novelraw Chapter 269 : Orc Mountains (3)
Chapter 269 : Orc Mountains (3)
Orc Mountains (★★★☆☆).
The longest-standing Anti-Demon Front in the northern continent and the largest among the existing 3-star Anti-Demon Fronts.
Until now, that was the extent of the Orc Mountains' significance.
However, as they stood on the verge of a clash with the Northern Subjugation Force, that meaning had changed considerably.
They had dug underground tunnels so discreetly that even UMC, the Order's greatest intelligence agency, had failed to notice. Furthermore, they had secured permanent changes that roughly doubled the Orcs' combat power.
This was a space where ‘Fortification’—often called the Demon King’s Army’s ‘sure-fire strategy’—had been applied.
It was difficult to say exactly how much weight the series of changes U-jin discovered during his reconnaissance held without experiencing them firsthand.
However, for the high-ranking officers of the Order’s army who knew the records concerning Fortification, simply knowing in advance was not enough to put their minds at ease.
After all, the ‘Orc race’ had already transcended the bounds of typical Magical Beast races due to their unique growth potential.
Fwoosh—
Puff—
Sitting alone before a campfire with a cigarette hanging from his lips, U-jin suddenly recalled the beginning.
That is to say.
The beginning of his second life.
[You have entered ‘Gateway Zone: First Gate’.]
[Checking the trial assigned to the ‘First Gate’.]
+
//win_h [Trial: Orc Hunting]
■ Overview: In the Upper Plane of the northern continent, there exists a Magical Beast race known as the ‘Orcs,’ who serve as a pillar of the War against Demons. They are the ancestral counterparts of the monsters known as Goblins found in the Lower-Dimensional Plane, possessing similar appearances but with greater strength and physical stature. Assassinate them and prove your worth as a Hero.
■ Clear Condition: Reach the end of the gate after obtaining Orc tokens.
■ Difficulty: [Unranked]
■ Time Limit: 5 hours.
■ Reward: ‘???’
+
…The time he had first entered the Gateway Zone.
Back then, it was nothing more than a sort of ‘tutorial area’ artificially created within a dimensional rift by the Guardian Cross Order to test the qualifications of prospective Heroes.
But now, the real Orc Mountains stood before his eyes.
Heh.
“It’s like some kind of full circle.”
He realized anew that the end he had aimed for was approaching.
The fact that he had passed the tutorial and reached the ‘real thing’ reinforced that thought.
Back then, the path forward had seemed so bleak and uncertain, but now, he felt he could faintly see the end.
…Well.
Just because it was visible didn't mean it would be granted.
Until one actually grasped it in their hands, there was no way to tell if it was a mirage or the truth.
But from U-jin's perspective, he had no choice but to believe it was real and keep running.
Having come this far, the option to choose another path no longer existed.
Puff—
As he exhaled another cloud of cigarette smoke, a shadow loomed over him.
“Can I sit?”
The abrupt question made it clear who the person was.
It was Ludwig Allegro.
“…Don't ask such tedious questions. Would I hit you for sitting here?”
“Well, I might be the one doing the hitting.”
Responding to the blunt reply with a shrug and a retort, he naturally took a seat beside U-jin.
And then.
“…There’s a hell of a lot of them.”
He muttered while staring straight ahead.
“Well… it is the night before the start of the battle.”
“Disgusting. Truly disgusting.”
Ludwig Allegro shook his head as he gauged the number of dark green waves visible intermittently between the Orc Mountains.
Indeed, 'disgusting' was a fitting word for the scene.
Whether they lacked the need for sleep or not, those dark green creatures moving sporadically in the darkness without torches were enough to evoke revulsion.
A moment of silence followed.
“…I think this every time.”
Ludwig Allegro spoke up in a low voice.
U-jin had expected this to some extent.
It was impossible for someone like Ludwig Allegro to make time for a private chat out of mere sentimentality.
“Something feels awkward.”
“…Me?”
“Yeah. Call it an old man’s intuition. Things seem to add up, yet they don’t.”
“…….”
Shrug.
“…What, are you asking me to treat you like an elder?”
When U-jin feigned ignorance and asked back, the corners of Ludwig’s mouth curled up.
“If you were the type to do it just because I asked, you would’ve done it long ago. I don’t expect respect, and I don’t give it either.”
“…….”
“In this short life where you don't know if you’ll kick the bucket today or tomorrow, what does seniority matter?”
“…I suppose that’s true.”
The surroundings fell silent again.
Crackle, crackle.
Chirp, chirp.
Only the sound of the campfire sparks and the chirping of crickets filled the air.
“Hey.”
It was Ludwig Allegro who broke the silence first.
“…Is there anything else you’re hiding?”
“…Hiding?”
“I know it’s strange for me to say this to someone who already revealed himself as the Saintess’s proxy.”
“…….”
“But no matter how much I think about it, that one thing doesn't explain far too many things.”
Hesitating as if contemplating for a moment, he scratched the back of his head with an expression that said, ‘To hell with it.’
“Honestly, your actions have been bizarre ever since before the Saintess’s death.”
“…….”
“I’ve run background checks hundreds of times, but nothing particular comes up.”
Shrug.
“As the head of UMC, the fact that there’s something I don’t know is driving me crazy. Well, if it was something you could tell me just by me asking, you would’ve told me long ago.”
Heh.
“You know me well.”
As U-jin muttered with a natural curl of his lips, Ludwig Allegro paused.
“…What’s with that reaction?”
“…….”
“Don’t tell me there really is something? Another thing you’re hiding?”
“To be precise, it’s not that I’m hiding it. I’ve never said it with my own mouth, but I haven't exactly told any lies either.”
…What on earth could be the other secret he was concealing while revealing himself as the ‘proxy carrying out the Saintess’s will’?
Ludwig Allegro’s mind became so cluttered with curiosity that it felt like it might burst.
However, he shook his head with a deep sigh.
Then he spoke.
“Never mind.”
“…….”
“Well, fine. As long as it’s not wrong, that’s all that matters.”
It was a reaction of giving up, realizing that no matter how much he pried, U-jin wouldn't tell him.
“You’re quick. The others asked at least a couple more times.”
“…The others?”
“Two people have already come by. Since they came in right after the other left, I thought you guys had timed it like a baton touch.”
“…….”
A look of genuine surprise crossed Ludwig’s face.
“…Those shameless bastards. Why are they coming to ask questions when the war starts tomorrow?”
Watching Ludwig look truly incensed, the thought ‘Is this what they call hypocrisy?’ briefly crossed U-jin’s mind, but he didn't voice it.
“Even I, the one in charge of the intelligence agency, have been holding back from asking until now… Those disrespectful punks.”
It seemed he felt it was relatively unfair, considering how much he had agonized over it himself.
“Honestly, it’s legal for me.”
“…That isn't particularly convincing.”
Shrug.
“For the others, it’s an abuse of power. I am the head of an intelligence agency established according to the Order’s legitimate procedures, while the others are just using private academic ties, regional ties, blood ties, or even smoking ties to make inquiries.”
“…….”
“Valkyrie or whoever, I’m going to throw them all in using my UMC authority when we get back. Those insolent fools.”
U-jin wasn't sure about the details, but it seemed Ludwig wanted to say he was ‘quite displeased.’
Watching Ludwig flare up in sudden anger, U-jin suddenly asked.
“So.”
“……?”
“What is it that you want?”
At the blunt question, Ludwig feigned innocence and asked back.
“I told you, I came to ask about what you’re hiding. But you said you wouldn't tell me.”
“If you were going to be satisfied with that and leave, you would’ve left then.”
“……”
“It’s awkward right now. Aren't you trying to get ‘something’ out of this, even if you can’t find out everything?”
Silence fell again.
Ludwig shook his head and muttered.
“…I really shouldn't do things I don't normally do. Is it that obvious?”
“It’s just very strange. You didn't seem like the type to fly off the handle like that.”
“Damn it.”
Dismissing it with a short curse, Ludwig let out a long sigh before finally bringing up the main point.
“What is your goal?”
“…….”
“Well, honestly, I knew you wouldn't tell me what you’ve been hiding, but as an executive of the Order, I should at least know what your goal is.”
U-jin gave a bitter smile at Ludwig’s words.
“I won’t ask what it is. I just have a gut feeling.”
“…….”
“Even if I don’t know exactly what it is, I feel like the currents are shifting around you.”
Scratch, scratch.
“It sounds a bit cringeworthy, but it’s like you’re the eye of the storm.”
Ludwig Allegro scratched his head as if he found his own words awkward.
However, U-jin could feel the sincerity in his eyes.
…It was something he could expect to some extent.
U-jin’s actions were certainly exceptional, and he had now mostly abandoned the idea of staying out of sight.
There was no way UMC hadn't investigated his background from the start, and if the accumulated data provided no answers, it was only natural they would seek him out directly.
If he were the type of person who could sit idly by while not knowing something, he wouldn't be fit to lead UMC.
Locking eyes with Ludwig, U-jin lightly replied with a small curl of his lips.
“Well.”
“…….”
“It’s the same. Victory in the War against Demons. That has never once changed.”
Fortunately, there was no conflict.
Before his regression and even now, that was U-jin’s only goal.
…No, to be precise, the word ‘goal’ felt slightly off for U-jin.
It was more like a mission.
Too many lives had been sacrificed for that objective since his days in the Suicide Squad.
It wasn't that they had placed a burden on him, but from the perspective of U-jin, who had regressed alone, each of their names felt like a burden he couldn't help but carry.
First of all.
Kill the Demon King and win the War against Demons.
No other goal existed for U-jin.
“Hmm… I see. Then that’s enough.”
Whether he had expected something more.
Or whether the answer itself wasn't entirely satisfying.
Ludwig, responding with a mix of relief and lingering curiosity, shook his head as if he didn't know what to make of it and stood up.
“Heave-ho.”
“Now, go inside and get some sleep. What kind of day is tomorrow that you’re staying up until dawn like this?”
“…….”
“Don’t mope around and make others anxious for no reason.”
“…I’ll do that.”
Dust, dust.
U-jin also brushed the dirt off his hands and stomped out the campfire.
Ludwig was right.
It was tomorrow.
The all-out war with the Orc Mountains.