Chapter 226
The flapping of feathers echoed throughout Ferrum, the dwarf capital. The angels of Orbis filled the sky to the point that the blue sky was covered. To be more exact, they belonged to the ninth of the twelve legions of Orbis.
An angel leading the ninth legion sighed and mumbled, “I can’t believe I have to spend my time looking at a bunch of shivering midgets.”
He was a slender man with grey hair, grey eyes, and an obstinate expression. Nine pairs of wings flapped on his back, a halo floated above his head, and a sword wrapped in white and red fire was at his waist.
“Huuu... What a pain... To think my first mission as an archangel is to be Gabriel’s sidekick,” the angel mumbled unenthusiastically.
The bored angel was formerly one of the first-grade angels, Sariel. After Uriel’s death, he had been selected by the God of Heaven to become the next Archangel of the North. Sariel was famous in the inner zones as the God of Heaven’s Will, the God of Heaven’s Moonlight, the Angel of the Evil Eyes, and more. His workload had skyrocketed after being chosen to become an archangel, a position he had not even wanted.
“I don’t even remember the last time I’ve been in the outer zones. When’s Bafor gonna come, I wonder?”
Sariel’s mission was not to attack Ferrum but to act as bait to lure the Steel King so that he stayed in place.
“What in the world is on that midget king’s mind? Why would he join an insignificant group like Underground over Orbis?” he mumbled as his grey eyes transformed.
His sclera was dyed black, and his irises shone like a golden halo, beginning to spin. These were his Evil Eyes, known to bring misfortune and death to those who looked upon them.
Looking down at Ferrum with his unenthusiastic Evil Eyes, Sariel unenergetically said, “I’m so bored... Should I just destroy everything? I was forbidden from fighting them head-on, but... it isn’t a fight if I just obliterate everything, right? I’m sure the God of Heaven would appreciate the causality—”
Just then, flames suddenly surged from the sword at Sariel’s waist.
“Ouch! That burns! This goddamn sword!” he shouted as he grabbed the sword and dropped it, but it floated back up to face him as if staring at him. “Tsk, what a temperamental sword. No wonder it belonged to Uriel.”
The sword was Iahav, which had belonged to Uriel. The God of Heaven had bestowed it upon Sariel when he became an archangel, but Sariel did not particularly like the sword.
“Alright, fine. You’re telling me to remain a sidekick, right? Until Gabriel and those lizards destroy the Capital...”
***
The same flapping of wings could be heard above a thick forest on the outskirts of the fourth zone. It was known as the Ancient Forest in the elves’ home dimension, and it was also where Viridis, the elven group that had become independent from Sefirot, had settled.
“I sense... a unique caliber holder,” mumbled an old bald elf with brown eyes and age spots, as he looked up at the sky. He was the former Binah, who had been imprisoned in Domen. “Birdfolk... That must mean the star must belong to the birdfolk World Ranker, Remus.”
An army of birdfolk had surrounded Viridis.
“Have the angels made their move? Tsk, tsk. It must be to keep Underground in check. Has our group hurt the fragile egos of those in the inner zones?” Ozenta mumbled disapprovingly as he clicked his tongue, his brown eyes blazing. “We’ve only just settled into our new home. My star may have grown weaker, but I can still shine!”
A green star rose above Ozenta.
***
The war ended, and Taidzu emerged victorious in the Battle of Heroic Souls. Bodonchar died in their final exchange of blows with a giant hole in his chest, and although Taidzu had suffered a deep slash on his back, it was not fatal.
The smaller tribes that had trusted and followed the Tusk tribe and Bodonchar fell into disorder. Their patriarch had been defeated and killed by an unknown rebel orc, so they had no idea what to do. They far outnumbered the rebels, but they had lost their leader.
An orc stepped forward to settle the disorder—it was Gurun, or more specifically, Honin in Gurun’s skin.
“Chwik! I, Gurun of House Solho, surrender to Arinchar, my esteemed uncle, and the almighty hero who punished the cowardly tyrant, Bodonchar!”
The declaration of surrender was from none other than Bodonchar’s son, who possessed a high position in the Tusk tribe.
He continued, “Let us cease this battle among ourselves! Chwik! If you join me, I will negotiate for your guaranteed safety!”
A few orcs called Gurun a coward who sold out his father to save himself, but the majority thought otherwise.
Yeah! Come to think of it, that orc named Arinchar is also from the Tusk tribe!
The eldest son of House Solho!
Since he defeated Bodonchar, he is a World Ranker now!
He will become the next Abkai!
The era of unification has come!
The crowd had decided. Gurun was able to lead the negotiation since he was related to Arinchar, the future ruler. Honin, pretending to be Gurun, couldn’t help but tremble ecstatically.
He thought, It went exactly as you’ve said, Cheon Seong-Hwi!
***
The atmosphere inside Fortitudo’s rampart couldn’t be more festive. The citizens who had resolved themselves to die for the cause in Fortitudo were celebrating.
“Chwik! Bodonchar is dead!”
“His son Gurun has come with an official surrender! He is in Master Taidzu’s tent right now!”
“Chwik! I hear the chiefs of the four great tribes who retreated to the rear are racing back!”
In the midst of the celebration, the negotiations for surrender were taking place inside Taidzu’s tent. The boiling sounds of soup were heard from a cauldron above a bonfire.
“Welcome. Take a seat by the fire,” said Taidzu, his wounds being treated by many healers and shamans behind him.
Before him were several orcs, members of the negotiation party, standing uncomfortably.
“I told you to sit,” Taidzu reiterated.
Only then did the orcs sit around by the bonfire. Taidzu grabbed a ladle, poured the soup into bowls, and handed them to the orcs.
My word! To think a man of such power willingly handles such lowly tasks!
A traditional tent... He is the opposite of Bodonchar, who always pursued extravagance.
He’s willing to share his fire, meaning he considers us his brothers!
Not a single guard despite his severe injuries?! Does that mean he trusts us, or is it confidence that he doesn’t need any? Whichever, he is amazing!
The negotiation party orcs accepted the soup bowls with moved expressions.
The oldest orc introduced, “Chwik. I am Alsaran, a member of House Shanci of the Tusk tribe.”
“Chwik! I am Buhu of House Ihasi.”
“I am—”
As the orcs interrupted one another to introduce their name and house, Taidzu raised his hand to stop them and said, “I do not need to know which tribe and house you are from. Say only your name. We are all children of the plains, and brave orcs who have inherited the will of the Great Subutai.”
“Chwik...”
“Ah...”
The orcs were embarrassed by their actions and were made certain of one thing.
He is different from Bodonchar!
He is a man of great potential!
I had come to guarantee my survival, but true unification may be possible with him.
Taidzu asked, “I highly commend your courage for coming all the way here. Who is your representative?”
“Chwik. I am, esteemed uncle,” said Honin in Gurun’s skin.
“I see... I am sorry about what happened to your siblings,” Taidzu remarked, pretending not to know.
“Please don’t be! My brothers and sisters were more than deserving of their fate! Their violence knew no bounds, well aware that they would never be punished thanks to their father!”
The other orcs stared at Gurun exasperatedly.
You were the worst of them!
How shrewd, Gurun! Esteemed uncle, he says!
What a kiss-ass! You might as well stick your tongue up his asshole!
“Also... Were you unable to take the spoils of the Battle of Heroic Souls, esteemed uncle?” Honin asked.
The eyes of the other orcs in the tent widened. There was only one spoil to take in the Battle of Heroic Souls—the heroic soul.
“That’s right,” Taidzu replied, nodding.
Every orc in the tent cursed.
“T-that despicable bastard!”
“Bodonchar! Chwik! He was dishonorable to the very end!”
“How dare he break the sacred promise! He is no orc!”
Taidzu recalled Bodonchar’s last words. He had said with a smile, “Ge...hehe... You... will never... get... what you... want.”
Did you think I wouldn’t expect that, foolish brother? Taidzu said inwardly as he looked at an empty area in the tent and smiled as if someone was there.
“Chwik. Before the battle, Bodonchar gave me the heroic soul tablet that contains Solho’s Heroic Soul,” Honin said as he took out an ancestral tablet that shone with a white light. It was engraved with the words: The Royal Soul of Sohon, Almighty Warrior of the Plains.
Honin then brought it toward Taidzu, saying, “I offer it to you. Chwik, you are the rightful master of House Solho! Chwik, please take this and guide the Tusk tribe toward the right path!”
Honin’s actions deeply moved the orcs of the negotiation party.
“Whooaaa! Chwik! Gurun! You have redeemed yourself!”
“Chwik! You may be an idiot, but I see you are not insane!”
“I did not expect you to relinquish Solho’s Heroic Soul!”
Taidzu stared at the tablet, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. At long last, he had united with what had been rightfully his. He grabbed the heroic soul tablet from Honin and checked its description.
[Solho’s Heroic Soul Tablet (Consumable Item)
Rank: S
Description: An ancestral tablet holding the heroic soul passed down through generations of House Solho. It currently does not have a devotee. It can only be used by an orc and will be destroyed upon use.
Race Skill: Heroic Soul’s Call]
Taidzu had already waited long enough. He closed his eyes and mumbled without hesitation, “O heroic soul, guardian of Solho. Allow me to accept and attend to you.”
[Activating Race Skill: Heroic Soul’s Call.]
The white tablet cracked, flashing with a white light as it turned to powder that was absorbed through Taidzu’s forehead. Tusks made of white Battle Force sprouted from his mandible; they were twenty centimeters, four times as long as before. Just then, Solho’s Heroic Soul rose majestically from behind Taidzu.
“Whoa!”
“Chwik!”
Taidzu’s aura grew heavier and more powerful. He calmed his breathing and opened his eyes, releasing enormous amounts of Battle Force. Taidzu exhaled slowly as he clenched his fists, feeling his unprecedented strength and the increased power of his star.
With this much power, I could even defeat Bodonchar at his optimal self! Taidzu thought, feeling there would be no issue in inheriting Bodonchar’s world rank. The title of World Ranker did not feel intimidating in the slightest.
“C-congratulations!”
“Chwik! The orcs are lucky to have you!”
“All hail Lord Arinch—I mean, Lord Taidzu!”
Taidzu’s enormous caliber overwhelmed the orcs, but they couldn’t be happier.
He’s a monster!
What a relief that he is a reasonable monster!
We must join his side!
With him leading the orcs, the other races will not walk all over us, even if we don’t have Bodonchar!
Taidzu smiled as he examined their reactions. He stroked his long tusks and said, “Thank you. Chwik. Now, let us discuss the matters going forward.”
He was overjoyed to hear the distinct sound of exhalation due to his tusks. What remained was to achieve balance by absorbing the Tusk tribe’s remaining forces before the chiefs of the other four great tribes returned from the rear. It was only a matter of time before a new Abkai of the plains was born.
***
Once the negotiation party left, Taidzu stroked his mandible, which no longer had tusks sprouting from it, as he stared at an empty area and said, “I apologize for making you wait so long. You can appear now.”
Seong-Hwi appeared out of thin air and answered, “It’s okay. I had a lot to think about.”
“About your unique caliber, I assume?”
“Yes.”
Seong-Hwi recalled the Akasha Messages he had seen and thought, I used the item skill, Shadow Control, built into the Archane Hoodie to interfere with Bodonchar’s shadow.
The problem was how that was possible. The Archane Hoodie was undoubtedly on the superior side among A-rank items, but being able to interfere with Bodonchar’s skill was a different story.
The power of ■. Is this... my star?
From analyzing the Akasha Messages, he could only assume that he had used the power of his star without realizing it, and that it had enhanced the power of Shadow Control. However, he had yet to obtain his unique caliber.
On top of that, those incomprehensible messages... Readers, Regulator... Eraser... What is ■■■? Why is causality stored in it? And who is ■■■■’s Demon? Could Curiositas be plotting something?
The more Seong-Hwi thought about it, the more questions he had.
“It is wise to leave unsolvable questions for until they can be solved, even more so when they involve the Akashic Records. It is the unknown itself,” Taidzu remarked, noticing Seong-Hwi deep in his thoughts. He smiled and said, “You undoubtedly used the power of your star, but you are still of common caliber. I have never witnessed such an instance either. Pondering on it by yourself won’t give you an answer.”
“That... makes sense,” Seong-Hwi replied with a smile, but his eyes were firm. “As promised, I will take Bodonchar’s body and his black armor.”
“We only need his head, so you are free to take everything else. That black armor is in tatters, but it should be usable with some repairs.” Taidzu nodded and continued, “Also... I will think about your offer to join Underground. It is not a matter I can decide on my own.”
“The chiefs of the other four great tribes are coming, right?”
“Yes. I must discuss it with them.”
Seong-Hwi nodded in understanding. “It is more than enough to hear that you will consider it. You are the Abkai now, after all.”
Taidzu smirked, no longer denying it. “I... received so much from you. I will have to be diligent to repay the favor.”
Seong-Hwi had killed Gurun and hid the fact from the enemies by having Gurun wear his skin. He then obtained enemy intel through him to successfully carry out Operation Bee Sting, setting the foundation for Taidzu to challenge Bodonchar to a Battle of Heroic Souls. On top of that, he had also prevented Taidzu’s death at the last moment via an unknown power.
“If I were the average orc, I would have reproached you for interfering with the Battle of Heroic Souls, but... an orc like myself, who had spent a long time away from the plains, likes to be rational,” Taidzu remarked.
“You sound like a human,” Seong-Hwi replied.
“Heh, do I? I have a dream, and I plan to do my best to fulfill it, even if it may go against the will of the Great Subutai,” Taidzu said. His words would have orcs fainting from shock.
People like him are much more comfortable to associate with, Seong-Hwi thought as he nodded at Taidzu.
He had earned much through this incident—Karma, a new destiny and skill, and even a hint about his unique caliber. Most of all, he had earned a connection to Taidzu, the soon-to-be patriarch of the plains.
“If you must repay me, please repay it to humanity. Oh, and—”
Tasha ran into the tent, cutting Seong-Hwi’s sentence short. A hawk was on his left arm. “Chwik! Seong-Hwi! Are you here?”
“Tasha? What’s the matter?” Seong-Hwi asked.
“Chwik! Chwik! We received an urgent message! Chwik! I think you should hear it!”
“What is it about for you to be in such a rush?”
“Chwik! Well... A massive dragon army is attacking the human Capital!”
Seong-Hwi couldn’t fully comprehend Tasha despite hearing every word.
“What... did you say?”
“Chwik! We believe they’re members of Nivalis, a faction of Echion! The World Ranker, Biphatogenes, leads...”
Tasha continued to speak, but Seong-Hwi couldn’t hear him. All that was on his mind was the replaying scene of the Capital being burned down by Regnator.
“That’s... impossible!”