Chapter 20
Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: 11. Scarred Wolf (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“We'll pass through Sidoor in the borderlands and cross the frontier. From there, we'll head through Gid and assemble at Balshard. It'd be wise to arrive first and scout the situation.”
“Do you think our pace is appropriate?”
“Yes, sire.”
The old knight riding alongside Yuri was named Raymond, technically a knight under Genad's command.
But Yuri had no intention of treating him any differently.
“Don't hesitate to offer advice in the future if you have something to say.”
He was a man of rich experience. He'd fought in countless battles and knew how to deal with orcs.
“Understood.”
Something told Yuri he had more to say, so he nodded toward him.
“Speak.”
“It may be presumptuous of me...”
“It's fine.”
Raymond cleared his throat and continued.
“I saw you block His Majesty's sword at the departure ceremony. You must possess exceptional skill, Your Highness.”
“And?”
“But on the battlefield, life and death can turn in an instant. Please, be as cautious as possible in combat.”
He was advising earnestly, worried that Yuri's youthful hot-bloodedness might lead to disaster.
It was the kind of advice that could offend depending on the listener. Yet he spoke it plainly regardless.
Yuri liked him for it.
“Thank you for the counsel, Sir Raymond.”
He'd wondered if Genad's man might sabotage things, but that worry seemed unfounded.
“Did Genad give you any special orders?”
“None.”
“Truly?”
“Even if he had, the battlefield is ever-changing.”
Yuri grinned.
“Right. What does that guy know anyway.”
“Ahem...”
They pressed on with the march, soon entering Sidoor territory.
The domain of the infamous border count, Haime Sidoor.
“He won't treat us poorly, will he?”
“Not likely. The Count of Sidoor trembles at the thought of orcs.”
“Good.”
“That said, he's not the warm type, so don't expect a lavish welcome.”
Raymond's prediction was off.
As they neared the Count's castle, a massive banner reading 'Welcome, Third Prince' hung from a tree.
Beneath it waited Haime's herald.
“It's been a while, Your Highness!”
A familiar face.
“Karchio Erancha.”
“Oh! You remember. Even after five years.”
“It left an impression.”
He'd met him once at a council of elders. A man who spoke his mind without flinching before a room of prominent nobles.
“The Count of Sidoor was eager to see you. Glad fate provided the chance.”
“Thanks for the hospitality.”
“He'll be thrilled.”
Yuri could guess why Sidoor welcomed him so.
During the Klein duchy's civil war, Yuri had convinced Fiore to support the duke, ending the conflict swiftly with minimal damage.
For Sidoor, who needed to hold the border against orcs, Yuri was a benefactor who'd kept chaos from spilling over.
“I'll lead the way.”
Karchio spurred his horse ahead.
Yuri followed, surveying the surroundings.
True to an orc-haunted region, tall watchtowers and sharpened stakes dotted the landscape. Yet the mood wasn't tense.
Passing small villages, the locals watched the army pass with bright expressions.
Soon they reached a gray fortress.
“Sidoor Castle.”
Scouting lenses on the lofty spires glinted in the sunlight.
While the troops set up camp outside, Yuri and the knights were escorted inside.
A feast awaited.
“Welcome.”
It was Yuri's first time meeting Haime in person.
In his past life, he'd only heard of his death notice.
Regrettably, the man had fallen to orcs before the empire invaded.
“Good to meet you, Sir Haime.”
Haime was tall, with gray eyes. A scar slashed across his face, leaving a striking impression.
His demeanor was calm, but an unyielding strength simmered beneath.
“It's been ages.”
“Five years ago, was it?”
“You remember. Even from afar.”
“You're not the sort one overlooks.”
“Hahaha...”
Haime smiled faintly.
Five years prior at a ball, he'd witnessed young Yuri challenge the imperial prince to a duel by trial.
He knelt on one knee and kissed the back of Yuri's hand.
“My respects. Long life to you.”
“Thank you. You look unwell, though.”
“A minor injury from battling orcs.”
Haime spoke slowly, pausing mid-sentence as if short of breath.
Rumors said he'd damaged his lungs fighting orcs.
“Take care of yourself. You're Brioll's vital shield.”
He chuckled hoarsely, rising slowly.
“Kind words.”
Yuri took the seat of honor, with Haime and the other knights flanking him.
The meal was meat-heavy. The fresh aroma whetted appetites.
“Eat up, everyone.”
“Our thanks for the welcome.”
No fancy spices like at the palace, just the pure flavors of the ingredients.
To Yuri, with his mercenary memories, this felt comforting.
Memories of field rations surfaced.
“Fine fare. Isn't it?”
“Yes...”
The knights tilted their heads. It wasn't noble cuisine.
Haime wasn't one for words.
The meal passed in quiet. Wine appeared but only in modest pours.
Haime spoke up.
“Have you faced orcs before, Your Highness?”
“I...”
He'd cut down enough in his mercenary days to sicken of it. But not this life.
“...haven't, but I've studied them thoroughly.”
“Studied, eh...”
Haime chuckled lowly, a metallic rasp in his throat.
“You've come prepared, then.”
“Naturally.”
Yuri's gaze swept past Haime to the other knights.
“How many here have fought orcs?”
A few, like Raymond, raised hands. Most allied knights were young with little experience.
“Of those who haven't, how many have studied them?”
Jared shot up his hand. Most stayed seated.
Yuri shrugged.
“See? That's why even I must study.”
Haime laughed again, louder this time.
“Leading by example. A rare virtue.”
“I hear you still charge at the front against orcs.”
“My reasons differ...”
The stoic man now eyed them with interest.
“You'll all fight until you're sick of it soon enough. But first...”
Haime's eye twitched faintly as he spoke.
“May I offer a little help?”
Yuri followed Haime down stone stairs into the depths.
Torch-bearing knights trailed behind. Shadows danced wildly with the flickering flames.
“What sort of help?”
“Sidoor has always warred with orcs.”
Haime's face shifted with the changing light.
“We had to learn about them.”
They descended past several sublevels to the deepest bottom.
A tunnel loomed in the darkness.
Haime led with his torch. Iron bars emerged along the sides.
It was a prison.
Following with the knights, the interior came into view.
“Uuu...”
“Ughhh...”
Beast-like groans echoed. Tongueless prisoners huddled in cells.
Yuri watched Haime's precarious back as he strode alone.
“Sir Haime.”
No response.
Amid the brisk Haime, hesitant knights, and tongueless wretches, Yuri steadied his heart.
Haime halted abruptly.
An iron door barred the way.
“Here.”
He turned back. Footsteps hurried from behind.
Karchio pushed through the knights.
“Count, why come here so suddenly...”
“The key.”
“I have it. But why here of all places...”
“It's necessary.”
Haime snatched the key and jammed it in.
Gears clicked, metal grinding resounded.
“Come in.”
Beyond lay more darkness.
Haime vanished inside first. Yuri followed.
Hesitant footsteps echoed one by one.
Haime hung his torch on the wall. Sparks flew, igniting lamps along the walls in unison.
The chamber revealed itself.
Square iron cages cluttered the vast cavern.
“Ah...”
Someone gasped.
Unimaginable sights filled the space.
“Orcs...”
The word rippled through.
Yuri peered into the nearest cage.
A black mass slumped within. Its bulk made it look like a massive quadruped lying down.
“Yes.”
Haime strode to it and thrust his longsword through the bars.
Everyone startled at the sudden move.
“Whoa!”
The shadow reacted swiftly, lunging for Haime's arm.
But Haime twisted the blade as if expecting it, slicing the arm.
Blood dripped in globs.
“This is an orc.”
Haime shook the bloody sword toward his guests.
“They'll play dead, then rip your leg off.”
The orc growled. Others responded in kind.
Ferocious howls filled the cavern.
Haime grabbed a crossbow from the wall, firing into each noisy cage.
“Shut up, all of you.”
Who could've guessed the Count of Sidoor's lair hid orc cages.
Only now did the torture devices in the corner catch the eye.
Yuri couldn't help but smile.
Haime Sidoor was madder than he'd imagined.
“Sir Haime. Is this your gift?”
“Yes.”
“My thanks.”
He stared at Yuri, then slowly bowed.
“An honor.”
The overwhelmed group's breaths grew ragged.
Yuri could guess their thoughts.
He'd felt the same at first. Even unbound by chivalry, war's madness had worn him down.
Honor.
It changed with time and place.
For Haime, who'd lost two sons to orcs, honor was rawer, crueler.
Yuri turned to the group.
The grimacing ones were mostly young knights.
“You.”
He pointed at one boyish face.
“Your name?”
“Simon Pesh, son of Baron Wolf.”
“Say what you're thinking.”
He glanced between Yuri and Haime before speaking.
“I don't think this is necessary. It's excessive.”
“Could be.”
Yuri nodded. Haime did too.
“Haime.”
“Yes.”
“Open one for us.”
“Understood.”
As confusion spread, Yuri pointed at Simon.
“Fight the orc.”
“Pardon?”
The knights murmured. Yuri grinned back at Simon.
“Confident?”
He nodded firmly.
“Of course. I'm a knight of Brioll. I won't lose to some orc.”
“I like the spirit.”
Karchio unlocked the cage worriedly.
“Will he be all right?”
“With all these knights here, what's to worry?”
“Still...”
“Don't underestimate them.”
“Yes.”
Haime watched Yuri intently.
He'd claimed no prior orc experience, yet stayed cool as a veteran. And he handled the knights masterfully.
It felt too natural.
“Impressive...”
Yuri instructed Simon.
“Simon.”
“Yes.”
“Put on your helmet.”
“Right away.”
Karchio backed away warily as the door swung open.
This orc was smaller than most. A crossbow bolt stuck in its arm.
“Hoo...”
Simon stood before the cage, sword drawn. Tense, but unbowed.
The orc stayed put inside.
Haime smiled.
“Orcs are cunning beasts.”
He muttered something—orcish, perhaps.
The seated orc stirred and lumbered out.
“Ah...”
First-timers inhaled sharply.
A head taller than a man, but three times broader sideways.
Its brown hide looked tough as beastskin. No proper nose—just holes leaking mucus. Yellowed tusks jutted out, lips quivering with each breath.
The hideous form and sheer mass exuded menace.
“That's an orc...”
As Simon hesitated and stepped forward—
The orc suddenly groveled, wailing something.
“...”
Simon faltered. It looked like begging for life.
Repeating unintelligible pleas, it bashed its head on the floor.
Simon laughed hollowly.
“What is this?”
He shrugged toward Yuri.
“Fighting prisoners? It was absurd from the start. Needless killing...”
Before he finished, metal crumpled with a screech.
The orc had leaped up and smashed Simon's helmet.
The visor crumpled. Blood streamed from his nose.