Praise the Orc! - Chapter 181

Chapter 181

Chapter 181 – Slayer Maker (1)

Crockta informed Guardi, the leader of Katalu, and quietly escaped the city .  It was to get rid of the fans and users following them .

“It is like going back to the beginning . ”

“Huhu, I think so as well dot . ”

Crockta headed north to find the Temple of the Fallen God, while Tiyo wanted to find his father . It was the beginning of destiny .  He’d met Anor there, fought the great chieftain, and eventually conquered the north .  Next was the south . He’d met an Alaste knight there and learned about the empire’s ambitions . Then he rescued the city from an army .

They had been through many things .  Now, they were heading on a new path .  Their goal was the west .  It contained the magnificent Orcrox and Basque, as well as the mountain cities of the orcs .  There were a wide variety of orcs present in unknown territory on the continent . Beyond that was Geherad .  

Geherad was the ancient word for ‘last fire . ’

“The last fire, is it an incredibly hot place dot?”

“Tsk . Think about it . It would be something figurative . ”

“What do you think when you hear last fire dot? Heat!”

“Not that . Um… passion? A place where passionate people live?”

***

They walked for a long time after leaving Katalu .  After heading north-east from Katalu, a great forest appeared . From there, it was a long march to Geherad .

“I see it . ”

There was a small village at the entrance of the forest .  It was commonly known as the ‘resting area . ’

“Be careful . I heard rumors that the prices are expensive dot . ”

“It’s okay . Crockta is rich . ”

“Indeed, there is a saying that a friend’s money is our money dot . ”

“…It is the first time I’ve heard that . ”

The great forest was a rough place . However, there were adventures, treasures, and magic hidden throughout . There was also a city like Geherad, where mysterious species lived .  That’s why adventurers who wanted to enter the forest stayed at this village for a while .  They could gain equipment, information, and companions from the village . The great forest was a tough place, so it was advantageous to have as many people as possible .

There were adventurers shaking placards at the entrance of the village .

[Recruiting people to explore Darunen Dungeon . ]

[Looking for people to hunt trolls . ]

[Looking for an adventurer to accompany me to Seoru Academy . ]

[Looking for people with courage . ]

They were all gathering people .  Many showed interest in Crockta’s party .  There was a dignified orc warrior, a gnome with a mysterious artifact, and an unknown hooded person, who gave off dark energy .  They seemed strong and skillful . The adventurers waved their placards towards the party with eager eyes .  Everyone was preparing to enter the forest for various purposes .  

Crockta’s party didn’t respond and headed straight into the village .  There were inns, restaurants, and equipment stores all over . Houses for residential purposes were rare .  In other words, most of the villagers were wanderers .

“We will stay the day and head off tomorrow . ”

“Good dot . ”

They didn’t need another party member, so they headed straight to an inn . It cost a lot to stay for just one day .  Then at that moment…

A man holding a placard was staring at them from the entrance to the inn . A bearded dwarf .  He looked at Tiyo, who was a similar height to him, and then at Anor and Crockta .  Then he moved his placard closer .

[Geherad . ]

There was only a brief description of his destination .  He was already confident they were going to the same place after hearing the conversation that went on within Crockta’s group .  However, his shabby appearance didn’t fit that of a dwarf .

Tiyo and Anor shook their heads, while Crockta avoided eye contact . They ignored him and tried to enter the inn .  Then the dwarf opened his mouth to say,

“Going to Geherad will be useless . ”

Crockta’s party stopped walking .

The dwarf said, “The one you are looking for isn’t there . ”

Crockta looked at the dwarf . He seemed to already know the purpose of Crockta’s group .  Perhaps he knew about Hedor .

Crockta asked, “What are you talking about? Do you know Hedor?”

“Hedor?” The dwarf was confused .  “It is the first time I’ve heard that name . I don’t know who he is, but he won’t be enough . ”

The momentary conversation paused . What was the dwarf talking about? Crockta’s group looked at each other .  Something was strange .

Crockta spoke again, “You said that you know why we are going to Geherad…”

“Of course . ”

“What do you think the reason is?”

“Um…?” The dwarf seemed to have noticed something was strange as he pointed to Crockta .  “Aren’t you going to fix that?”

“What are you talking about? Fix?”

“You are heading to Geherad without knowing anything?” The dwarf sighed .  “Foolish warrior!”

“What are you saying? Please explain . ”

Tiyo tugged at Crockta and Anor’s sleeves .

“Ignore him dot . He is just a weird dwarf, a crazy dwarf . ”

“My mind is fine, gnome with an undignified expression!”

“What dot! Crazy dwarf!”

Anor gently stopped Tiyo . The dwarf sighed, “You really don’t know anything . Warrior . Listen carefully . ” He pointed to Ogre Slayer on Crockta’s back .  “Your weapon is on the brink of breaking . ”

“……!”

Crockta’s eyes widened . Then he reflexively grabbed the handle of Ogre Slayer .  It felt heavy in his hands .  That dwarf said that Ogre Slayer was on the verge of breaking down . There was a problem with the work of the Golden Anvil Clan? Crockta couldn’t believe it .

“You are a great warrior . I can feel it . You might’ve become stronger through many battlefields, but the sword has continued to be damaged . ”

He had a point .  Ever since Crockta received this as a gift from Thompson in Anail, he hadn’t changed weapons even once .  In the meantime, he had dealt with countless monsters and enemies . A conventional weapon would’ve already been destroyed .  However, Crockta had always taken care of Ogre Slayer and brought it to blacksmiths . Yet a shabby dwarf was saying this to him out of nowhere, so he couldn’t accept it .

“I entrusted it to a blacksmith every time a fight ended . ”

“Yes, you left it to a blacksmith . That is the problem . ”

“How come?”

“An ordinary blacksmith can’t handle Ogre Slayer . ”

“……!”

Crockta’s eyes widened . This dwarf knew that the greatsword was named Ogre Slayer .

“Who are you?”

Crockta held Ogre Slayer .  The dwarf nodded fearlessly at the blade which Crockta held . There was a faint smile on his face .

“I am a craftsman of the Golden Anvil Clan, Zakiro . ”

He was a member of the Golden Anvil Clan .  However, this wasn’t the end .

“I am the one who created Ogre Slayer, the Slayer Maker . ”

***

“Your Majesty . This divine message is strange . ”

Duke Christian said .  He was the one who had caused the emperor to become close to the Heaven and Earth Clan . He was also the one with the greatest power in the empire, maybe even more than the emperor .  The kingdom could become an empire due to Duke Christian manipulating it from behind .  

After the Heaven and Earth Clan disappeared, Duke Christian rarely left his estate . However, he came to Akantor after hearing news about the divine message .

“Please think carefully . ”

“I followed your cautious words and lost most of the troops . ” Akantor said sarcastically .

However, Christian wasn’t agitated .  “It was Your Majesty’s choice to strike Crockta . ”

“Are you really saying that?”

“Isn’t it?”

Christian shot back .  Emperor Akantor… The only person able to question him was Duke Christian .

Akantor’s lips twisted as he smiled, “Yes, let’s say that . ”

“I believe you understand my point . ”

“So, I should refuse the temples . ”

“The empire isn’t a place ruled by the gods . It is only Your Majesty who can decide on war . ”

“You speak well . ”

“I have always been loyal . Please listen to me, Your Majesty . ”

“So, what is wrong with this? I don’t know about matters regarding the gods . But this is an opportunity to get rid of Crockta who insulted the empire, as well as the dirty orcs . Does the duke think otherwise?”

Christian closed his eyes .

Of course, it was a tempting offer .  In addition to the empire, all the species on the continent, including the elves and dwarves, had received this divine message .  If they joined together, they could destroy the orcs without much damage . If Crockta was killed, the empire’s fallen honor would be rebuilt .  However, they needed to be careful .

“Mogsulin was at the fight on the plains . ”

“I heard he was watching from a distance . ”

Mogsulin was the magician who had stopped Crockta and saved Keynes . He was the genius who was the most powerful magician in the empire, and Duke Christian’s most beloved follower .

“He can borrow the power of the gods . Therefore, he has a great deal of knowledge about the gods . ”

“A magician who can borrow the power of the gods?”

“He has the ability to interact with them . Anyway, he felt something at that time and learned that the gods were watching Crockta . ”

Mogsulin had sensed a power that shouldn’t be present in Crockta .

“That is why the gods are trying to kill Crockta and the orcs . ”

“What is that power?”

“The power of the fallen god . ”

“It is the first time I’ve heard of it . ”

“It is dangerous . We must be cautious as long as the power of the fallen god is involved . She is the worst being who drove the world to the brink of destruction . ”

Christian gazed at Akantor with serious eyes .  Akantor sighed .  Christian was the real power of the empire . Simultaneously, he was his mother’s brother, or in other words, his uncle .  His strength was manipulation, but sometimes he gave sincere advice .

“Then shouldn’t we do something before the situation worsens?”

“We will have no obligation to . ”

“Isn’t the world in danger because of Crockta and the orcs?”

“Your Majesty is still pure . ” Christian laughed . Akantor’s face distorted .  “It doesn’t matter if it is dangerous . The orcs live in the northwest of the continent . The elves, dwarves, and gnomes will receive the damage first . ”

“……”

“Then when the time comes, the gods will come out in person . They leave troublesome things to the mortals, but once the damage is too large, they will use their power . ”

Akantor nodded .  “The gods… It seems like a distant story . ”

“They are insignificant . They are merely mighty beings who call themselves gods and follow their own desires . ”

“So, you’re saying we don’t need to exhaust our strength and should just watch . If nothing happens, it is good . If the other species are damaged, it is beneficial to us . ”

“That’s right . ” Christian looked at Akantor with gentle eyes .  “Keep this in mind . There is no joint responsibility in this world . A battle is divided between the loser and the winner . In this case, there is no loss from not participating . ”

“I understand . ” Akantor nodded .

Once Christian thought the emperor was convinced, he bowed and left the room .  Now that Akantor was alone, he rubbed his chin .  Christian’s words made sense .  However, it was clear that Christian had failed to grasp the power of the ‘gods . ’ The gods weren’t so convenient to deal with .

Akantor muttered, “I wish it was that easy…”