, things were proceeding smoothly.
Then, the Orc warrior spoke.
“However, it would be best if you left. A great war is about to break out.”
“A war?”
“Yes. We are going to war with the King Ogre that has invaded our tribe’s lands.”
“What did you just say? A King Ogre? Are you saying a King Ogre has appeared in this area?”
As Sanson asked back in shock, the Orc warrior replied.
“That is correct. So, you weak humans should withdraw from this area. You will get hurt.”
At those words, Sanson and the other soldiers looked at each other, their faces turning pale.
“My god, a King Ogre.”
“A King Ogre… a monster like that is coming here?”
“This is crazy. Dammit, just when things were starting to look up, why a monster like—Aack!”
The soldier who was speaking dejectedly screamed.
It was because Patrick had bitten his finger.
Patrick then threw off the layers of soldiers piled on top of him and shouted.
“You bastards! You have to let me breathe!”
As Patrick complained, Oliver spoke up.
“No, Young Master. Isn't that not the problem right now?”
“Then what is the problem?”
“The King Ogre! I’m saying a King Ogre has appeared!”
“So what?”
“…Do you not know what a King Ogre is?”
“How should I know? I’m only ten.”
At Patrick’s words, the surrounding soldiers nodded, thinking, Now that he mentions it.
Oliver let out a sigh and began to explain.
“A King Ogre is…”
A King Ogre.
Literally, a creature called the King of Ogres.
Generally, Ogres live solitary lives except when searching for a mate to reproduce.
Even when living alone, it isn't a problem given the nature of an Ogre, which can easily tear apart four or five Trolls.
However, the story changes when an individual known as a King Ogre appears.
True to its name, a King Ogre subordinates other Ogres and reigns over them like a king.
As a result, a pack of Ogres is formed.
A single Ogre is already a powerful, large-species monster.
Its danger level is that of a monster no less formidable than the Saber Tiger Patrick had hunted before.
When such monsters begin to act in a pack, their destructive power becomes astronomical.
They are powerful mutations capable of altering the food chain and the very structure of the local ecosystem.
That was a King Ogre.
Naturally, the appearance of such a King Ogre was something the Schneider territory had to take very seriously.
After hearing the full explanation, Patrick spoke in a grave voice.
“Soldier A, what you’re saying is…”
“It’s Oliver. Anyway, do you understand the gravity of the situation now?”
“You’re saying an extremely expensive monster has appeared near our territory?”
“……”
Ah, what had they expected from this man?
All the soldiers turned their heads away, shedding tears as they lamented this hopeless situation.
Just then, the Orc warrior spoke.
“You there, weak and young human.”
“What, you ignorant, muscle-brained Orc?”
“First, thank you for the compliment.”
“……”
The Orc warrior actually puffed out his chest and accepted the remark as if he were truly grateful.
What is with these guys? I’ve never seen… No, why does this feel familiar?
As Patrick stood there dumbfounded, the Orc warrior continued.
“You may not know because you are still young, but a King Ogre is not something weak humans like you can handle.”
“Hooo…”
“Our Red Rock Tribe is prepared for a decisive battle with the King Ogre. So, you should flee far away before that happens. You weak ones.”
“Oooooh… So what you’re saying is…”
The corners of Patrick’s mouth twisted upward.
At that sight, the soldiers instinctively flinched and backed away. Patrick took a step forward and spoke.
“What you’re saying is, since you guys are strong, you’ll fight, and weaklings like us should run away?”
“Exactly.”
“Hahaha. Right, so that’s what you meant.”
“Hahaha. Right, that’s what—Gwah!”
Crack!
Before the Orc warrior could finish his sentence, Patrick’s foot flew out and slammed into the Orc’s face, sending him flying.
Looking down at the fallen Orc warrior, Patrick snarled.
“You rude bastard. Weak? Weeeeaaaak!? You son of a bitch. Not even the bastards of the Ten Great Evils of the Unorthodox Faction dared to spout such nonsense in front of me! You punk!”
And then, Patrick began to mercilessly stomp on the twitching Orc warrior.