Chapter 80 – Shadow

Kubar was watching the fight taking place far away.

Rather than a place with physical reality, the Peach Garden was a subspace where the world of the mind was materialized. Therefore, it was not strange no matter what happened. The daytime sky could dye black, or the plains could become a wasteland.

Thus, he did not deem it strange that the world changed in the aftermath of the fight.

Even when the other companions were startled, he maintained his composure.

However, as shining points began to rise in the far-off sky, his eyes went wide and his mouth fell open.

There were no celestial bodies in the Peach Garden.

It was a place without a sun, moon, or stars.

The reason was simple.

No one could harbor such things within themselves.

In the world of the mind, what they could materialize was limited to what each person could contain within.

Who in the world could endure such a thing?

Could a mere creature reach the universe?

“It is a beautiful night sky.”

Kaorak looked up at the sky and praised the scenery. He was laid-back from the beginning. His attitude seemed as if there was no way the Emperor would lose.

Gulad also said in admiration.

“It is the first time I have seen so many stars. The world of the Peach Garden is mysterious.”

Kubar wanted to tell them what that sky meant. However, failing to find a way to express it, he simply closed his mouth. Since it was difficult for him to understand, how could he describe it to others?

So he just laughed.

“Gulad, the Peach Garden is not what is truly mysterious.”

Before he knew it, Kubar had started calling the companions as if they were people he knew well. When Gulad stared as if telling him to explain further, Kubar continued.

“What is truly mysterious is this world.”

He was a practitioner walking the path alone until just a few days ago.

Under the teachings of the Elder Orcs, he would have marched for an infinite amount of time.

Believing he would reach the end someday.

That was his everything.

But suddenly, he had received Degulur’s contact. It was news that Badurbarok’s army might target the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

The mission to bring the human Emperor to his knees and correct the distorted heavenly secrets was given.

And everything changed.

The human Emperor showed him a scene he had never even imagined.

Perhaps those called practitioners were people who fled to their own haven under the guise of walking the path, having despaired of the fate of the world.

The moment he felt hope through the Emperor, he was already standing outside the path.

The wilderness he had thought was full of confusion and pain was no longer scary.

Although he had thought everything had fallen into Badurbarok’s grasp, the world was still flowing.

“Perhaps.”

Gulad clarified.

Now, the Peach Garden’s sky had dazzlingly many stars embedded in it, spilling light.

The fight between the two, which felt like it would turn heaven and earth upside down, also reached its end.

When they closed and opened their eyes, they were standing next to Se-min and the Elder Orc again. They had been expelled beyond the horizon by the Elder Orc, but returning was by Se-min’s will.

Se-min was placing his hand on the Elder Orc’s shoulder.

“My new subordinate.”

When he spoke so, even the Elder Orc, who did not reveal emotions, had a strange expression appear on his face.

[I am not your subordinate.]

“Do you want to fight more then?”

[…]

The Elder Orc turned his head away from Se-min as if he did not want to deal with him.

[I will let you meet the first Elder Orc.]

He said so. Having witnessed the scenery of the distant universe through Se-min, he was different from before. A faint expression returned to his stiff face. Vibrancy also arose in his voice.

Moreover, he even offered to personally introduce the first Elder Orc.

[Bear in mind.]

He warned.

[The first Elder Orc is by no means kind. Be prepared.]

“Do not worry.”

[I did not worry.]

He waved his hand.

This was the Peach Garden, the residence of the Elder Orcs. As he waved his hand, the position of Se-min’s group began to change slowly.

They stood still, but the Peach Garden folded the path on its own, conveying Se-min’s group.

Se-min asked.

“Elder Orc. What is your name?”

[…]

The Elder Orc did not answer. Kubar said from the side.

“When you become an Elder Orc, you forget your old name.”

“How old-fashioned.”

The Elder Orcs were like religious ascetics on Earth. Just as Se-min was trying to accept that, the Elder Orc unexpectedly answered.

[It is Ugotar.]

At the sudden answer, Se-min looked back. The Elder Orc’s face changed. Faintly, the corners of his mouth went up, forming a smile.

Since he who did not laugh was smiling, the contrast was even more dramatic.

But that sight vanished in an instant. The vision of Se-min’s group rotated much faster. They were flung to a further place by the Elder Orc, Ugotar.

Ugotar remained there. Se-min stared at the spot where Ugotar was standing and spoke.

“He is smiling. Making me grow fond of him.”

Se-min’s group soon came to a stop.

They stood in front of a fortress.

Kaorak spoke.

“A subterranean cave in the Sea of Trees, a fortress inside the cave, and a fortress inside the fortress. There isn’t something else inside this, is there?”

Like peeling a Matryoshka doll, they were approaching the interior of worlds repeating without end.

The first Elder Orc would be here.

Se-min approached and knocked on the doorknob. There was no answer. Shaking the door even harder, Se-min spoke.

“Is anyone here?”

Behind him, the companions whispered.

“Didn’t they say he was from a gladiator background? Why is he so used to talking down to others?”

“He is just that kind of guy originally.”

“If he acts like that, he will get badly scolded someday…”

Realizing they were badmouthing him, Se-min glared back. Maktar and Gulad flinched and feigned ignorance.

Just then, the door opened.

“It has been a long time since we had visitors.”

Since he was the first Elder Orc, Se-min was expecting some special appearance.

Even if he didn’t wear splendid clothes due to the characteristics of practitioners, he thought he would wear straw mats oozing dignity, or hold a staff that seemed to be made of a thousand-year-old tree.

Yet his appearance was truly ordinary.

He wore everyday leather clothes worn by ordinary Orcs, and was barehanded. His face looked to be somewhere between youth and middle age.

“Call your master.”

“My master?”

“Yes. The first Elder Orc, that is.”

“I am that Elder Orc.”

“Actually, I knew.”

Se-min extended his hand.

“I just threw a little joke at our first meeting.”

“This time, the human Emperor is impolite.”

The first Elder Orc grinned.

“Come in.”

Se-min’s group went inside the fortress, receiving his invitation.

He thought another world would unfold inside just like before, but it was just a plain house. The structure was simple, not much different from Maktar’s fortress.

Se-min’s group sat around a small table and were served tea.

“Well, what business brings you all this way? Do you wish to become my disciple?”

“I think you already know everything, though?”

“Actually, I do.”

The first Elder Orc winked.

“I threw a joke because it is our first meeting.”

Mimicking Se-min’s tone, he burst into laughter.

Se-min also chuckled. Hearing he was the master of the emotionless Elder Orcs, he wondered what kind of machine-like fellow he would be, but this Orc was rich in emotional expression.

“Then, shall we talk a bit?”

Before he knew it, Se-min realized that he was sitting opposite him.

He looked around. His companions had all disappeared. Inside this fortress, only he and the Elder Orc were facing each other.

“Do not worry. The others are having separate private interviews like you.”

“If you play tricks on my subordinates, you will die.”

“Hold on. I have lived a long time, but I have no desire to die yet.”

The first Elder Orc leaned his body against the backrest.

“So, the reason you came to find me is?”

“To make you my subordinate.”

Fitting for an Orc, his laughter was low and thick.

“What do you plan to do after making me a subordinate?”

“I will kill Badurbarok. Lend your strength.”

“And after you kill him?”

“The world will be saved, and everyone will be at peace.”

“Is that important?”

Se-min stared at him. He spoke with a still smiling face.

“Those are all things that happen on the surface. I have no interest in such matters. I only wish to reach the end of the path.”

“What is the end of the path?”

“Transcendence.”

The first Elder Orc said.

“I wish to transcend this world and become a higher existence. Existences are doomed to be mortal anyway. Those who fail to reach the end of the path eventually return to dust. Life and death, humans and Orcs, the Emperor and Badurbarok, there is no difference to me.”

“You mean the end of the path is transcendence?”

“Yes.”

He looked directly at Se-min and spoke.

“You probably understand my heart.”

“No.”

“I will become a transcendent.”

Se-min’s brow narrowed.

“A transcendent?”

“Correct. I saw that realm. An existence that escaped the principles of the world. I will walk forever to reach that realm.”

Se-min rested his chin on his hand. The word transcendent he spoke of was quite familiar to Se-min.

“Do you have a mirror?”

“A mirror?”

“Because I want to see my handsome face.”

“You talk nonsense.”

A small hand mirror floated next to Se-min. Holding and fiddling with it, Se-min spoke to the first Elder Orc.

“When did you see that realm of transcendence?”

“A long, long time ago. Everything has blurred, but that, I remember clearly.”

Smiling, he pointed at Se-min.

“Seeing you reminds me of that. That person wore clothes engraved with a dragon like you. Of course, it was a far cooler garment than yours.”

“You mean you met a transcendent?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me that story.”

“You seem to have grown interested.”

He leaned his upper body forward and spoke.

“A long time ago, I received the title of Warchief. I placed humans and goblins under my feet. Furthermore, I dreamed a grand dream of bringing the entire world to submission under the Orcs. A dream of invading even the other two races to place all races under the Orcs, just like Badurbarok now.”

It was a story he had heard a lot. Se-min gestured with his chin to continue.

“And then?”

“But one day, I was defeated by a human who appeared.”

“Did that human happen to bring a wolf along?”

“You knew. The Orcs nowadays call it the Legend of the Dragon and the Wolf.”

Se-min grew curious about the age of this first Elder Orc.

Since even an elder like Gigantur called it a very old legend of the past, he was a monster who had lived at least several hundred years.

Se-min glanced at the hand mirror.

Just in case, he hastily posted on the Transcendent Network, but no transcendent in particular knew this Orc. Indeed, he had never seen anyone this old even in the Transcendent Network.

If the one this Elder Orc met was truly a transcendent, it might be the story of a previous generation’s transcendent who was no longer around.

Grand Wizard Iana: Orc? What is that? What does it look like?

It seemed there were no Orcs in Iana’s dimension. Se-min’s chest swelled at the thought of explaining to her what an Orc was and engaging in conversation.

It was the moment he thought he would converse with her in detail after the conversation with this Orc ended.

Knight Emperor Alastair: Noonim, should I tell you? lol Orcs are nothing lol it seems he is exaggerating lol what it is is…

But this bastard started beating him to the punch. Se-min’s hands trembled. It was a lifelong regret that he could not leave a comment because he was in the middle of a conversation.

Watching Se-min, whose hands were trembling as he reflected his face in the hand mirror, the first Elder Orc guessed that he must really dislike his appearance.

“In any case, I lost to that human. I witnessed a new realm by that transcended existence. I have been walking a long path even until now to meet him again.”

Se-min looked at the first Elder Orc again.

And asked.

“What was the name of that transcendent?”

The first Elder Orc smiled. It was a nostalgic expression, as if recalling old memories.

“His name was… Cheonma.”

Se-min widened his eyes.

“Cheonma?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing more in front?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like it wasn’t just Cheonma, but had a surname attached.”

“I do not know. He merely said Cheonma.”

Se-min furrowed his brow. There was only one Cheonma he knew, and she didn’t seem like she would be that old.

“Right, so what happened with that Cheonma?”

At Se-min’s question, the first Elder Orc closed his eyes.

His story continued.

In the days when he brought humans and goblins to their knees and was praised as the Warchief, his name was Ilrgar. Though it was a forgotten name now, he was called that back then.

Ilrgar wished to gather the other two ancient races and place the world under the feet of the Orcs.

In a way, he was an existence like Badurbarok now. He had no mercy, and ruthlessly suppressed those who rebelled.

When he decided to strike the third race, a human suddenly appeared.

He was dressed in black clothes with a dragon gorgeously embroidered in gold thread, holding a single sword. He brought along a wolf, which was treated as a sacred creature by the human tribes.

Leaving words that he had come upon request and not to think badly of it, he attacked Ilrgar.

At first, Ilrgar was not scared at all. He believed he was the best warrior and was confident he wouldn’t lose in a one-on-one against anyone.

Such thoughts vanished with a single clash.

Cheonma was a human, yet not a human.

He was the existence closest to a god among all those Ilrgar had met. In his attacks dwelt something that transcended the world.

The moment he saw it, Ilrgar realized his dream and his goal to rule this world were nothing.

The man who called himself Cheonma informed Ilrgar of the realm of transcendents.

Thereafter, worldly honors and such lost meaning to Ilrgar. He discarded everything and began training to become like Cheonma.

As time passed and the name Cheonma became an ancient legend, the Orcs began to talk of the existence of a practitioner. Orcs wishing to become like him gathered.

Ilrgar propagated the path he walked to them.

As time flowed and kept flowing, they came to be called Elder Orcs.

The practitioners of the Bamboo Forest protecting them arose, and practitioners following them also settled in the underground of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

“That is how it happened.”

“What kind of martial arts did that Cheonma use?”

“Well. Back then it ended so quickly that I don’t even remember. I asked him later, but he said things like it was still incomplete, or that he would tell me again once the framework was set. But that was the last.”

“Where did he go?”

“He spoke the hard-to-believe words that he was going to another dimension. But since bastards like Badurbarok appeared, he might have truly crossed dimensions.”

Se-min nodded. He must have been a transcendent. However, it didn’t seem like it was his master, Dokgo Cheonma.

Checking the Transcendent Network through the hand mirror, comments were posted, but Dokgo Cheonma was not there. Dokgo Cheonma did not stay on the board as before, so he had to wait for time to pass to meet her.

“Ilrgar.”

“I don’t know how long it has been since I was called that.”

“Why do you teach the wrong method to everyone?”

As Se-min spoke, Ilrgar’s face stiffened.

“The wrong method?”

Ilrgar replied.

Then, before they knew it, they were standing alone in a black space.

Ilrgar was the first Elder Orc, the highest practitioner, and also the master of the Peach Garden. Se-min had also neared the realm of transcendence infinitely through the Cosmic Flow. Thus, they could directly exchange swords within their mindscape through conversation alone.

Therefore, this was a stage that was real yet not real.

Ilrgar told Se-min that he was not wrong. Then, Ilrgar’s power became infinite tentacles, stabbing into Se-min. Having walked alone for a long time, Ilrgar’s realm was certainly at a grand level.

But it was distorted.

Se-min reflected on the meaning of the Transcendent Network and the Cosmic Flow once again.

Ilrgar did everything alone, and thus advanced in the wrong direction for a long time. It would take an even longer time for him to realize and correct this on his own, and he would progress slowly like that.

But through the Transcendent Network, Se-min learned the straightest and most correct path.

The flow leading to Tai Chi Wisdom, Xing Yi Quan, Three Talents Sword Play, and Supreme Clarity Sword Play awakened the principles of the world in him, and such realization blossomed in the Cosmic Flow.

Se-min raised Lupus.

Had Ilrgar had a good master, he would have already become a transcendent.

At the very least, had he only realized the fact that everything in the world was connected and nothing could advance alone, he would have already reached the realm he desired.

However, he chose the path of walking alone and believed that such asceticism was the answer.

It was a pity.

Containing such a heart, Se-min’s Lupus drew a curve.

Ilrgar’s eyes widened.

If they confronted each other with full strength, there was no telling who would win. Perhaps Ilrgar would win. He had clearly practiced asceticism for a long time and was that strong.

But right now, they were not fighting to break each other.

Sparring within the mindscape.

Not victory or defeat, but the process of proving that one’s path was correct.

Thus, looking at Se-min’s Cosmic Flow, Ilrgar stopped blankly. The scenery he had repeated in his mind for long years hung at the tip of Se-min’s sword.

Witnessing it, he could do nothing.

Cheonma had said his martial art was incomplete.

He said he would contain the universe in his sword, and said he traveled dimensions for that purpose.

“Emperor.”

Ilrgar asked.

“Where did you learn that sword?”

Through Ilrgar’s expression, Se-min came to think that his guess might be correct.

Se-min’s master was Dokgo Cheonma.

And Dokgo Cheonma also had a master.

To Se-min, he was his grandmaster.

Although Dokgo Cheonma did not mention her master much, because he existed, the current Dokgo Cheonma existed, and thanks to that, Se-min could be in this spot.

“I learned it from my master.”

“Who is your master?”

“She is a person called Dokgo Cheonma.”

“Cheonma?”

Ilrgar stared at Se-min. Se-min shook his head.

“It is probably not the Cheonma you speak of. I do not know the details either.”

Ilrgar stared at Se-min’s sword. He had a surprised face once again, and closed his eyes to ruminate on the appearance of the Cosmic Flow he saw through Se-min, lost in thought for a while.

Se-min waited for him.

“In this long time, have I walked the wrong path?”

Ilrgar laughed.

“And was I passing down such a thing?”

It was not that Ilrgar propagated the path he walked. The Orcs simply came and asked him, and he merely told them his method.

Orcs who worshipped it arose, and as it was exchanged among Orcs, it became like a doctrine.

Still, he felt a shred of responsibility.

“Did you say you will kill Badurbarok?”

“Yes.”

Ilrgar began to laugh again.

“Perhaps everything was arranged from a long time ago.”

“What do you mean?”

“I walked the path, walking and walking, and even if it was in the wrong direction, meeting you like this makes me think the fate of the world is mysterious.”

“I think so too.”

Se-min also chuckled.

Ilrgar was already influenced by the Cosmic Flow. Hearing he was a practitioner who trained alone for a long time, he thought he would be old-fashioned, but he accepted the new domain with an open mind.

“I will kill Badurbarok. Help me.”

Se-min said.

The Orc practitioners, and the Elder Orcs leading them, and among them, the one at the peak, the ancient Warchief Ilrgar.

He nodded.

“I will.”

That single word implied many things.

Se-min did not explain further how difficult it was to kill Badurbarok, or how reckless of a fight this was.

Ilrgar did not ask either.

A human and an Orc striving to become transcendents shook hands.

Then, the world disappeared.

Se-min was sitting inside Ilrgar’s fortress again. Just like when he first came here, everyone was sitting around the narrow table.

Se-min looked at his subordinates one by one. His subordinates were all right there.

Only one person was missing.

“Where is Biryu?”

The companion whom he uniquely treated as other than a subordinate, Biryu, was not seen. Ilrgar shrugged his shoulders.

“Because I have some things to talk about with him.”

“If you harm Biryu, I won’t let you get away with it.”

“For people who just agreed to cooperate, your words are harsh. Such a thing won’t happen, so rest assured.”

At his words, everyone else stared at Se-min.

They spoke.

“Did you decide to join hands with that demon?”

It was Gulad’s words.

“Your Majesty! You must cancel it immediately! I will protect Your Majesty!”

Shozen tried to draw his sword.

Kaorak and the rest of the Orcs were also staring at Ilrgar with fearful eyes.

Se-min grew curious as to what in the world the others had experienced during the private interviews, but no one opened their mouth.

“I merely welcomed them in the way of the ancient Orcs.”

Seeing him rub his fist as he spoke, it seemed he had simply beaten them up.

“Wait, you didn’t beat Biryu up thoughtlessly too, did you? He is a magician.”

“Do not worry about him.”

Soon Biryu also returned. He still had a smiling face. Biryu walked lightly and sat in the empty seat at the table.

“Ilrgar decided to help us resist Badurbarok.”

As Se-min spoke, everyone stared at him. Ilrgar nodded.

The ancient Warchief, Ilrgar, of whom no one knew how many long years he had lived, came to be with them.

Se-min’s group truly realized that the final battle was approaching.

“However.”

Ilrgar opened his mouth.

“I need time to persuade the Elder Orcs and tell everything to the other practitioners. Until then, I ask for your understanding.”

Se-min nodded.

“Hurry up.”

“I will.”

Se-min’s group stood up from their spots.

Seeing Se-min’s group off, Ilrgar let out a sigh in hollow relief.

The Emperor who possessed Cheonma’s sword, which he had yearned for so much, appeared, and he finished his long training. It was a long time. Everything might have been a destiny arranged for this purpose.

“Badurbarok…”

Ilrgar did not know much about the demonic beasts.

He merely heard there was a grand war, and all other races had lost. Thus, the world fell under Badurbarok.

It was of no concern to him.

He had seen countless downfalls and rises during his long time of training. It was all merely the flow of history.

As a practitioner walking toward the end of the path, he did not care about anything other than reaching transcendence.

But the human Emperor said that was wrong.

Because everything was connected, the universe could flow.

“The universe.”

Ilrgar closed his eyes. He ruminated on the martial art called the Cosmic Flow shown by the Emperor. He deemed it a stroke of fortune to encounter it even now.

“…!”

Ilrgar opened his eyes with a start.

Upon recalling the Cosmic Flow, the image of blue sideburns and a mustache passed through his head. But it was so momentary that it soon vanished.

Ilrgar scratched the back of his head, tilting it.

***

When Se-min’s group left the practitioners’ dwelling and returned to the Grand Marino Sea of Trees, Kululu was waiting for them.

He had a very urgent expression.

“Emperor!”

“What is it?”

“We are in big trouble.”

Kululu shouted.

“The demonic beasts have set up camp outside the Grand Marino Sea of Trees!”

Upon hearing those words, Se-min immediately tried to turn back and return to the land of practitioners.

But he was blocked.

A sturdy rock was already blocking the entrance. Tapping on the stone, Se-min loudly called out Ilrgar’s name.

“Hey! Ilrgar! Open the door! Hey, you punk!”

But the rock did not budge.

“Now is the time for you to step forward! Come out, kid!”

Kubar, standing next to him, shook his head.

“It is a sealing formation. No news from the outside is being transmitted at all.”

“What is he doing closing the door?”

“The Elder Orc spent a long time in that place. Since he was rooted there enough to create his own world, he would need his own process when coming out.”

“Not helpful.”

Se-min let out a sigh.

“What about the other Orcs?”

“The giant fortresses are trying to grasp the situation. They are flustered, not knowing why the demonic beasts are acting like that. Who in the world could have imagined that you attacked disguised as an Orc!”

“Did you happen to spill it?”

“Of course…”

Under Se-min’s fierce glare, Kululu averted his eyes.

“…I didn’t say a word.”

“Good job.”

Se-min nodded.

The situation was too serious to just be talking like this. The number of demonic beasts was immense. It was said that a larger crowd than when they demolished Maktar’s fortress in the past had set up camp outside the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

Suddenly, a bizarre cry was heard.

“It is the cry of a monster-like fellow.”

According to Kululu’s explanation, several giant demonic beasts the size of castles were standing and periodically making bizarre sounds toward the Sea of Trees.

Hearing the description, it was a spitting image of the giant monster Se-min saw when he attacked the demonic beasts’ city.

Those monsters had been completed in the meantime.

Maktar looked at Se-min and spoke.

“What should we do now?”

Se-min raised his head.

Everyone was looking at him.

Se-min grinned.

It was like this on Earth too. Everyone looked at him. Now that he had become the Emperor, an even greater pressure weighed down on his shoulders. Yet, Se-min had never once turned away from the responsibility given to him.

Se-min spoke.

“Where is the largest fortress in the Grand Marino Sea of Trees?”

***

Se-min headed toward the largest fortress in the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

Perhaps because they had kept expanding it, the appearance of the fortress was strange. It looked as if various buildings were loosely woven together. Yet, the scale alone was massive. The number of Orcs guarding the surroundings was by no means small.

Se-min whistled.

“What kind of fellow is the Orc leading that?”

“It is an Orc named Galatur. He is old, so he is wise.”

“It seems something is going on.”

Watching from afar, many Orcs were waiting outside the fortress.

“It seems all the influential Orcs around have gathered.”

It seemed the Orcs leading their respective fortresses had gathered here to hold a meeting.

Se-min nodded and advanced toward it. Orcs blocked him, but Se-min ignored them and passed by. An Orc grabbed his shoulder.

“Hey. Human. Where are you…”

“I have business with your leader.”

“No one other than permitted personnel can approach.”

The moment the Orc put strength into his hand, his body was sent flying by Se-min.

All the Orcs of the fortress raised their weapons toward Se-min. Their aura rose, keeping guard against Se-min. They emitted a stinging energy that was hard for anyone to ignore.

Se-min also raised his aura in response.

The power of the Orcs, who were the majority, was crushed instead.

Se-min’s aura choked their windpipes without hesitation. Some Orcs made painful sounds as if suffocating. It was the moment Se-min was about to accelerate his aura without restraint.

An Orc came out from inside the fortress and spoke.

“He tells you to enter!”

Galatur, who sensed the commotion inside the fortress, had called Se-min. The Orcs opened the path. Se-min went inside the fortress with his group.

They reached a large hall located in the middle of the fortress.

Several Orcs sat around a long table. Their gazes focused on Se-min.

Some had expressions as if they knew, while others tilted their heads. There was also a familiar face to Se-min.

Gigantur, the old but wise Orc, was there. When Se-min greeted him slightly with his eyes, he smiled. It felt like obtaining an ally.

Se-min scanned the remaining Orcs and stared at the master of this fortress at the end.

He could tell at a single glance that he was Galatur.

He sat in the seat of honor as if he were the ruler of this place, leaning back at length. It was a posture as if he were wary of nothing. It was the gaze of a leader.

“Galatur.”

Se-min called his name. Galatur leaned his body further back against the backrest.

“What is it?”

“How is your mood right now?”

“My mood?”

He laughed.

“I don’t think it is time to ask such a thing?”

“Tell me.”

“My mood.”

Galatur looked back at the other Orcs and spoke.

“I am very worried about the future of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees. I am contemplating how to escape this crisis. My chest is heavy.”

Se-min nodded. Galatur spoke immediately.

“Human Emperor. You must be pleased?”

“What do you mean?”

“You came to win over us Orcs to wage war against Badurbarok. Yet, just as it happens, a fight has broken out, so it must be a good thing for you. Isn’t that right?”

It was a sharp point. Se-min said calmly.

“No.”

“Then?”

“This fellow will tell you instead how my mood is.”

The gazes of all the Orcs turned in the direction Se-min was pointing.

Standing there was a young Orc.

It was Kebalar.

“W-what is it.”

He had a tense expression in front of the masters of the fortress. However, he did not lower his head.

Fitting for an Orc who openly declared that he would become Warchief, he puffed out his chest and stared back at them.

“How is your mood?”

“My mood?”

“Yes. I mean how you feel seeing those demonic beast bastards who set up camp before the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Kebalar clenched his fist and spoke.

“It is anger.”

Se-min went behind him and placed his hands on both of his shoulders.

“Continue.”

“We are Orcs. No matter how much the era has changed, the fact that we are Orcs does not change. Yet those demonic beasts stand before our home, letting out bizarre noises and threatening us!”

Kebalar’s hands trembled.

“Insolently, they are threatening us!”

Those words caused a stir.

The world fell into Badurbarok’s grasp.

The Orcs who had wished to leave the Grand Marino Sea of Trees were swept away by the demonic beasts instead. The Orcs might perhaps be surviving by Badurbarok’s mercy.

That being the case, this young Orc dared to call them insolent.

“They treat us as weaklings, and treat us as cowards who shiver when threatened like that, so how can I not be angry! Because I am an Orc!”

The air inside the fortress settled heavily.

Se-min patted Kebalar’s shoulder.

“I agree with this friend’s words.”

“…”

“Are you all angry too? Or are you just worried about how to get through this moment?”

They shifted their bodies uncomfortably. Galatur straightened up and glared straight at Se-min. Se-min did not avoid his gaze.

Galatur asked.

“Who is that young Orc?”

“This fellow?”

Se-min replied.

“He is called Kebalar, the one who will become Warchief.”

Kebalar was not surprised or flustered by Se-min’s reply. Rather, he nodded. He pointed to his chest and spoke.

“Correct. I am Kebalar. The man who will become Warchief.”

Watching that, Galatur began to laugh.

“I wondered what kind of reckless child had become Emperor, and was it such a person? Well, do you intend to make that young Orc the Warchief and wage war holding tree branches?”

“A reckless child.”

Se-min laughed back.

“No one has said those words to me and remained intact.”

Se-min raised his aura. At that, a massive airflow began to stream inside the fortress.

The laughing face of Galatur stiffened slowly. The other Orcs also straightened their postures and stared at Se-min.

They probably did not know the Emperor possessed martial power as well.

“Consider your age, Galatur.”

It was a line mixed with a threat. Galatur swallowed his saliva and cleared his throat.

“I have already taken in the Goblin Lord, and formed an agreement with the awakened dragons. I believe the Orcs will also join this fight. Gathering all the ancient races, I will begin the war to kill Badurbarok.”

Dignity settled in Se-min’s voice. It was the authority of the Imperial Throne.

Se-min looked around the masters of each fortress gathered in Galatur’s fortress and spoke.

“I read some books in Sargassonia, and they all described Orcs like this. Proud warriors who know no fear. If Badurbarok is scary, you do not have to join us. What I need is Orcs, not cowards.”

Kubar, Maktar, and Kebalar nodded.

Galatur was keeping his mouth closed, and it was just the moment he was about to speak.

The door of the hall opened and an Orc shouted.

“Master Galatur! The demonic beasts have begun to march!”

Everyone’s eyes widened. Se-min grinned. Galatur’s gaze shook here and there, then gradually found composure, putting away his anxiety.

“We must quickly decide what to do…”

He spoke while looking at the other masters of the fortresses. However, the others were also flustered. No opinion came out.

“I am going to fight.”

Maktar stepped forward.

“I am the master of my fortress, and my fortress is located at the entrance to the Grand Marino Sea of Trees. I cannot let my fortress be trampled by the demonic beast bastards. I am going to fight.”

There was no Orc here who did not know Maktar’s face. Even though time had passed, his valor was not forgotten.

He was the Orc who had built the largest fortress in the past, and also the one who had lost everything to Badurbarok.

“Maktar. Do you intend to commit the same mistake again?”

Galatur said.

“You will completely fall out with Badurbarok.”

Maktar smirked.

“You must have been that scared.”

“It is not a problem for you alone. It is a matter of putting all Orcs in danger. It is fine if you fight and die alone, but what about the other Orcs?”

“The other Orcs…”

As if it were not worth answering, Maktar turned his body and walked toward the entrance of the hall. The Orcs guarding the entrance cleared the way.

Just before leaving, Maktar looked back at Galatur.

“If you fear that, you are not an Orc. I do not care about a fellow who is not an Orc.”

And he departed.

“I must go too.”

Kubar, standing in the back, spoke while looking at the masters of the fortresses.

Those who knew Kubar grew tense. Kubar was a fairly well-known practitioner, and was among the strong side of practitioners.

“Because Maktar’s words seem correct.”

And Kubar also raised his weapon and left the fortress.

“Shall we go too then?”

As Se-min spoke so, Kebalar nodded. Shozen, Gulad, Kaorak, and Biryu raised their weapons.

And Gigantur stood up.

“Gigantur?”

Galatur stared at him. Gigantur smiled on his wrinkled face and shrugged his shoulders.

“Hearing them, I think their words are correct too.”

Starting with Gigantur, more masters of the fortresses stood up.

They bowed to Galatur in greeting, then left their seats and stood by Se-min’s side. Among them, a young Orc spoke.

“Since the demonic beasts look down on us, it is time to show who we are.”

Galatur dropped his gaze.

It was a gesture filled with agony.

Se-min spun around without saying more. The Orcs followed Se-min.

Galatur and the masters of the fortresses left in the hall could not look at them. Galatur lamented.

“The world will be stained with blood.”