Chapter 77: Frozen Land #3

Chapter 77: Frozen Land #3

“Come on, Wafa!”

Gauss shouted, gripping his club. Wafa grinned slyly, clashing the knuckle dusters on his hands.

Clang, clang-

An ear-grating metallic sound echoed in the arena.

Wafa was experienced. He even showed a composure that suggested he enjoyed fighting.

He was the type to calmly wait and observe the opponent’s actions, rather than rushing in recklessly.

“Alright, if you won’t come, I’ll come to you!”

Gauss’s patience ran out first.

Thump-!

Gauss stomped the ground and charged at Wafa.

Wafa’s fist cut through the air. It was slow but heavy.

“He dodged!”

“Ooh-“

The spectators cheered.

Gauss rolled on the ground amidst dust and dirt, evading the path of Wafa’s fist.

A big miss. Wafa’s stance left an opening. This was Gauss’s turn to attack.

Crack!

Gauss swung his club down with all his might. The sound of bones breaking could be heard all the way here, and the watching orcs held their breath in unison.

Drip, drip.

Blood trickled down Wafa’s eyes.

‘Is this the end?’

The head is a vital point of the body. It’s the same for orcs, not just humans.

Although it wouldn’t be strange for him to collapse immediately, the atmosphere emanating from Wafa felt somehow off.

“Immortality! Immortality!”

“Immortal Orc Wafa!”

The spectators who bet on Wafa began to shout in unison.

“Ehehehe.”

Wafa, his head covered in blood, chuckled.

Gauss’s face turned deathly pale.

Wafa raised his hands to the spectators, eliciting a response. Like a fat rocker.

“Immortality! Immortality!”

Gauss couldn’t just stand by and watch that.

He charged again and struck Wafa’s neck. This time, his neck was broken.

However, a smile never left Wafa’s lips.

“Foolish Gauss. I’m blessed by Lady Carmilla. I won’t die from such clubbing.”

“Damn it…”

Crack, crack.

Wafa twisted his own head with both hands, resetting his broken neck bone.

Gauss took a step back, then another. Judging by his expression, he had already lost the will to fight.

“This monster…!”

“You’ve worked hard, Gauss.”

Wafa, his belly jiggling, approached Gauss.

Then he grabbed Gauss’s shoulder and punched him expressionlessly.

Thump – Crack!

The ensuing scene could not be described as a duel. It was simply an execution.

Gauss was beaten to death while being held upright by Wafa.

“Ooh – Lady Carmilla.”

Wafa roared, raising his blood-soaked fists to the sky.

“I made money. Congratulations.”

Jonathan turned to me and gave a wry smile.

***

The subsequent events were not a pleasant sight to behold.

Two mysterious figures in black hoods ascended the arena stage.

While Wafa, still breathing heavily, was agitated, the figures approached Gauss’s corpse.

“…”

A figure reached out towards Gauss’s corpse, which was still warm.

A pale blue hand. Black magic flickered in the hand.

Gurgle, gurgle.

Black magic surged from Gauss’s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

Then, Gauss, who was already dead, straightened his hunched back and rose again.

‘Necromancy.’

I was witnessing the live production of the eternal slaves I had only heard about.

‘So that’s how they make them. Interesting.’

Thanks to coming to the arena today, I gained valuable information. Carmilla’s subordinates also wield a fairly decent level of necromancy.

Carmilla’s own necromancy must be of a higher caliber.

“So, Gauss is going to the mine now?”

When I asked, Jonathan shook his head.

“No. I heard that slaves created from losing in the arena are kept separately in Carmilla’s castle. Of course, I don’t know the details.”

“Oh, really. So, it seems they gather slaves with good fighting skills to use as soldiers.”

“Perhaps. In any case, it’s a terrible thing.”

Jonathan said, looking at the resurrected Gauss with a disgusted gaze.

I felt that the orcs, including Jonathan, had become less talkative.

After the duel ended, the excitement subsided, and anxiety and fear filled its place.

And a sliver of relief.

Perhaps they were comforted by the fact that at least they didn’t end up like that.

“Jonathan, let’s go.”

Jonathan nodded. We collected our winnings and headed for the exit.

On the way out, an orc leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed spoke to me.

“Your pockets look quite full. You were lucky, human.”

“Who?”

“That’s Vetdi. Wafa’s brother, I told you earlier.”

Jonathan whispered in my ear. I remembered. ‘Vile Vetdi.’

I heard that this guy was also skilled, not unlike Wafa.

He must have been granted Carmilla’s blessing, becoming immortal and unable to die from ordinary injuries.

“Surely you’re not planning to run off with all that money? Come and play often. The northern winter is long. There’s nothing else to do in this village besides the arena.”

Vetdi let out a low chuckle. Unlike Wafa, whose belly protruded, Vetdi was short and thin.

He looked more like a goblin than an orc.

“Yes, I will. By the way, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Can I also fight in the arena? Watching you guys fight looks fun.”

“Estel!”

Jonathan quickly grabbed my wrist. He pulled me to the side of a pillar and sternly admonished me with a frightening look.

“Are you crazy? You’re human! You’re not a slave like us, and you don’t need to die a dog’s death here.”

“Why are you making such a fuss? Watching them fight, it looks like it’s definitely doable.”

“Are you sure you saw the same fight as me? Wafa and Vetdi don’t die! No matter how well you fight, you can’t win against gladiators who don’t die.”

I could understand why Jonathan was worried.

It’s not like we’ve become friends in such a short time.

He probably doesn’t want to lose his source of income, as he can earn money by serving me if I stay by his side, but it’s likely that his financial lifeline is about to be cut off.

I casually patted Jonathan’s shoulder.

“I didn’t tell you, but immortality isn’t exclusive to them. If it’s about not dying, I’m second to none.”

“⋯What? You don’t mean-“

“Yes. I’m a necromancer too.”

Jonathan’s eyes widened. He looked me up and down, his mouth agape.

“But – you just look like a human girl… and I heard necromancy isn’t something just anyone can learn…”

“Do you really think I came here for sightseeing? I have a plan. You said Wafa and Vetdi, right? They’re the leaders here. I should start by taking them down first.”

I glanced back at Vetdi over my shoulder.

Vetdi was also looking this way. His narrow, slitted eyes held a sinister smile.

“You orcs don’t accept anything unless strength proves who is superior.”

“Hmm…”

As Jonathan silently closed his mouth with a displeased expression, Vetdi approached us.

“Is the conversation over? Human, your proposal is certainly welcome. We’re tired of watching orcs fight each other, so if an interesting human like you steps forward, we’d be grateful. Tell me whenever you want to fight.”

“Really? Can I choose my opponent too?”

“Of course. Whoever you want.”

“Is that so? Then let me choose right away.”

I pretended to ponder for a moment, drawing out the suspense.

Then, I pointed at Vetdi.

“I want to fight you. Oh, and that fat orc from earlier too.”

“⋯Are you serious?”

The smile disappeared from Vetdi’s face.

“Human, I said you could choose your opponent freely, but I didn’t say you could say just anything. Once you choose, you can’t take it back. You know that, right?”

“Don’t worry. I’m an adventurer too. I promise not to blame you even if I die.”

“⋯You intend to face both me and Wafa simultaneously? I don’t understand. Do you have the confidence to win a 2-on-1 fight, or are you just an idiot…”

“Who said it’s 2-on-1? It’s 2-on-2. Jonathan here will fight with me too.”

I patted Jonathan’s shoulder and pulled him closer.

“Hey, what did you say?”

Jonathan’s smile also vanished.

***

“Estel, it’s impossible! I’m not good at fighting.”

Jonathan made a sad face.

The match is in ten days. We decided to focus on special training during this time.

“I don’t expect much from you. Still, you have to come up on the arena stage at least once.”

“Why?”

“I told you. You orcs don’t listen unless you show them superiority through strength.”

I had already marked Jonathan as a future leader of the orcs.

Among the simple-minded orcs, Jonathan, who could at least use his head, was useful.

Wafa and Vetdi were already corrupted by Carmilla, making it difficult to turn them to my side. I had to create a new leader.

“I’ll do the fighting. Don’t be scared. You just have to come up next to me and take the fame for defeating Wafa and Vetdi.”

“But…”

“So, don’t die foolishly during the time I’m fighting. This special training is to help you endure that brief period.”

Thump.

Jonathan, having completed 150 push-ups, collapsed, his chest hitting the ground.

Jonathan, his breathing ragged, gasped for air.

“I still don’t understand… Estel, if what you say is true, I won’t be much of an asset even if I fight. Can you defeat Wafa and Vetdi alone?”

“Yes, I told you so.”

“What if, by any chance, we lose? What happens to me? I’ll become an eternal slave too, won’t I?”

“Well, probably? I don’t know. I’ve never thought about a scenario where I lose.”

“Haha, damn it. I’m going crazy.”

I kicked Jonathan’s back as he lay on the ground with his chest down.

Jonathan grunted, arching his back like a shrimp.

“Hey. Break time is over. Get up.”

“It hasn’t even been 5 minutes, Estel… This is cruel. At least, to me right now, you’re crueler than Carmilla.”

“I don’t care how you feel. Next is 300 squats, start quickly.”

Jonathan grumbled and got up.

His legs seemed to have healed now. His movements no longer looked uncomfortable.

‘I’ve also cut off the strong liquor. No, I will cut it off.’

From today, I have no intention of allowing even a drop of the liquor that numbs the mind and weakens the body.

Alright. Project name, ‘Slave Revolution.’ The rebellion begins here.

This grumbling orc may look pathetic now, but he will become my trusted subordinate, leading the snow orcs in the future.

Now, then, what’s next?

‘I need to meet the orc elder.’

I organized my next plan in my mind. The plan to conquer Carmilla was proceeding smoothly.