episode_0012

Linus tried his best to remain calm.

A major incident occurred at the Dulliere family, where his beloved younger brother Ray was visiting.

The appearance of the clan leader just 20 years after.

Ray, from the Dulliere family, was on the verge of being engulfed by the Fire Demon.

While the Dulliere family was a solid shield against the Great Plains, there was an issue this time.

The clan leader of the enemies had clearly transcended through metamorphosis.

There was no one but a transcendent who could face another transcendent.

However, Linus couldn’t move because the two strongest individuals in Noisden were currently busy subduing dark creatures.

More than five dark creatures appeared for some reason, surpassing the usual one per year that they would eliminate, making it impossible for them to retreat from the front lines.

So, the only remaining force from the family to venture outside was me.

I was the only transcendent available to act in Noisden at the moment.

Coincidentally, I was heading towards the Dulliere family myself.

All because of a strange contact I received not long ago.

As Linus, he couldn’t help but look admiringly at the boy who created this situation.

When he received the contact, Linus was in the midst of dealing with bandits.

Usually, only parents would contact him, so he was cautious to ensure nothing else appeared on the screen to avoid revealing Ray’s contact. However, there was a black-haired boy on the screen.

His concern about whether only family members knew his communication frequency soon vanished.

The boy with black hair uttered insane words:

– Ray is in imminent danger.

“What?”

Upon hearing those words, my spirit naturally rose.

Ha, if that was meant as a provocation towards me, it succeeded.

My blood boiled the moment I heard those words.

The fact that he referred to Ray as ‘sir’ didn’t even register with me.

Perhaps sensing my demeanor, the boy’s expression twisted momentarily, but soon he raised his palm in a calming gesture.

That gesture subdued my fervor.

“That’s certain.”

– It’s a birthmark.

A birthmark.

A mark signifying divine favor.

Those with birthmarks in the church ascend to at least the rank of Archbishop.

With a birthmark of that size, one could even ascend to become Pope someday.

Seeing no change in the birthmark, Linus decided to listen further.

“Tell me.”

– I’ll speak with the birthmark as my guarantee. Ray will soon be in mortal peril.

Even with the birthmark as assurance, there was no change in its appearance.

It meant the truth.

– Snap

Sharpening his gaze, he asked the boy:

“Why?”

Why that child?

Why that child specifically?

– Something significant will happen in Dulliere.

“In Dulliere?”

What significant event could occur there?

Linus urged his usually dormant mind for an answer, but none came forth.

Something significant in Dulliere?

Not a rebellion. Finding someone as loyal as in Dulliere was rare in the South.

Involved in a succession dispute?

No, not that either. How could there be a succession dispute when the children there get along so well?

…Orcs?

No, it hasn’t been even 20 years since the Green Wave incident.

– I’ll explain more later. For now, please listen to me.

“Speak.”

If what you said is true,

if you save Ray because of you,

you can borrow my sword anytime.

– Please escort me to Dulliere.

“Alright.”

Following that, the boy continued speaking.

It’s still fine for now.

Calling Ray right now for such a reason would be impossible.

I have my own plan, so take me to Dulliere.

All of the boy’s words were convincing.

Noisden was the stronghold of the South.

If they withdrew their children from the front lines due to danger, their reputation would plummet.

We always stood at the forefront, crushing our enemies for the South.

Raised with such pride, Ray would never flee.

Assuming the words were true, Linus nodded brightly, looking into the boy’s shining, mysterious eyes.

Never would someone with a birthmark risk their life to lie.

He thought as he headed towards the boy’s family at the fastest speed possible.

But why does he keep attaching “General” to my name?

I just couldn’t figure it out.

And now, I directly heard from Mom what the boy referred to as a ‘big event.’

The resurgence of the Green Wave.

Linus looked at the boy with an unknown gaze while smiling at the morning star.

Hey, boy with the birthmark, what are you looking at exactly?

…

I nodded at Linus, who was marveling at me, while beads of sweat formed on my forehead.

What’s going on?

Why is this happening so fast?

In terms of the game’s story, the exact date wasn’t mentioned, so I had roughly estimated it, but this was undeniably swift.

I had departed about two weeks earlier than my speculated time, and the Chief had already made a move?

This doesn’t make sense.

I pondered on the reasons behind the Chief raising the flag too early.

Could it be because of me…?

“What?!”

As Linus shook my shoulders, asking what I meant, I gazed up at the sky with blurred eyes.

Seems like luck isn’t on my side; things are turning out this way…

…

Linus urged me to explain what I meant, so I calmly elaborated.

Our family has been chasing down dark sorcerers ever since they targeted Rodein and were killed by our family.

The sorcerers being pursued seem to have allied with orcs to gather the aura of death.

That’s why the Chief seems to be acting earlier than expected.

I explained it that way.

While speaking, I cautiously observed Linus’s reaction.

I had no way to answer if he asked how I knew, so I had to look at Linus’s expression, which was slightly subtle.

With an expression like ‘What’s going on with this guy?’ Linus put his hand on my head and said, “But why is it because of you?”

“..Me?”

“Why do you think it’s because of you?”

Looking into my eyes filled with verdant green, he asked clearly.

“It’s not because of you but because of those damn dark sorcerers, right?”

“….”

“You’re a bit strange. You know?”

“Me?”

“You seem to know a lot, but living like that must be tiring, don’t you think?”

As he questioned whether I was tired, Linus stroked my head.

“I’m not sure exactly what you see or think. You don’t need to take responsibility for everything.”

“….”

“There are many stronger and more remarkable people than you. Why do you feel the need to take responsibility? I don’t know what’s weighing on you so heavily, but you don’t have to take it all on yourself because you can handle everything even without doing so.”

Ease up a bit.

Saying that, Linus ruffled my hair.

I was taken aback by Linus’s words and thought to myself, ‘Isn’t this dialogue something Linus says when his affinity is over 70…?’

That line was definitely something Linus said when his affinity with the playable character was over 70.

If you dawdle in the options, Linus will smile and pat your head.

At the café, I had taken over the bulletin board for a while, muttering to myself as I watched that sight, ‘Hmm, Geomseong is so cool…’

During that time, there was a heated debate between those who preferred tall and well-built individuals versus those who liked short and chubby ones, which kept me away from the café for a while.

Thinking back, they were crazy people.

But seriously, what did I do to raise my favorability rating above 70?

I’ve heard rumors about how much they adore the youngest one, but is that why my favorability with Gimbap, the main dealer, has already exceeded 70?

I pondered whether I should be happy about that.

But who are these stronger and remarkable individuals compared to me?

This hardcore crowd doesn’t acknowledge anyone.

[Revealing the deepest and widest arrogance, he smiles.]

Oh, just get lost.

He can’t read the room at all.

…

Being flustered is one thing, but willingly accepting a favorability rating over 70, I decided to send Riness ahead first.

“Are you telling me to go first?”

“Yes, please head to the Dullieo clan now and assist Suseong.”

“….”

They moved faster than I anticipated, but they would probably still be fighting the vanguard.

As the saying goes, “Green waves are not without reason,” so although the vanguard is likely vast, they should be manageable.

Nevertheless, I had to send Riness first to help defend Dullieo.

“They’ve probably only sent the vanguard, right?”

She, or rather everyone, wouldn’t know.

That this battle has two chieftains.

Honestly, I don’t know everything about this war either.

The war is clearly one of the background settings before the story begins.

A spoonful of past setups in Elise’s story, moving forward to uphold the family’s revenge and her own determination.

Another spoonful of experiencing the past through historical books in the Maze Library.

And another spoonful of past stories when Elise avenges her enemies born during the Seven Wars.

Combining what I’ve heard, deductions, and discussions with the Gnostics, I filled in the missing pieces of the puzzle.

But one thing was certain among them.

That one of the Seven will be resurrected here.

That there are not one but two orc chieftains.

That Chilak smoothly escaped with the Black Mage near the end of the war.

That Noisden’s youngest son, Kongja, will fall into turmoil.

That the Dullieo clan will face a crisis.

And so on.

One of these stories, about the chieftain, became known only around the middle of the war, so it’s a given that not knowing it is no mistake.

I told Riness about it, and as she frowned more and more while contemplating, she asked me.

“Can you handle it alone? Didn’t you call me as an escort because you’re in danger?”

Seeing her worry about me even though she knows we need to leave immediately made me smile.

Indeed, favorability over 70. +10 points for you.

But being concerned about my safety, that arrogant attitude! -120 points!

I chuckled and said, “It’s not dangerous at all, so please go ahead.”

Those who pose a threat will be the ones in danger.

Seeing my smile, Geomseong bit his lip and set off, and the carriage departed.

With a few attendants and servants on the carriage, it had been about half a day since we left.

Right now, I am

[Chwiik–!!! Nice to meet you!]

[Chwiik? Are you a fellow?]

[Chwiik! Am I a fellow?]

[Chwiik! Then what am I?]

Crash!

[Chwiik! A fellow! That’s right!]

[Chwiik! No doubt!]

I am currently patrolling the forest as an orc with other orcs.

“Man, this is tough.”

I was prepared, but I was starting to feel homesick.