Back to Garden #2

 

Orcs are a unique race.

Although humans despise them as barbaric, orcs have their own unique culture that has persisted for centuries.

The protection of ancestral gods.

The honor of a warrior.

A noble pride that will never bend, even if it is broken.

Among those who enjoy “Nine Stars”, there are some enthusiasts who only play the Orc race.

I too was once fascinated by orcs.

So I know.

This situation, where three orc shamans are performing a strengthening ritual with all their heart for a human, is by no means common.

It is probably one of the most unique cases in history.

“Om Bar Saha-”

“Oh, wolf god, please make this girl’s legs light and give her thin arms strength.”

The number of magic stones earned through hunting is a whopping 940.

All those magic stones are transformed into new power and are absorbed into me.

“I have increased my abilities using magic stones.”

“The effects of Orc’s enchantment vision are added! Stats increase by 30%.”

“The magic of three excellent orc shamans is in harmony. Stats increase by 25%.”

“—Abilities stored in the reliquary:

Stamina – 23 (+11) Magic Power – 52 (+22)

Physical Comprehensive – 18 (+11)

Magic Comprehensive – 47 (+27)

Faith Summary – 4(+4) 」

‘crazy.’

My mouth fell open.

That’s a truly enormous increase.

I never imagined that I would grow this much in the Garden Colony.

When three orc shamans joined forces, the effect was truly terrifying.

‘At this rate, I could beat even Dawson.’

I was brimming with confidence.

It’s never about showing off for nothing.

If it were the current country, it would be possible to calculate how much fighting power it could exert.

“Whew… It’s over now.”

“It’s been a while since you put all your effort into something.”

The shamans who had completed the ritual were sweating profusely.

“As I gained experience, I gained new skills.

—Beginner Commander Magic

“The skill level has increased.

—Destruction magic has been raised to beginner level 5.

—Cold magic has been raised to beginner level 6.

⋯

⋯

⋯」

Not only abilities, but all skills also went up by 2 or 3 levels at once.

At this pace, at least in the early stages, it is comparable to Michael’s incredible growth rate.

No, in some ways he’s better than Michael.

Thanks to some strange luck, I also got some spirit items and artifacts.

“Well, what do you think, girl?”

Yurka looked at me with eyes shining with anticipation.

If I stay still here, I’ll be really disappointed this time.

So, as I had planned beforehand, I decided to unlock the power of the holy reliquary and show off some of its abilities.

“Ability Unlocking”.

“⋯ Stamina increases by 23.

⋯Magic power increases by 52.

⋯Physical ability increases by 18.

⋯Magic ability increases by 47.」

The next moment, a storm of magical energy swirled around his body.

Caught in the strong wind current, Yurka’s tent flaps precariously as if it might fly away at any moment.

The orc shamans hesitated, planted their staffs in the ground, and leaned forward.

“Oh- this power⋯!”

“Yurka, it’s a success! Look!”

“Yeah, this is it. This is it⋯. Finally⋯.”

Even though she couldn’t open her eyes properly due to the blowing wind, Yurka was so moved that she let out a choked sound.

‘Yes, up to here.’

I briefly used my power on my body, then called my power back into the relic.

“⋯Huh? My strength, is gone-”

“What? Until just now, it was clear-“

The sorcerers’ eyes widened.

The orcs exchanged confused glances among themselves and flinched.

“Girl, what the hell is this-”

“Well, I don’t know. I definitely felt a surge of force, but then it suddenly disappeared.”

“Huh-”

Yurka sighed in regret.

However, unlike last time, he didn’t look that discouraged.

“That’s okay, girl. I see potential. What do you think?”

“I agree.”

“I, too, have witnessed glimpses of great talent. I look forward to the future of this human girl.”

The orc shamans were already busily preparing for the next ritual.

Does my existence feel like a challenge suddenly thrown into their daily lives, which were always the same?

Somehow, everyone seemed happy.

“Now, let’s gather all our wits until the girl retrieves the next magic stone. I have a brilliant idea—”

The old sorcerer Yurka’s eyes sparkled like a boy’s.

***

At the same time, the cathedral in the imperial capital, Versailles.

At the top of a tall spire, like a hand reaching out to God, stands the office of the Paladin Michael.

As befitting the office of a warrior whose fame spread beyond the empire to the entire continent, the interior was quaint and splendid.

The softly gleaming marble and elegant interior furnishings, even the magnificent chandeliers.

However, there are many pieces of furniture that are works of art in themselves—

However, the most outstanding and shining figure is none other than Knight Commander Michael.

“⋯.”

Michael turned the pages of the book without saying a word.

Justia’s most faithful servant.

At the same time, he himself had an appearance reminiscent of a god.

A golden head of hair that shines brightly.

A sharp jaw and a sharp gaze.

It was clear that the praise the world was showering upon him was not solely due to his accomplishments as a warrior.

Crack, crack.

The sound of footsteps is getting closer.

The office door flew open.

There is only one person who would dare to open the office of the Commander of the Knights, the Empire’s greatest ace, without asking permission.

“I’m here-”

Anna came in with a relaxed and peaceful voice, her high heels clicking.

Anna, the Archmage, a companion of the warrior and the master of the tower of the flame magic school.

Michael quietly raised his eyes slightly to check on the visitor, then returned his gaze to the book.

“If someone comes, let’s at least pretend to welcome them, warrior?”

“⋯.”

“Excuse me, are you listening to me-”

“Don’t make a fuss. Your voice is always too loud.”

Anna puffed out her cheeks.

I try to act pouty, but Michael still doesn’t pay much attention.

“Hey, handsome man—the weather outside is really nice. Do you want to go out for a meal together? I have a restaurant in mind—”

“Don’t refuse. If you have something to say, keep it brief.”

“under.”

Anna narrowed her eyes as much as possible.

Anyone can see that this treatment is unfair. Does it make sense?

To me, who is so pretty.

To someone so capable like me.

If I just say one word, there’s a line of men waiting outside who would lick my shoes!

‘Isn’t that too much?’

However, I couldn’t say anything and just swallowed my complaints inside.

Even though she is a young genius and a magician, her accumulated fame is nothing compared to that of the warrior Michael.

So, the one who clings and feels regret is never the one who appears.

‘That’s why the person who falls in love first is always the one who loses.’

Anna suppressed her anger and approached Michael.

I even wore a dress I’d pre-ordered from the capital’s best costume shop, hoping to look a little better. I even sprayed on some trendy perfume.

It would be great if you could give me at least one word of praise, even if it’s just empty words.

“Eden is currently handling the task you asked for.”

“⋯What happened to Richie?”

Only then did Michael look up from his book and look straight into Anna’s eyes.

Because he seems like a man who only knows work.

Anna whispered, gently stroking Michael’s thigh.

“No. As you said, something must have happened. You’re quite talented, but I wonder how you escaped.”

“⋯.”

“Don’t tell me anything. It’s not my fault. You yourself confirmed that there’s nothing wrong with the magical binding device.”

“I don’t intend to scold you, so keep quiet.”

Michael’s handsome face furrowed slightly. Then he reached out and pressed a finger to Anna’s lips.

It means, “I’m going to think about it for a moment, so keep your mouth shut.”

It’s truly arrogant.

Anna sighed softly.

I hate my own eyes that see even that arrogance as beautiful.

‘Even if it’s a bean-pod, it’s a good one. Ha- Am I an idiot?’

Michael opened his mouth only after a long time.

“It’s still too early to make a judgment call. I’ll wait for Eden’s report and then decide how to proceed.”

It was just as Anna expected.

Eden is one of the few people Michael trusts.

Anna herself thinks so, but she firmly believes that it won’t be as bad as her.

“It’s over, right? Then I can rest a little now, right?”

Anna breathed hot air against Michael’s cheek. Her coquettish voice was as sticky as honey.

The hand that had been stroking her thigh was slowly moving deeper.

“There is a lot to do.”

Michael spoke without the slightest change in expression.

As Michael stood up without hesitation, Anna’s hands were at a loss as to where to go.

‘What is this?’

Anna frowned deeply.

Does this man’s veins flow with molten iron instead of hot blood? He can’t be this cruel.

‘It’s not like it would help anything if you gave me a little bit of your time…’

I glared at Michael’s broad back with a gaze full of complaints.

No, actually it won’t end in a short time.

Even warriors possess passions. However, they are usually hidden within their noble armor and are rarely revealed.

Anna knew how intense and long-lasting that lust could be once it was ignited.

That’s why Anna is begging like this, even enduring her shame.

‘ha-.’

Anna’s cheeks flushed as she recalled those ecstatic times.

Maybe it was my imagination, but it felt like something was thumping deep inside my lower abdomen.

“Anna.”

Michael, who was about to leave the office, suddenly stopped for a moment.

When I hear your name called in that low, gentle voice, my feelings of disappointment quickly disappear and my heart starts pounding.

‘Am I actually an easy woman?’

Anna felt sorry for herself.

“Come back to my room tonight.”

“⋯Huh? Oh, yes!”

A smile of joy spread across Anna’s face.

‘⋯This won’t work. I might really be an easy woman.’

She laughed and mocked herself bitterly.

***

Garden’s only cafe, Threesome Place.

The original name is ‘Sometimes a glass of leisure under the gray sky’, but no adventurer calls it that.

It’s too long.

Above all, anyone who saw the adventurer statue standing in front of the cafe could not help but agree with the nickname.

Originally, it was just a statue of a male adventurer standing proudly with his hands on his hips.

But then someone playful made a statue of a woman crouching down with something in her mouth and placed it in front of him.

As if in response, a statue of a woman sticking her tongue out as if licking something was added behind the adventurer’s buttocks.

The cafe owner was very angry at first, but later he just laughed it off as if he had given up.

“What a wonderful sculpture.”

Flora smiled brightly.

“Is this it?”

“⋯Huh? What?”

Faced with Flora speaking calmly, I couldn’t help but pretend not to know the answer and ask back.

“I’m removing the poison, right, Estelle?”

Flora pointed to the statue with a face full of confidence.

“I heard that when you’re bitten by a snake, you need to quickly suck out the venom that’s penetrated the affected area. This adventurer appears to have been bitten on both the front and back.”

“Uh-uh. Yeah. What you said is right.”

“Don’t worry, Estelle. If you get poisoned, I’ll help you.”

For a moment, a strange image flashed through my mind.

Me, breathing heavily with a flushed face, and Flora, diligently sucking out the poison from beneath me.

I shook my head hastily. What are you imagining?

“Okay, let’s go in.”

“Huh? But looking closely, the statue’s expression seems a bit strange⋯”

“Let’s go in.”

I pushed Flora’s shoulder.

We sat down at the table and ordered two cups of coffee.

After gaining experience in the polluted sediment, it was time to learn the final spell from the magic book “The Essence of Magic”.

Flora, who opened the magic book first, learned the magic of “Weighting.”

A spell that instantly increases the weight of an object.

Although it is not a direct attack magic, it is a useful magic that can help allies or hinder enemies depending on how it is used.

Next is my turn.

“You have reached a higher level. You receive new magic from the magic book.”

As I placed my hand on the magic book, a bright light began to emanate from it.