The Ger Council
Inside the Ger Meeting
I sat cross-legged in my quarters inside the palace, deep in meditation. Through the slightly open door crack, the orcs were peering in at me, but I ignored them. I was too busy replaying the words Grollmog had left behind as he departed.
'No matter how I think about it, it's absurd. This world being just a part of the Chaos and Void realm? Does that even make sense...?'
If this world was part of the Chaos and Void realm, then all common sense gets twisted. Especially the parts about faith.
According to the Codex of Creation, this world was a completely independent new realm separated from Billhelm's Chaos and Void. That's why the gods despised even the slightest infiltration of Chaos and Void energy into this world.
But considering Grollmog's words, this world was clearly just a fragment nestled in one corner of the Chaos and Void realm. The only difference was that harmony created the laws of nature and the principles of all things. The world made by the Creation Gods shared the Chaos and Void realm.
Of course, since the Creation Gods came from the Chaos and Void realm, it's possible they incorporated similar elements when creating this world. But even then, it wouldn't explain the soul's functions as I knew them. Souls exhibited chaotic properties that transcended even the laws of all things—time itself.
In other words, souls transcended the laws and definitions of this world created by the Creation Gods. That could only be explained as beings of Chaos and Void.
The laws of all things and the principles of great nature formed the foundation or framework of this world. Anything beyond that wasn't part of our world.
'This is driving me crazy. Does that mean most of the Codex of Creation could be bullshit...?'
That was already settled by the fact that this world was built on the Chaos and Void realm. The Codex of Creation described something entirely different.
The real issue was the correlation between this world and the Chaos and Void realm. Different perspectives or not, since the essence was the same world, there had to be some connecting mechanism. I needed to figure that out. It was the path to becoming a Soul Master.
One thing was starting to click, though. This world had to continuously absorb Chaos and Void energy. Otherwise, there'd be no need for Creation God Sinus to design the world's laws and framework to keep drawing it in.
'Maybe this world needs a constant influx of Chaos and Void energy just to sustain itself. Like a fetus drawing nutrients from its mother's womb.'
In that case, the collapse phenomena after the gods sealed the Dimensional Rift might not be true collapse. It could just be contraction from lacking that vital Chaos and Void energy as sustenance.
The phenomena were the same, but the root cause was entirely different.
According to the Codex of Creation, the gods didn't know this. They just saw it as collapse. If they weren't deceiving humans, then they were ignorant and incompetent.
You could tell just by looking at the Valkyries. Now that I'd reached this level myself, regular Valkyries surprisingly seemed manageable. They'd still be strong, but not overwhelmingly so. And they were mere servants of the gods.
Anyway, if my thinking was right, then excluding the Creation Gods, the other gods contributed nothing to creating or maintaining this world. It was absurd for beings who didn't understand its principles of creation and operation to govern this endlessly vast great universe.
'So what the hell are the gods, then? Do-nothings just basking in worship? Nah. They open Dimensional Rifts to end the world, so at least they're destroyers.'
Whatever. My questions about the gods weren't the priority. What mattered was what I needed to do right now to grow stronger.
And that path was already laid out. First, reach Mind Master. Until recently, it had felt like some lofty, unattainable ideal, but now I had a sense of it.
With a logical explanation connecting body to mana, mana to mind, and mind to soul, the big picture was coming into focus. The mind was the medium linking to Chaos and Void. That's why it shared their chaotic nature.
But refining myself like this was impossible with all these distractions. I needed to chase out the orcs outside first.
'These damn orcs.'
As I approached the door, I heard a clattering commotion—the orcs who'd been watching me scrambling away in panic.
I flung the door open and yelled at them.
"What the hell are you doing? Can't you see I'm meditating?!"
Shalita approached with an awkward expression.
"Sorry. We just came to ask a human something."
"What?"
"Where's Great Chieftain Grollmog? He left after talking to you last, so you must know where he went."
"He's gone."
Shalita's eyes widened.
"Gone? Where to?"
"Far away. Probably somewhere you won't find him."
"For real?"
"Yeah. But he'll come back someday. He just left for training."
"Training? What kind?"
"Grollmog found a clue to the path of Soul Master. He'll return once he finds it or gives up."
Shalita looked stunned. He clearly hadn't believed such a path really existed.
"You mean that path actually exists?"
"Why go if it doesn't? And yeah, it does. There's a Valkyrie who's reached that realm. Sure, she was born with it, not earned it, but it proves it's possible."
Shalita and all the orc warriors clenched their fists.
"Then when the Great Chieftain returns, we can crush those human scum like enemies! The orcs will rule the whole world!"
I glared at them. Their origin story might be a desperate wish for orcs, but it wasn't something to say in front of a human like me.
"Hey. Wanna die? Don't you know who I am? If you want it that bad, how about we settle it right here?"
"Th-that..."
Shalita waved his hands frantically. He knew exactly how strong I was.
I scanned Shalita and the orc warriors as I spoke.
"Anyway, no war with humans for the time being. Wait quietly until Grollmog returns. If you pull any bullshit in the meantime, I'll personally smash every one of you. Got it?"
"Y-yeah, got it."
"And we need a temporary Great Chieftain proxy since Grollmog's gone. Any orcs who want it, raise your hand."
"Me!"
"No, me!"
Shalita and the orc warriors all jumped in, clamoring to take it. Orcs really had no concept of humility. If I left now, internal strife would probably erupt into a bloodbath.
I rubbed my face.
'Grollmog, you old orc. Couldn't you at least clean up your own mess before leaving?'
First things first, we needed to establish hierarchy. Orcs rarely clashed once a clear pecking order was set. The problem was their temperament differed greatly from humans, so it required careful handling.
"Grollmog knew you'd act like this, so he left me a message. I'll tell you, but go gather all Master Berserker-grade orc warriors in the meeting hall."
"Got it."
Shalita and the gathered orc warriors scattered to round up the Master Berserkers.
Anyway, they listened well to the strong. It was surprising that these orcs believed a human like me, even if I was the last to see Grollmog.
***
The meeting hall was set up in a ger pitched in the palace courtyard. The orc warriors sat in a circle around the fire pit roasting meat, focusing on me.
"Human. Spit it out. What did the Great Chieftain say before leaving?"
I tore off a piece of meat and said,
"First off, the proxy will be the strongest orc."
They all nodded as if it was obvious. That was orc law.
"Right. So who did the Great Chieftain pick as proxy?"
When Turei asked, Shalita shot to his feet.
"Obviously me."
"No, me!"
"No, me!"
Tur and Ulbus jumped in right away. The three gripped their sword hilts, glaring murderously at each other.
I glared back at them.
"Grollmog said Zenbe was the strongest. I think so too."
Shalita trembled with rage and shouted,
"But Zenbe's not even here!"
"Yeah. Zenbe's been gone from the orc plains too long."
Even Tur voiced opposition. I tore into my meat savagely and said,
"So you admit he's the strongest, right?"
"W-well..."
"Probably."
Even as they rebelled, they acknowledged Zenbe's strength. Most had lost to him, served under him, or respected him.
"Zenbe is endorsed by Grollmog, and I endorse him too. I've seen it up close—he's seriously strong, that orc dad. And even if the Light faction lost Cloud Duke, they still have heavyweights like Ilpein Saides, a top-tier Mind Master swordsman. That's why Grollmog wanted a powerhouse like Zenbe at the center of the orcs."
"But..."
Shalita still grumbled faintly. Tur and Ulbus crossed their arms, lips pursed stubbornly.
To quell the backlash, I figured I'd toss them some minor titles.
"And Grollmog said this too."
"What?"
"A proxy is just a proxy, not the Great Chieftain. So we need an organization to handle most governance."
Shalita's eyes sparkled as he looked at me.
"What's that?"
"A Master Council made of Master Berserkers. Membership requires being an orc and Master-grade. That's you all here— you'll form the council."
Tur piped up immediately.
"Human. What's the council exactly do?"
"Like a senate. The proxy needs council approval for wars or major construction. If the proxy's absent, the council head takes over governance."
In other words, the council head was number two. They only cared about that part, ignoring other functions.
Shalita leaped up and yelled,
"I'm the council head!"
"No! Me!"
This time they all vied for it. The number two spot seemed more attainable. Even the relatively serious Turei was getting excited— a real headache.
I rubbed my face and said,
"We'll decide the council head by majority vote."
Shalita protested again.
"Majority vote? Ridiculous! For orcs, the strong one's word is law!"
"But with tiered voting by ability."
"Tiered? How?"
"Beginner: one vote. Low: two, Mid: three, High: four, Top: five votes."
That made sense to them—Shalita and some High Master Berserkers nodded.
"Yeah, that makes sense."
"Grollmog set it up that way to push you all to get stronger. Tiered, realistic goals to drive diligent training. Always strive. The stronger you are, the more power you get."
"Got it. We'll honor Great Chieftain Grollmog's will."
I let out a long sigh. If these were my subordinates, I'd beat obedience into them, but they weren't mine, so persuasion it was.
"One more thing."
"What?"
"We won't disband the gathered forces until the Yosrahim Empire lifts war preparations."
"Obvious. Got it."
"And one more. Full authorization for trade with humans."
Shalita tilted his head.
"We're already trading. We don't block border orc tribes from trading with Darkness or Neutral nations."
"Not passive allowance—active endorsement."
"What's that mean?"
"Your central government steps up: build roads, create trade organizations for smooth trade."
"Got it. If it's Grollmog's will."
I wrapped up the meeting by promoting trade—unrelated to Grollmog, but whatever. He'd owe me for cleaning up.
It felt a bit incomplete, but I'd gotten what I wanted, so no big deal.
For closing, I looked at Turei.
"Turei."
"What?"
"You go fetch Zenbe dad. Knowing his personality, he'll dodge, so if he refuses, bluff that the whole orc tribes will fall into civil war."
"Got it. But..."
Turei looked awkward, gauging my mood. Curious, I eyed him.
"What? Something else?"
"He's gone."
"Who? Grollmog?"
"No. The human who came with you."
I smacked my forehead. That nagging emptiness? It was Hubeo.
"How the hell did he vanish?"
"He wasn't great at riding, so he fell behind while we rushed after you."
"I see."
"Subordinates are searching now. We'll find him soon. Don't worry too much."
"Alright. Let me know when you do."
"Got it."
I brushed it off and headed back to the training grounds. Hubeo would survive hell with flattery alone. No need for me to fret over his disappearance.
End of Inside the Ger Meeting