Chapter 382 The Orcs G.o.ds and Nostalgic Voices

The instant Quema saw Baldok, she took a step backward.

Wait, please wait. Im aware that our lives were saved by you, Shuuya. Quema appeals with a shake of her head.

However, standing next to her, Solobo pours mana into the conical hat in his hand. A small, ring-shaped snake pattern has surfaced in the iris of the one eye peeking out through his small mask.

A Demonic Eye?

At that moment, several ink-black veins appear on the ogre face of his hat. Theyre profusely pulsating like real blood veins.

Those arteries spread out across the hats surface like a spiderweb, and change their color. Each time they pulsate, the number of unnaturally bulging, uneven parts increases in number. The ogre face design falls apart, changing into something modeled after a head as itd appear in legends. There are eight of those heads in total.

Nothing similar to psychic waves is being emitted from Solobos Demonic Eye. But, his hat seems to have a function to act as a projectile or defense tool.

It looks like Solobo-san is itching for a fight though? I point at Solobo whos preparing his hat.

I feel a strong mana from the ink black face patterns on the hat. As expected, the idea that it possesses some projectile-like abilities has become even more likely.

Mysterious light beams seem to be released from the locations where I suspect the eyes of the eight, somewhat divine heads to be

Helme and Rollodeen dont show any reactions hinting towards them attacking. Thats why it should be alright, but

Youre wrong. Its because you made that red magic spear appear. In the first place, I havent drawn

Demon Sword Soebally

from my back, have I?

I guess thats the name of the longsword that fired the mana blade.

Sure, you didnt. But it remains a fact that you people attacked our village.

Hearing my words, the two fall into silence. After a short time, Quema puts some power into the look as visible through her skull mask. Solobo also has a mask, but I can predict a bit from the movements of his thick jawbone that his expression must have most likely cramped up.

Did he resolve himself to die fighting?

The two orcsexchange a look, nod in perfect harmony, and s.h.i.+ft their eyes towards me.

This is also a guidance of the Eight G.o.ds related to the world of LybanShuuya, no, Shuuya-dono our

Fierce G.o.ds Squad

officially offers its capitulation to you.

I shall obey Quema-samas words.

Whats that world of Lyban about? Still, its kinda unexpected. Both are readily offering me their allegiance.

Although theyve been able to vividly watch the scene of the Tree Kings troops being annihilated by us, I still look like a human. In the eyes of the orcs, I should not only be hostile to them, but actually one of those eating them.

Based on their stance of wanting a talk with me, I guess they had predicted my thinking and the reason why I saved themin such a short time span. Taking their reading of me, they found a way to survive this, I suppose.

These orcs sure arent dumb. Theyve got what youd probably call Kans.h.i.+ns forbearance (an extreme forbearance). But I think Ill consider it a bit.

Surrender, huh? Ill think about it for a bit.

Got it.

Roger.

Quema and Solobo respectively place their hat and bone flute on the ground. Quema also drops the spear on her back. The spear clashes against the flute. The dazzlingly s.h.i.+ning flute bounces up, and b.u.mps against a tree root thats protruding out of the ground.

The recoil causes it to roll over at the feet of Rollodeen. She after rolling over, as if saying that no divine beast can miss such a chance, and getting up unleashes a hook-styled panther punch at the flute. Then she follows up with further hooks, alternating between her forepaws, but in the end she hits the flute in such a way that it gets stuck between the ground and a tree root at a spot overgrown with triangular leaves. Rollodeen chases after the flute, thrusting her head into the gap where the flute is stuck. She also inserts a paw into the narrow gap, but she cant reach the flute either way.

After some time of trying, she begins to dig up the ground under the root using two of her tentacles. Eventually, she also adds her two forepaws to the digging effort, all in an attempt to get back the flute.

Neither Quema nor Solobo seem perturbed by these funny spectacles as typical of cats. Both seem to wait for me to speak up again.

If I was a brutal general, Id raise a hand and loudly order, Off with their heads, but I wont do anything like that for now. Anyway, if I accept them, its likely that not only Quiche but also Higlia would complain about it, butwhatever.

I have conditions for your surrender, but is that okay with you?

I dont mind. Im sure War G.o.d Gundaln would also approve.

I have no problem with it either. The G.o.d of Paths Selekuny should also approve. Even Tokk, whos going to continue his fight in Lyban, should acknowledge it.

They remind me of graciously scattering cherry tree petals. I feel a moral beauty from these orcs.

In that case, Ill accept your surrender.

Hearing my verdict, the two kneel down and place their hands on their chests. It seems to be a pose indicating their will to surrender and pledge their allegiance.

This man is no normal human, as expectedmaybe what I saw with

Yeah, Quema-sama.

The orcs whisper amongst each other while peeking up to me. Quema has s.h.i.+fted her eyes to Rollodeen, whos playing with her flute, while muttering.

Judging by that look, I suspect Quema possesses a skill called

thats related to the flute. Going by its name, its maybe a skill allowing her to see the future by using the flutes sound.

Then Quema removes her ogre mask. I stare at her head while experiencing something similar to slow motion.

The head thats been on my mind earlier finally gets exposed to me.

Shuuya-dono, I judged you to be a being of Victory in the left hand, benefit in the right hand. Thats why please accept the loyalty of our

Fierce G.o.ds Squad

. As proof of that, this Mask of the Skull Ogre Quema states while lightly swaying her red hair.

I had wondered what kind of pig face would hide behind the mask, butthis is unexpected. It combines pig and human traits. But, for an orc, shes quite beautiful.

In contrast, Solobo has a pig face with an extremely bulky outline. In all honesty, its pretty. His head is round and smooth. On the top of his head, hes bound his hair into a pigtail like nomads do. An ogre skull mask lies atop the pigtail. His lips are as thick as sausages, and both ends wake the urge in me to call him The Orc!

Hes got conspicuous teeth, which are pointing upwards at a steep angle. Theyre stabbing into the edge of his own, big nose while drawing arcs. It reminds me of the rare Indonesian babirusa from my previous life. That animal was famous for being called Babirusa that stares at its own death. Dont tell me, these tusks that grew out of his mouth arent going to penetrate all the way to his skull in the future, are they? Solobo isnt going to die to his own tusks or some bulls.h.i.+t like that, right?

Tusks are also growing out of Quemas small lips, but theyre fangs looking like small accessories. Theyre stylish, polished, and have a nice shape. Way different from Solobos.

At that moment, Helme cheerfully shouts down from the sky, Hihihi, I dont understand what theyre saying, but the orcs are prostrating. Nothing less of Your Excellencys might! The number of soldiers in the village are going to increase.

Im sure she must be simulating Helmes Ambitions, using an Era of Warring States in the Sea of Trees as motif, in her mind.

The situation is what it is, after all.

Nnn

Rollodeen now holds the flute in her muzzle. It looks like she managed to get it back in the end.

After placing the flute down at my feet, she looks up to me. Her cheeks with their whiskers are conspicuously dirty with soil. But, shes revealing an indescribably triumphant expression.

Nn, nya.

After playing around to extort a praise from me, she heads over to the orcs to play with them. Soon after Puyuyu joins in as well. And lastly Helme gives instructions about some weird poses. After shaking my head lightly to hinder Helme from derailing too much, I s.h.i.+ft my eyes to the orcs. They must have felt anxious after watching my friends do all these weird actions over and over.

You two, its okay. I tell them frankly in an attempt to give them a peace of mind, but

Rollodeen doesnt stop with her antics. I dont think that shes trying to scare Quema and Solobo, butshe keeps increasing the speed of extending and withdrawing her tentacle bone swords that are s.h.i.+ning silver while making squishy sounds. Gradually the wet sound transforms into a crisp sound as it occurs when clipping very quickly with a scissor.

Rollo, Puyuyu, they got it, so fall back.

N, nya.

Puyu

Rollodeen looks back at me while meowing, and then turns around nimbly, immediately returning to me. I caress her soft torso as she rubs herself against my leg. As Im enjoying the feel of her soft fur, Puyuyu also turns around while moving its wand to its back.

With its short legs, it comes back while repeatedly crossing its legs, walking like a model.

After getting her fill of nestling, Rollodeen separates from me and heads over to a big mushroom thats growing in a place slightly away from me. Puyuyu briskly follows Rollodeen. Just like that, both start eating the huge mushroom that has grown into an astounding size from its thick stalkbut, is Puyuyu going to be alright?

I wonder about that, but in the end Puyuyu is an inhabitant of the Sea of Trees. It should be capable of judging whether a mushroom is poisonous, so Ill leave it to its own devices.

Right now he has the appearance of a black panther, but Rollodeen-dono, who earlier was a huge black beast, andthat rare Sea of Trees beastman are related to you, Shuuya-dono? Do you possibly possess the power of Beast G.o.d Lyklash-sama? Quema asks me, apparently resisting the cute charm of the two animals.

Is Beast G.o.d Lyklash the name of an orc G.o.d?

Shes a familiar, or rather, I told you earlier, but Rollo is my partner. As for the Bolsheed bear cubit merely has been living together with us these days. Im hearing about that G.o.ds name for the first time. But leaving that aside, theres something else that interests me.

Hearing for the first time about one of the Eight Great G.o.dsand on top of that, having an interest in something other than the G.o.d

Something that interests him?

Even while muttering that, their eyes are respectively directed at their flute and hat.

Sure, that weapon and defensive tool also interest me, but theyre not what Im curious about right now.

Do you know about a dark guild called

Skull Ogre

? I ask them with a casual tone.

After seeing the skull ogre masks of Quema and Solobo, I simply had to ask this. I end up thinking about

Skull Ogre

which clashed with

Remains of the Moon

and my

Skull and ogre. It might be a coincidence, but

If youre talking about the Lalarbuins Skull Ogre, weve known about them for a long time. Just as you can tell from our masks, there also exists a connection to the name of our

Fierce G.o.ds Squad

.

As I thought

Please tell me about the meaning of those masks, Lalarbuin, and how

Fierce G.o.ds Squad

is related to Skull Ogre.

Very well. First I should talk about the Totokhun clan that has been living under the commandments of Fierce G.o.d Kisalame-sama.

Keep it as short as possible.

UghI understand. In the distant past, the homeland of the Totokhun clan could be found in the underground and unexplored regions located in the hinterland of Mount Lalarbuin. Its said they wors.h.i.+ped Fierce G.o.d Kisalame-sama, one of the Eight Great G.o.ds, over there. However, groups of humans invaded that land, killed out ancestors, and stole many, many treasures, including the idol of Kisalame-sama. This is what I was told.

I guess my prediction proves to be right. The dark guild of Lalarbuin is

Skull Ogre

. It seems like Kazun-san also has some fateful connection to that place.

Stole, you say? That sounds like something adventurers would do. Im one myself as well, though.

Before the anti-orc war and following, underground exploration requests for Mt. Lalarbuin and so oneither way, there seems to exist an abundance of adventurer requests in that direction.

Is that so?

Are you disappointed now? To be precise, Im no human, however.

Quema repeatedly blinks her eyes in surprise upon my words. Solobo widens his. Pulling herself together first, Quema speaks up.

Im not disappointed or anything similar. Its a surprise that youre no human, Shuuya-dono. Also, the humans, who were caught by us, suffered terrible fates. Men were kept as livestock, and women were impregnatedturning humans into food based on the spiral of survival makes us no different. Although it was for another reason, we did attack your village, didnt we Shuuya-dono?

Ive absolutely no plans to comprehend the culture and laws of orcs, butI can sense a deep orcish philosophy even among the orcs from the term spiral of survival.

I see. Please continue with the treasures of that G.o.d of yours.

As you wish. Even in the world of Lyban, Fierce G.o.d Kisalame-sama was said to like battle that uses spirit soldiers to an extent that rivaled even War G.o.d Gundaln. Its said that all kinds of abilities are locked away in his heart, the seat of his powers.

The name of the war G.o.d in human society is Vice, but is it the same G.o.d while just being called Gundaln by the orcs?

For example?

If you prepare the raw materials, itll be possible to create superb soldiers with special triangular marks on their foreheads as long as you invest a huge amount of mana while using a certain technique. It might be a sort of cursed power.

Humans are the raw materials, arent they? It agrees with the stories Ive heard about

Skull Ogre

from Mel.

That meanspeople capable of using Fierce G.o.d Kisalames powers exist among the leaders of

Skull Ogre

, dont they? Since Crimson a.s.sas.h.i.+n uses blood layers, he might be different.

The ogre design on the masks surface is related to your Fierce G.o.d then? Are you saying

Fierce G.o.ds Squad

is a group wors.h.i.+ping Fierce G.o.d Kisalame-sama?

Going by the name of our group, yes. Weve known for a long time about the existence of the

Skull Ogre

forces, who believe in the Fierce G.o.d, in a part of Mt. Lalarbuin and other cities on the surface. We can be seen as somewhat vague since were not only wors.h.i.+ping the Fierce G.o.d, but all of the Eight Great Orc G.o.ds.

So Quema believes in all eight G.o.ds, huh?

So thats the reason why you were aware of

Skull Ogre

, eh? Do the orcs possess bases in the underground and on the surface?

Yep, although most of them are located underground.

Figures.

Do you know any of the treasures that got stolen besides the idol?

If were talking about famous items,

Kisalames Book of Mysteries

immediately comes to mind. Thats why the orcs connected to our clan also call the humans thieves in addition to cannibals.

Book of Mysteries? That sure sounds like a book with an interesting history. However, the orcs point of view Quema has mentioned

Up until now I could only make my judgments based on the humans point of view, making this kind of information quite valuable.

I can understand that.

And thus, when it comes to the relation to our

Fierce G.o.ds Squad

Why stop there?

Because itll become a long story.

End of Part 1