Chapter 37 : Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Wild Instinct (7)

“Out of the way!”

The Orc Elder strode forward with majestic steps. Everywhere he walked, young Orcs bowed their heads in respect or greeted him with wild cheers. It was a different kind of reverence from the applause nobles received in human cities. The Orcs had their own way of welcoming their Elder.

“Uwoo!”

“Chwik, chwik!”

“Silence! You little brats! Too noisy!”

“Wahaha! Let’s shout louder! It seems his deaf ears have opened again!”

“I said shut up, you fools!”

Laughter erupted here and there. The Orcs scattered along the path made ridiculous noises, filling the area with chaos, and though the Elder grumbled, he wore a wide smile. The Orcs, often called a barbaric race, were indeed crude—but impossible to hate.

“How is it, human? You see now that even among Orcs there is warmth.”

After a long walk, the Orc Elder suddenly said that.

At his quiet words, I paused briefly and answered honestly.

“Yes. They can be quite overwhelming… but they’re a race I’d like to befriend.”

“Cluck-cluck, an honest one, aren’t you. True enough— we Orcs can be a bit much.”

The Elder chuckled, leaning on his staff as he continued onward. As we walked, the sounds of other Orcs gradually faded away. Soon it was only the Elder, me, and a few elite Orc warriors serving as escorts. The path grew rougher.

The trail steepened until it was less a mountain path and more a cliff face. Before a slope no human could climb on two feet, the Orc Elder lifted his staff and struck it to the ground.

“Here we are, you arrogant human.”

At that moment, the steep slope rippled like waves. Moments later, the hill covered in trees and brush vanished entirely. In its place appeared hills bristling with countless embedded weapons—swords, spears, axes, bloodstained helmets. A mountain made of steel.

A mountain forged of weapons and war.

As I stood dazed by the mysterious sight, the Elder spoke.

“This is our Orcs’ Fourth Sacred Ground —『The Land of Bitter Cold』.”

Before the mountain radiating sacred power, the Elder turned slowly toward me. His blue eyes glinted sharply as he spoke in a weighty tone.

“Now then, arrogant human. Choose the Holy Relic you desire from here. You have proven your worth through rightful battle. You have the right. Choose whatever you wish.”

After a long journey, I had finally arrived here.

“The weapons embedded here once belonged to great heroes who fought glorious battles. We honor those who fell first, preserving their blades so their descendants will remember them forever. This is the glory we gift them—so they may reach close to the heavens.”

Every weapon in the Sacred Ground looked rough and worn. Compared to the Dwarf-forged steel sword I carried, their quality was abysmal. Of course, that was only natural. The Orcs’ smithing skill was poor, and their weapons were crude compared to those of other races.

“These blades carry the wills of the warriors who wielded them. Human, as a descendant of steel, you must know my words are not a metaphor, but truth.”

“……You’re really giving me something so precious?”

“Phuhuhu, of course!”

The Elder burst into hearty laughter.

“They’d consider it an honor to become part of you. Having died before they could fight more, their blood must still boil. Merging with your soul will give them a chance to fight once again.”

“……”

“All descendants of steel live within an endless struggle. To join such a soul would bring joy even to those warriors. Truth be told, even I would gladly join you myself.”

It truly seemed the Elder meant it. Though old and steeped in wisdom, he was still, at heart, an Orc—fiery eyes still burning with the warrior’s spirit.

“Now then, which sword will you choose? I’m very curious.”

Urged by the Elder, I walked straight to the center of the Sacred Ground without hesitation. The weapon I would take had been decided from the start. Following the direction Liam had once pointed, I approached step by step until I found it—an absurdly massive sword.

Without hesitation, I grasped its hilt.

“Hoooh.”

Gripping the handle of the deeply buried blade, I pulled with all my might. After a deep breath and clenched teeth, the weapon finally came free. It was unbearably heavy. Soil burst upward as the blade was pulled free, revealing its full form.

“You’ve chosen quite the interesting one.”

It was too large to even be called a sword.

***

The weapon Liam had once called 「Wild Instinct」 was classified as a greatsword. Even among greatswords, it was extraordinarily large and thick—so big it could have been mistaken for a war club rather than a sword. With my current physical ability, lifting it was difficult enough—wielding it, impossible.

「It is a very old weapon, young descendant. Among all that lie within this Sacred Ground, I chose the one that suits you best.」

Struggling, I lifted 「Wild Instinct」 and examined it. Its surface was covered in scratches, and an unmistakable metallic scent of blood lingered along its blade. The chill it radiated told of countless lives taken in its lifetime. While studying it, I asked Liam,

“I have a question.”

「What is it?」

“How can you tell what memories lie within a sword just by looking at it? No, beyond that—even though you’ve never seen 「Wild Instinct」 before, how could you know it was here?”

「Phuhuhu, quick to ask, aren’t you. So that’s what you’re curious about?」

It truly was strange when I thought about it. Liam could read a sword’s history and emotions just by looking at it. And this time, he had even pointed me to a blade lying far away in the Orcs’ Sacred Ground, saying it would suit me best. When I asked about this mystery, Liam paused briefly, then answered.

「Because I am the master of all swords.」

“…What?”

「You won’t understand yet. It’s too early. But one day, you will know.」

Liam’s eyes sharpened like a blade. They felt distant—cold.

「When you reach the level where you can step into the Land of Swords.」

For just a moment, Liam no longer felt like the familiar ancestor I could banter with. He seemed far removed—an absolute existence looking down upon all creation. Like a being revered as divine.

Overwhelmed by that presence, I stayed silent. Then Liam smiled lightly.

「Don’t dwell on it for now. You still have a long way to go, young descendant.」

Then, with a flick of his finger, he gestured somewhere behind me.

「You’ve another old man to speak with, don’t you? Go receive your gift.」

“……”

「It seems he’s prepared something quite fine for you.」

As the tent flap opened, the Orc Elder entered with his usual “phuhuhu” laughter. His heavy steps echoed as he sat down with a thump, looking straight at me.

“Human, do you like the sword of our great Orc warrior?”

“Yes, well enough…”

“Then you should receive your other gift.”

Right. My promised reward here wasn’t yet finished.

“Hold out your hand, successor of steel.”

***

The Elder’s hand was enormous—big enough to crush my skull in one grip. Taking my smaller hand in his, the Elder began muttering an incantation.

“Hmm. As I thought, it's not an easy path.”

“What isn’t easy?”

“Your fate.”

His eyes glowed faint blue.

“Successor of steel, the path ahead of you will be filled with blood and battle. Well, I suppose that’s only natural—since you’ve taken up the sword to slay such monstrous beings.”

“……”

“The successors of steel have always walked such roads. That’s why we Orcs have loved them. We revere warriors who challenge impossibility and defy injustice.”

I couldn’t see what the Elder was looking at.

There was something mystical about him. Truly mysterious.

“You’ll soon stand against Mystery.”

“Mystery…?”

“One of the most wicked and dreadful Mysteries that exist on this continent. Those who dwell in the shadows feared by all races—they will reach for you.”

The Elder muttered words hard to comprehend, then let out his usual phuhuhu laugh.

“It would be rude to offer great aid. But a little help— that’s fine. Human, I know exactly what gift to give you.”

He released my hand and slowly reached up to rest his palm on my head. Instantly, a burning heat surged through me, as though my head were on fire. From my crown, the heat spread inward, then to my eyes and nose. I gasped, breath caught in my throat, as the Elder spoke.

“Successor of steel, with your immature sword, you cannot yet cut down Mystery. So when darkness falls beyond your control, let this aid you. This is the gift bestowed by the Orc Shaman Sherdik upon the descendant of a great warrior.”

With that, the Elder lifted his hand.

The heat vanished as if it had never been. As I sat blankly, he handed me five blue stones.

“Take them—these are Guardian Stones.”

“Guardian Stones?”

“When I looked into your fate, I saw you clinging to useless remnants of the past, unable to move forward. These will help. Bury them around your land—the will of your ancestors within the soil will drive out any profane intruder.”

Guardian Stones.

I’d heard of them. In the Sky Empire, Witches sold them to nobles for exorbitant prices, or placed them in their labyrinths to repel invaders. Rare and powerful magical tools—and he was just giving them to me?

“I–Is it really fine to just give me these?”

“It’s fine. Useless to Orcs anyway. Those stones are for the other six races who fear battle and death. Phuhehel.”

It made me feel unexpectedly warm inside.

「You seem happy to get something for free, young descendant.」

“……”

「You’ll go bald for that greed.」

If Liam hadn’t added that last remark, I might’ve enjoyed the moment longer.

“And if you wish, you may return anytime. Having proven yourself a brave warrior, showing us your Orc-like spirit, you shall now be treated as one of our kin! Not as a weak human, but as an honorable Orc warrior!”

The Elder’s face was full of sincerity.

“If you ever face trouble, climb to the mountain’s peak. Call for our aid from the place closest to the sky. Wherever we are, we will come to help our friend! As you know, we never fear a fight—be it against dragons ruling the Sky Mountains, sea kings ruling the vast oceans, or emperors of mighty empires!”

The word “friend” carried weight. Orcs might be crude, but they never lied. They were foolish, but their loyalty was unshakable. I could feel the truth in his words. No matter what hardship came, these beings would stand as allies. That was the greatest lesson I had learned from them.

There could be no sturdier friends than the Orcs.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Ah, human, since you’re so Orc-like, how about settling here for good? My daughter, Sherizik, is very beautiful—strong muscles, over three meters tall already! A fine woman—I could trust you with her—”

“Oh, um, I just remembered something urgent! I must leave right away, I can’t miss it!”

“W-wait! Human! At least have some Orc beer first!”

…Well, I supposed there were some things about them that could drive a man mad.

I fled from the tent in a hurry. Behind me, the Elder stretched out his thick arm, calling after me in desperation.

“Human! Human! Hey!”

And beside the tent stood an Orc maiden with braided hair, dressed neatly in silk-like garments—likely the Elder’s daughter.

「That was one of the closest brushes with death you’ve had.」

“If I’d let my guard down, everything could’ve ended here. I can’t believe he kept such a hidden weapon.”

Liam and I shared the same thought as we looked back at the Elder’s daughter.

She was stronger, more commanding, and more majestic than any elite Orc warrior I’d seen. Without a glance back, I ran—faster and faster.

“Come again, human!”

“Next time, duel me! A human who passed the Ceremony sounds fun!”

“Visit anytime! I’ll keep my axe sharpened!”

Their farewells were as fierce as they were warm.

Annoying, exhausting—but somehow…

It hadn’t been such a bad time after all.

“Still, there’s no place nearby to temper this new sword. I’d rather just devour it now than carry something this heavy…”

「I wouldn’t recommend that.」

“Eh? Why not?”

As we descended the mountain path, Liam gave a rare warning.

「The digestion process for this sword will be harsh. Better to eat it once you’re back home.」

A harsh digestion process.

It was the first time Liam had ever used those words.

“I see. Sounds like more shitty trouble ahead, then.”

「……」

He didn’t deny it. So it was true.

Damn it.

And so, we took the long road back home to my domain once again.

And then—“…Hm.”

The territory I returned to after so long was… different.

「The scent of blood is strong.」

I could tell the instant I arrived.

“Not a single peaceful day, huh. Figures.”

There was never an easy day in my life.

“What the hell is this?”

「A residue of malice. A herald of disaster. To put it simply— the mark of a Black Magician.」

Of course. Naturally.

「It seems a damned unwelcome guest has entered your land.」

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