Chapter 77

Among the orcs, known for their ferocity and toughness, was the Red Orc. The leader of the Red Orcs, Krush. Krush possessed a body so large and massive it was hard to believe he was an orc. Not only was his body huge, but he was also an incredibly strong warrior recognized by everyone. His strength made him the leader of the Red Orcs. However…

Thud!

“Argh!”

Krush screamed as he was struck down by a powerful blow. His body was already severely battered from the beating he had taken. It was impressive that he had held on for so long.

Crack!

A foot stomped down on the fallen Krush’s head.

“How pathetic.”

The man who stomped on Krush muttered. Oddly enough, he spoke in the orc language. A man with a skinny body, piercings all over his ears, nose, and eyelids. His face, combined with the bizarre tattoos on his exposed neck and arms, emitted a disturbing discomfort.

“…Kill me.”

Krush spoke. Having been defeated, he desired a clean death befitting a warrior.

“I don’t want to.”

But his opponent didn’t seem to want that.

“I have something for you to do.”

Krush’s face contorted.

“Just kill me. You won’t get anything from me.”

“Really? If you don’t listen, I’ll tear apart every member of your tribe, from the elderly to the infants, and kill them. How about that?”

“Argh! You damn bastard!”

Unable to contain his rage, Krush shouted as if spitting blood. But it was nothing more than the powerless cry of the weak.

“The ones who will be torn apart are your tribe.”

“Ugh!”

Krush groaned in torment, biting down hard. He realized he had no choice but to submit to the threat. His own life was of no concern to him. However, he had to prevent the annihilation of the Red Orc tribe at all costs, even if it meant bowing to the despicable threat.

“…Speak.”

Krush spoke as if resigning himself to his fate.

“You should have done so from the start.”

The man sneered and continued.

“I am merciful, so I will give you exactly one day to recover. After a day, lead the elite of your tribe and head to Harkin Mountain in the capital. Then, I’ll spare the rest.”

***

“Oh, excellent. This is good enough to be used in real combat.”

Finally, Dan said the words I had been hoping to hear. The result of several days of intense training.

“I still haven’t managed to deceive your eyes, though?”

“Ah, how could you expect to deceive my eyes, which I’ve been using almost my entire life, when you’ve just learned the technique? It’s impossible, impossible. But it’s good enough to be used as it is.”

Indeed, his words were correct. How could I, who had just learned the technique, deceive the eyes of a master? I’m not some kind of prodigy. So, it seemed I had to be satisfied with this for now.

“That’s good to hear. You’ve worked hard.”

“Haha, not at all. The learner was so enthusiastic that it wasn’t much trouble.”

Dan, unlike at the beginning, now had a relaxed expression. He had been worried because of his notorious reputation, but it seemed he was relieved to find that the rumors were different from reality.

“Are you getting along with Dolph?”

“Ah, Senior Dolph? Of course. Since there are only two of us, we have to support and help each other.”

“That’s good.”

I nodded, about to give instructions for today’s work, when Dan asked first.

“Ah, but what’s your relationship with that person?”

“Which person?”

“That incredibly big and scary-looking person. I thought he was someone working under you.”

“You mean Godwin. It’s just a business relationship, I suppose.”

“I see. That’s a shame. It would feel quite reassuring to have someone like that by your side…”

Dan’s words touched on a fixed idea in my mind. The notion that Godwin’s usefulness had ended. It’s a fitting thought for the protagonist in this impoverished period.

‘…So I naturally thought that way.’

But I’m not the protagonist. I’m not impoverished; in fact, I’m wealthy. The situation is completely different.

‘Come to think of it, Godwin hasn’t really done anything.’

In modern terms, he’s unemployed. A high-class unemployed person, since he has savings. But I know. The life of an unemployed person might be fun at first, but it becomes boring later. Especially for someone like Godwin, who is a million light-years away from being a shut-in.

‘It might be good to reel him in when the opportunity arises.’

Godwin would be stronger than any average knight. His natural strength is insane. So, of course, he would be of help. Anyway, that’s a matter for later.

The suspicious hunting competition. My eyes were set on that place.

Public Safety Office.

An important institution responsible for the security of the capital. Thus, it was called one of the two core institutions along with the Administrative Office. There were many officials working in the Public Safety Office. The city was so large that a significant number of personnel were needed to maintain security. What was unique was that most of their origins were diverse and multinational. This was due to the characteristics of the capital as a religious city. What mattered was not nationality but religion. Whether one had devoted themselves to the Order determined if they could become an official in the capital. The Public Safety Office. Even there, the place that became a source of fear for criminals was the Investigation Department. Once caught, there were rumors that one could only come out by confessing, dying, or becoming crippled. However, despite such a notorious reputation, their competence was recognized by the majority. Their high arrest rate proved it. Therefore, the investigators of the Investigation Department were considered the elite of the elite.

“Are you telling me to volunteer?”

Sylvia, a first-class investigator of Investigation Department 1, was incredulous. She had just been ordered to volunteer for the hunting competition event happening in two days.

“Yes.”

The chief of Investigation Department 1, who had a friendly appearance unlike the department’s nature, firmly stated.

“Ah, this isn’t right. Even if it’s sudden, you should have informed me at least three days in advance.”

“What can I do when someone suddenly collapsed from overwork, creating a vacancy?”

“If Department 2 had a dropout, shouldn’t Department 2 cover it? What’s Department 2 doing?”

“There’s a shortage of personnel there. You know that.”

Investigation Department 1 is responsible for serious crimes.

On the other hand, Investigation Department 2 handles various minor offenses.

Naturally, there are far more minor offenses than serious crimes.

Therefore, despite having more personnel, Investigation Department 2 is inevitably busier.

“Ah…”

Realizing the indisputable situation, Sylvia sighed. She had chosen a job in the heart of the big city because she inherently disliked monsters, but now she was unavoidably assigned to volunteer for the monster hunting competition.

“Don’t worry. It’s not a difficult task. Just stand back and watch. There’s hardly ever any trouble anyway.”

The chief spoke as if it were no big deal.

An event related to monster extermination.

Naturally, the Order prioritizes safety.

The personnel composition is also tailored to that.

So, it was safe to say that incidents were almost non-existent.

She knew that.

How could she not?

But.

“I really hate monsters.”

“Huh?”

“They’re disgusting and give me the creeps.”

“…”

“Please, have a look.”

“No.”

Such a firm rejection.

Sylvia frowned.

“Ah, senior. I’ll take care of everything, so you just meditate in the back.”

Suddenly, a voice was heard, and Sylvia turned around.

There stood a tall, blond, handsome man.

This handsome man was Ian, a second-class investigator of Investigation Department 1.

However, his flashy gold necklace and loud earrings gave off a thuggish vibe.

If one were to judge by appearance alone, no one would think he was an investigator.

“Oh? You’re going too?”

“Yes, I was originally the one assigned to represent Department 1. You were added because of an unexpected dropout.”

“Ah, that’s good. Can I make use of you?”

Sylvia spoke with a look of relief, as there was no need to be considerate of her direct subordinate.

“Haha, of course. I should help my troubled senior at times like this, shouldn’t I?”

Ian continued with a smile on his face.

“Well, it’s not like there will be any trouble anyway.”

***

Wallace, one of the professors in the Academy’s Magic Department.

He was a man who disliked moving around.

A typical academic who preferred to be holed up and engaged in research.

But even he had to move this time.

He was selected as one of the professors to attend the upcoming hunting competition.

He was chosen by random selection, so there was nothing he could do about it.

But then, an unexpected helping hand reached out to Wallace.

“Me? professor?”

In front of Wallace stood Lapit.

Lapit smiled and pushed up his glasses.

“Yes. I was wondering if it might be possible. Oh, of course, if you think it’s too much to ask, feel free to decline.”

Lapit was asking to attend the hunting competition in place of Wallace.

It was a very welcome offer that Wallace hadn’t expected, and he seemed momentarily flustered.

However, he soon realized that he couldn’t let this opportunity slip by.

“No, no, not at all. It’s fine.”

“Haha, then I’m relieved.”

“Yes, yes, Professor Lapit will surely shine in my place.”

Worried that Lapit might change his mind, Wallace even said things he didn’t mean.

He urged Lapit on.

“Come on, let’s go right away. We need to handle the administrative process quickly, don’t we?”

***

The Archbishop’s office in the Lumière Cathedral.

A gentle-looking old man sat in the room.

This old man was Laurencio, the Archbishop in charge of the venerable capital.

The Archbishop of the capital.

Even among the mere five Archbishops, he could be considered the foremost.

“Your Eminence, the Archbishop.”

In front of Archbishop Laurencio stood a middle-aged man with a solemn face.

An extraordinary aura naturally emanated from the man.

It had to be so.

The man was Grant, the commander of the First Paladin Corps, the protectors of the capital.

“Speak.”

“A scout has detected some unusual movements.”

“Unusual movements?”

“Yes, they’ve spotted Red Orcs descending from the Central Mountains towards the capital.”

“Red Orcs? If it’s the Red Orcs, they are fierce and tough monsters, aren’t they?”

Archbishop Laurencio’s face darkened slightly.

“That’s correct. That’s why, unlike usual, I’m considering dispatching 3 squads of the Paladin Corps and 500 troops.”

A number that adds one more squad of Paladins and 200 more troops than usual.

“Do so, do so. Mobilize as many troops as necessary to ensure adequacy.”

“That should be sufficient. Even if they are Red Orcs, they are the ones expelled from their group by the purge. You don’t need to worry too much.”

“Ah, that’s a relief, but… have you requested support from the Tower of Light and the Academy?”

“Yes, as usual, they agreed to send personnel.”

“Hmm, their power will be a great help.”

One decisive difference between the Royal Lepheria Academy and other academies.

They don’t raise students like flowers in a greenhouse they are willing to send them out as much as necessary.

That has been the traditional educational policy for a thousand years.

It’s the basis for cultivating great talents.

They willingly allow students to gain practical experience for various reasons, including internships.

This monster hunting competition was, of course, one of those reasons.

“That will be the case.”

The Order knew this, so they didn’t treat the students as delicate flowers that needed protection in a greenhouse.

They were a proper force.

“Ensure the safety of the capital without any gaps and do your best.”

“Of course.”

As time passed, the morning of the hunting competition day dawned.