"I know the doubts in your heart." The War Mistress slowly sat down on a rock. "I’m very grateful you’re willing to bring us to the south, but worrying for too long isn’t good for anyone. Would you like to hear the story of this little place?"

Since he knew Kase was all right, Colin just nodded silently.

He also didn’t think this Old Orc, who seemed quite wise, would pull him aside to tell stories if Kase were truly in trouble.

"It was a long time ago. We were once members of the Blood Axe Tribe. We were devotees who believed in and served the ’Cave Mother,’ Rusek."

’The Blood Axe Tribe, of all things...’

Colin recalled that this Orc Tribe was said to be a colossal one northeast of Thousand Masts City.

The tribe threatened Silver Star Court, Thousand Masts City, and many Dwarf Fortresses in the north.

The Blood Axe Tribe had reportedly organized Orc armies tens of thousands strong to invade the south on multiple occasions, making them the nightmare of the entire Northern Lands.

The Weston Clan was the backbone of Thousand Masts City’s resistance against this Orc Tribe, which was why those old soldiers at Dragon’s Fang Castle had such strange expressions when they saw Kase.

To them, all Orcs were sworn enemies. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"We cared for the children, Half-Orcs, and slaves in the tribe. After a long time, a new Chief came to power. He was a Champion Warrior of Gush, and Gush favored him more than any Chief before."

"Unfortunately, that Chief soon came to see us, the devotees of Rusek, as weaklings who dragged the tribe down. He believed we harbored other weaklings as well. Yes, that’s what he thought."

After speaking, the War Mistress turned to look at the wall, on which was painted a red female Orc, and reached out to stroke the mural.

Colin recalled the records about the Orc Pantheon.

The Deity of Destruction, Gush, was the Main God of the Orcs. Beneath him were several subordinate gods, and the "Cave Mother," Rusek, was one of them.

This goddess granted Orcs the ability to interbreed with other creatures to strengthen their tribes. This was why an Orc and a human could have a Half-Orc child, and an Orc and an Ogre could produce a Half-Ogre.

Furthermore, Rusek’s followers were also a bit more "civilized" than other Orcs.

They were responsible for caring for and protecting the tribe’s children, and they were also generally in charge of storing food, crafting weapons, and building fortresses.

If Gush was the god who encouraged Orcs to conquer their enemies, then Rusek, his wife, was the bond that held the Orcs together.

"After that, the Chief banished us."

The War Mistress said, "We started with only five hundred of our boys, but we were nowhere near strong enough to wage war with other races. So, we had to give up conflict and try to find a place to settle down."

"But no matter how we changed our beliefs or our stance, we couldn’t change our appearance. Most people wouldn’t trust a group of Orcs. We had to keep migrating, and by the time we arrived here, there were only fifty of our boys left."

Colin looked at the mural, illuminated by the firelight.

The transformation of this Orc Tribe was more or less what he had imagined.

They hadn’t just suddenly transformed into Civilized Orcs overnight. At least in the beginning, their attempts to understand the beliefs and cultures of others were merely born of desperation.

Fortunately, they had produced a Half-Orc like Kase, who could walk among the Human City-States, ensuring their respect for the cultures and beliefs of other races did not remain merely superficial.

"So, we are a group of Orcs abandoned by Gush. We don’t want to return to our god’s embrace, nor can we, human hero," the Old Orc said slowly. "This isn’t an excuse or a lie to deceive you. It’s just something that happened."

"I understand."

Colin nodded. He felt a little more at ease now.

’If there were really a problem here, the War Mistress surely wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of making up such a long story for me.’

"Well then, that’s that." The Old Orc grinned, a somewhat frightening smile.

She continued, "Kase is just outside the cave. Go check on that poor boy. I feel like he’s about to tear himself apart."

Colin nodded and turned back to the small side chamber. He went over to Orelia and found the waterskin filled with Dwarven liquor.

"Is Mr. Kase all right?"

Just as he found what he was looking for and was about to turn and leave, Orelia’s faint voice reached his ears.

Colin forced a smile in the darkness. "He’s fine."

"He’s been acting strange lately. I don’t know why, and I don’t know what to say... so you have to look after him, Mr. Colin." Orelia’s voice sounded as if she were talking in her sleep. "You can do it. You two are the most incredible Adventurers I’ve ever met."

"Thank you, Orelia."

After speaking, Colin left the chamber, crossed the main hall, and went outside the cave.

The late-night wind was even more bone-chillingly cold than during the day.

Despite his Winter Wolf Necklace, Colin still shivered from the cold.

By the light of the aurora in the sky, he could see Kase sitting on a small, snowy slope in the valley.

Colin slowly walked over and sat down beside him.

"I’m at my wit’s end, Colin."

"So, what’s wrong?"

Colin looked up at the flowing, pale green aurora in the sky. The white puffs of their breath were clearly visible in its light as they spoke.

"These past few days, we’ve been in so many fights. Damn it, just fighting those bastards over and over. You’ve nearly lost your life several times, Colin, and Pointy-tail has been hurt so many times, too. Gods know what other trouble we’ll run into once we lead the tribe out of here."

"I want to lead the tribe out of here safely. I want them to stop having to send people to their deaths every year. I want them to stop having to live in this godforsaken place..."

"I also want to get you and Pointy-tail back safely. If something really happened to you two, even if I died on the battlefield, I wouldn’t be able to go to any Divine Kingdom. I wouldn’t let myself go..."

Kase raised his voice, trying to hide the choke in his tone, but it had the opposite effect.

"But I’m just a damned cripple who can’t even hold his weapon!"

"Giants, Skeletons, Druids, that damned Giant Dragon... any one of them could kill me dozens of times over, tear me to shreds. My life is worthless, completely worthless! Even if I traded my life, it wouldn’t be enough to save all these people, Colin!"

"I... really... don’t know what to do anymore..."

Kase bit out the last few words, as if forcing them through his clenched teeth.

Colin sighed.

He still didn’t know how to comfort the friend he had spent the most time with in this world.

In a way, he and Kase were very much alike.

As a poor kid who once lived in the slums, Colin had never, ever felt like he belonged there.

That was true even before the consciousness of a modern person had crossed over into his body.

After all, the original owner of his body had been desperately Learning Magic precisely to escape the slums.

Both Colins felt they were meant for more than being just a poor kid, which was why they wanted to enter the city, settle down, and refuse to accept their fate, climbing up bit by bit.

To use the rather harsh Dwarven term, he was a bit arrogant. Or perhaps, prideful.

Kase was the same; he had his own pride.

Half of his body had been corrupted by a Curse, but the other half was still that of a proud Totem Warrior.

That was why he was on the verge of breaking down like this.

Colin didn’t think patting his shoulder and offering platitudes would be an effective way to comfort him. Doing so might even touch upon—and shatter—his fragile pride.

Yes, pride was like the most delicate glass, something that should never be touched by others.

Colin looked at the night sky and smiled.

But when it came to men, there was a universal method of comfort.

A light snow began to fall from the sky.

Colin uncorked the waterskin and gently nudged Kase’s arm with it.

"Have a drink."

Kase was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting such a reaction from him.

"...Are you serious?"

"Yeah, have a few sips. I’ll have some, too. We have to go back to sleep soon anyway."

Kase suddenly let out a few laughs, as if a weight had been lifted.

"All right, a few sips it is."

Colin thought for a moment and then laughed as well.

’It seems the recent high-pressure battles have taken a huge toll on me, too. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been worried that Kase might sacrifice Ale for Power. A little alcohol would probably do me some good, too.’