Chapter 282: Chapter 254: Read at darkstartranslations.com

Bagram was a figure worthy of being called a Hero.

As an Orc Chieftain, Bagram was a warrior of great wisdom and sagacity.

Additionally, he was a warrior with formidable strength.

Because Bagram was an Orc with exceptional reason and compassion, he was able to make the bold decision to help the humans.

‘He really is an incredibly awesome fellow.'

Otto genuinely respected Bagram for that.

In fact, Bagram was a very popular character among the players.

Not only did he exude charisma from his large build and strong appearance.

The storyline itself was quite interesting, and the potential for growth was very high.

On top of that, he had a humane and heroic side.

Even if one didn't want to, one could not help but like Bagram.

“How should we help the humans? Chwik?”

Bagram asked Otto.

“First.”

Otto unfurled a map.

“Here. Do you see? The McLaren Kingdom.”

The McLaren Kingdom was a small country located in the south of the Erzsebet Kingdom, and it was quite close to the former Loredin Kingdom's territory.

“They're probably being attacked here right now. It's likely the Red Hammer Tribe.”¹

“Chwik?”

“Let’s help here first. That way, our Lota Kingdom forces will be able to advance into the Uruk Plains. Then, we can form an allied army.”

Connecting the lands of the former Loredin Kingdom with the Uruk Plains through the McLaren Kingdom was a very important task.

Only then could the Lota Kingdom forces easily advance into the Uruk Plains and create an environment where they could effectively pressure the Erzsebet Kingdom.

“Chik. I see.”

Bagram understood Otto’s explanation immediately and nodded.

“But there’s something important.”

“Chwik?”

“Our enemy is not the Red Hammer tribe.”

“What do you mean? Chwik?”

Bagram scratched his head in confusion.

“If we are to help the McLaren Kingdom, we must fight the Red Hammer Tribe," said Bagram.

“That's right," answered Otto.

“Chwik?”

“But the Red Hammer tribe isn’t our enemy. Why would the Red Hammer tribe attack the McLaren Kingdom?”

“No way.”

Bagram's expression hardened.

“Are there demonic offspring among the Red Hammer tribe?”

“There are a lot of them.”

“Chik… Chwik!!"

“The chief of the Red Hammer tribe is probably one of the demonic offspring too.”

“Chwiiik?!"

“The Orcs of the Red Hammer tribe are just being used by the demonic offspring. Our mission isn’t just to help the McLaren Kingdom, but also to liberate the Red Hammer tribe from the demonic offspring. By doing so, we can not only establish a friendly relationship with the McLaren Kingdom, but also…” trailed Otto.

“Are you saying that our relationship with the Red Hammer tribe will improve as well? Chwiik?”

“Exactly.”

Otto couldn’t help but smile as Bagram understood perfectly.

“To be honest.”

“Chwik?”

“I don't want you to remain as the Chieftain of the Thunderhoof Clan.”

“What do you mean? Chwik?”

“I want you to become a figure who unites all the Orcs.”

“Chik… Chwik?!"

“Take the throne.”

Otto placed his hand on Bagram’s shoulder.

“The Orcs need a central figure right now. Instead of being divided into tribes and fighting amongst themselves, they need to unite. It can't continue as a tribal society. It's necessary to establish a Kingdom.”

“A kingdom… Chwik.”

Bagram didn't seem particularly enthused by Otto's suggestion that an Orc Kingdom needs to be founded.

“I’m not sure if I have the ability to do that. Chwik.”

“You do. Don’t worry.”

Otto had faith in Bagram.

‘Lacks ambition but possesses plenty of ability.'

Bagram was an Orc with almost no desire for power, but his outstanding abilities made him more than capable of becoming the leader of the Orcs.

Though he wasn’t aware of it himself at the moment.

“You will be one.”

“Chwik!”

“I’ll make it happen for you.”

Otto patted Bagram on the shoulder and started to walk away.

“Our Clan will be friendly with humans from now on! Chwik!”

Bagram declared that he would help the humans, specifically the McLaren Kingdom, following Otto’s advice.

“I will follow the chief’s words! Chwiik!”

“Chwiik! If it's the Chief's command, we'll do it at all costs! Chwiik!”

The clansmen obeyed Bagram's words without question.

As Otto had said, Bagram's leadership, having become the owner of Chawchaw and Astra's Axe, was so absolute that he didn't need to convince the clan.

Right now, the Thunder Hoof clansmen were more than willing to follow any order Bagram gave them.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

And in reality, they did.

“Chwiik! Move quickly!”

“Chwiik! Load more food! Chik!”

The Thunderhoof Clan immediately set to work preparing for battle to help the McLaren Kingdom.

Since the Clan was so large, it required a few days of preparation before going to war.

Meanwhile, Otto sent a messenger to the Lota Kingdom to prepare the troops for movement.

In order to defeat the Erzsebet Kingdom, it was necessary to control the Uruk Plains, and as such, the Lota army had a role to play.

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Meanwhile, while the Thunderhoof Clan prepares for war, Otto and his group spend time in private training.

Otto, Camille, and Qasim all achieved a significant increase in their mana levels due to their time on Thunder Mountain.

Given that, it goes without saying that they needed time to assess their combat abilities.

So, Otto and his group took turns sparring with each other to hone their skills.

And then.

“Huh?”

Otto's face lit up when he saw Elise approaching from afar.

In the midst of his hectic activity, it was finally time for Elise to visit him.

“Welcome~~~”

Otto welcomed Elise.

Compared to their first meeting, where he had trembled with fear, it was truly a remarkable improvement.

“Were you training?”

Elise smiled at Otto with pride in her eyes.

Her favorite sight of Otto was none other than him diligently sweating and training.

It wasn't that she wanted Otto to be strong, but that she liked the way he was improving, pushing himself to become something better.

That's why, whenever Elise saw Otto training, she would always smile at him like an older sister.

"That's nice to see."

Elise praised Otto.

“Eh, well.”

Otto felt embarrassed by Elise's praise and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

‘I… I got praised!’

Otto loved receiving compliments from Elise more than anything else in the world.

Elise is the strongest person in this world.

Receiving praise from someone like her is an incredibly joyous experience.

And they were also engaged to be married.

"You must be tired from traveling such a long way."

“I’ve never really thought of it as a hardship.”

“But….”

“You don't have to worry about it.”

Elise gave Otto a gentle smile.

“Has anything happened while we’ve been apart?”

“Huh?”

“I can feel that your mana total has increased tremendously.”

“Haha… Hahahaha.”

Otto thought to himself that it was just like Elise.

It was truly an impressive insight.

To discern the increase in mana achieved on Thunder Mountain with such ghostly accuracy.

“Can you feel that?”

“As one becomes more skilled at manipulating mana, they are able to roughly sense the amount of mana another person has.”

“Hmm?”

“Will you continue training?”

“Of course.”

Otto nodded at the question.

“I need to make the most of my time whenever I can.”

“I'll help you.”

“Yes!”

The reason Otto answered confidently was that, with the increase in his mana, there were many more things he was capable to do.

“You can go first.”

“I won't decline the offer.”

Without hesitation, Otto drew his sword and charged at Elise.

*Flash!*

The petrification and poison attack had no effect.

Elise's magical defense was so high that it was simply a waste of mana.

‘This doesn't work either?'

Otto looked directly into Elise's eyes and tried using the Soul Steal ability.

He didn’t intend to dominate Elise’s mind.

He merely hoped to distract her, if only for a moment.

But even that didn't work.

Even though Elise's eyes met Otto's, who was using the Soul Steal ability, there was not the slightest hint of faltering.

Rather, it was Otto who suffered the damage.

“Heok!”

Otto was horrified by the feeling that his own soul was being drawn into Elise.

Elise's mental strength and formidable inner core did not allow any other being to intrude.

The cost of failing at soul extraction was high.

*Thud!*

“Ack!”

Otto was struck on the back by Elise's sword, causing him to collapse and cough up blood.

“Ugh.”

Otto winced in pain as he pushed himself up.

“That was a good attempt, but there are always opponents who are immune.”

“…Got it.”

“Come again.”

Otto decided not to use any of Calypso's powers, and lunged at Elise a second time.

‘This time it'll be different.'

In an instant, Otto multiplied into three.

He used the Trickster's power to create clones.

That wasn’t all.

*Shh!*

Otto used silent teleportation as well, pressuring Elise from three directions.

However….

*Swish!*

Elise swung her sword.

*Poof!*

*Poof!*

Two of the clones exploded.

*Tap!*

Elise’s sword reached the real Otto’s neck.

"….."

Otto was so astonished that he was at a loss for words.

‘How is this possible?'

He couldn't believe he was so easily crushed.

“True strength.”

Elise said.

“Within oneself. And it comes from the sword I wield.”

“…Ah.”

“Your powers are certainly strong. But if you rely solely on your powers, you cannot win against a true strong opponent. You must first become strong yourself. Only then will your powers shine.”

Otto was speechless in the face of Elise's sharp words.

He was confused.

To be honest, Otto couldn’t fully understand Elise’s meaning.

“Don't overthink it.”

Eliza gave advice to Otto, who was feeling confused.

"First, sharpen the strength you have. In doing so, a path will become clear."

“I see.”

Otto took Elise's advice to heart.

"Then, I'll go again."

With a renewed determination, Otto charged toward Elise once more.

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Otto sparred with Elise throughout the night.

*Clang!*

*Boom!* *Clang!*

The sparring between Otto and Elise was intense.

The sparring itself was so intense that it completely devastated the surrounding area.

As dawn approached and the early morning light began to appear.

*Slash!*

Otto's sword cut through the cuff of Elise's uniform.

“Uh?”

Otto was astonished by what he had done, even though it was his own action.

He had swung his sword so frantically that he lost track of time, and when he came to his senses, he was surprised to find that he had successfully cut through Elise's cuff.

[Notification: Congratulations!]

[Notification: Your mastery of Invincible Swordsmanship has increased!]

[Notification: Your achievement in ‘Invincible Swordsmanship' has reached 6 stars!]

The status window briefly appeared and then vanished.

‘It has increased.'

Otto realized that he had once again crossed the threshold.

Then, an astonishing event occurred.

‘Eh?'

A new concept of mana manipulation naturally appeared in his mind, and he understood it intuitively.

An unexpected moment of enlightenment.

As he reached a higher level of mastery, a new world was revealed to him.

*Whiirrrr!!!*

The sword seemed to emit a blue aura, which soon took shape as a sharp, blade-like form.

The fact that the aura surrounding the sword blade had taken the shape of a blade was highly significant.

Aura Blade.

No longer was the sword merely imbued with aura, it was now able to manifest its power.

** ** **

TL/N:

1. Other Orc Clans will be called as Tribe while the Raging Wolf and Thunderhoof will remain as Clan