Praise the Orc! Chapter 40:
Chapter 40 – Chesswood (1)
“What will you do?” asked Jeremy, Derek’s subordinate .
Derek had invested in Ilya betting on Elsanad’s downfall, but the results had turned in an unexpected direction . Crockta had accused both Ilya and Elsanad .
“Wait a minute . ”
Derek was writing at his desk in his office . Jeremy waited . Derek wrote something for a while before putting down his pen .
“I wish you luck… Let’s pray that the Ashira flowers will bloom soon… Which one is okay?”
Jeremy’s eyes widened . It was because there was a smile in Derek’s voice .
“I think both are good . ”
“If you think it is bad, then you can tell me . ”
Jeremy nodded and asked Derek a question . “Is the person a man or a woman?”
“A man . ”
“Then the former would be better . ”
“But he is an elf . ”
“Then I will recommend the latter . ”
“You are very prejudiced about gender and species . ”
Derek laughed and picked up his pen again . The sentence about the flowers blooming was derived from an epic poem . The Ashira flowers decorating a garland meant a march of victory . It was meant to express good luck, but in a less dry manner .
“Do you know how long it has been since I had to write a letter to fix an unexpected problem?”
“I’ve never seen it happen . ”
“Yes . It was so long ago that I don’t even remember it . ”
Derek placed the letter in an envelope and sealed it with candle wax and handed it to Jeremy . “Very interesting . ”
“Is this as you expected?”
“Jeremy, victory is only worth it if you meet a difficult and unexpected problem, and manage to jump over it . ”
Jeremy was told to deliver a letter . The recipient was a name that he didn’t know .
“Who is it?”
“Who? My new puppet . ”
Derek laughed . “Our orc warrior has upset Arnin, so now I need someone to fix it . ”
“Then…”
“The bad guys have been cleansed . However, new villains always appear in the world . ”
Jeremy nodded . This was why he followed Derek . Jeremy had never seen any gaps in Derek . He responded as if everything was as expected, and produced results according to his own will .
It was also true for his incident . Crockta did things in a way that they hadn’t expected . Ilya, whom they had invested in, was now a criminal and would be held in Arnin’s dungeon . Derek had said that this was unexpected, but Jeremy didn’t think so . Derek had plenty of precautions for just in case .
In the larger picture, Derek still controlled everything according to his will .
“Also, pass on the following information to Crockta . ”
“Even though he broke the contract?”
“In a way, I was in the wrong . ”
Crockta had placed a condition in the contract . He wouldn’t do anything that would go against a warrior’s honor .
“I didn’t know that Ilya and Elsanad were such villains, so I suppose it was to be expected that Crockta would be so willful . ”
“I understand . ”
“Please . This time, I hope that you will help Crockta a bit . ”
Jeremy read the letter recipient’s name again and nodded . The recipient was the Arnin Plains administrator, Enyanis .
Now that Ilya and Elsanad had fallen, Arnin would need a new mayor . It didn’t matter who they were . As long as he accepted Derek’s help, he would become the new mayor of Arnin . The citizens would be enthusiastic about him without knowing his deceit . This was the world that Jeremy saw .
***
The two politicians turned out to be criminals . There was a city wide outrage . They desired a new beginning . As there was a lot of excitement for a fresh start, new politicians appeared in Arnin and spoke about clearing up the ugly past .
The name of the honorary citizen Crockta also filled the city . However, the orc didn’t want the attention and didn’t appear in front of the people . There was a huge response for Enyanis, the elf who appointed him as the honorary citizen .
A statue of the honorary citizen was erected in Arnin Square . It was of an orc, not an elf, nor a human .
They didn’t write his name in respect for his will, but all of the citizens of Arnin knew who the honorary citizen was . It was an expression of the citizen’s wish for an ‘honorary citizen’ to appear again whenever Arnin was corrupted .
“I’m tired . ”
Crockta hid his body because of his popularity . A hood covered his face, but it couldn’t hide the orc’s unique size, so he refrained from going out as much as possible .
“It is because you are the only orc in Arnin,” Enyanis said .
“Are you really leaving?”
“I have something to do . ”
“Too bad . It would be nice if you could’ve stayed longer . ”
Derek had unexpectedly given Crockta information about the next destination . Crockta became aware of another Thawing Balhae base . The name of the destination was Chesswood .
This time, Derek didn’t ask for anything . Derek’s messenger said that Crockta could do what he wanted . It was hard for Crockta to guess Derek’s intentions, but he chose not to think too deeply . He would do what he needed to do .
“This was the first place I saw you . ”
Crockta and Enyanis were standing on the Arnin Plains where they first met . Enyanis nodded . He looked at the rock that Crockta left behind . ‘A warrior doesn’t attack unarmed people . ’ The thrill Enyanis felt at that time was still vivid in his mind .
The orc in front of him was the type of person that he had never met before . Many people spoke about justice with their mouths, but it was the first time he saw someone act directly on their words . He was looking forward to the orc’s actions in the future .
“Where are you going?”
“Chesswood . ”
“Chesswood…”
It is the land of humans .
And the word that best suited it was ‘pandemonium . ’ A cursed place . But if it was this orc, it might turn out well .
“Good luck . I hope that every step you take is filled with Ashira flowers . ”
“Thank you . ”
Crockta didn’t know what it implied, but it sounded good . Suddenly, a yell was heard from those hunting the triters on the plains .
“Wahh! Help me!”
A man was running away from a triter, but Crockta wasn’t the one who moved . Suddenly, dozens of arrows flew through the air and pierced the triter . It was the skill of the user Yurin, who had joined the Arnin Plain’s Rescue Unit after Crockta . She winked as she noticed Crockta’s gaze . Crockta nodded .
In addition to Yurin, other NPCs and users were wearing the red rescue vest that symbolized the Arnin Plains’ Rescue Unit . Those who didn’t have the ability relied on the rescue unit to help them out with the triters . The Arnin Plains were filled with a lot of warmth .
“This is your heritage . ”
The number of people who died hunting the triters greatly decreased . Crockta had made a contribution as the honorary citizen, alleviating the criticism towards other species .
“Well, let’s live and see each other again . ”
It was time to leave . Crockta extended his fist in the orc manner . Enyanis also extended his fist . The orc greeting was strange, but he could feel something . Something seemed to rise in him as his fist met the orc’s hard skin .
The two people firmly bumped fists .
Crockta turned around . The large orc moved away from Arnin . It was calm after the great orc left .
“Phew . ”
Somebody approached Enyanis, who had been staring blankly . It was Jeremy, who had been sent by Derek . Jeremy whistled as he stood beside Enyanis .
“Phew . That orc is truly frightening . ”
Enyanis stared at him . Jeremy turned around . Both of them had already talked to each other . Jeremy asked, “Anyway, have you made up your mind?”
“You will definitely keep the promise?”
“Of course . We’ll help you . ”
“I didn’t know a mere money lender would have so much money . ”
“Watch your mouth . Derek is more than that . ”
Enyanis nodded . “Okay . ”
“It’s a deal . ”
“But keep this in mind . I might receive political funds from you, but I won’t do anything unjust . ”
“We’ll soon see . ”
Jeremy grinned . Everyone was like that at first . “Then other people will come and talk to you about the rest . I have to go . ”
“Are you going with Crockta?”
“He doesn’t need to know . ”
Jeremy looked in the direction that Crockta went . Derek said it was fine, but Jeremy was unsure . He would keep a close eye on the orc .
***
Ian disconnected .
He checked his watch and saw that he had been playing for a long time . The strange thing was that he didn’t feel dizzy or tired at all . His body was refreshed, like he had a good night’s sleep .
He looked back on the previous game play . He was immersed, like he really was Crockta . The things that happened in the place called Arnin truly made him furious .
Thanks to Arnin, his achievement points had gone up tremendously . Despite accusing a high ranking NPC like the mayor, he seemed to have been praised for his influence in the world of Elder Lord . As his achievement points rose, his level also increased .
Now there weren’t a lot of people playing Elder Lord who could ignore him .
He went out to the living room and turned on the TV . [Elder Lord News] was playing, a program that briefly told news about the world of Elder Lord . There was also news about Arnin’s mayor replacement . The details weren’t revealed, but it mentioned that Arnin’s mayor and mayor candidate were arrested after the accusation of a citizen .
“Umm…”
He checked his phone and saw that it was the busy time at the café . He had left Han Yeori in charge . An image of her looking at him resentfully appeared in his head . He needed to pay a bit of attention to her .
Ian left his house and drove to the café . After parking the car and entering the café, he heard the greeting of the new part-timer, Yoo Sooyeon .
“Welcome! This is Café Reason . ”
It was a cheerful voice that brightened up the listener’s mood . Ian nodded . Han Yeori had taught her well . Han Yeori confirmed Ian’s appearance and said, “It’s the boss . ”
“……!”
There was something strange . Yoo Sooyeon’s expression sank as she heard Han Yeori’s words . It felt like she had lost all sense of animation . It was a subtle distinction, but Ian could clearly feel it . Han Yeori looked at Ian and nodded towards a corner .
Ian turned towards where she was indicating .
“……!”
Ian was surprised again . A familiar woman was elegantly sitting down with her legs crossed while also drinking a cup of coffee .
She was Ji Hayeon, the heir to the Myeongsong Group . She had already seen Ian and was smiling at him . The men in suits that Ian had seen outside the café were because of her .
Ian approached . Ji Hayeon spoke first . “Have you been busy these days?”
“I think Hayeon-ssi is busier than me . ”
“That’s right . I’m busy, but I made some time . ”
She took a sip of coffee . It was like a scene from a movie .
“Ian-ssi, do you want some coffee? Or are you tired of it, after owning a café?”
“Not really . ”
“Have you eaten?”
There were a lot of questions . Ian smiled and shook his head . “No . ”
“Then do you want to go and have dinner together? I’ll buy it for you . ”
Ian shook his head again . Ji Hayeon’s expression became sulky . “I’m sorry, I’m going to eat dinner with someone else later . ”
“Who?”
He looked at Han Yeori instead of answering . She was making a drink for a customer . She seemed listless, so he was going to buy her delicious food .
“Is it like that between you two?”
“It’s just a boss and employee relationship . ”
“Hrm…”
She looked at Ian like she was suspicious . Ian just shrugged . The conversation between the two broke off . Ji Hayeon seemed to be thinking about something as she hesitated before opening her mouth .
“Do you play Elder Lord?”
Ian looked at her .
Recently, he discovered that Elder Saga Corporation was an affiliate of the Myeongsong Group . Therefore, he didn’t feel like her question was strange .
“Yes . ”
“I see . ”
“What about Hayeon-ssi?”
“I don’t . Um…maybe Ian-ssi shouldn’t play it either . ”
She could be called a shareholder of Elder Lord . Ian cocked his head . “Is there a problem?”
“Nothing, just…”
Her voice trailed off .
Ji Hayeon’s father, Ji Eunchul, didn’t allow his family to play Elder Lord .
It was due to safety . It was a secret that Elder Lord’s core system wasn’t properly controlled . Even though the user protection system on the capsules guaranteed the safety of the users, Ji Eunchul had strictly forbidden any shareholders from playing it .
It was a matter that involved the reputation of the Myeongsong Group, so the company was using every means possible to find Yoo Jaehan, the only man who could solve it . However, he was nowhere to be found .
Ji Hayeon couldn’t explain that to Ian, so she laughed it off as a joke .
“Don’t people turn violent after playing games? Huhu . ”
She glanced somewhere else . One of her bodyguards outside the café was pointing to his watch . It was almost time for her next appointment . She wanted to cancel it for dinner with Ian, but it seemed like today wouldn’t work . She sighed . “I was rejected today . Do you dislike me?”
“That’s impossible . ”
Ian laughed . “I’ll have dinner with you next time . ”
“Okay, it’s a promise . How about the day after tomorrow?”
“Okay . ”
“It’s a promise . ”
Ji Hayeon rose from his seat . “Then, I’ll see you the day after tomorrow . ”
“Yes . ”
She left the café with her unique and elegant gestures .
Ian headed to the counter after seeing her off . Yoo Sooyeon greeted Ian . She had been helped by Ian, and had become noticeably brighter ever since she started the part-time job . Han Yeori glanced at Ian .
“Boss-nim, what do you want? An expresso?”
It was a sullen voice . Ian laughed . “Yeori . ”
“Yes . ”
“Let’s close up early today, and come have a good meal with me . ”
“Omo, really?”
Her expression changed in an instant .
“Yes . ”
“Ah, didn’t you have an appointment with her?”
“No . ”
“Can I eat something expensive?”
“Yes . ”
Han Yeori nodded . The café’s automatic door opened and some customers entered . Han Yeori greeted them quickly .
“Welcome . This is Café Reason . ”
She once again returned to her normal animated self . Ian started laughing .