Chapter 82: The Monster in the Laboratory #1

Chapter 82: The Monster in the Laboratory #1

Jonathan, who had ascended to the position of the new leader of the orc village, was busier than ever.

Now he could eat and drink as much as he wanted, but he didn’t seem to have time to enjoy it leisurely.

That’s how it is for the number one person.

Even after reaching the coveted top position, the arduous days continue.

One must never be lazy to maintain power.

“Jonathan, what should we do about the Bloodstone mine now? I will follow your orders. You are the bravest Orc Warrior, so you are the wisest among us.”

“Mine labor is no longer necessary. The mine is closed as of today.”

Jonathan gave the order decisively.

Of course, this was not Jonathan’s own will, but my intention, which was practically setting the course of action from behind.

From now on, every orc is a valuable worker and soldier. There is no reason to waste them pointlessly through harsh mine labor.

“Then what should we do with the brothers who worked in the mine? Are they all going to be idle?”

“No, that’s not the case. Some will hunt to stockpile food, and some will make weapons.”

“Oh- I see. Wise, Jonathan. We will do as you say.”

Soldiers, weapons, and food.

I plan to systematically secure the three essential elements for war.

The goal was clear: to defeat Carmilla, the conqueror of the northern continent.

“Ah, Jonathan, I have one more thing to ask. What do we do with the Bloodstones that have already been mined? Damn Bloodstones, they are soaked in our blood and tears. I don’t want to see them anymore.”

“Hmm, that…”

Jonathan trailed off, glancing at me.

I silently mouthed the word.

‘Store’.

“⋯We will not discard them.”

“Why? Bloodstones are of little use to us orcs, aren’t they?”

“That’s-“

As I mouthed it again, Jonathan quickly grasped my intention.

“There’s no need to mine further, but there’s also no need to discard what has already been mined. The Bloodstones will be entrusted to Estel, the god of necromancy.”

“I see. Understood.”

After the orc who received the instructions left, Jonathan shivered.

“Ah- I can’t stand it, Estel. Why are there so many things to worry about? My head is going to explode!”

“That’s how it is. If you didn’t like it, you should have just lived obediently under Wafa and Vetdi.”

“Ugh- I didn’t realize. And the most painful thing is…”

Jonathan looked out the window of the office.

The street outside was lively for the first time in a while. Everyone felt the change and was diligently carrying out their assigned tasks.

The times had changed. The orcs were indulging in a mindless optimism that they could never have imagined before.

“Everyone else is carefree! Only I have a headache. Only I’m anxious to death. Will this really work out? Can we really win against Carmilla? Only I lie awake at night worrying. Is this right?”

“That’s how it is.”

“Estel, are you a parrot? How many times have you said ‘that’s how it is’.”

“Well… because that’s how it is.”

“Aargh-!”

Jonathan howled like a wolf, venting his frustration.

It was so frustrating that he even clawed at his chest.

“I feel like I’m deceiving my brothers. Everyone believes everything will work out somehow. I made it that way. It’s all my responsibility…”

“Originally-“

“Again with ‘originally,’ Estel?”

“Correct. Leaders must keep their heads cool. Even when everyone else is lost in excitement. The captain of a ship must pay attention to even the slightest change, day or night. That is your job now.”

“⋯Is it too late to quit now, Estel?”

Instead of answering, I smiled faintly.

Jonathan sighed deeply and, as if resigned, buried his face in the documents again.

Whether it was my imagination or not, it looked like wrinkles were already forming on his forehead.

Has his hair thinned too? He’s still young.

However, while I can help him, I cannot do it for him.

I won’t be staying in the snow orc village forever.

Ultimately, Jonathan must learn the duties of a leader and guide the orcs on his own, even without me.

‘Cheer up, Jonathan.’

Being number one is arduous. But the harder the number one works, the smoother the ship sails.

That’s how it is.

***

On the outskirts of the orc village.

The open space, originally used to gather and supervise slaves, had now been transformed into a parade ground and training ground.

Young and strong orcs sweated as they trained. In front of them, the Orc Elder stood with his hands behind his back, watching them.

“You’ve come, Savior.”

As I approached, the elder cast a fleeting glance.

I told him he didn’t need to use such grand titles every time, but the elder steadfastly called me the Savior.

“Grandpa, is it going well?”

“Hmm. It’s too early to tell, so it’s hard to say for sure, but I’m sowing seeds for the future. I don’t know how many of them will sprout, though.”

The elder was assigned the task of teaching Orc Combat Techniques to the young orcs.

It was an important mission.

The quality of our soldiers who would go to war would differ vastly depending on the success of this special training.

However, the elder seemed displeased. He frowned and had been emitting uncomfortable groans since earlier.

The reason was obvious.

“Aish, Grandpa. What’s wrong- Are you still sulking?”

“I’m not sulking.”

“You are sulking. You’re an adult, yet you’re holding a grudge over something so trivial.”

“Savior, how can you call it trivial!”

The elder shouted indignantly. A young orc training in the front row was startled and glanced at us.

“Jonathan’s Combat Techniques, what are Jonathan’s Combat Techniques! These combat techniques have been passed down through generations from our ancestors, so what right does that novice Jonathan have-“

“But that’s how other orcs will want to learn.”

Despite the elder’s strong opposition, I slightly changed the name of Orc Combat Techniques.

It was a kind of brand renaming.

There was nothing wrong with Orc Combat Techniques themselves, but until now, they hadn’t captured the interest of the younger orcs, so a change was needed.

What was introduced here was a new brand and narrative.

The very techniques used by the Warrior Orc Jonathan, Jonathan’s Combat Techniques.

He even defeated Wafa and Vetdi. You can do it too!

With this, other orcs would want to learn.

I feel sorry for the elder, but an old orc’s combat technique sounds a bit outdated.

The effect was remarkable. Just look at the orcs filling the training ground.

“Jonathan’s Combat Techniques! Truly excellent!”

“I will become a Warrior Orc like Jonathan someday!”

The young orcs laughed happily, even as they became covered in dust and bruised all over.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. This is not right. I don’t like it…”

Except for the one displeased elder, everything had been going smoothly so far.

“Still, it’s better than before. Before, no one paid any attention to Grandpa’s words at all. Now, it’s so much better.”

“That’s why I’m enduring it, Savior. However, after we defeat Carmilla and the village stabilizes, I will revert the name of Orc Combat Techniques back to its original form.”

The elder said with eyes full of determination.

Well, I’m not sure if it’ll really happen as the elder wishes.

“More importantly, let’s get to the main point, Savior. You must have something to say, so you didn’t come just for this.”

“Ah, right. The location of the laboratory, you know it?”

I got straight to the point.

“⋯Surely you’re not thinking of going to that dangerous place.”

“Tell me. You must know.”

“Yes, I know… Perhaps I’m the only one in the village. The one who stepped into that hell and escaped.”

The elder looked up at the distant sky. The nightmares of long ago flashed through his eyes.

“You are a true hero, unlike the clumsy Jonathan. It would be foolish for a commoner like me to judge your vessel… but even so, I do not recommend exploring that laboratory.”

“I know it’s dangerous, but I believe the power stored in the laboratory is essential to defeat Carmilla.”

“However, even Carmilla is no longer touching the laboratory. Carmilla suffered immense damage from a single exploration and gave up on acquiring the laboratory.”

The “Secret Laboratory,” located somewhere in the northern region.

Even I, who am proficient in games, cannot pinpoint its exact location.

It randomly changes to a location in the vast polar region with each game.

The Secret Laboratory, if one follows the standard route, is a high-difficulty dungeon that can only be reached after a quest chain of over 10 stages, leading one after another.

“You have to take risks to get the treasure beyond.”

“Is that so… Well, I suppose a mere orc like me cannot understand the thoughts of a Lich who possesses the power of immortality…”

The elder closed his eyes. After a long period of contemplation, when he opened his eyes, he seemed to have finished organizing his thoughts.

“I will assign a few talented orcs to accompany you. Take them with you. After all, you cannot do it alone.”

“There’s no need to do that.”

“Don’t be stubborn and listen to me. If you, the Savior, do not return safely, our orcs are finished.”

“If that’s the case, then… alright.”

The elder drew a map.

Although it was a crude drawing, if enough basic clues are gathered, the staff of guidance will be sufficient to find it.

“One last request.”

The elder said.

“The reason the laboratory is called hell is not for any other reason. A monster sleeps there.”

“⋯A monster?”

“Yes. A monster that even Carmilla could not handle. Never try to confront it. Take only what you need and get out quickly. That’s how you’ll survive.”

As if recalling memories from long ago was frightening, the elder’s lips trembled slightly.

I’m a little nervous too.

Although I want to dismiss it as the fuss of a worried old orc…

I also know that the elder’s words are true.