Praise the Orc! Chapter 60:
Chapter 60 – The Demon’s Mouth (1)
There was a basic value in the world . Based on observation, there was usually a regular value that was commonly used . Therefore, people felt uncomfortable when another person suddenly showed a ‘special’ value outside of that .
“One Iced Americano . ”
“Yes, is a large size okay?” The boss of a cafe would ask .
Why bother not asking for a regular size first? Was it because he didn’t know the meaning of regular? Or was it because it was a negotiation psychology? Or maybe the person looked like someone who couldn’t say ‘no?’
Crockta felt like that at this moment .
‘Love Mode is currently locked . Do you want to activate Love Mode?’
Was this question even necessary? Wasn’t it the same as asking, ‘Are you human?’
What a frustrating question! Crockta answered decisively .
***
Crockta and Eileen headed to Quantes Academy .
It was a huge facility located in the center of Quantes and was the home of magical engineering research . All different types of works were being developed here . The Asura Thousand Wave Artillery, the core of the Quantes garrison, was created here .
The first person they visited was a creature specialist . Due to Quantes being right next to the north, the gnomes often encountered many creatures, which was why creature research was actively carried out in Quantes .
The gnome creatures specialist fixed his glasses and asked, “You’re going to the north?”
“Yes . ”
“Why?”
“I want to visit the Temple of the Fallen God . ”
“The Fallen God, hrmm…”
Doctor Gnome swept back the white hair on his head . His body was small, but the wrinkles around his eyes made him seem like a twilight gnome that had lived for a long time .
“The Fallen God… It has been a long time since I’ve heard that name . ”
“Do you know it?” Crockta asked .
The Temple of the Fallen God was known to a certain extent, but no one was able to correctly answer what it was .
“I don’t know exactly what it is, I’ve only heard the name . ” The Doctor Gnome buried himself deeply in his chair . “Please sit down . My neck will hurt from just looking up at you . ”
This was the laboratory of Doctor Gnome, a creatures specialist . Crockta and Eileen sat down on the chairs in front of Doctor Gnome’s desk .
“For the Fallen God, the theological professors would know better than me, so you should ask them instead . I just know creatures . ”
“I understand . What type of species live in the north?”
Doctor Gnome laughed . “Orcs like you . ”
“Huh?”
“Orcs live beyond the forest that separates the north and the rest of the continent . ”
The reason why the northern territory was an object of fear was due to the Forest of Creatures . Few people survived when they entered the forest, but not much was known beyond that fact . It was the first time he had heard that orcs lived beyond the forest .
“Orcs and dark elves . There are also many species that don’t exist on the continent . ”
“……”
“But right now, you should be more worried about what is in the forest than what is beyond it . That forest… Ogres are considered just ordinary monsters in there . ”
Doctor Gnome opened a thick book on his desk .
“In particular, it has become strange recently . It is unprecedented for them to charge at Quantes like they have been these days… Those guys are too violent . Thus, it is far more dangerous right now . This is a book that I wrote, so look at the chapter on the north . ”
Crockta took the book . The table of contents allowed him to roughly learn about the north . Ogres, trolls, wyverns, great worms, hydras, undead and other evil beings were listed in the index .
Crockta frowned . It was too diverse .
“That is a lot . Umm…” Crockta handed the book back, but the doctor refused .
“I don’t need it right now, so you can take it . ”
“Huh?”
“This is a reward for protecting Quantes, Ogre Slayer Crockta . ” Doctor Gnome laughed . The news that Crockta had repelled the ogres with the gnome garrison had already spread . “Captain Tiyo told me . A great orc warrior . ”
“It is undeserved praise . ”
“Once upon a time, orcs and gnomes had a good relationship . The big and strong orc, and the small, but clever, gnomes . They helped each other, but that changed over time . That’s why this is good . ”
Doctor Gnome smiled .
“Be careful when you venture into the north, as the creatures there are strong . I hope that you arrive safely at the Temple of the Fallen God, and that you find what you wish . I don’t know what you’re looking for there . ”
“Thank you . ”
“If you want to know about the Fallen God, then please visit this gnome . ”
Doctor Gnome wrote something with a feather pen and handed the paper to Crockta . It contained the name of a theology professor, Doctor Eyona . On it was her address and a simple signature from Doctor Gnome .
“She is enjoying a sabbatical right now, so please visit her . If you say that I sent you, she will be quite happy . ”
“Thank you . ”
Crockta asked Doctor Gnome a few more questions about the north . The most striking story that he heard in return was about the origin of the forest . According to legend, it was originally an ordinary forest; however, an evil spirit died there, causing the evil aura to gradually grow bigger until the forest separated the north from the rest of the continent .
Crockta nodded his head . “Thank you for the help . ”
“I’m really honored to have helped a famous warrior . ”
Crockta shook hands with Doctor Gnome . Eileen smiled as she watched them . It was around lunchtime when they left Doctor Gnome’s laboratory . Eileen asked, “Crockta, do you want to go see the Demon’s Mouth that I told you about?”
“Can I see it?”
She nodded . “A friend of mine works there, so he can give us a tour . How about it?”
“Okay . I’m also curious . ”
“This might be the last chance . I don’t know when it will be permanently sealed . ”
The gnomes who gave up on a topic of research would permanently seal it .
Crockta and Eileen walked away from the laboratory . The gnomes at the academy were surprised to pass by the unusual combination of an orc and elf . In some cases, the gnomes would gossip about Crockta .
“That orc, is he Crockta?”
“That is a big sword . I heard that he suddenly came and slaughtered the ogres with the guards . ”
“He looks different from what I expected . ”
“Is that his girlfriend?”
“The best warrior has an elf girlfriend . ”
The appearance of the orc warrior Crockta and the beautiful elf Eileen stood out among the small gnomes . They received a lot of attention as they headed to a special facility on the campus of the Quantes Academy .
There were guards present at the entrance of the special facility in order to control access .
“Stop! Stop!”
“Reveal your identities!”
The soldiers restrained them before Eileen took out a pass .
“I am Eileen from Ariel Academy . ”
“Ah, a researcher dispatched to this city . Then, the orc next to you?”
“My guest . I will take responsibility for him . ”
“I understand . Pass!”
The Quantes garrison soldiers were there to defend against theft . They opened the way . A gnome greeted them as they entered the special institute .
“Ohh! Eileen! You came!”
“Deco!”
It was a male gnome . His eyes widened as he discovered Crockta . “Excuse me, that orc…?”
“I am giving him a tour . I will be thankful for any minute you can spare . ”
Crockta extended his hand . “I am alive . I am called Crockta . ”
“Ah, hello . I am Deco . ”
Deco was smiling, but he didn’t seem that happy . Deco threw a strange glance towards Crockta, who inwardly laughed . Eileen said to Deco, “The Demon’s Mouth, can you show it to us?”
“No outsiders . It is okay with just you, but both of you…”
He refused with a sullen expression . Eileen approached and placed a hand on Deco’s shoulder .
“I’m asking you Deco . Yes?”
“Ohhh…”
“Can’t we see it for a second?”
“U…Understood . But hold on a second . ”
“Thank you . ”
Eileen smiled sweetly . Deco turned his head away . Crockta chuckled lowly as he watched the man and woman before him .
They walked down the corridor and arrived at a firmly closed door . Warnings signs were drawn all over, as well as the words stating that entry was forbidden for those without permission .
“Place this around your neck . ”
It was a necklace with divine power contained in it . Each of them received one . There was an unknown refreshing feeling coming from the necklace .
“Is this much necessary?”
“It is quiet right now, but you never know . ” Deco grabbed the knocker . “Now, we will enter . ”
The door opened .
A seemingly ordinary belt made of steel was lying in the middle of the lab with various experimental instruments lined up around it . Crockta’s eyes were caught by the darkness surrounding the belt . It felt like he made eye contact with something .
“……”
He seemed to hear an unknown whisper in the darkness .
“That…”
“The Demon’s Mouth . ”
Deco walked . The belt had a transparent wall blocking access to it . There were bright lights that shone and got rid of the darkness in the room . Nevertheless, Crockta felt an extreme darkness from the belt .
“That…it eats . ”
“Eats?” Eileen asked .
Deco squirmed and said, “Literally . It eats . ”
“Eats what?”
“Anything alive . ”
Eileen’s eyes widened . In the middle of the belt were strong steel points that looked like teeth, giving it the name of ‘Demon’s Mouth . ’
“The center of the belt opens and eats things . A gnome has already been eaten . ”
“Oh my god…”
If so, this wasn’t an artifact, but an evil creature .
“The identity of it…is unknown . That is why we were studying it . ”
Crockta looked at the Demon’s Mouth and started thinking . What would happen if he wore that thing? Would it turn its master into a demon that desired blood? He got a chill and formed a fist at the words .
The door behind them opened .
“Eh?” It was a female gnome researcher . “This is a restricted area…”
Deco gathered both hands together and laughed . “I’m sorry, I just wanted to quickly show it to my friends . Please overlook it this once . ”
The female gnome alternated looking between Crockta and Eileen before giving a strange smile . “I understand . I’ll overlook it this time . I’m sorry, but it’s time for an inspection now . ”
“Inspection time?” Deco tilted his head . “I understand . Eileen, let’s leave . ”
Deco bowed to the female gnome and directed Eileen and Crockta outside . Crockta was about to leave the laboratory by following Deco .
“……”
Something whispered to Crockta .
“……!”
Crockta turned around . The Demon’s Mouth was still enduring the light pouring on it . Crockta confirmed the appearance of the gnome researcher walking towards the Demon’s Mouth . Her gait was slightly strange and somehow familiar .
Suddenly, Crockta stopped .
“…Crockta?”
Eileen called him from the doorway . Crockta looked at the female gnome without answering . He grabbed the handle of his greatsword .
“Call the guards . ”
“Huh?”
“Right now!”
Crockta shouted loudly . At the same time, the head of the female gnome turned around 180° .
Grotesque movements, and a mocking smile on her face . Doppelganger . The female gnome smiled before turning her head back to the front and starting to run . Crockta also rushed towards the doppelganger .
“That is a doppelganger!”
“……!”
Eileen and Deco panicked . It was at that moment that an alarm started to sound in the laboratory .
“Everybody evacuate! Evacuate!” Someone shouted from the end of the corridor . It was the voice of the guards . “A wyvern has appeared and the academy is being attacked by monsters! Run away . Evacuate! This is an emergency situation! We must evacuate now!”
Eileen called out to Crockta, “Crockta!”
Crockta didn’t look back . Deco tugged at the hem of her clothes .
“Eileen! We have to run away!”
“But Crockta…”
She could see Crockta aiming his greatsword towards the doppelganger . The doppelganger was stuck to the transparent wall like it was being drawn towards the Demon’s Mouth .
“Crockta!”
The door of the laboratory closed . The inside of the laboratory couldn’t be seen anymore . Eileen was dragged out by Deco . Her mouth gaped open as the scenery of the academy was revealed .
“Oh my god!”
“Unbelievable…”
Eileen and Deco moaned at the same time . There were monsters were walking around the academy campus, trolls chasing after the gnomes, and ogres aiming their clubs at their surroundings .
Kuuong!
A troll dropped from the sky . They raised their heads . Wyverns were flying around in the sky . Wyverns were flying from far away and dropping monsters on the academy .
“Oh my…
“This is impossible . ”
It was a sight they were seeing for the first time . After they finished transporting the goods, the wyverns descended to the ground to look for their prey . They captured gnomes and flew them up into the sky .
“Steady yourself!”
The guards led Eileen and Deco to a safe place, but they were soon blocked by creatures .
“……!”
A troll carrying a stone axe drooled at them .
“We need to get through! Shoot!”
The defenders lifted their magic guns and fired, but that firepower wasn’t enough to kill the troll . As the troll stalled them, an ogre was drawn by the sound of the gunshots . The ogre lifted the broken debris of a building, a massive piece of rock, and took a position to throw it at the group .
“……!”
Despair filled Eileen and Deco’s eyes .
At that moment…
A ray of light struck the ogre in the back .
“Kuweeeh!”
The ogre fell down with the rock falling on it . Eileen looked back and saw a small gnome pointing a long gun from a distance .
“That will sting you!”
It was Captain Tiyo, the symbol of the Quantes’ Gnomes Garrison .