Chapter 150

Last quest of Lake Fortress.

The time has come to eliminate the orc settlement where the final treasure lies.

A place swarming with orcs, from the Orc King to various kinds of orcs. While treasure from the Kingdom is sometimes randomly assigned to such locations, even if it isn’t, one must visit such places at least once.

So, when the treasure appears in the orc settlement like this time, it’s convenient because we only have to do the job once.

Like always, I was planning to go with just Asies.

“Let me come, too.”

“Mr. Linbar?”

For some reason, Linbar—who usually detests being around me—offered to come along.

Could this guy be experiencing dementia at such a young age?

Young-onset dementia?

“Our squad leader disappeared while chasing orcs. Maybe they’re in the orc settlement.”

“Well, that’s none of my business…”

Fortunately, it wasn’t about that.

More importantly, the missing squad leader…

‘Wasn’t there a story about that?’

If this was someone noteworthy, I wouldn’t have forgotten. Maybe they died during their mission.

Then again, it’s awkward for me to declare someone is dead.

“Understood. Let’s go together.”

Linbar resolved himself with a solemn expression.

Thus, the team to head to the orc settlement was decided.

“Linbar, bring back the squad leader at all costs!”

“I beseech you. Even if only remains, find them. We need to give their spirit peace.”

“Don’t say such ominous things, you fool. That guy’s survival instincts are top-notch. They’re probably still alive somewhere. Bring them back no matter what.”

The townsfolk gathered to see us off.

Jorn, who had been keeping an eye on us from afar, averted his gaze and disappeared when our eyes met.

“Well then, let’s set off.”

The driver cracked the whip, signaling our departure.

***

Arriving atop a towering cliff, I looked down below.

A colossal fortress.

The orc settlement came into view.

Just getting here was no easy feat—perilous roads, obstructed sightlines, and beasts lurking everywhere.

Without the aid of a map, even someone familiar with the general area like me would have been lost.

Had the squad leader known about the existence of the map from the outset, there would’ve been no need to chase the orcs. In that case, they wouldn’t have met their end.

‘Well, what can you do? The clan leader has dementia.’

It’s certainly unfortunate.

The fortress below, as befitting a place with an unfathomable number of stages, teemed with orcs. Looking closer, there were other species, too—humans and dwarves.

They were slaves to the orcs. Supervised by their orc overseers, they were hard at work repairing the broken fortress.

“Truly disgusting. They dare enslave humans. Such repulsive garbage must be eradicated as soon as possible.”

“…”

Though I stood silently, I got caught in splash damage. An innocent throw of a stone killed poor Carami.

“Roman… calling others trash…?”

“It’s not about you, Master. Mr. Linbar, please mind your words. Asies learns from what you say.”

“Got it.”

Not once did he apologize to me.

Never mind that.

As soon as this is over, I won’t have to deal with you.

“I will now explain what Ms. Asies must do. Sweep through the fortress and eliminate the orcs.”

“Okay…”

“You mustn’t recklessly use large-scale magic. There are hostages here, and the item we must retrieve. Focus on just the orcs if you can.”

Asies nodded in understanding.

I worry she might enthusiastically declare, “I’ve understood perfectly!” while not actually understanding. Still, even Asies should be able to tell the difference between humans and orcs, right?

“Ms. Asies, I entrust this to you.”

Asies precariously balanced on the cliff’s edge. One more step forward and she would fall. Nonetheless, she stepped ahead.

It was a significant decision for her.

***

Snowflakes descended.

Snowflakes in the form of human figures.

Not falling due to gravity but leaping from the sky on their own.

Whether bearing weight…

Or moving with intent.

Asies always did as she was told.

This time, it seemed no different on the surface.

But deep down, it was different.

Asies wanted to return Baschal to Darika.

Asies wanted to listen to the song of the music box.

The step she took at the cliff’s edge wasn’t merely a fall—it was her first chosen step.

Like the shackles of compliance falling apart, the winds scattered her old chains.

“Grrr?”

The orcs looked up at the cooling air.

The dark orc settlement was showered with snowflakes.

Not an icy blizzard but soft snowflakes.

The step of intent wasn’t a fall—it was a flight, as the snowflakes emitted winter’s light between the sky and the earth.

The snowflakes eventually turned to ice.

Hail poured down.

An eerily intricate manipulation of magic.

The ice rained precisely upon the orcs.

Crash!

The ground froze, ice rising up to greet Asies.

The ice slope caught her, and sliding down its U-shaped curve, she spun through the air before landing lightly.

The intruder.

The orcs screamed in alarm, ringing bells.

Asies paid them no mind. Instead, she looked around, searching for people.

They were the orc slaves.

Chains adorned their ankles.

They were emaciated.

Their expressions were shadowed by sadness and despair.

She met dwarves.

She learned of Northguard.

Asies doesn’t know how to smile.

She doesn’t know the feeling of joy.

But she realizes these emotions don’t suit them.

They prefer to laugh and gather in passionate celebration.

To restore that joy…

Asies crafted a sword.

It had neither brilliance nor ferocity.

To her, however, this was a revolution.

Deep within her chest, the soul trapped in ice began to crack.

The dragon’s curse activated instantly, yet Asies resisted.

She cherished the small resolve she managed to keep as she swung her sword.

***

Why do villains always prefer dark places?

This thought crossed my mind while observing the orc settlement.

Does it seem more menacing?

If it’s a matter of taste, then aren’t they middle school syndrome patients?

Narcissists who find ambiance in a dark corner.

Or is it because evil deeds are easier to carry out?

I might understand for petty thieves, but for leaders who dominate a region, it’s disgraceful.

A true warrior acts regardless of night or day.

They create chaos in bright, crowded places. Only then can they get noticed, deal with those who seek to suppress them, and demonstrate their power.

Thus, villains hiding in the dark are cowards. They resort to sly tactics because they lack the courage to step forward.

A warrior is not someone who hides in the shadows.

Neither are they someone who thrives in the light.

A true warrior advances through shadows while facing the light.

The world calls such people heroes.

Fictional protagonists.

Like the current Asies.

She plunged into the center of the orc settlement, cutting down orcs with her sword and magic.

I was startled when she jumped from the cliff, but thankfully, nothing happened to worry about. Don’t scare your master like that.

Anyway, the slaves are working hard, so I’ll do my part too.

“We should descend. While Asies is fighting the orcs, we’ll infiltrate to rescue the people and the item.”

“If she takes care of all the orcs, we can just go in later, right? Do we really need to infiltrate now?”

“If cornered, orcs may do something to the hostages, and we don’t have much time. As soon as we defeat the Orc King, we must escape.”

“Why?”

“There’s a reason.”

Linbar didn’t understand, but I avoided elaborating.

Simply put, the areas with the last treasures are Skadi’s domain. Be it wyvern nests or orc settlements.

If Asies’ sealed existence goes berserk in Skadi’s territory, she’ll be detected.

We must wrap things up quickly and leave.

We maneuvered around the cliff, descending to infiltrate the orc fortress.

Orcs are powerful.

Four soldiers are required to take on one. With no combat prowess, neither Linbar nor I can handle them.

Fortunately, thanks to Asies’ dazzling assault, most of the orcs were distracted, allowing us to infiltrate without issue.

First, we had to secure the safety of the slaves. We headed to the underground dungeon.

Zap.

As we entered the dungeon, a system-specific sound effect rang out, and a screen popped up before me.

[Clue to a Slave: Supreme grade]

[The farthest northern part of the continent, the endless frozen wasteland of Isgangar.]

The iron-blooded warrior and Northguard, Tarkind, defends his village from an invading orc army.

After a fierce battle, Tarkind defeats the orc army but is captured after chasing them to their base…

‘Clue to a Slave? What does this mean?’

It’s an item from loot drops.

I used all my points and got this, which seemed to be about a male slave, so I completely ignored it.

This clue has appeared now.

A Northguard who chased orcs and was captured…

“Mr. Linbar, is the squad leader’s name Tarkind by any chance?”

“Yeah, didn’t I mention that?”

“Maybe.”

I just forgot and didn’t remember even after hearing it.

If the character from the clue to a slave is here, there’s little chance they’re dead. They are most likely working as a slave somewhere in this fortress.

‘Still, it’s been quite some time.’

If this were a game, nothing would happen until the player makes contact, but this isn’t a game…

I soon learned what happens when slaves are left unrescued.

“Orcs are scary… I hate orcs…”

At the solitary confinement cell in the underground dungeon.

A naked man, suspended by chains.

Above his head floated the system’s notification marking him as an official slave.

[Iron-blooded Warrior Tarkind]

His starved and disheveled appearance made him look like someone who’d been violated.

If someone could violate someone like this, it would have to be orcs…

‘Sorry.’

That… but I think it’s your fault for being born as a male character in a chewed-up dungeon game.

It’s not my fault.