“Oh…” Bash pressed his lips together. Judith’s sister… Bash pictured a beautiful female knight, as lovely as her younger sister. Bash could well imagine how such a beautiful lady knight would have been treated by the orcs during the war… At the time, though, no one would have thought anything of it. The orcs saw all women as targets for capture. During the peace talks, when the sanctions were being decided, a human female knight had spoken up, cutting down a sole orc warrior. She was known as Lily the Blood Sprayer, and this is what she said: “Nonconsensual sex with women of other races… This practice is immensely damaging to the pride of female knights such as myself! If you orcs had any pride in yourselves as a race, you would allow the defeated to choose an honorable death instead! Stop humiliating and debasing us in defeat! Allow us to die on the battlefield with our dignity intact!” Her speech went a long way toward enlightening the orcs. But of course, there were still many orcs who were led by their carnal desires. And many others who saw no point in changing their ways now, after centuries and centuries of such practices. Others were concerned about losing access to breeding opportunities and stood in stubborn opposition. Not all orcs were like that, though. “You know, I’ve always despised orcs because of what happened to my sister… She was so brilliant, so inspiring…” As Judith spoke, the old dark shadow passed over her features once again. Her seething hatred was obvious. Her burning desire to murder every last member of orckind… But then her expression cleared once more. “But now I’ve started to change my thinking a little. Now I know that there are great men like you among the orc race, that is.” Judith had not let go of her grudge. But it felt a little lighter to bear now. That’s what her expression told Bash. Bash still didn’t really understand the situation. Luckily, Zell did. The fairy fluttered around Bash’s ear, whispering to him. “Boss…I hate to be the one to tell ya, but this ain’t gonna happen.” “Oh, but…she said I’m a great man. Isn’t that a good thing?” “It looks like this woman has the orcs on her no-mate list. Boss, there’s certain races you wouldn’t want to mate with, too, right?” Indeed, there were certain races Bash would not like to mate with. For one, the lizardmen. Bash certainly wouldn’t want to sleep with one of their race. Their reptilian features did nothing for him. Besides, you could barely even tell which were the males and which were the females. Another race on Bash’s no-mate list would be the killer bees. Even if he was to mate with one of them, only baby killer bees would be born. Also, the females had a policy of eating the males after becoming pregnant. Bash was hoping his first sexual encounter wouldn’t be his last. Killer bees were definitely out. And there were other races Bash would prefer not to lay with, as well. It seemed that orcs were one of those races to Judith. If so, then Bash really didn’t have a chance. “Well, she may not be your wife, but she did say you were a great man, and that could lead to other opportunities! Human women like to talk and gossip among themselves, y’know. Even if she’s not into orcs, she might put in a good word for you with some other women!” “True!” Bash pictured a line of women, all just as attractive as Judith. Ah yes, they were all just Bash’s type. It was a shame about Judith, to be sure, but Bash was certain he could find solace with another… “Oh, but don’t go telling her you want her to introduce you to a friend. Women don’t like that. They get mad when a guy switches up his attentions too quick, for some reason.” “I see…then what should I say?” “Hmm… Just say you’re looking to meet someone new. If you phrase it that way, it might go well.” Bash nodded thoughtfully. Zell was so helpful when it came to things like this. If Bash had been alone, he never would have thought of asking. “Judith. I have a favor to ask.” “Um, you do?” “I’m looking to meet someone new. A woman. Do you have any idea where I should look?” Judith frowned thoughtfully at Bash for a second. Then her eyebrows shot up, and she glanced at Houston. He had been listening to their conversation and nodded. “All right, I think I have an idea.” “Hmm. You do?” “Ha-ha, I’m the Krassel Army general, you know. I do have access to that kind of information.” An army general was equivalent to an orc great warlord. A great warlord always looked out for his subordinate warriors. Men who didn’t show due care for their juniors would never have become great warlords in the first place, see. Orcs were a simple race, but they weren’t stupid. They knew what it took to be a great commander. But a great warrior like Bash didn’t automatically make for a great commander. Still, he could appreciate how a general might know much about the female knights under his command. Enough to recommend one or two… “You should journey to the Shiwanashi Forest, in elf country. If you do that, I’m certain you’ll have the encounter you seek.” “The elves, eh…?” That wasn’t quite the introduction Bash had been expecting. He had been sure Houston was going to introduce him to another sexy female human knight. But an elf would do nicely. They weren’t as fertile as humans, but they were fully capable of conceiving from sex with orcs. And any children they bore Bash would be blessed with magical power. Plus, they were long-lived and very durable, and some of them were extreme beauties. As a result, they were very sought-after among the orc race. Some orcs didn’t care for them, though. For many orcs, the typical elf was far too skinny. But Bash wasn’t opposed to elves at all. In fact, elves were considered something of a rarity at the time, since there were few to be found in orc country. If Bash returned home with an elf bride, his standing as an Orc Hero would only be boosted. “An elf… Not bad. Not bad at all, Boss!” “Right! Well, we’d better head there right away.” Bash was satisfied. He turned to leave. Seeing this, Houston frowned in confusion. “Hmm? Where are you going?” “To Shiwanashi Forest.” Indeed, Shiwanashi Forest wasn’t far, but it was in the opposite direction of the Fortified City of Krassel. There was no need for Bash to return to the town. “Well, don’t you want to stay the night in Krassel? You’d be very welcome.” “I don’t have time.” Bash wanted to be rid of his virginity as soon as possible. If Shiwanashi Forest was where he could make that happen, then he didn’t want to waste another second. “But I thought we could all have drinks together at the tavern tonight to celebrate our success…” Houston wanted to keep Bash around a little longer, but he knew better than to push. Instead, he decided to drop it and chuckled. “All right, then. I understand. We won’t detain you.” The foot soldiers hadn’t been following the conversation and turned after the orc in confusion upon realizing he was leaving. But neither Houston nor Judith said anything. They simply watched Bash go. But then Judith took a step forward. “Mr. Bash…” Bash came to a stop. His heart filled with a sudden wild hope. “May the fortunes of war be in your favor.” The hope faded as quickly as it had come. But Bash looked back over his shoulder at Judith and nodded firmly. Then he turned again and began walking in the direction of the Shiwanashi Forest. “We didn’t really catch all the details, but why did that orc come to Krassel, again?” When they had almost reached the town gates, one of the soldiers posed this question. “Hmm? Isn’t it obvious?” “Sir, if you wouldn’t mind explaining it…” Houston thought it over for a second, his gaze sliding to Judith. You know, don’t you? Enlighten them. That’s what his look said. Judith sighed and yet launched into an explanation anyway. “After the war, the Orc King outlawed fighting and opted for peace. You know that much, right?” “Yes, of course. General Houston was at the signing ceremony for the peace treaty, as I recall.” “Right. Well, even among the orcs who were at the signing, there were those who were opposed to the new terms.” “You mean they didn’t want peace with the humans?” “Exactly. For orcs, fighting comes as naturally as breathing. From the moment they’re born, they dream of going to war. Peace was a ludicrous concept to them. They wanted to continue fighting and creating havoc. There were a lot of orcs who held that view.” The soldier swallowed hard. “Those who were opposed ended up leaving orc country and scattering themselves across the world. Then they caused chaos in all sorts of other countries. Like what happened in our country, in the forest.” Judith knew a lot about orc culture and history. She’d learned from Houston. Moreover, she’d spent a year shadowing him and learning his method for hunting down the rogue orcs. She knew what they were like. Half of them were despicable, the dregs of society, and not particularly skilled warriors, either. Nor could they manage to obey the orders of the Orc King. But there was another type of rogue orc out there. The best of the warrior class. The ones who had survived countless battles and slain hundreds of enemies. They were both strong and cunning. They knew how to survive. “The incident this time—that was definitely caused by an orc. But what does that have to do with the journey Mr. Bash said he was on?” “You still don’t know, even after everything you’ve just heard?” Judith shrugged, rolling her eyes. “Mr. Bash is out in the world, seeking out these shameful rogue orcs, and exterminating them one by one.” Judith thought she had figured out Bash’s mission. Bash was a true soldier, able to put aside his own desires and show loyalty to his commanding lord. That’s why he kept bringing up the Orc King so many times. And the thing the Orc King and the Hero Bash were both trying to protect was… “So he’s out there trying to restore the pride of the orc race.” Orcs were wild and uncouth. Most other races had this sort of negative impression of them. Of course, this impression wasn’t exactly wrong. At the same time, though, the orcs were proud of their race. And they were fully prepared to reap what they had sown in the war. In order to restore the reputation of the orcs, they had dispatched their finest Hero, Bash, on a divine mission. How could it be anything else? thought Judith. “This incident has changed my impression of the orc race, just a little.” Judith had despised orcs. It was orcs who had violated her sister, who had shown themselves incapable of respect toward other races, and particularly their women. They saw women as little more than breeding stock. There was no way Judith could ever look upon their kind with fondness. But even among that race she hated so much, there was at least one whom she found worthy of her respect. As a knight, there was at least one orc who had inspired her. This realization felt somehow incredibly significant to Judith. Her mind had been opened to new possibilities. “But, General Houston, you knew what was going on from the start, didn’t you? You knew right away why Mr. Bash came to Krassel.” “Hmm… Well.” Houston chuckled airily. Actually, when he had first realized Bash was in town, he had almost wet his pants. But it was also obvious straight away that Bash was there on some sort of mission. After so many years spent studying orc culture and behaviors, he’d figured that out right away. Yes, dedicating himself to the study of the orcs had been his greatest tool for self-preservation. And armed with that knowledge, Houston had been able to comport himself around the orc without causing any offense. Even better, he’d been able to help him on his mission. Houston felt proud of himself for that. “We should all strive to be like that orc if we have any pride in ourselves as knights.” “You’re right. I, personally, intend to dedicate myself to my work in the hopes of being more like Mr. Bash.” Judith sighed deeply, thinking back over recent events, her resolve firm and her heart full. She would never forget meeting Bash. She would never forget how he had acted with honor and pride. She would become a great warrior, too, just like Bash… “But first, you’re all in for some serious pay cuts and a period of deep self-reflection as penance for your mutinous actions in that cave. But you’ll keep your titles in honor of the great Orc Hero Bash!” “Y-yes, sir!” “Yessir! Yessir!” Houston and Judith exchanged smiles. Both were grateful to the fates for allowing them to cross paths with someone like Bash. In high spirits, the company set off to return to their home, the Fortified City of Krassel.
Chapter 15
12 min read