Chapter 55: Chapter 53: Sacrifices
In the desert-like land filled with house made out of rocks, inside a massive stone building, I sat in a wooden chair while numerous orcs knelt before me. I remained silent, observing them, until the commander, Orcon, finally spoke.
"The Great Goddess of Paradise... we thank you for saving us from that creature and our people from suffering."
I looked at him, and then Aries’ voice echoed in my mind.
[He is the strongest among all the orcs. He might be at the level of Bokkon or even higher.]
Hearing that, a small smile appeared on my face.
[You are thinking something evil, right...?] Aries questioned.
(Me? Evil? No, no, I’m just thinking that I can ask them to help me build the wall after everything is settled down,) I replied.
Aries immediately responded, [More like using them.]
I huffed, then looked at the commander and asked, "You are the commander orc, right?"
Orcon nodded and replied, "Yes, I’m the commander of the orc army. My name is Orcon Ogeru."
Closing my eyes, I said, "I have some questions to ask you."
Orcon raised his head and looked at me. I continued, "How many orcs are here in this land?"
He thought for a moment before replying, "Approximately more than 800 orcs... but only 80 of us are fighters. The rest are either children, elderly, or females. And... we lost more than 50 warriors to those creatures’ attacks."
I opened my eyes. "I see... I have another question, but for that, I will need to speak with your Elder."
A sorrowful silence filled the room. The orcs’ faces turned somber, and then Rise spoke from the side.
"He... died."
"Huh?" I gasped.
Rise continued, "He lost his life saving his people... He always used to say that his people came before his own life, and he proved that in the end."
Tears began falling from the orcs’ eyes, and Orcon added, "He stood tall until his last breath... like a true leader."
My expression turned serious. Closing my eyes, I stood up and thought to myself, (Everyone feels sadness when they lose the ones they love and respect...)
"You may hold a respectful funeral for him and the others who died protecting this place... and I promise that no one from your tribe will die again."
The orcs lowered their heads in gratitude. At that moment, I heard Gearor’s voice in my mind.
(Lady Sumi, are you there?)
Turning back, I replied, (Yes, Gearor, what is it?)
Gearor’s voice came again, filled with urgency. (You have been called by The Supremes... More like to say, they have come here themselves.)
Hearing that, my eyes widened in shock.
At the entrance of the Paradise Garden, Gearor stood alongside Himiko and Hinari, facing the Three Supremes who looked at them with unwavering gazes.
Closing my eyes, I replied softly, (I see... I’ll be there soon. Take them to the church till then)
(Yes, Lady Sumi,) he responded.
I turned to the orcs and called, "Orcon."
He lifted his head and replied, "Yes..."
"I know I may seem like a dominator... but I want you to be the head of the orcs."
His eyes widened, and in a shaky voice, he replied, "I am honored that you think I am worthy of such a position... but I must refuse."
I looked at him in confusion but remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"I believe... you should make Rise the head of the orcs instead of me."
Rise looked at him in shock. "Commander! What are you saying!?"
Orcon remained confident as he said, "He is brave... he is strong... and he is the reason we are still alive. He has everything that a leader should have."
"And I am sure everyone agrees with me," he added, his voice unwavering.
The other orcs nodded in agreement, while Rise stood there, stunned.
Closing my eyes, I spoke in a firm voice,
"I see. If everyone agrees, then it’s decided... Rise is the new head of the orcs."
Everyone smiled—everyone except for Rise, who remained frozen in shock.
"Wha... what is..." Rise tried to say something but couldn’t find the words.
Finally, after a moment, he took a deep breath and said confidently,
"If everyone believes in me, then... I will do everything in my power to make sure they never regret this decision."
I opened my eyes and stepped forward before calling, "Lunara"
In an instant, Lunara appeared beside me from the shadows and said "Yes, Master?"
Stepping closer to her, I whispered
"Gather information from them about the creatures and everything else. And remember—if those things attack this place, protect them. They are our friends now."
Lunara nodded. "Yes, Master. As you wish."
I turned to the orcs and spoke in a louder voice. "I am leaving for now, but I will return soon. Until then, my friend will be here with you."
The orcs looked at Lunara in surprise as I continued, "I’ll be back soon."
With that, I vanished into thin air, leaving Lunara and the orcs behind.
---
I reappeared outside the doors of the Church of Paradise. Placing my hand on the door, I pushed it open.
Inside, the Three Supremes sat on the couch in the middle of the room. Mira and Eli rested on her shoulders, while Shiro sat beside her. In front of them stood Gaizon.
Around the room, Gearor, Aurthor, Yooto, Bokkon, and the twins stood silently.
Shiro and Gaizon looked at me with unreadable expressions, but Mira and Eli stared with clear anger in their eyes.
As I entered the room, everyone’s eyes fell on me.
Bokkon was the first to speak. "Lady Sumi!"
Aurthor was sweating, his voice trembling as he said, "Th-They are..."
"I know who they are," I interrupted, walking toward the Supremes.
A red couch materialized in front of them, and I sat down.
With a calm but firm voice, I asked,
"So, what are the highest-ranking humans doing here?"
They looked at me seriously, and I returned their gaze with an equally serious expression.
The room was silent, yet the tension made it feel deafening.
---
**TO BE CONTINUED**