Chapter 59

“Right? So even an orc can propose marriage with such passion. This is actually the first time someone’s called me beautiful since I changed my face.” “So what happened then? Are you going to take the offer and become Bash’s wife?” “Sadly, no. When I asked him which he would choose, me or the ogre children I was about to kill, he chose the ogre children without a flinch. That’s quite admirable, considering he’s an orc and everything. I’d say he’s worthy of respect.” At hearing this, Carrot unfurled her scowl. “Right? Bash is on a whole different level compared to most orcs.” Carrot’s attitude had softened. Although Carrot was jealous of the fact that Bash had proposed to the woman, she beamed at this tale of Bash’s heroism. Right. Any other orc would be way different. My Bash truly is the best. “Can we wrap up all this pointless gum-flapping, already?” Popratika, who’d been listening to their conversation in silence, grumbled and then jumped down from the tower of books. She tossed aside the book she’d been holding and held her hand out to Carrot. Carrot responded by taking out a pale, glowing coral-like object from her pocket and handing it to her. “And now there’s only one more to go. Sorry you just got back and all, but I’m going to have you two work a little longer.” “No problem.” “All right. That’s what I planned, too. I’d be fine going by myself, actually.” Reassured by those replies, Popratika headed to the door. “Hmm. But if Aldria didn’t succeed, they’ll be on their guard. I doubt three people will be enough. Let’s bring a few more.” The remaining two followed Popratika. They exited the small room, walked through the large room, and emerged in the hall. At the end of a long corridor, there was a staircase leading down to a large altar. Its architecture was odd, resembling nothing else seen on the continent. It wasn’t elvish design, nor demon. The tall pillars were of such height and thickness, it seemed impossible to believe they had been crafted by mortal hands. The ceiling was so high, it was hard to believe it was located inside a mountain. And the altar, which must have been dedicated to some kind of god, glowed a dark purple. It was seriously huge and impressive. It seemed strange to everyone that something like this could exist in the mountains. The three of them walked down the long corridor and reached the altar. Carrot and the nameless woman looked up at the altar. The relics that had been collected over the course of the past three years…they were all lined up on the altar’s base. Soon, all their hard work would pay off. The three of them felt their chests swell with warmth to think this. But they didn’t swell all that far. Because it hadn’t actually started yet. They still had one more to get. “Oh, you made it back safely, then!” A voice echoed from the altar. When the two turned around, they saw various different peoples standing there. There were demons, there were ogres, there were succubi, there were lizardmen, and harpies, too. No fairies, but there were orcs. And there were beastkin, dwarves, and elves, too. There were twenty of them in total, and they all looked at Popratika and the others with strangely narrowed eyes. Naturally, they were led by a demon. A gigantic demon carrying four gigantic magic swords. His name was Netherhanks. General Mightysword Netherhanks. He was one of the most powerful demons who ever lived…a born warrior. “Aldria did not return, then?” “No.” “Is she dead?” “Who knows? Maybe she’s been captured and she’s getting tortured right now.” “She’s not the type to break under torture. We must believe she died an honorable death!” Netherhanks laughed heartily, looking down at Popratika. “I guess I’ll go clean up the mess.” “Very well. Should I accompany you? I mean, should we all go together?” “No. You’d draw too much attention, old man. And we need to reserve some fighting power—otherwise there’ll be too much to do when Lord Geddigs is resurrected… But yes, I’ll borrow a few of you.” “Right! Well, take anyone you want!” “I don’t need your permission for that.” Following this exchange, twenty brave warriors came forward. They were all veterans of the battlefield. Proud warriors. They could live only on the battlefield. They could breathe only on the battlefield. And all of them were dissatisfied with this interminable peace. They were the chosen ones who had wandered from place to place, sharpening their fangs in the darkness, finally arriving here. Popratika had been the one to form the group, but they all shared the same desire. “Let’s see. You, and you…” Popratika chose two more from the group and turned around. The four followed her in silence as they left the ruins. “I’ll be waiting here for some good news!” With Netherhanks’s words ringing in their ears, they set off. They needed to obtain the holy book of the humans. Their destination was the very place where humans had made a lonely stand, holding their ground even after losing their commander during Geddigs’s invasion. The Zalico Peninsula, located beyond the Pyles River, on the Arkansel Plains. A human outpost. Black Head Territory…