"...What?" Yusuf questioned the mentality of this kid once more, this time doubting his former analysis. The contract said nothing about him coming out alive from their deal, so if he was to die, the deal is off.
"You fight and I go get it...be that as it may I'm not trying to kill you, but you will have to fight them regardless of whether we are caught or not," Gates said, gesturing with his hands as if to ask, 'any closer?'
"Not Quite yet, how do you expect me to fight a whole tribe alone, orcs for the matter?" Yusuf made his complaints, ones that were valid no matter if it were a high rank mage.
"Yes, but there is however a way for you to fight while securing that your life won't be forfeited. You do have the language rune spell, don't you?" Gates inquired, spotting their destination in the distance.
"Of course, what good will it do against those orcs though?" Yusuf confirmed and asked as he continued to fly them over the large expanse of the forests to their final destination on the horizon.
His question however was answered by himself, understanding the kid's behavior was one thing, but his in-depth analysis and knowledge of different things were beyond his age and mental age. The boy's words were all lucid and concise, with the confidence to match. If not for experiencing all this himself, if someone else had told him, even he wouldn't have believed it. And if not for the fact that this Young Gates signed the magic contract, he would not have believed that his words were anything but the truth.
"A duel?" Yusuf answered as well as questioned the authenticity of the answer, to which Young Gates nodded affirmatively.
"How will that work? For the orcs to accept a duel with a mage, they either have a shaman or... No—" Yusuf said, realizing something phenomenal.
"Yes...they have a Magic Warrior," Gates said with an unruly smile.
Even rarer than a shaman, who is like the mage of the orc tribe and their connection to their Gods and Ancestors, the orc who carries the title of Magic Warrior is like a harbinger of death to the likes of humans and beasts alike on the battlefields. If a single orc alone is enough to slay five knights, an orc adorned with the title of Magic Warrior can alone slay fifteen knights. Their feats are just that outrageous.
"Boy, how do you have all this information? Do you know what this means when the other powers hear of this?" Yusuf exclaimed, realizing the potential rise of a Magic Warrior spelled doom not just for the humans but for monsters and creatures too.
How long had this information been kept, and the Magic Warrior given time to grow?
"None of that information is necessary right now. Oh, and when your duel is accepted, beat the crap out of that orc for me...right now you're stronger, but because of their pride, they won't admit such a thing. What I want you to do is beat it to an inch of its life...hahaha," Gates said, laughing at the end of his statement.
Yusuf glanced at him, wondering what exactly goes on in the head of this twelve-year-old. However, as odd as Young Gates was, he wasn't wrong in any step he took, as he could survive the encounter with Yusuf, otherwise known in the novel "Above all else" as the Ghost Mage.
"Truly, you are an odd one... If you were a mage, you'd be a scary existence," Yusuf said as he started to lower them down, their destination right in front of them. Even in the dark of the night, they could see the torches and fires lit dimly by the orcs...
The orcs inhabited the lower parts of the twin Hills.
"No. Continue our flight and land me on one of the hills, as for you, you'll head down and continue with the initial start of our plans..." Gates instructed.
Yusuf gave a nod as he continued the flight. Below them, the orcs moved, some rested, others worked out, and others trained, swinging their axes without a care in the world...
Gates saw these hulking masses from the sky and couldn't imagine how they would look in front of his eyes. Reading about them in a novel and seeing them on the television was much different from experiencing it in front of your eyes, physically.
If what the novel said was true, they don't cook their food nor do they see a need to use fire as they can see at night. However, after discovering that having the fires as torch for the night time and dark caves when hunting was not bad, they very well went along with it.
Truthfully, Gates was even more curious about this race, especially the ones that ruled this part of the forests, as they were one of the few that lasted a while into the book...so Gates had a use for them. However, if he came here alone, his death was all but guaranteed.
Having this mage with him changes everything, but all that rested on the fact that he could get his hands on that flower and Yusuf completed his job.
As Yusuf began their descent towards the orc settlement, Gates couldn't help but reflect on the gravity of their situation. The weight of their mission, coupled with the looming presence of the Magic Warrior, hung heavy in the air. Despite his outward confidence, Gates felt a twinge of apprehension gnawing at him. This was no ordinary undertaking; their success would hinge on a delicate balance of strategy, skill, and a bit of luck.
As they approached the hillside, Gates observed the orc encampment with a mixture of fascination and trepidation. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows against the rugged terrain, emphasizing the primal, untamed nature of the orcs. From his vantage point, Gates could see the bustling activity below: orcs sparring, tending to fires, and engaging in various tasks. Each movement seemed to exude a raw, unbridled energy that sent shivers down Gates' spine.
Despite the formidable sight before him, Gates remained resolute. He knew that the key to their success lay in exploiting the orcs' pride and sense of honor. The notion of a duel appealed to their warrior ethos, presenting an opportunity to navigate the perilous waters of orcish customs and traditions.
As Yusuf guided them closer to the hilltop, Gates couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation coursing through him. The adrenaline surged within him, fueling his resolve and sharpening his focus. He knew that every moment counted, every decision weighed heavily upon the outcome of their mission.
Upon landing on the hillside, Gates took a moment to survey their surroundings. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, a stark contrast to the fiery intensity of the orc encampment below. In the distance, the twin hills loomed ominously, their jagged peaks obscured by the darkness of the night.
With a silent nod to Yusuf, Gates steeled himself for the task ahead. The path to the Life-Jade flower lay fraught with danger, but he refused to falter. His determination burned bright within him, a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching shadows.
As Yusuf descended towards the orc settlement, Gates found himself consumed by a sense of purpose. He knew that their journey was far from over, that the true test awaited them in the heart of the Alpine forest. But with courage as their guide and destiny as their compass, Gates was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
"HAHAHAHAH this will be fun."