"Father, oink!"
Sprint! Arosh marched toward his father, and his worm-like veins wriggled with each step he took. The ground shook as his muscular legs, which were as thick as a lamp post, hit the floor. Lloyd was reminded of a wild hog in the Ural Mountains as he watched the big orc run toward his father at an unbelievable speed. Then, Arosh was received by a fiercer and larger orc.
"Son, oink!"
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! A middle-aged orc ran in his direction. The older orc boasted veins bigger than Arosh's. His were as thick as snakes and his legs were as thick as utility poles. The ground shook more violently as he ran. His physique was as large as a Russian bear, and so, a tiny sandstorm was created around him as he ran toward his son. The two didn't stop until their bodies collided violently. Crash!
When Lloyd saw the two muscular giants tightly hug each other, he felt sorry for the air particles that were stuck in between them. While Lloyd was looking at them with distaste, the father and son were having a moment as they embraced one another.
"My boy, Arosh! Oink!"
"Father! Oink!"
"Are you okay, oink?!"
"I'm fine! Waa, oink!!"
"What a relief. But don't cry, son, oink."
"Even right now, father, oink?"
"Of course. I fear you will lose more muscle by crying when you have already gotten smaller, oink!!"
"Muscle atrophy, oink!"
"A warrior never lets that happen to his body, right, my son? Oink."
"Father, you are indeed wise, oink!"
Wise? More like his head is made of dumbbells. Lloyd let out a sigh. He watched the orcs catching up with one another. They were so muscular that Lloyd was sure that they could easily do bench presses, squats, and deadlifts with one-ton weights as a light warm-up. They were obsessed with muscle. Even right now, their conversation revolved around building up muscle mass.
Lloyd remembered how The Knight of Blood and Iron described the orcs as muscular fools. The author was right for calling them that. He scoffed. The sight of the two orcs called to mind the event that had taken place fifteen days ago.
****
"Are you sure the plan will work?"
"Yes, probably."
Lloyd nodded his head. He lifted the kettle and poured the fresh tea into the baron's cup.
"Just like I have told you, Arosh trusts me completely. He considers me his lifesaver. And I heard that he is the son of a tribal chief."
"A son? Of a tribe chief?"
"Yes," Lloyd spoke as he held up his teacup. He brought it to his mouth and took a sip.
"The chief will likely acknowledge his son's accomplishment."
"Because of the queen ant's head…" the baron said.
"Yes, and I'll just be freeloading."
Joint effort and joint hunting. Lloyd planned on throwing around some fancy words to win the chief's heart. He would explain that he and Arosh hunted the queen ant together. That was his plan to be acknowledged by the chief, so he could be considered a warrior.
"But do you think the chief would acknowledge you so easily?" the baron asked in doubt.
"It won't be easy. But it's worth a try. The potential gain is too big not to try."
It was true. The acknowledgment from the chief meant that Lloyd would obtain one hundred and twenty orcs as mine workers. One hundred and twenty brave and robust orcs would excavate the coal without getting tired. The group of orcs would be more productive than a thousand human miners.
"Plus, we're saving the labor fee by hiring them. We simply have to shoulder their lodging and meals. It means we can use highly trained and strong laborers for free."
"But don't you think this is too dangerous? I do not think it is best for you to personally go to the orc village…"
"I am fine. Arosh is the son of a tribal chief, and I am his savior."
"Hmm…"
The baron's nose crinkled. He didn't like that Lloyd was taking a risk. After all, the orcs were notorious for being violent and rough. So, setting his foot in their land didn't sound very appealing. The baron wanted to do everything he could to stop Lloyd. That led to a series of more exchanges between them, each trying to persuade the other. It was a battle of persistence. Of course, in the end, Lloyd won.
"Fine… But on one condition," the baron said.
"What is it?"
"Take about 30 soldiers with you."
The baron explained that he would feel relieved if Lloyd took at least thirty men with him.
Lloyd accepted the terms, and he would be guarded by thirty soldiers. They were a reliable backup plan should things go awry.
"Yes. On top of the thirty civil engineer soldiers, I will have Sir Asrahan to join me as well."
So, the preparation for their departure began. He packed up camping supplies and food. The following morning, Lloyd was ready to leave. The baron and baroness walked them out of the estate. They were sincerely worried about their son, and Lloyd felt apologetic. The realization dawned upon him that, had events unfolded as depicted in the novel, they would have already faced imminent danger, with death lurking nearby.
"I'll leave now."
Lloyd bid farewell, his heart feeling a bit heavy. He then turned around and left the estate. He crossed over the eastern mountain range with his men. Arosh was a competent warrior and guide. He guided his human companions very well, for he knew all the corners of the mountains. Thanks to him, Lloyd and his men could avoid bumping into dangerous monsters. With that, they finally arrived at the orc village ten days later.
And at last…
"Oink! Nice to meet you! I, Akush, am the father of Arosh! Oink!"
Lloyd shook hands with the tribal chief as hundreds of orcs watched the human and orc handshake.
"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Arosh told me that you saved my son, oink."
"Yes, somehow."
"Great! That makes you my savior as well, oink!"
"At the same time, your son and I hunted the queen ant."
"What, oink?" Akush cocked his head to the side. Lloyd glanced at Javier, and he revealed the stuff he was carrying on his back. It was as large as a gym ball. He opened it, and a large and dark chunk of something appeared.
"It's the head of the queen. I got it as a souvenir."
"Oink?" Akush's eyes widened in disbelief, and his mouth slightly hung open. Chief Akush wasn't the only one surprised. It was the same for hundreds of orcs that had surrounded them.
"Oink?! What is it, oink?!"
"Oink! I have never seen a wild ant's head as big as that!"
"It looks fierce, oink!"
"It looks strong, oink!"
"It looks delicious, oink!"
"It sure looks tasty, oink!"
In short, the orc village was put in awe and descended into chaos. It's time. Lloyd told himself. He couldn't miss this opportunity. He couldn't give the orcs the time to make a proper decision. It was time for him to push, so he could get the upper hand here. So, Lloyd quickly cut in, saying, "I was exploring the cave of the wild ants when I bumped into the queen, all tired and staggering. After some struggle, I was able to finish her. But you know what? I found a metal sword near the ant."
"Orc's metal sword? Oink?"
"Yes. Your son's sword."
After saying that, Lloyd glanced at Arosh and hinted that it was time for him to talk. Arosh exhaled through his nose.
"What my savior said is correct, oink!"
"So, son, are you saying that you weakened the queen ant, and the savior finished her off, oink?"
"Yes, oink. So we fought together, oink!"
"Hmm… Oink…" The chief Akush's eyebrows crinkled. His dark green eyes moved from his son and Lloyd to the ant head. The ant head surely belonged to the queen. It was a no-brainer for Akush. It really is the queen. He had spent his entire life battling wild ants. He knew more than anyone else how powerful and mighty the queen was. So it was quite a shock for him to hear that his son hunted down that great foe. The chief's thick pecs trembled in admiration.
"Son, oink!"
"Yes, oink!"
"Congratulations! You're now a warrior! I, tribal chief Akush, declare that Arosh earned the rightful title of a warrior! Oink!"
"Thank you, oink!"
"Great! This calls for a celebration. Time to work out the legs! Oink!"
"A man is nothing without his legs, oink!"
As soon as Akush ordered, Arosh ran to a side of the village. Once there, he lifted a large statue and tossed it on his shoulders. It was not just large; it was huge, probably weighing around 2,000 pounds. Even more, it was gilded in gold. Aside from the expensive statue, the place was littered with luxurious goods, and they were only used as workout tools.
A chandelier was being used as plates. The bar in the middle was a pillar adorned with expensive pearls. The chest full of treasures was being used as a kettlebell! Wow, incredible.
Lloyd recalled how capable the orcs were at pilfering and battling. It was described as so in The Knight of Blood and Iron. However, in reality, they stole much more. It must be the loot they have been stealing for decades. But those riches mean nothing to these orcs. Tsk.
The riches and treasures got downgraded to workout instruments. Arosh was doing squats with a gold statue. Lloyd's heart swelled with greed as he surveyed the place. Meanwhile, Arosh heavily exhaled through his nose as he carried the statue. He squatted up and down, and his anaconda-like thigh muscles bulged. Akush's face brightened with a smile as he looked at his son.
"Just look at him. What a splendid day, oink."
Akush then turned to Lloyd's side. He hand-gripped Lloyd's shoulder. His hand was as big as a frying pan.
"Thank you, human. You not only saved my son but proved your courage by hunting the queen ant, oink."
"Do you mean that I'm going to be a warrior as well?" Lloyd asked.
Sometimes, one needed to be brazen. Some questions needed to be asked as bluntly as possible. Akush happily nodded.
"Of course! I, Tribal Chief Akush, declare that… Oink?"
"It's Lloyd. Lloyd Frontera…"
"I appoint the human, Lloyd Frontera, as a rightful warrior of the tribe, oink!"
Finally, Akush announced the birth of a new warrior. Hundreds of orcs exclaimed in joy. In an exceedingly nonchalant manner, Akush shouted, "The human lifesaver has become a warrior! This is leg day for him, too, oink!"
"Excuse me…?"
Hold on. This muscle man said what? He can't seriously expect me to squat with that statue on my back. Lloyd swallowed absentmindedly, but his gut feelings, especially the bad ones, were always right. Chief Akush smiled widely as he slammed Lloyd's back.
"Let's go! I am feeling good today. I shall do it together with you, oink!"
"A man is nothing without his legs, oink!"
Dear heavens… He was in despair as the shouts around him were growing larger and more excited.
"Excuse me."
"Oink?"
"I like working out and lifting heavy stuff, but that's just…" Lloyd trailed off.
"Oink?! What do you mean, oink?"
"That is too heavy for me."
Lloyd came clean on this one. It was true. Though Lloyd was quite confident when it came to lifting heavy stuff with all the extra power the Asrahan Core Technique gave him, he wasn't strong enough to carry a despairingly heavy statue and squat with a smile on his face.
"Thank you for the workout offer, but do you think you have anything lighter?"
He wanted to protect his waist and legs, so he asked. Akush's expression darkened.
"What? You can't carry that, oink?"
"No," Lloyd answered.
"Even when you're a warrior, oink?"
"Surely…"
"It cannot be! But you are a warrior, oink!"
"It is one of the lightest tools in the village. It is a warm-up tool for young warriors. So if you can't lift that, you don't deserve to be a warrior, oink."
"But I am not an orc."
"But you are a warrior, oink."
Akush's face was growing solemn each second. Lloyd's expression was hardening as well.
Dammit. Things were going smoothly for him. Lloyd never expected his plan would be obstructed by something as absurd as squatting. So he racked his brain for a solution. It's all gone if I tell him that I can't squat. What should I do? He had come too far now to give up. The benefit of earning the title of warrior was too great as it allowed for gratuitous access to one hundred and twenty strong orc miners. He didn't wish to give up easily, but at the same time, he didn't like the idea of breaking his back from lifting that heavy thing up even more.
I need something else. He needed to win over the chief's heart with something else other than the squat. He needed to use something he was good at. That's all it took for him to get approved by them. Lloyd rapidly moved his eyes. He surveyed every corner of the village, its environment, lifestyle, and anything he could lay his eyes on. After much classifying and analyzing, he realized that something oddly stood out in the village. Hold on. He stared at a hole made in the corner of the village.
"What is that?" Lloyd asked as he pointed at the hole.
Akush answered, "That? A hole for throwing meat away, oink."
"Throw meat away?"
"Yes, we toss them there and bury them in soil, oink."
Akush nodded.
"We throw away the spoiled meat. They can give you an upset stomach if you aren't careful. If you get sick, you can't work out. No workout means muscle loss, oink."
The chief's voice contained a tinge of regret.
"It is a regretful thing. If we could eat everything, we could build even more muscle. I never feel good throwing it all away, oink."
"Is that so?"
"That's right, oink."
Akush licked his lips, and the corners of Lloyd's lips rose. This is it. Just then, Lloyd recalled the middle of The Knight of Blood and Iron. In the later part of the story, Javier goes out on an adventure and winds up in a battle with the orc tribe all alone.
The battle proved to be tough. But his clever trick finally gets him to defeat this muscular tribe. The trick was disrupting the orcs' hunting. This wilderness is barren. Farming is impossible, and foraging won't be enough to procure a sufficient food supply. So they heavily rely on hunting. Almost all of the food among the orcs is acquired through hunting.
They put food on their tables by hunting large and menacing monsters in the wilderness. That was why they had to be so brave and courageous. However, they didn't have a way to store their hard-earned food. They simply threw their food in a pile and ate. That's why even freshly caught food spoiled easily. Javier sees through that weakness and interferes with the orc's hunting.
In less than ten days, the orc village experienced a food shortage. They had no system to store and preserve food, and with Javier's interruption, the orcs failed to even procure new meat. That eventually leads to a food shortage. Lloyd recalled such a part in the novel.
"I have a suggestion," Lloyd said.
"Suggestion, oink?"
"No," Lloyd answered. He looked up at Akush.
"Instead of the leg workout, I will build cold storage for your people. Approve me then as your warrior."
Then, pay us back with your overflowing gold and silver. This way, Lloyd would be accepted as a warrior, and he could take the orc workers with him. While he was at it, he'd also sign a contract with Akush and demand payment for the construction.
He would kill two birds with one stone and fill two needs with one deed or carry two faces under one hood. After finishing the calculation in his head, Lloyd smiled mischievously.
Translator: https://bettertranslation9.wordpress.com