Ethan furrowed his brows, fishing for information in his memories. The boy learned about Orcs in the library's fundamental books, and it was an alarming read.
Orcs had the lowest intelligence among the sentient races. They could not build houses, tools, or anything non-primitive. To compensate, they led a chaotic lifestyle of invasion, plunder, and destruction, the targets being Elves and humans.
Orcs were known to invade unguarded villages in remote areas. They butchered the men, looted the valuables, and abducted the women and children.
The captured females were used as sex slaves and breeders, while the children were often eaten. Naturally, even the accidental mention of an Orc made shivers run down everybody's spines.
"Orcs? As in plural?" Ethan asked curiously. "Isn't that unusual? I thought their race was solitary."
"Not exactly," the Constable replied. "I assume you only know about them from reading the fundamental books."
The Cromwell heir nodded, slightly embarrassed. "Guilty as charged."
"Well… That's because those books were written recently, considering current events. Over the past few decades, Orcs have been seen acting rogue only individually. A legal treaty forbids their main population from entering our towns and villages."
"Forbidden? I don't understand." Orcs and legalese wouldn't really mix well. They were basically dumb brutes.
Hilda pointed towards a painting hanging on the North wall of her office. It was a cartoonish representation of an elf, a human, and an orc sitting at a desk.
"During the Great Religious War, Orcs were Lucifer's biggest supporters, carrying out her dirty work. They were perpetrators of mass genocide and widespread destruction across Promiscua. Alaric finally defeated Lucifer and triggered the Chaste Devil's Curse. Guess which race it didn't spread to."
"The Orcs?"
"Yes! The Devil's Curse wiped out valiant male warriors among Elves and humans, whereas Orc populations remained unaffected. The latter used this opportunity to attack the resistance forces. To make matters worse, the witches abandoned us and went into hibernation."
Ethan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I guess the Orcs did not win eventually since human and Elf kingdoms are still around…"
Hilda nodded. "Elves and humans banded together and, with great bravery, killed the Orc King. As a consequence, his entire army gave up arms. The tripartite peace treaty was signed between three races, as shown in the painting."
"Oh? This is all new to me. What were the treaty's conditions?"
"They were pretty straightforward. Orcs couldn't be trusted to get along with other races. They were to stay in the forests, away from civilized settlements. If anybody breached the treaty, they would be immediately executed, and no retaliation or revenge was allowed."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "I see. So the Orc attacks we hear and read about currently are from rogue individuals who don't believe in the treaty?"
The Constable smiled thinly. "Exactly. Such rogues are mostly outcasts of their own kind, or solitary stragglers with no self-control. On finding a civilized settlement, they go on a rampage, killing, plundering, and raping!"
The Cromwell heir sighed. "That would explain why the Fondel Army is spread out in the entire County, with patrols throughout the day."
Hilda raised her brows in admiration. "Indeed. You are very perceptive, Count Cromwell. Anyway, I am very concerned about the Gulchtown situation because it is uncommon and raises many red flags."
"How so?"
"Well… An organized Orc army was never seen so close to our towns in the last three decades. Something major is afoot, about which we don't have the faintest clue. Their savage race knows only war and destruction."
Ethan crossed his arms and considered the new information for a few moments. "What did my mother say in the morning letter?" he asked sharply. "Doesn't she understand that an Orc army so close to civilization is a breach of the peace treaty? That she should return to Cromwell castle and raise an army?"
The Constable pursed her lips. "May I speak freely?"
The boy nodded. "Go ahead."
"Forgive me for saying this—unlike your father, who was an old-school military leader, Lady Velma is too pampered and inexperienced. She thinks Orcs will never breach the treaty."
"Then why is she hunkered in Gulchtown?"
Hilda sighed heavily. "Rogue Orcs often lurk behind the larger, organized armies, looking for settlements. The Countess believes that such brute stragglers may attack the citizens."
Ethan bit his lip and frowned. "What do you think and believe?"
"I think Lady Velma's heart is in the right place, but she has no military experience. Her bodyguard troop comprises only fifty soldiers. While that number can stand ground and tackle a few rogues, the main Orc population would decimate them."
Isabella walked in with a roll of parchment in her hand. "Forgive my intrusion, but we received fresh intel from the soldiers in Gulchtown."
"What does it say?" the Constable asked with urgency.
"The Orc Army is gradually encircling the settlement. They are at least five hundred strong. But the Countess refuses to escape."
Hilda banged her fist on the desk in frustration. "I knew it! I shouldn't have let the Countess go to that rotten place! Five hundred Orcs?? They will plow down her soldiers within seconds! In Gulchtown, Lady Velma is a sitting duck!"
Ethan turned towards Isabella. "How strong are Orcs generally?"
The Deputy Constable thought for a moment before responding. "A rogue may be as strong as four human soldiers or three Elves. However, a seasoned Orc fighter can handle ten of us. One can easily do the math."
Ethan looked more composed than usual, which worsened Hilda's anxiety. "Count Cromwell—"
"So, is their race mainly composed of males?" the boy asked Isabella, ignoring the Constable's attempt to comfort him.
"That is correct. Orc women differ from their mindless male counterparts greatly, born with comparatively frail bodies but exponentially smarter brains. I've heard rumors they can even be rune keepers like us."
"Orc women are even easy on the eyes," Hilda remarked suddenly as if talking from experience.
"Not that I would socialize with them," she quickly added.
Ethan slanted his eyes at the Constable. She already had a past affair with Joan, the Elf Captain. It wouldn't be surprising for the lusty woman to sleep with a consenting beauty from another race.
"The Orc community would be very different if they had a female leader," Isabella said with a shrug. "Without that missing component, they remain untrustworthy savages."
"That is why I believe the Countess made a fatal mistake," Hilda concluded. "An attack is imminent."
The Cromwell heir nodded, having reached a decision. "Do I have the authority to raise the Fondel army?"
The Constable exchanged a confused glance with her subordinate. "You're in charge when Lady Velma is absent and technically have the authority to do so."
"However, raising an army takes considerable time and resources. We will need at least three days to mobilize the soldiers. I am afraid Gulchtown will be razed by then."
Ethan turned towards her and spoke with conviction. "What do you suggest we do?"
Hilda had a ready-made answer. "I can build a small troop comprising a dozen of our best human warriors and Elven soldiers. Together, they will race on our fastest horses to reach the Countess in time."
The boy looked unconvinced. "How will a dozen more make a difference when fifty soldiers stationed in Gulchtown are helpless?"
The Constable shifted in her position with a guilty expression. "I just mean to rescue Lady Velma and the Grand Healer."
Ethan scowled at her words. "Are you suggesting we abandon the innocent citizens of Gulchtown?"
"They are beyond saving," Isabella butted in. "We have no other option right now. Saving the Countess is of utmost significance. Even the Grand Healer may be sacrificed at this point."
The Cromwell heir pursed his lips, thinking about his voluptuous mother and the adorable bunny girl. He cast sharp, sidelong glances at both women in his presence and made a final declaration. "Get the dozen soldiers ready by the afternoon. I will lead them in the rescue operation myself."
Hilda and Isabella gasped in unison. "What??"
"As I said—I will head to Gulchtown myself, save the citizens, and bring my mother and Goldie to safety."
"No, I cannot allow that!" the Constable exclaimed. She had an awkward, nervous smirk on her face, thinking Ethan probably made a joke. Why would he voluntarily throw his life for nothing?
Isabella turned towards the Cromwell heir in distress. "You have never gone out in the outlands, Young Count! You don't know how brutal and unforgiving it can be. It is a dog-eat-dog world out there! Please don't act rashly!"
Ethan glared at the Deputy Constable. "What kind of leader am I if I cannot save my mother? Do I even deserve the Count position if I cannot protect the citizens who placed their faith in the Cromwell family?"
Hilda stepped towards him in despair. "But if anything happens to you, the County will be left without an heir!"
Her words gave Ethan pause, and he considered a solution before speaking up again. "Hmm. You're right. Let me fix that right away."
The boy grabbed an officially sealed parchment from the Constable's desk and scribbled a couple of paragraphs on it. He signed at the bottom and handed it to Isabella.
"You two ladies are my official witnesses. Make one copy of this authorized letter and bring it to me immediately. Keep the original in the Constable's Office. This is a direct order."
Isabella reluctantly accepted the letter, bowed, and left the room. Once the door was shut, Hilda rushed to Ethan and hugged him. The latter allowed it, considering how emotional the Constable had been over the past few minutes.
Hilda raised her troubled eyes to his. Without warning, she tried to kiss him. The boy put a hand over her lips and stopped the transaction. "Not right now. Let me return from Gulchtown, and we'll spend some time together."
"Count Cromwell…" the woman murmured, taking his hand. "I won't stop you from rushing into danger. But let me come with you as your bodyguard…"
"No, you will stay here!" Ethan replied sharply, pushing her away. "Don't worry. I have no intention of dying at an early age. I give you my word that I'll return to the castle with everyone alive."
Hilda looked heartbroken and unconvinced. "A dozen soldiers won't be enough to protect you. There may be rogue Orcs and ferocious monsters in the wild. Even the dark nymphs have come seeking you! You need mighty bodyguards to watch your back!"
Ethan smirked and patted the lamenting woman on the shoulder before turning to leave. "I know. Just get our travel arrangements ready by the afternoon. And I almost forgot to say—make room for two new recruits on the journey."