The Schemer of Bizarre Plots (3)
> #113 The One Who Devises Strange Stratagems (3)
> 2022.05.23.
“A red dragon egg?”
Arwen tilted her head.
She seemed completely clueless.
Owen explained in more detail.
“There’s an egg I found in an orc ruin…”
He went on to tell her how it had ended up in dark elf hands as payment for trade goods.
Arwen, who had been listening intently, shared one piece of information.
“If that’s true, it’s probably connected to the Moon Shadow Clan. They were the ones who took the lead when orcs first started trading with us.”
“Moon Shadow Clan?”
“Yeah. They’re the traitors’ bunch. They might know something about it.”
Finding the red egg was proving no easy task.
Still, Owen decided to be satisfied with at least gaining this one clue.
“Alright, let’s make a detailed plan for heading to the mainland.”
There were just under two months until New Year.
Owen and Arwen resolved to hurry.
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The army led by the great chieftain had withdrawn far from Margel Island after the ceasefire agreement.
The war had ended on a bitterly painful note, but everything remained chaotic.
The void left by Great Chieftain Kaladashyr was far larger than anyone had imagined.
The group of forty thousand was teetering on the brink, ready to tear into each other at any moment.
“I am the great chieftain now! Obey the laws of the orcs!”
At a meeting of the various chieftains and generals leading the army, the Human Reaper Bargulgu spat as he raised his voice.
He was on the verge of exploding with rage.
It had been quite some time since they’d signed the ceasefire and retreated.
Yet he still hadn’t been recognized as great chieftain.
Not by orc society as a whole.
Not even by this very group that the Hybrid Lord had commanded.
“That one-armed bastard’s been screeching nonstop for a whole month now!”
The openly mocking voice belonged to a stately old orc general with a long beard.
It was Kargaru of the Seven Steps Clan.
The same general Mugura had badmouthed to Owen, claiming his father was a dog.
With his dignified appearance and fiery temper, he was a prime figure opposing Bargulgu’s ascension to great chieftain.
Naturally, Bargulgu unleashed a torrent of curses.
“You cursed old geezer! I personally hurled the great chieftain off the cliff myself. Can’t you see the chain necklace he wore right here?!”
“Hmph! You must’ve pulled some vile trick. How could a Human Reaper like you take down the great chieftain?”
Kargaru spoke those words, but he knew full well that Bargulgu had the qualifications.
The witnesses’ testimonies were consistent, and the shamans had confirmed they weren’t lying.
Moreover, the chain necklace the great chieftain wore couldn’t be taken unless he was killed.
But the opposition had no intention of acknowledging Bargulgu as great chieftain so easily.
The world didn’t always follow the rules.
The Human Reaper Bargulgu, well aware of that, made no effort to hide his fury.
“You lot truly expose the darkest side of us orcs! You shout about honor on the surface, but you’re the vilest of all inside!”
Just because orcs preached warriors’ honor and pride didn’t make them such a race.
Much like knights who were far from true chivalry in reality.
The absolute truth of orc society was raw power alone.
Bargulgu had gained legitimacy through the laws, but he lacked the power to back it up.
That was why the opposition’s voices hadn’t died down.
This standoff had already dragged on for a month.
The old general Kargaru, as if unable to endure it any longer, issued an ultimatum.
“I tried to negotiate patiently to the end, but this is impossible!”
“What?!”
“Human Reaper! We’re heading to the holy site. We’ll seek the Great Shaman’s opinion on the next great chieftain!”
“You think I’ll just stand by and watch?!”
“Hahaha! What will you do if you don’t? Don’t forget we outnumber you.”
Those opposing for their own gain outnumbered those supporting Bargulgu by law by double.
Kargaru intended to leave with his faction, no matter what Bargulgu said.
Steam practically poured from Bargulgu’s head; he looked ready to erupt.
But with no choice, he had to hold back.
To such a Bargulgu, Kargaru made one proposal.
“If the Great Shaman acknowledges you, we won’t oppose you anymore. Think coldly, Bargulgu. Refuse even this, and you’ll lose your last chance.”
“Grr…”
In the end, Bargulgu had no choice but to accept.
He wanted nothing more than to split that old, nasty orc’s skull, but he had to restrain himself.
The other side might even be hoping for a fight to break out.
It would give them the pretext to eliminate him.
“Do as you will, old man.”
Bargulgu felt a deep sense of defeat.
When he’d hurled the great chieftain off the cliff, he’d thought everything would go his way.
But reality was never that simple.
Bargulgu had believed himself the torchbearer of a new era, but the cold winds pressing from all sides threatened to snuff it out.
“Heh heh heh, a wise choice, Bargulgu.”
Kargaru nodded in satisfaction at last. Then, uncharacteristically, he flashed a warm smile and bellowed to those around.
“This settles the dispute—we leave it to the Great Shaman’s wisdom! That will satisfy us all!”
“Well said!”
“Wahaha!”
Various gazes pierced Bargulgu.
His supporters couldn’t hide their disappointment, while his opponents made no effort to conceal their sneers.
Finally unable to bear it, Bargulgu stormed out of the tent where the orcs were gathered.
A melancholy mood washed over him as he walked the quiet night path.
Rowdy noise erupted from the tent he’d left behind.
“Hoo…”
A deep sigh escaped him.
But then a voice called out to Bargulgu.
“Human Reaper.”
“Hm?”
Turning, he saw an orc shaman standing there like a ghost.
It was eerie, but shamans were that sort by nature.
Instead of startling, Bargulgu sized up the other.
The deeply wrinkled face showed little life remained.
Liver spots dotted his skin, and his beard was thin and patchy.
But his eyes burned like flames, drawing the gaze.
“You’re… Samatura. What is it?”
He had no particular ties to the man.
They’d crossed paths a few times, and he’d heard rumors of the shaman’s knack for bizarre schemes.
Bargulgu was surprised he’d remembered the name.
“Human Reaper. The dog’s whelp will sway the Great Shaman.”
“What?”
Dog’s whelp meant Kargaru of the Seven Steps Clan.
“Exactly as I said. The Great Shaman has wanted something Kargaru possesses for years. He’ll offer it this time and get what he wants for sure.”
“That sly old bastard!”
Bargulgu wanted to turn back and rip Kargaru’s limbs off right then.
As he twitched to move, Shaman Samatura shook his head and held him back.
“Act wisely.”
“Samatura… What’s your angle in giving me this advice?”
As Bargulgu showed wariness, Samatura revealed his desire plainly.
“I want the next Great Shaman position. But with my skills and family connections, it’s a pipe dream.”
“Keh heh heh. So you’re ambitious after all.”
“Yes. Time is running out for me to achieve it. I’d half-given up. But with this chance, I’m betting on you.”
Bargulgu took a liking to the orc.
He spoke plainly, revealing his raw desires without flattery.
“Fine. If I become great chieftain, I’ll grant your wish.”
“Thank you. I entrust my fate to you now.”
“I’ve heard you’re a schemer. Tell me how to navigate this mess.”
“Simple. They’ll be complacent now that their demands are met.”
“And?”
“Lower your stance and treat them lavishly. As if asking them to put in a good word with the Great Shaman. Then, once Kargaru and his cronies are drunk, cut their heads off.”
“No! That’ll earn me infamy! The plains orcs will shun and condemn me. It’s not that I haven’t thought of it, shaman!”
As Bargulgu showed disappointment, Samatura shook his head.
“That’s exactly the problem.”
“What?”
“Human Reaper, your succession will never be fully accepted anyway. Some will follow the law, but more will oppose. If it’s like this in one army, imagine all orc society.”
“…True enough.”
“With the great chieftain gone, civil war on these plains is inevitable. Abandon thoughts of avoiding infamy and following procedure. That’s blocking your path.”
Samatura advised slaughtering the opposition, seizing the forty thousand army, and using it as a foundation to plunge into the coming wars.
“You already have the legitimacy, Human Reaper. Arm your army and crush enemies. No one will oppose you as great chieftain after that.”
At Samatura’s counsel, the fog in Bargulgu’s mind cleared.
He regretted wasting time on compromises and negotiations.
“Right. I should’ve just handled it like an orc! Fine, I’ll do as you say!”
Starting the next day, he began fawning over the opposition.
Unlike before, he acted as if pleading for their goodwill going forward.
At first, Kargaru and the others were wary, but Bargulgu’s consistency wore down their suspicions.
Thus, before departing for the holy site, Bargulgu invited the various chieftains and generals to a grand feast.
“I, Bargulgu, cast aside all past grudges.”
Kargaru was overjoyed at this attitude.
“Now that’s more like it! Kra ha ha! The Great Shaman will judge wisely.”
Of course, he knew he could sway that judgment greatly.
Bargulgu, I can’t wait to see your face later.
Kargaru reveled in the feast with glee, but his joy shattered completely a few hours later.
“Now! Strike!”
At Bargulgu’s shout, hidden soldiers burst out, swinging axes wildly.
“Krahk! What the—!”
“Insolent dogs! Urghaa!”
The drunken chieftains and generals died helplessly under falling axes.
They’d never dreamed Bargulgu would resort to such tactics.
It clearly crossed the line even by orc standards.
But Bargulgu, resolved to civil war, showed no mercy.
“I’ll handle that vile old man myself! Come here, dog’s whelp!”
Bargulgu stepped forward, thick sword in hand.
One-armed or not, he was confident he could carve up Kargaru.
The other had already been attacked multiple times by subordinates and was covered in blood.
“Bargulgu! You coward!”
Kargaru tried to rise but collapsed again.
His Achilles tendon severed, his screams were futile.
“Grrgh…!”
He dragged himself backward.
Blood pooled thick on the ground.
“Are you truly mad? This will turn countless orcs against you!”
“That’s none of your concern, dog’s whelp.”
The thought of finally killing Kargaru made Bargulgu’s eyes gleam ferociously.
But then Shaman Samatura intervened.
“Lend me your sword for a moment.”
“Hm? What for?”
Bargulgu didn’t understand but nodded as the shaman extended his hand silently.
Today’s success was entirely Samatura’s doing.
Lending the sword briefly was no big deal.
“Fine.”
“Thank you.”
But even bold Bargulgu was stunned by what followed.
The shaman swung the borrowed sword down on his own arm.
Splat!
A dull thud, and the arm was half-severed.
Blood gushed, but Samatura ignored it, swinging again to fully amputate it.
“What madness is this, you fool of a shaman?!”
Unlike the furious Bargulgu, Samatura remained calm even after severing his own arm.
He cauterized the wound with flame using his remaining hand, then picked up the severed arm and offered it.
“This is the token of my loyalty to you.”
“Who wants that?!”
“Look at this arm. It bears a special tattoo.”
Bargulgu knew shamans had tattoos but hadn’t paid attention.
Shamans covered themselves in them to aid spells.
But up close, this one was no ordinary incantation.
Even Bargulgu had never seen its like.
“What tattoo is this?”
“A special one that absorbs the enemy’s power. Take it and pursue hegemony.”
“Wield it like a weapon?”
Bargulgu frowned at the severed arm.
“No. Attach my arm to your body. It’ll replace your lost one.”
Bargulgu had lost an arm to Grenville’s bites.
Samatura told him to fit it there.
“No, it’s not like it’ll just stick… Grraa?!”
As Bargulgu pressed the arm to his stump, he recoiled in shock.
Muscles suddenly extended from the arm, fusing to him.
“What in the—!”
“Accept it. It won’t harm you.”
“Grrraa!”
Moments later, Bargulgu had a new arm.
Another’s arm attached to his stump.
Yet it moved like his own, twisting every which way.
“Heh heh… I knew shamanism was mystical, but this is new.”
“It’s not just an arm. Try the tattoo’s power now.”
Samatura pointed at the dazed Kargaru.
“How?”
“Grab him and imagine sucking out his strength.”
“Fine.”
The listening Kargaru recoiled in horror.
“Stay back, you cursed monster!”
But Bargulgu seized his throat and began draining his power.
Kargaru felt his vitality fleeing and screamed.
“Uwaaa! Krahk!”
His muscles shriveled in real time, skin withering and twisting.
“Let go! Release me!”
Terror-stricken, Kargaru thrashed, but his strength waned until he became a desiccated corpse, tossed to the ground.
Thud.
He looked like a vampire’s victim, drained of all blood.
Bargulgu, meanwhile, marveled at the overflowing power surging through him.
“Incredible!”
To his astonishment, he’d absorbed some of Kargaru’s strength and abilities.
“With this power, victory in war is assured!”
As Bargulgu cried out in ecstasy, Shaman Samatura knelt on one knee, paying homage.
“How could I not know, Great Chieftain?”
Samatura had no foresight, but one thing was clear.
Bargulgu would now drag the orcs into the fiery pit of civil war.
In that process, Samatura was certain he’d achieve his own goals.
I didn’t tell him everything about the arm’s tattoo. Keh heh heh…
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