“Can’t you even show your identification tag?”
Orc Elder Behera.
A monstrously powerful figure who had slaughtered every fighter ranked 「Sword Runner」 or higher in just two minutes and seventeen seconds—all by himself. He was a warrior who had instantly demonstrated the terrifying might of the orcs in this Race Duel.
There was no chance of winning a fight against him.
I’d be lucky just to escape with my life.
Under normal circumstances, the fact that Orc Elder Behera had challenged an exhausted man like me to a duel was a desperate crisis. Fortunately, however, this was not a normal situation.
This was the stage of the 「Race Duel.」
“As I thought, your claim to the throne was nothing but a sham.”
The Race Duel was a contest where numerous races gathered. This scene was being watched by the audience outside; therefore, the pride of every race was at stake.
Which meant…
“I have always respected the orcs. Your bravery that never shuns a challenge, your boisterous honesty, and your refusal to hide behind deception! I thought of you as a race born for righteous struggle, worthy of being called the descendants of the Goddess Lefri. But the behavior shown by Orc Elder Behera is deeply disappointing. It makes me feel a sense of skepticism toward the entire orc race.”
On this stage, the sword was not the only weapon.
“Orc Elder Behera, you called yourself a King. Because you made that declaration, the fighters of other races willingly fought you, even knowing they were weaker. Why? To fight bravely and let the pride of their race shine! Because even if they died, it would be an honor to fall against a warrior playing the role of another race’s King! But their deaths were in vain. You were no King. The justification you put forward for the duel was a blatant lie.”
In this place, well-packaged words could also be weapons.
To be precise, ‘justification’ could be a weapon.
“Orc Elder Behera, you put a lie at the forefront. Fighters weaker than you charged and died believing that lie. What meaning was there in their deaths? The axe you swung insulted their lives and their souls. Your false duel was an affront to the Goddess Lefri herself.”
Sometimes, ‘justification’ becomes a weapon sharper than any blade.
History proves this fact.
In the countless wars recorded in the continent’s history, the most powerful weapon was always justification. Whether in wars of conviction, religion, or territory, there was never a weapon more potent than ‘justification.’
“You committed a despicable act, taking the lives of your opponents in a duel established on a lie. Is that how orcs truly are? Do you claim to desire struggle and never flee from a duel, while in truth, you are a disgusting race that spews blatant lies just to win? Is that the true face of the orcs?”
“……”
“From what I know, orcs love the struggle itself. Whether they win or lose, they value the bravery of the fight. That is why I heard that among the heroes the orcs revere, there are those who were not strong. Because the strength orcs speak of is bravery.”
And among the seven races, the one best at nitpicking ‘justification’ was the human race. I was certain of it. No matter how much you searched the continent, you wouldn’t find a race as wicked as humans.
So, I decided to fight like a human.
Like the King of the human race.
To face madness, I had to be just as crazy.
So first, I committed a mad act.
But if I had drawn attention with madness, the next step was to package it beautifully. And such ‘packaging’ was the specialty of the human race. History proves that as well.
“If a pitifully weak young orc faces a Monster Wave with nothing but a single axe, that orc is called a hero even if he dies a futile death. If an old, sick female orc dies fighting an invader to protect her son and grandson, that orc is called a hero. Is that not the essence of the orcs? No matter how much power you possess, you must not lose your essence.”
“……”
“Orc Elder Behera, have you forgotten the orc coming-of-age ceremony? Have you failed to realize the meaning behind the warrior’s trial, which proves bravery rather than victory? I am disappointed.”
“How does a human know of our coming-of-age ceremony…?”
I didn’t give Orc Elder Behera any more time to speak.
“I do not wish to fight someone like you, who has defiled other fighters with a false duel.”
If I were to cross swords with Orc Elder Behera, I would surely lose.
But in a battle of justification?
I had undergone the orc coming-of-age ceremony myself and had even consumed the memories contained within 「Wildness.」
There was likely no human in this place who knew ‘orcs’ better than I did.
And honestly, I didn’t see myself losing a battle of justification where I, as a human, applied the orcs’ own standards against them.
Because…
“……I see.”
Orcs are simple, but they aren’t stupid.
They are warriors capable of understanding reason.
“You are right, human. I am not the Orc King.”
If they are wrong, they accept it willingly.
If they believe someone is right, they will listen to whatever is said.
“My identification tag is number 6.”
Orcs are different from humans.
Unlike ugly humans who try to make excuses and evade situations at any cost, they know how to understand and admit their faults. That is the characteristic of an ‘orc.’ That was why my weapon would work on Orc Elder Behera.
“In this Race Duel, I claimed to be the King to drag down the Kings of other races, protect our own Orc King, and secure an advantageous position. And I ruthlessly trampled and killed the fighters who challenged this Orc Elder Behera. All for the sake of victory.”
“……”
“But hearing your words, I realize I was making a grave mistake! Indeed. The essence of an orc is bravery. Victory is of no importance. Yet I was consumed by victory and acting like a despicable monster. Ah, what a foolish thing I have done!”
Orc Elder Behera let out a lament.
Watching him, I laughed inwardly.
Just then, I heard Liam’s voice.
「Your improvisation is remarkable. I always say this, but sometimes I fear what kind of scoundrel you would have become if you hadn’t picked up the sword.」
“……”
「In truth, wasn’t all that talk of justification just made up on the spot? You babbled because you couldn’t move your body after overusing ‘Gale,’ didn’t you? Ho-ho, I can see right through you, young descendant.」
Liam’s words hit the nail on the head.
‘I still find it hard to move my body.’
Yes.
I had been so excited to use the subtle art of understanding mysteries and controlling the flow. I had truly swept through the battlefield, but the power contained in 「Gale」 is a strength permitted only to swordsmen of 「Sword Runner」 rank or higher. When 「Gale」 went dormant as Orc Elder Behera appeared, a massive backlash hit my body. Pain surged as if the muscles throughout my body were splitting and my blood vessels were shattering.
Just standing on my two feet was a miracle…
「It is fortunate that the blood of Steel flows in your veins. If you had been born in the Sky Empire or as the son of a high noble, you might have become a demagogue with the tongue of a devil.」
Listening to Liam’s joking words, I looked at Orc Elder Behera.
Facing him, I kept repeating the same thing in my mind.
‘Please don’t attack.’
Fortunately, my prayer worked.
“This Orc Elder Behera has no right to challenge you. Furthermore, since I have committed a despicable act, I must not continue this duel! Orc Elder Behera, holder of ID tag number 6, hereby forfeits!”
Orc Elder Behera did not attack me.
Going further, he even gave up the duel himself.
He had been persuaded by my words.
It was a very satisfying result.
Yes.
“However.”
It would have been, if it had ended there.
“Any other legitimate orc would be more than qualified to compete with you, human.”
“……?”
“The true Orc King shall satisfy you instead! Orc fighter with ID tag number 444! You, who said you loved our orcs and awakened me from my foolishness—show this magnificent human the greatness of the orcs! In place of this Orc Elder Behera!”
A thunderous roar erupted.
And then.
“Those were resonant words, human—!”
From afar, an orc of grotesque proportions walked out.
“Perhaps! The same blood as ours flows within your body! If I peeled off your skin, green muscles might be revealed! Those were truly ‘orc-like’ words! Very, very moving!”
That orc approached, proudly pulling out ID tag number 444 from his chest.
The symbol of a King.
As the identification tag glittered, Liam spoke.
「……Young descendant.」
“……”
「That fellow is even stronger than the ignorant orc named Behera. What will you do now?」
As expected, my life never unfolds easily.
「He’s practically at the level of a Sword Expert…」
I was truly fucked.
“Human! You! You are weak! But the bravery you hold within is hot enough to be called that of a hero! Therefore! I, too, shall do my best to compete with you!”
“……”
I really wish you wouldn’t.
‘Fuck.’
Should I run?
But I still couldn’t put proper strength into my body. With my current frame, I couldn’t even draw out superhuman strength, let alone trigger 「Gale」 one more time. The moment I turned my back to run, I’d be grabbed by the hair, dragged along, and killed.
My mind was a mess.
And then.
【Descendant of Steel, those were impressive words. Perhaps thanks to inheriting that great bloodline, your tactics and strategies are also surprisingly sharp.】
While I was at a loss for what to do, Dwight’s voice echoed in my head.
【Now that you’ve laid out the justification like this, we can step forward without having to worry about appearances.】
“……”
【Do not worry. From here on, it will not be you fighting alone, but a battle with the pride of each race on the line.】
It was an inner voice transmitted through Mana.
It was a technique I had never even heard of.
「That dwarf is quite something too.」
“……”
「It is a technique called Mental Transmission. A skill you cannot even dream of right now.」
While I stood there blankly listening to Liam’s explanation, Dwight blocked the path of the orc approaching me. Clad in pitch-black iron armor, Dwight stood firm and looked up at the orc.
“Who gave you permission to pass? You ignorant green lump.”
“Why does a dwarf block my path—”
“Shouldn’t your entire race take responsibility for the despicable act your elder committed?”
“……?”
“When the Race Duel began, our proud dwarf fighter was killed by Orc Elder Behera. We thought it was a fair duel, so we intended to let it pass. But now that it has been revealed to be a false duel, I believe we have the right to revenge.”
Having said that, Dwight glanced one by one at the representative powerhouses of each race who had been subtly hanging back. Then, voices began to rise from all around.
“Now that I think about it, he’s right. That inferior orc dared to deceive and kill our young elf. He was a child who still had so much he wanted to do.”
The ‘Elder’ of the elves spoke.
“Indeed. Our demon fighter, the 「Blue Baron,」 who died at the beginning, requested a duel before nightfall only because he heard the word ‘King.’ It was a foolish act, but if that death was the result of a despicable duel, I cannot accept it. As a fellow Noble of the Night, I must hold the orcs accountable.”
The demonkin’s 「Red Count」 Hartias added.
“You know this, don’t you? The dwarves of the Sky Mountain Range never let the innocent death of a kinsman pass easily.”
The dwarves’ 「Man of Iron,」 General Dwight, growled.
“Calling us half-breed beasts while killing us, and only now you forfeit? Don’t make me laugh.”
The Beastfolk were gnashing their teeth.
“Ah, I’ve been looking like crazy, and you finally show up.”
“I was so worried you’d be pointlessly eliminated because you wouldn’t come out…”
And.
“Stay right there, our King. We’ll protect you properly.”
My fellow kinsmen who had to protect me.
Even the human fighters.
“I was worried about what you were thinking since you didn’t come out until nightfall, but you’ve created quite an interesting situation. Quite interesting indeed.”
I had set a fire in the 「Black Forest,」 where balance had been maintained.
“Thanks to you, this 「Race Duel」 will end in the shortest time in history.”
A fire that would burn most brilliantly.
* * *
“……You’ve really done it now, little gladiator.”
This time, I couldn’t deny Seol-yoon’s words.
Right now, a scene most fitting for the term 「Race Duel」 was unfolding in the Black Forest.
“Even looking back at past Race Duels, a scene like this has almost never happened.”
The true powerhouses, who had been bystanders in the background to save face or to let rookies gain experience, had come to the surface and were fighting. To my eyes, their combat didn’t even look like a fight. To be precise, I couldn’t actually see it.
It was too fast, with countless exchanges of offense and defense occurring in the blink of an eye.
“The Arena planners are going to give you a fortune for this.”
“……Haha.”
Certainly, an interesting scene had been produced.
The spectator seats must be in an uproar right now.
But I wasn’t satisfied.
「Whether it is a proper duel or not, what use is it if you are not there?」
Right.
At this rate, the ‘trial’ I aimed for would not come.
I had gained a clue to understanding 「Gale,」 but unfortunately, there was no growth beyond that. Someone might say it’s greedy to want more than this… but honestly, I was in a position where I had to be greedy. I had to grasp as much as possible.
“Protect him!”
But there was no way.
The fighters clashing in the center were all out-of-spec powerhouses, and anyone who tried to charge this way was handled by the human fighters.
“Stay back inside!”
They even actively discouraged me from stepping forward.
Well, it was only natural.
If a mere 「Sword Walker」 stepped out and had his ID tag taken, the human race would be eliminated right then and there. If that happened, I would become a traitor. Not only would I likely never be able to participate in the 「Arena」 again, but I’d also become a pathetic fool whom people in Steel City wouldn’t tire of beating to death…
It was regrettable, but I was in a position where I couldn’t move.
The 「Race Duel」 was now racing toward its finale. The race that remained intact until the end after this fierce battle would soon be the winner. I wouldn’t be able to join that process.
Yes, I suppose my luck ended here.
“Aaaah!”
……Or so I thought.
“Damn it, those cursed beasts have infiltrated this far!”
“Protect!”
The Beastfolk swarmed in.
The beasts, baring their fangs, approached in an instant and broke the defensive formation created by the human fighters.
“Those sons of bitches—”
And the wild race, who instinctively knew how to find and target the weak, aimed for the rear instead of the warriors maintaining the front line. They targeted those who were vulnerable in close combat and had zero ability to protect themselves at close range. The mages.
“H-huaaaah!”
And among the mages gathered to protect me, one mage’s scream was particularly distinct. All other sounds vanished, leaving only that mage’s voice.
“Please, save me.”
The mage was a woman in her twenties.
She had a plain, unadorned appearance.
When she screamed, her pearly white front teeth were revealed.
“Please… save me…”
For some reason, the moment the mage’s hair fluttered, I felt the scent of flowers. An alien fragrance that didn’t fit the situation. Along with it, the scenery unfolding before my eyes wavered.
And then.
『I still cannot forget the look in your eyes as you gazed at me.』
The next moment, a very intense memory surged from the sword.
Along with a hot and violent emotion I had never felt before.
『The beautiful voice that used to laugh shyly turned into a hideous crackle.』
『The clothes that suited you were charred black and torn.』
『Thus, your snow-white skin was revealed, and upon it were dark bruises and red bloodstains.』
My body had not yet fully recovered.
Fighting now was an excessively reckless act.
However, the sword was crying out like mad.
『Sobbing and screaming, you were clearly saying.』
『“Save me. Please save me.”』
The moment I came to my senses.
My body was already running toward the mage.
『That was not a vague scream. It was not a prayer shouted to the heavens.』
『Ah, yes.』
I knew instinctively.
The moment I accepted this memory.
「Gale」 would be completely digested.
Because what was surging now…
『You were calling for me.』
Was the final memory of the former master.
Contained within 「Gale.」
