Chapter 7

Whenever his nickname was mentioned around the rogue orcs they brought in, it always caused a stir. The orcs would become very abusive indeed. “So you’re the one they call Pig Slayer! I’ll rip out your guts!” That’s how much weight the name Pig Slayer carried among the orcs. Or maybe it was just that they didn’t take kindly to being called pigs. Hard to say for sure. “But, sir, this pig of a rogue orc needs to know who he’s dealing with here—the great Houston! Listen, orc-hog. This man is General Houston, and he slayed more orcs than any other during the war! Yeah, while orcs like you sat around picking your foul noses, he—” Houston suddenly let forth a scream. “Shut up! Shut your mouth or I’ll shut it for you! Now get back in line this instant!” Houston’s roar sounded almost demonic. “Huh…?” Judith stiffened with shock, bewildered by Houston’s threat. Nevertheless, she did as she was told. Her shoulders were slumped, her head drooping. She’d been scolded by the army general but had no idea why. She would need him to explain later on. Right now, though, there was the orc to worry about. “Whew…” Houston let out the breath he’d been holding and turned back to Bash. Bash had his hawklike eyes fixed on Judith, now standing in her position in line. Houston’s lip twitched spasmodically. “I… I apologize for the rudeness of my subordinate. She’s supposed to be in charge of investigating the carriage ambush case, but so far, she’s failed to find any leads. I’m afraid she’s grown a bit desperate. Oh, excuse me, I should have introduced myself earlier. I am the army general of this town’s defense force. My name is Houston Jale.” “Bash.” “Ah yes… I know your name…” “You know of me?” “I had the opportunity to observe you on the battlefield many times…” Bash suddenly leaned in, eyes focusing on Houston’s face. Would he remember him and leap forth to attack? No, surely not. He was a reasonable sort of orc, wasn’t he? Houston had to trust his initial impression. If the orc was going to attack, he would have already done so. His men would all have been slain, and Judith would have been left lying in a dead faint, eyes glazed over, cloudy liquid dripping from in between her spread legs. Reassuring himself, Houston manufactured a smile. In his thirty years of loyal service, Houston had never smiled at an orc this way. Hell, he’d never even smiled at another human this way. “A great chief of the humans…” “Um…sure. Something like that.” “This takes me back to the war… How have you been?” Suddenly, Bash’s tusks were fully exposed. It was an expression that could easily be mistaken for a threatening grimace. But Houston knew more about orcs than anyone around. He knew that savage expression was simply an orc’s approximation of a friendly smile. Houston felt slightly relieved and much more confident as he continued the conversation. “This situation is entirely a result of my lack of attentiveness. I very much appreciate your patience during this matter.” “Oh, I’m not bothered at all.” Actually, Bash almost seemed bored, but he was looking at Judith with an odd expression on his face. Houston narrowed his eyes. Does this orc mean, he thought to himself, that as much as Judith’s impudence enrages him, he does not intend to kill her…? That was the conclusion Houston came to, at least. He was a tolerant orc, to be sure, taking Judith’s insults on the chin without batting an eye. Any other orc would have already handled the insult by seizing Judith and tearing her limb from limb. And yet the orc could still blow his top at any second. Houston raised his voice, hoping to wrap up this conversation as soon as possible. “Um… At any rate, may I ask you a few questions? I promise not to take up too much more of your time.” “What? Just how many times do you intend to make me repeat the same thing?” “Please, if you would just cooperate with us for a few minutes more…!” squeaked Houston. He shot Judith a sharp look. Was that what her interrogation had amounted to—endless repetition of the same questions? Judith quickly looked down at the floor, chewing her lip out of guilt. “Well, let’s see…” Then Houston proceeded to question the orc about the ambush in the western forest region they’d received reports on. Naturally, Bash’s answers did not change. The carriage had been besieged by bugbears. Bash, who was simply passing by, had stepped in to drive them off. He had spoken to the two women to see if either would consent to intercourse. And his explanation for why he had not simply pounced on them was that the Orc King had forbidden mating with other races without first obtaining consent. While Bash had merely been complying with the Orc King’s wishes, the women had seen it as a sign that they were about to be attacked. Houston nodded sagely as he digested this information. Those rogue orcs couldn’t be trusted, but he found he could easily believe Bash. It looked like he really did just happen upon the carriage ambush by pure coincidence. Yes, Houston had predicted as much. If he really had meant to attack those two women, they would never have been able to escape to tell the tale. Houston knew better than anyone else that fleeing from Bash was a near-impossible feat. To get away from Bash when he really meant to capture you…that would require countless heavily armored subordinates to use as convenient human shields. Not to mention a good deal of luck as well. Therefore… “Just one more question, then.” This was the most important question of all. “You said you’re searching for something. Is the Orc King aware of this?” “Of course.” “I see.” Now Houston’s curiosity was satisfied. He knew why Bash was here. He knew the purpose of his journey. He was on a mission from the Orc King. Nemesis had given Bash a direct order. Obediently, Bash had set out on the Orc King’s quest. The command? Go forth and search for this object/person. “Oh dear, that’s quite troubling. In that case, you really should have gone through the proper governmental channels…” “It is a personal matter. I do not intend to cause trouble.” And yet it was something he felt the need to conceal from the humans. Or someone. It must have been something very important indeed to have an orc of Bash’s caliber sent after it. Something that, once obtained, would lead to great profit for the orcs. Or conversely, something that would lead to great losses if they could not obtain it… At any rate, it was clear that the orcs placed a great deal of value on whatever it was. Otherwise, they would never have sent their finest orc out into the world alone. Houston supposed he had this mysterious mission to thank for Bash not tearing him and Judith limb from limb. Human carnage could have really upped the difficulty of Bash’s mission. But Houston was desperately curious to know what it was Bash sought… “All right. I understand the situation.” Houston had decided to ponder Bash’s mission no further. He only hoped this thing, whatever it was, wasn’t something that might cause harm to the human race. “Well, that’s all we needed you for. I apologize for taking up your valuable time.” No, it was none of Houston’s business. Getting involved, sticking his neck in where it didn’t belong…that could prove dangerous. Life-threatening. No thanks. On the battlefield, there was nothing more precious than human life. At the same time, there was nothing more expendable… Bash’s arrest was a simple case of mistaken identity. He had come along quietly and cooperated with their inquiries, more or less. As far as Houston was concerned, this matter was dealt with. Case closed. Of course, Houston would send a message ahead to the homelands, warning them that the Orc Hero Bash had been by, looking for something. But after that, whatever happened…that was somebody else’s problem. “Hmm.” Bash nodded mildly, starting to unfurl Zell from the bindings that had been used to restrain the tiny fairy. “Take care on your journey and be careful not to leave any belongings behind.” Houston breathed a sigh of relief as he spoke these parting words to the orc. Finally, the orc was leaving. Seeing him up close and talking to him, he had to admit that Bash really was a fine figure of an orc and well worthy of the Hero title. But an orc like that could go on a wild rampage at any moment. Houston knew much about the orcs. Enough to know that there was plenty more he did not yet know. He had to get this orc out of here before something set him off and sent him into a rage. After that, all he could do was pray the orc wouldn’t cause destruction in the town. He wouldn’t send soldiers after the orc to monitor him. No, his subordinates’ lives were precious. He would adopt an entirely hands-off approach. That was what Houston decided. Houston’s intuition had kept him alive this far. He refused to risk his neck now, when peace was finally here. “Hmm…” As Bash unbound the fairy, though, he was frowning. And he kept glancing at Judith every few seconds. Huh? Houston watched Bash sneaking furtive peeks at Judith. Something was setting his intuition senses tingling again. Bash was free to leave, and yet he was lingering. What could be the reason? Why was he looking at Judith? Did he still bear a grudge against the knight? But only moments before, Bash had claimed not to have been all that bothered by her interrogation. So why, then, did he seem so fixated on her? What dirt did he have on Judith? She was a knight. She conducted a search in the western forest region. The road…in other words… The gears began turning in Houston’s head, leading him right to the most logical conclusion. “Could it be that the carriage ambush case is somehow connected to this thing you seek?” “…?” Bash froze for a moment. His face was blank, and it was impossible to tell what the orc might have been thinking. But at that moment, the fairy Zell tumbled free of its wrapping and zoomed into the air, taking hold of Bash’s ear and whispering into it. All of a sudden, Bash’s eyebrows shot up. Then he turned to Houston, his expression composed. Slowly, he nodded. “Hmm. You may be right there.” “I thought so!” Houston grinned, pleased that his hunch had proven to be correct. Houston was a smart man. In the span of a few seconds, he’d already come up with a way to get the orc in his debt, while at the same time preventing any disturbances in town and making sure he kept himself out of harm’s way. Houston Jale wasn’t exactly a saint, you see. And he never hesitated to seize any opportunity that might improve his own fortunes later down the line. “In that case, I’ll send young Judith to accompany you. She was the one in charge of the carriage ambush investigation, after all. If you’re off investigating it, she’s the best person to have assisting you.” “What?” Judith was standing by the entrance with an extremely displeased look on her face. “Hold on just a minute, General Houston! You seriously intend to send me off with this wild beast who thinks of nothing else but violating every woman he sees?!” Judith took an enraged step forward, jabbing an accusatory finger at Bash. Bash gazed coolly at the finger, responding in a low voice. “We orcs are forbidden from nonconsensual relations by peace treaty decree. I have no intention of violating you.” Houston looked on, nodding, feeling deeply inspired all of a sudden. Now that he cast his mind back, he recalled that Bash was never known for dragging women away after battle, even if the entire enemy unit had been wiped out. The other orcs would ignore direct orders and take women right there on the bloody battlefield. But not Bash. Indeed, it was in an orc’s nature to want to ravish as many women as he could. But this frank, seemingly decent orc clearly intended to hold out against the innate urges of his race and uphold the law of the Orc King. “See? There, you have the word of the orc himself.” “Seriously?! You of all people should know, General Houston, that orcs are a race of indiscriminate brutes! No matter what he may say, it’s obvious that the moment he gets me alone in a dark corner, he’ll show his true, despicable colors!” Houston grabbed Judith by the collar and drew her close until his face was up against hers. “Shut your mouth, knight. Now listen here. This gentleman is nothing like those rogue orcs. He is the Orc Hero Bash.” “Huh? Hero? Says who?! He’s probably just the Orc King’s favorite nephew or something!” Houston was getting a headache. The Orc Hero Bash was known to every single soldier in the Orc Response Force during the war. Houston was aware that Judith was a novice knight who’d only joined the service after the war was over. Even so…how could she be so uninformed?! “…” Houston fought hard to suppress a sudden urge to scream at the stupid young knight. The war had been over for three years. Those who had been soldiers during the war had mostly all returned to their hometowns. To live a peaceful life, away from fighting. The majority of the soldiers in this town had never even tasted war. And while most knew of the existence of the Orc King, few knew his name—Nemesis. What’s more, there was still hardly any trading going on between the Fortified City and the orc country. Judith—in fact, all of his subordinates—had only ever encountered rogue orcs. Detestable criminals with no respect for the rules. So Houston supposed her ignorance couldn’t be helped. “He is exalted among orcs, a fact which remains true despite your ignorance. He is an elite, the likes of which a stupid, lowly knight of your ilk could never even hope to converse with.” “What…seriously? But he’s just an orc…” “He has come to Krassel in peace, but make no mistake, if you had truly angered him, you would already be dead.” “Huh…?” Judith still didn’t quite seem to understand. Houston decided to change tack. “If you end up sparking another conflict with the orcs, your head will roll. I’ll see that you end up executed for it. Do you really want to go to the guillotine during peacetime?” “The guillo…? But… I mean… He’s an orc…” Houston knew he was a coward, an opportunist. During the war, he had managed to evade Bash, and he carried an odd sense of pride within himself for that achievement. But the others didn’t know about all that. Judith and the rest of his subordinates—they all thought Houston was a ruthless, fearsome warrior. So she was taking his words not as sage advice, but as threats and intimidation. Judith was still young and inexperienced, and she could not help quaking in her boots. “Oi.” Bash intervened. There was an angry edge to his voice for the first time, and he was glaring at Houston sharply. “Unhand the woman.” Houston let go of Judith instantly, hands opening wide as if to say, I wasn’t even touching her, I swear. “Is… Is something amiss?” “You brute…” Bash paused for a moment, as if weighing his words, before continuing. “Harassing a woman like that, barking orders at her. Are you not ashamed?” “I… But…” Houston’s cheeks burned red. Judith had hauled in Bash, an innocent orc, put him in jail, and interrogated him, all under human jurisdiction. And now she had the nerve to insult Bash right to his face. Houston could tell what Bash was thinking. Obviously, he was infuriated. But he was trying not to show it. Instead, he was speaking as if in sympathy with Judith’s situation. If it had been any other orc, Houston would have scoffed aloud. It doesn’t matter that she’s a woman; she’s still my subordinate. It’s none of your business, so piss off, he might have said. Or he might have mocked the orc. So you got caught, pissed your pants, but then managed to swing the interrogation in your favor, so you decided to get a little too big for your boots, hmm? But no, this was no ordinary orc. This was an orc who could disembowel every human in the vicinity before you’d even blinked. An orc had no need of words. He could demonstrate to the humans just how weak and puny they were through use of his mighty fists. But Bash hadn’t used his fists. Even despite all the humiliation he’d endured. From where did he get such self-restraint? Bash was clearly thinking from a loyal orc tribesman’s perspective. If Bash attacked any of the humans present, he would be in violation of the wishes of the Orc King. And if Bash turned against the Orc King, many hot-blooded young orcs would follow suit. That would lead to another war between the orcs and one of the other races. During the long war, the orcs had lost so many of their number. If another war came about, this time, the orc race might go extinct for real. And so Bash controlled himself. For the sake of duty, for the future of orckind, Bash could sacrifice his dignity a hundred times over. For all the power Bash possessed, he refused to use it for his own selfish means, instead devoting himself in service to his race. What a fine orc he was. So much more magnanimous, so much more tolerant than could even have been imagined… Houston felt increasingly ashamed in comparison. Bash was right. What must the orc have thought of him, haranguing a woman in this way? How pathetic! As a general—nay, as a man—he could not act like this. And so Houston made up his mind. A decision that might end up enraging the orc, and yet…he knew what needed to be done. “You’re right, of course. Yes. In that case…I shall accompany you in searching the forest!” Bash’s eye twitched for a moment, but Houston, overwhelmed by the greatness of this mighty orc, failed to notice.