Praise the Orc! Chapter 59:
Chapter 59 – Quantes (2)
Crockta drank with Tiyo and the rest of the garrison before returning to his accommodation . It was a clean inn . The city of gnomes was a good place to stay because it was clean throughout .
The innkeeper was wary towards Crockta, but eventually accepted his money and reluctantly gave him a room .
Your room is Number 304 . Here is the key .
“Thank you . ”
Crockta went up to his room and opened the door . The first thing that stood out to him was the white sheet .
Hoh .
Everything was arranged without error like in a hotel instead of an inn . Everything was clean . It was enough to make him forget the innkeepers unkind attitude .
Crockta sat down on the bed . He could see the bathtub from there through the half-open door of the bathroom . This meant the drainage facilities were good . Crockta marveled at the level of civilization that the gnomes had achieved . It seemed like they werent just experts in magic engineering .
The accommodation was a little expensive, but it was reasonable if the facilities were this clean .
Crockta laid down on the bed and thought of what to do next .
First, look for information about the North . He also needed to prepare for the trip . If possible, find some colleagues . The north was a harsh land so it was better to go with other people instead of alone .
Temple of the Fallen God…
He wondered if he could find answers there .
Crockta reached out for the ceiling .
The rough hands of an orc were visible . He slowly formed a fist . As he used his strength, his blood vessels could be seen through the green skin . The muscles protruded and the blood pumped stirred along with his heartbeat . His whole body felt full of vitality .
Was this truly a fantasy world? Crockta was overwhelmed by an unknown feeling after he met the man called Gordon . It seemed like he could find the answer if he went to the Temple of the Fallen God .
Hoo .
Crockta got up from the bed . It was nighttime, but Users didnt need to sleep . He headed to the bathroom to wash up . However, there were no towels in the bathroom . Crockta went down to the counter on the ground floor to receive a towel and returned to his room .
An elf was using a key on the door next to Crockta . Their eyes met . The elf stared at Crockta .
Crockta greeted her, …Hey, are you alive?
……
The elf didnt respond and just walked through the door . Crockta shrugged . He had endured many cold winds blowing from women before .
Crockta opened the door and entered the bathroom . He decided to take a soak in the bathtub . The burning hot water sloshed against the thick skin of the burly orc . Crockta buried his body deep into the narrow bathtub and closed his eyes .
It was relaxing . He was an orc, so would he dream an orcs dream? The distant scenery of Orcrox Fortress appeared as he lightly napped .
He saw Lenox, as well as Grant and Hoyt . He seemed to have a dream about fighting the enemy with a lot of orcs .
Crockta opened his eyes . His keen hearing had captured a small noise from across the bathroom wall and in the next room . He recalled the appearance of the female elf who he met before .
Smack lips . Slurp .
There was a noise . An unpleasant noise . He heard the sound of something chewing . Crockta left the bathtub and held his ear close to the bathroom wall .
Drip .
At that moment, a drop of water on the ceiling fell back towards the tub .
“Ohuum…um…
He heard a groaning sound .
It was the sound of a pained scream that was being blocked by something, a familiar sound to Crockta . When he had struck at the Thawing Balhae Clan members, they would make this sound through the gag .
Crocktas eyes cooled .
He left the bathroom and roughly put on clothes before grabbing his greatsword . He killed the sound of his footsteps and approached the next room where the elf was . As he came closer, his ears could hear the subtle sound again .
“Hup…um…!
The groaning became more vivid . Crockta immediately kicked at the door, breaking both the door and its latch wide open .
“……!”
Crockta was speechless at the sight before him . An elf was lying on the floor with both of her arms bound . Another elf had their face buried in her thigh and was chewing on it . Blood flowed from the flesh .
…Grr?
The elf who was eating the thigh turned their gaze towards Crockta . The white part of their eyes was black, and their teeth were also extremely sharpened as if they werent an elf’s . More than anything else, her appearance was the same as the elf who was bound .
Doppelganger!
The doppelganger discovered Crockta and flashed a wicked grin and a mocking expression . Crocktas face distorted .
Bultar!
Crockta rushed forward and wielded the Ogre Slayer . The doppelganger retreated with bizarre movements that werent like a human .
Ufff…!
The doppelganger did such rough movements using the elfs face . Crockta quickly squinted at the injured elf and pulled her towards him .
Are you okay?
……
The elf didnt reply, like she had fainted . Crockta placed the elf behind him and raised his greatsword . The doppelganger stared at him with mocking eyes . The moment that Crockta approached, the doppelganger turned around .
“……!”
It was like it was listening to something . Crockta didnt miss that small gap and jumped . He swung his greatsword, but the doppelganger avoided Crocktas attack with a strange elasticity that wasnt elf-like .
It hangs to the ceiling upside down like a spider .
“……!”
Crockta was confused but the doppelganger still had its head turned and was paying attention to something out the window .
What are you looking at? Bring it on! Crockta shouted .
The doppelganger spun its head . It hung upside down and its body didnt move at all, with only the neck turning in the opposite direction . Crockta got goosebumps as an elf showed such bizarre movements .
The doppelganger whispered, “Calling me… It was a strange voice . It is calling…
Crockta waved his greatsword vertically towards the doppelganger on the ceiling . The doppelganger twisted its body to avoid it and fell to the floor . Then it broke the window and ran outside .
This!
Crockta looked out the window . The doppelganger landed on the ground . The black shadow of the doppelganger fell into the darkness of the city at a tremendous speed . Soon its appearance couldnt be seen anymore .
“……!”
A truly bizarre monster . It was literally as Tiyo said: The doppelganger was a threat to Quantes . Ogres and doppelgangers . It definitely wasnt ordinary . What was going on in Quantes right now?
Crockta turned back to the elf, who had lost consciousness .
Wake up .
Crockta shook her . Then he could hear the sound of running . It seemed like people were coming due to the chaos of the fighting and the broken window . Crockta shouted .
“This way!”
The innkeeper wasnt the only one who appeared, since he had already called Quantes garrison soldiers . Crockta beckoned .
“You came . This elf here was attacked by the doppelganger…
As expected from the outsider!
The innkeeper cut off Crocktas words . Crockta shook his head . “There seems to be a misunderstanding . I didnt…
“What are you doing? Arrest that orc!
The gnomes of the Quantes garrison approached . None of them were the soldiers whom he had fought and played with during the day . The gnomes in uniform pointed guns, similar to the Asura Thousand Wave Artillery, at the harsh looking orc with nervous expressions on their faces .
We will take you to jail . Come along obediently .
Crockta spoke again, It is a misunderstanding . The doppelganger is…
……
They stared at him with disbelieving eyes . Crockta sighed . He didnt want to cause any trouble . He had a connection with Tiyo and the other garrison members, so he decided to follow the procedure for now .
“You will know that you made a mistake once the elf wakes up . Please treat this elf quickly,” Crockta said . He held out his hands without resisting and continued .
“There is a procedure so please follow it . The gnome soldiers handcuffed him .
“Of course, I respect you . Crockta grinned .
***
Thanks to the elfs testimony, Crockta was soon released but the sun was already rising . He had stayed all night in a narrow solitary confinement so his body was stiff . The gnome guards respectfully apologized . Crockta politely accepted their apology .
“You were just following procedure . I understand .
Im sorry .
Crockta shook hands with the gnome defenders and stepped outside . Quantes was lively in the morning . The gnomes that came up to Crocktas waist were busy coming and going . The gnomes were small in stature, so it was like a panoramic view .
He was looking around for a good restaurant when someone spoke to him, Excuse me .
Huh?
It was the female elf that Crockta saved last night . She approached Crockta . “You saved me, right? I have been waiting to thank you .
Crockta thought as he watched her bow . Was the elf who opened the door with the key and ignored his greeting the real elf or the doppelganger?
The elf smiled gently at Crocktas stare . “Im sorry for not responding to you the first time . I am a very shy person .
It was like this . Crockta nodded . “You dont have to thank me . Anyone else wouldve done it .
“Nobody else did it .
She had a limp, and there was a bandage around the portion of the thigh that was eaten by the doppelganger .
Crockta asked, “Are you okay?
Yes . It isnt a severe injury, thanks to you . Thank you .
“How did you get hit by the doppelganger?
“I dont know . I walked into my room when someone who looked exactly like me popped out from the corner… She shuddered . I thought I was going to die .
“You were lucky . Be careful from now on .
“Orc, what is your name?
Crockta .
The elfs eyes widened . She didnt know the details, but it seemed like she had heard the name before .
Ah, that…
“What is your name?”
“I’m Eileen . ”
After a quick conversation on the street, Eileen decided to treat Crockta to a meal . They headed to a nearby restaurant . Crockta ordered a thick steak while she ordered a salad .
Are you going to the north?
“I want to find the Temple of the Fallen God .
“The Fallen God… She didnt know it . Its the first time Ive heard of it, but the north is known as a dangerous place…
“A warrior isnt afraid of danger .
How great .
“Why did you come to Quantes?
“I am studying magical engineering at Quantas Academy .
Crockta nodded . The gnomes skills in this field of research were world renowned . It wasnt strange for people to study with them .
“In particular, I am studying artifacts that were recently excavated in Quantes .
Artifacts?
Yes . It is an ancient and mysterious legacy that cant be created with todays technology .
Artifacts were more than just magic enchanted items . There were some users who obtained artifacts . However, after their existence was known, the users were killed and the artifacts were stolen . Then Eileen lowered her voice, “In particular, the thing discovered this time… it is a belt called the Demons Mouth .
Demons Mouth…?
Yes . The exact purpose of its existence hasnt been revealed, but it is a strange thing that emits a dreadful aura . There are rumors that the researchers who first discovered it went mad when studying it .
The Demon’s Mouth . Crockta was curious about it . But Eileen didnt know the details either .
“Right now, the gnomes have sealed it, and are arguing if they should continue studying it or not… I wish I could continue my research . I came because of it .
Im also curious . Lets pray, Crockta said as he chewed on his steak . It was oversized, but the amount was still small . However, the taste was wonderful .
Eileen asked, “Are you going to visit the academy today?
“Hmm…”
Crockta planned to follow Tiyos advice and stop by the academy for information about the North . Crockta thought for a moment before nodding .
“I have no other plans so I will do so .
“Then can I guide you around the academy? Eileen said with a smile . Crockta nodded without any hesitation . Unlike her first impression, she was a moderately friendly elf .
“It is an honor . Please do so . ”
Huhu . It is nothing .
Eileen bowed her head at Crocktas reply .
At that moment… The system message that he hadnt seen for a while popped up .
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Praise the Orc:
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