As Sengoku and the others were talking, Enro woke up and upon finding himself tied up he pleaded: "Please let me go! I can't do what Yamato is asking of me, I can't kill my own father."
Sengoku turned toward him, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "What are you talking about, do you not remember what you did?"
Enro's face reflected genuine confusion. "What do you mean? Where am I and who are you guys?"
Ron approached Sengoku, leaning close to speak privately. "My friend I bet he truly does not know. I heard Yamato can control someone's mind at will."
"Such a troublesome ability," Sengoku replied, studying Enro's face for any sign of deception.
"Where am I? Tell me!" Enro screamed again, pulling against his restraints until they cut into his wrists.
Sengoku paused for a moment, letting out a saddened breath before answering. "You may not know me but I am your sister's husband or rather was."
Confusion washed over Enro's face. "Husband!? When did that happen? And what do you mean by was, where are my father and sister?"
Ron stepped forward with a calming gesture. "Calm down, let me explain."
It took five minutes to make Enro understand what had happened. Ron methodically recounted the events while Sengoku remained silent, watching as the horror of realization gradually transformed the young man's expression. By the end, Enro was at a loss for words, devastated by the knowledge that he had become the reason for his sister's death along with her unborn child.
"Don't be sad," Sengoku finally said, breaking the heavy silence. "If you truly don't remember what happened it's not your fault."
Enro looked up, his eyes hollow with grief. "What should I do now?"
"You can return home if you want," Sengoku offered.
"No I'll join you to bring justice," Enro declared, his voice steadying with resolve.
Sengoku exchanged a meaningful glance with Ron, who gave a precursory nod after carefully assessing the young man. "You're welcome to join."
"Thanks," Enro replied with evident relief. "And where we headed?"
"To the Orc king," Sengoku stated.
Enro's eyes widened in disbelief. "The orc kingdom Orcus?"
"Yes you heard me right."
"They'll kill us! We are humans," Enro protested, fear evident in his voice.
Sengoku raised an eyebrow, his posture reflecting the confidence of a ruler. "Do you think an ordinary man would be able to marry your sister?"
Enro hesitated before answering. "No."
"Then why ask unnecessary questions," Sengoku continued. "I am Sengoku the ruler of Sengoku kingdom the second biggest human kingdom out of the three human kingdoms."
Realization dawned on Enro's face. He immediately bowed, his manner shifting to one of formal respect. "Sorry for the wrong way of treating you my majesty."
"Don't worry! You're the brother of my wife so you're much like a brother to me as well," Sengoku reassured him.
"Thanks for thinking that," Enro replied, his voice thickening with emotion as tears filled his eyes at the thought of his sister's loss.
Sengoku stepped forward and embraced him.
"Don't worry I've got you and your father is still alive."
Hope flickered across Enro's face. "Can I see him by any chance?"
"Not now he's mourning the loss, so a few weeks later once I explain everything to him," Sengoku answered.
"Alright," Enro agreed, though reluctance lingered in his tone.
Ron, who had been watching their exchange carefully, finally spoke. "So why go to Orcus?"
"To meet Orco the head of the entire kingdom," Sengoku replied.
"I understand but why? What do they got to do with Yamato?" Ron pressed.
"I'm going to make them my ally first before Yamato does," Sengoku explained.
Understanding dawned on Ron's face. "Oh, you're right they'd join Yamato if nothing is done for eating humans meat though they made peace with us 100 years ago."
"Exactly that's why," Sengoku nodded. "No one knows what they might do so better be the first to make the move."
With a gesture that commanded immediate attention, he activated his floating magic. A shimmering field of energy encircled the group, lifting them gently from the ground.
"This will be faster than horses," Sengoku explained to a wide-eyed Enro. "And it sends a message of strength to the orcs."
The sensation of floating was disorienting at first. Enro gripped Ron's arm for stability as the landscape below them blurred. Mountains, forests, and rivers passed beneath them at impossible speed. Within hours, they approached the borders of Orcus.
The floating magic transported them directly to the busy city of Orcos, residence of King Orco, the king of Orcus kingdom. Their arrival caused an immediate stir among the orc population.
Massive green-skinned figures scattered at their approach, some dropping to their knees, others reaching for weapons before recognizing the feared dragonslayer.
Word of their arrival spread quickly through the city. By the time they reached the central plaza, a contingent of orc guards awaited them, their expressions a mixture of wariness and awe.
"King Sengoku," the lead guard grunted, "our king expected you might come."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The guards led them through winding streets lined with structures built from bone and stone. Orc civilians watched their passage with undisguised curiosity and fear.
The palace of King Orco stood at the city's heart—a monumental edifice of polished black stone adorned with the skulls of various creatures. Inside, the air hung heavy with the scent of roasted meat and spices unfamiliar to human palates.
King Orco awaited them in his throne room, a massive orc with skin the color of forest moss and tusks decorated with gold and jewels. Despite his fearsome appearance, intelligence gleamed in his yellow eyes.
"Welcome, Sengoku!" Orco boomed, his voice echoing off the high ceiling.
"Thanks for having me and arranging this meeting on such short notice. I feel immensely gratified," Sengoku replied with formal courtesy.
Orco's yellow eyes gleamed with interest. "So what brings you here, more tasty treats?"
Sengoku explained everything to Orco—Yamato's betrayal, the death of Princess Enor, his father's murder, and the growing threat to all kingdoms. As he spoke, Orco's expression shifted from casual interest to genuine concern.
When Sengoku finished, the orc king attempted to offer solace for his losses.
"Your grandfather sounds like a formidable enemy," Orco acknowledged. "Even by orc standards, his actions lack honor."
"Indeed," Sengoku agreed. "That's why I've come to you. I want you to join forces with me."
To the surprise of Enro and Ron, Orco agreed to join hands, almost as if he had been waiting for precisely this proposition.
"Once Yamato is finished I'll reward you guys heftily, I promise," Sengoku promised as they sealed their alliance with a formal handshake.
As the meeting concluded, servants brought forth a ceremonial drink—a potent orcish brew that sealed alliances in their culture. Sengoku drank without hesitation, matching Orco's appreciative grunt with one of his own.
Outside the palace, as they prepared to depart, Ron pulled Sengoku aside. "That went better than expected," he murmured. "But can we trust them?"
"Trust is a luxury we can't afford," Sengoku replied. "Orco will fight with us because it serves his interests. The moment that changes, so will his loyalty."
"Then why ally with thier kind at all?" Enro asked, joining their conversation.
Sengoku's gaze turned distant. "Because against Yamato, we need every sword, every spear, every axe we can muster. Even those wielded by hands we don't fully trust."
However, from his position of within Sengoku's mind, as Nickan observed the exchange with keen insight through the active reliving the main reason for Orco's ready agreement was clear to him—it was due to Sengoku's insane dragonslayer talent plus his other powers. Furthermore, the orcs feared him above all else.
So, better to stand beside such a force than against it.
As Sengoku and the others were leaving through midair, Nickan's senses came back to reality from the story's relive, the weight of their new alliance settling over him like a heavy cloak.
The path to confronting Yamato was taking shape, forged in grief and determination.