Inside a modest house in Jade Mountain City, Link paced back and forth. For some reason, he felt a restless unease tonight.
On the orders of General Toran, he had infiltrated Jade Mountain City, and what he had seen and heard in the past few days left him quite worried. The situation was even worse than he had initially estimated; the strength of the rebellious army seemed to be increasing at an alarming rate. Earlier that morning, he had sent someone out of the city to report to Toran. From his perspective, the rebellion had reached a point where it must be suppressed immediately.
However, what troubled him most was another matter: the sight of an old man's back he had inadvertently caught during the day. Although he wasn't entirely certain, the name "Raman," which had been cursed by countless people from Magos, lingered persistently in his mind.
If the rebel army were to make contact with the Nasda army, Link felt a dry sensation creeping into his mouth.
He sighed, feeling a sense of oppression. Approaching the window, he swung it open.
The moonlight seeped in with a sudden rush, illuminating him and the entire room behind him.
The wild moon hung high.
The night was as bright as day.
Link glanced up at the strangely bright moon and couldn't help but feel a bit dizzy.
He steadied himself, retracting his gaze and habitually surveying the area. After confirming that it was safe, he looked toward the towering city walls and was suddenly taken aback.
On the wall, the usual patrolling soldiers were absent. Instead, there stood two figures.
The dark mage and a half-orc.
With the moonlight glistening like water, Link's attention was completely drawn to the figure of the dark mage. The man stood atop the wall, staff in hand, his black robe billowing violently in the night wind. The aura of darkness that permeated even amidst the light was palpable, reaching him from such a distance.
It must be quite windy outside!
Link's first thought upon witnessing this scene was precisely that.
***
"You?" the half-orc Dika asked after finally managing to steady himself.
"It is October 21st," Charmion gazed at him, a faint flush creeping onto his usually pale face, revealing a hint of excitement. Yet his tone remained unchanged, calm and measured. "On October 25th, I will lead an assault on Kedun City."
"Kedun City!!" Dika repeated in a breathless whisper.
Charmion continued, "On that day, I need an army of at least 40,000 half-orcs."
"With your current strength?" Dika scoffed, a cold laugh escaping him.
Charmion met his gaze directly. "Starting on the 23rd, the Nasda army will launch a fierce attack on Kedun City." He then turned to look outside the city, where a large contingent of the Marquez Frontier Army was stationed, watching over the city. "After two days of intense combat, a surprise attack from our flanking position would have at least a fifty percent chance of success."
"Fifty percent?" Dika's composure returned as he coldly replied, "You want us, the entire half-orc race, to risk our extinction for that meager chance?"
Charmion remained silent, staring into the distance. A heavy silence fell between them.
After a while, Charmion withdrew his gaze and turned back to the young half-orc, looking deeply, as if trying to see into his very soul.
The last trace of color faded from his face.
"Five hundred years ago, the half-orc population was around three million," Charmion said, "but after being forced into the Half-Orc Wastes, only about 400,000 remain today. If I'm not mistaken, this decline is largely due to the harsh natural conditions. At this rate, within a century, your people will face extinction."
At this point, the dark mage questioned Dika, "You've come out this time, I suspect, to find a way for your entire race to survive, haven't you?"
Dika stared back at him, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Fine, you guessed correctly. But I'm just an ordinary tribesman; I can't make decisions about matters that concern the survival of my entire people."
Charmion replied calmly, "You cannot deceive me. Given the dire living conditions of the half-orcs, everyone must expend most of their energy on survival. Knowledge is surely a privilege reserved for the ruling class. According to the texts I've read, only those of a position near the tribal leader, like the great shamans, can master the human language. The fact that you can speak it fluently and are knowledgeable about the continental situation indicates that you belong to the upper class." He paused before continuing, "Do you think your tribal leader would send an ordinary, uneducated half-orc to gather information?"
Dika remained silent for a moment before finally nodding. Then he scoffed, "Alright, I admit that you've got me there. But if we're to find a way out, we would turn to the Marquez Kingdom or the Nasda Empire for help; at least that would keep us safer. If we assist you and you fail—which is a likely scenario—wouldn't we then be in conflict with the Marquez Kingdom? Given our current situation, that would spell doom for our race."
Charmion shook his head gently. "You cannot do that."
"What do you mean we can't?" Dika shot back, anger evident in his voice.
With a sigh, Charmion explained, "Deep down, you know that this path is not viable. First, the power of these two great nations is immense; they would never care about your insignificant strength. Second, as you said, in their eyes, the half-orcs are still savages, merely tools for mining. Do you really think they would grant you a piece of fertile land for a happy existence?" He looked coldly at the half-orc. "Do you remember that iron cage from earlier? That is all they would give you."
Dika bit down on his lip, frustration bubbling inside him. After a moment, he asked, "So how can we trust you?"
Charmion's eyes held a glimmer, reflecting the half-orc's image. "You have every reason to doubt me, and I fully understand the dangers involved in this matter. The choice is yours. But as I see it, you have little choice at all."
Dika stared at him, waiting.
Charmion continued, "Firstly, as a race, the half-orcs are far too weak to stand against humanity. Thus, if you wish to break free from your current predicament, you must partner with humans, which requires the consent of the human rulers. Right now, nearly no one among humans would feel sympathy for you, and I am your only option."
Dika's lips turned pale at this assertion.
"Secondly," Charmion elaborated, "even if you were fortunate enough to gain the sympathy of the Marquez or Nasda emperors, what you would receive under their authority would only be slightly better land than the Half-Orc Wastes, and most likely it would come with heavy taxes."
He continued, "I am different. I am currently confined in this lone city, my strength and power still at a nascent stage. If you assist me now, you will become an essential ally and a loyal supporter in my time of need. One day, when I achieve great success, your half-orc race will be able to live openly and honorably on the continent, claiming respect on the most fertile lands, gaining acknowledgment from all races."
A soft sound echoed as Dika bit into his own lip, but he seemed oblivious to the pain, fully absorbed by the dark mage's captivating words.
Charmion showed no intent to evade Dika's fiery red gaze, remaining calm in the face of the half-orc's intensity.
After a long moment of silence, Dika lowered his head and spoke softly, "This truly is a massive gamble, isn't it?"
"Yes," Charmion replied with calm certainty, "it is a gamble, a significant gamble."
The towering Longshan Mountain range pierced the sky, lying next to Jade Mountain City. Karlping stood at the city gates, glancing at the dark mage behind him, then at the half-orc beside him.
Charmion looked at the Longshan Mountains before turning back to Karlping. "Although our ages aren't far apart, and we could be considered like brothers by rank, we have known each other for less than a day. Asking you to assist me weighs on my conscience."
Karlping hurriedly replied, "You're being too polite. Our families have deep ties; it's only right that I help you."
Charmion smiled and glanced at the half-orc beside him. He added, "You will take Dika over the Longshan Mountains and back to the Half-Orc Wastes from Nasda. He is my friend, but as soon as he leaves my influence here in Marquez, he will be trapped by other humans. So please, using your Uncle Raman's reputation in Nasda, escort him safely to the Half-Orc Wastes."
Karlping said, "This is no problem, but once I leave, if things take a turn for the worse, what will you do alone here?"
Charmion replied casually, "I have my own plans for that. However, I appreciate your concern and your Uncle Raman's. One more thing: when you return to the Nasda camp, could you please extend my greetings to Uncle Raman and request something from him?"
Karlping frowned. "What is it?"
Charmion smiled slightly and said, "Please ask him to find a way to have the Nasda army begin their assault on Kedun City starting on the 23rd, and to ensure that the offensive lasts no less than three days."
Karlping was taken aback but quickly composed himself. "Naturally, I will relay this to my father. However, regarding military matters, my father may not be able to decide alone."
Charmion shook his head, smiling, "The rulers of Nasda likely want to attack Kedun City even more urgently than I do."
Seeing Karlping fall silent, Charmion also refrained from speaking. He turned to Dika, pulling him aside to ask, "Do you have anything else to say to me?"
Dika looked at the enigmatic dark mage and replied, "I'll reiterate what I've said; even though I am the second son of the half-orc clan leader, I still cannot guarantee anything for you. I can only say that I personally choose to trust you and will do my best to speak for you when I return. But whether the elders in our clan will share that hope depends on them; I can't promise that our army will come."
Charmion nodded. "I understand. Do your best." He took a few steps back before turning again. "But I want to make it clear: I am a very pragmatic person. If I achieve victory without your coming, and later I accomplish great things, I will not look down on you because of today's events."
Dika looked up and said proudly, "Rest assured, if that were the case, the half-orcs would only blame themselves for being blind and would never shamelessly come to beg."
Charmion laughed heartily and turned to leave.
Karlping walked up to Dika, watching the dark mage's retreating figure, unable to help but ask, "What kind of person do you think he is?"
Dika glanced at him and replied flatly, "I don't know."