episode_0143

As soon as we arrived in Acrante, we were greeted with enthusiastic cheers and guided to the capital.

Even I was taken aback by this sudden fervent response, but I had a rough idea of why they were reacting so sensitively.

‘They must be scared because they were invaded by orcs.’

Because they don’t know when the orcs will move and invade again.

The appearance of a hero who can solve this is undoubtedly welcome. But I didn’t expect them to send a noble with a fairly high position separately to escort me. No, more than that, how did they know I was coming?

“I believe the Holy Kingdom informed them. It seems they notified them in advance to avoid interfering with the Hero’s activities.”

“Is that so?”

I see.

“Then His Majesty the King would very much like to meet you, but would that be alright?”

“I don’t mind. I’ll go meet His Majesty the King. You guys can rest first.”

“Ah, I’ll come with you.”

“Lucie? Why?”

I was about to meet the King of Acrante, but Lucie subtly raised her hand.

“Well, if the Hero goes to meet His Majesty the King alone, it won’t look good, right? I have to work hard so the Hero isn’t looked down upon.”

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to go with Rebiya?”

“….”

“M-Me?!….”

Rebiya, who had been quietly listening from the side, looked at me, startled.

In addition, Lucie shut her mouth at my words and looked at me without a word.

Is she sulking?

“That’s good. Rebiya, let’s go together.”

“Could someone like m-me…. be alright?”

“It’s alright. You’re a saintess.”

I stroked Rebiya’s head, as if to reassure her of her lack of confidence.

Then, squeezing between me and Rebiya, she smiled and said.

“If you’re too burdened, I can take your place….”

“You stay put.”

“…Hmph.”

Lucie pouted and turned her head.

It doesn’t matter since she comes into my dream world later anyway.

I decided to have an audience with the King with Rebiya, and headed to the audience room following the guidance of the high-ranking official who came to greet me.

As we walked, Rebiya swallowed hard and trembled, as if she was very nervous.

I gently took Rebiya’s hand so that she could feel at ease.

“!”

“It’s okay. In the end, the king is also human. You are an agent who listens to the voice of the goddess. So have confidence.”

“Y-Yes. I understand.”

She nodded, determined.

Thus, we arrived at the audience room, and the door of the audience room opened.

“Welcome to Acrante. Hero Leon. And…. is the girl next to you the second saintess?”

“That’s right. My name is Rebiya.”

“A-Ah, hello….”

Rebiya greeted shyly, bowing her head.

I took a step forward and said to him.

“Your Majesty. I have a few things I would like to discuss with you, would that be alright?”

“Hmm. It’s alright. Since it’s meal time, how about we talk while having a meal?”

“…I don’t mind. Are you okay with that? Rebiya.”

“I-It’s okay.”

I was a little worried about the other kids who I told to rest first, but honestly, they’re the type who can survive on their own no matter where I leave them, so I don’t have to worry too much.

“Then prepare the meal.”

“Understood.”

* * *

As expected of a royal meal, it was very extravagant.

And the taste…, was pretty good.

“Rebiya, how is it? Does it suit your taste?”

“Yes, yes! It’s okay. It’s really delicious!”

Rebiya was eating well, as if it was delicious.

The king picked up a few dishes and nodded as he watched us eat.

“I’m glad the food suits your tastes.”

“Thank you for your concern. There are quite a few dishes with unique flavors.”

“Those are probably spices brought from the Western Continent. It has a unique flavor that cannot be found here in the Central Continent. I’m glad it suits your tastes.”

After eating to some extent, I put down my utensils for a moment to start talking in earnest.

“Then I’ll ask you a few questions. It’s about the orc invasion….”

“Hmm…. About that…. I’ll tell you anything I know.”

“Then, my first question is, I heard that another hero came before me….”

“That’s right. Hero Abel, he came.”

The king nodded.

Abel, that guy must have been arrogant and made a mess….

Ah, is that why you’re treating me so well? Hmm…, that’s plausible.

“But what about it?”

“How did he try to solve it?”

“How did he try to solve it?…. Hmm…. He clearly said that he would directly subjugate the leader of the orcs.”

As expected….

Well, that’s the easiest thing to do.

Orcs are basically unable to unite. High Orcs, Red Orcs, and Giant Orcs are in a competitive relationship.

They are the same orcs…, but they compete with each other to see who is the stronger orc.

These orcs united. They gathered under the banner of mere survival, united under one unified leader, and crossed over to the Central Continent.

So, dealing with the leader who can create this unity is a valid choice in itself.

If you can do it.

“Then he went to directly subjugate the leader of the orcs and was defeated?”

“That’s right. But it was a little strange.”

“Strange?”

“The orc who seemed to be the leader was reported to be…, a High Orc….”

High Orc.

So far, it’s the same as what I know.

“However, unusually, there was a report that the High Orc used the imprinting spell, a unique skill of the Red Orc.”

“….”

Of course, naturally, even this was the same as what I knew.

The orcs shared their talents with each other for the invasion of the Central Continent.

The High Orcs taught weapon manufacturing techniques to other orcs.

The Red Orcs taught imprinting magic to other orcs.

The Giant Orcs didn’t have anything special, but instead stood at the forefront of the war and ravaged the enemies.

So….

It was understandable that the High Orc leader used imprinting magic.

“I see. That’s good information. If I had fought without that information, I might have been in big trouble.”

That’s a lie.

Whether they use imprinting magic or not, I’m going to win anyway.

“Then what about the orcs’ movements? Are there currently any noticeable movements?”

“No, but…. there are requests from the orcs.”

“Requests?”

There’s only one request.

“They wanted food and land.”

They would have wanted food and land.

The reason they came here was simply because they wanted land and food to live on.

“They demanded that we hand over the land and food they occupied in exchange for the people who failed to evacuate from the occupied cities. But that’s ridiculous!!”

“Is there a reason why that’s not possible?”

“Of course! That place is important land for trade with the Western Continent. Without that land, it would mean that the trade route with the Western Continent would be completely cut off.”

I understand what you’re saying.

I glanced at Rebiya, and it seemed like she was done eating, and like me, she had put down her utensils and was listening to the conversation between me and the king.

“Okay, I roughly understand the situation. I’ve heard everything I wanted to hear.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m going to go back to my group now.”

“I see. Then…, I’m sorry to say this….”

When will you subjugate the orcs?

He didn’t ask directly, but that’s exactly what he wanted to ask.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take a day and then go out to subjugate them.”

“R-Really!”

“I don’t think there’s any reason to lie about something like this. Let’s go, Rebiya.”

“Y-Yes!”

* * *

“H-Hero.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to subjugate the orcs…, right away?”

“There’s no reason to waste time.”

I nodded at Rebiya’s question.

But Rebiya looked anxious, as if she was very worried, and said.

“W-Wouldn’t it be dangerous? Shouldn’t we prepare….”

“It’s okay. No matter how many of them come, I won’t lose.”

“Umm….”

But even if I say this, Rebiya hasn’t seen me fight directly, so she must be worried.

We had some skirmishes in the Magic Kingdom, but it was so fleeting that Rebiya wouldn’t have been able to know properly.

“First of all, I’m going to fight alone.”

“A-Aren’t you going to get help from Sister Baekryeon or Sister Seollin?”

“There’s no need to get help for something like this.”

“Umm…. Then what are you going to do?”

What I have in mind right now is….

Completely subjugating the orcs and making them my forces?

To do that, I need to make sure to imprint my power on all the orcs. And a simple way to imprint power is….

Just knocking down all the orcs.

I shouldn’t get help from others there. Otherwise, I won’t be able to persuade them.

“I-I’m worried… I heard the orcs are very rough….”

“….”

Clearly, the image of the orcs in Rebiya’s mind is….

It must be from the fairy tale Rebiya saw, ‘The Orc and the Female Knight’? What’s it about? Is it the 19+ content I’m thinking of? If not….

‘No. Judging from the way Rebiya is saying that, it must be for all ages.’

There’s no way that shy Rebiya would read an adult fairy tale and say it proudly.

“Even if I say this, it’s hard to believe, but don’t worry. I’ll never get hurt.”