Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Each of the three commanders nodded their head in agreement. They had tried to persuade the other orcs to defect to their factions; nonetheless, the loyalty ingrained in an orc, made them unable to go against the orc king.

"We will make our move on the night of the moon dance, two days from now. Bellock, Belmarch, Belsea… order your army to move discreetly through the northern front. We have already garnered attention from the other generals and they are monitoring our every move".

"I have a friend there who knows my plan and is willing to let our army pass. Although I failed to persuade him to join our case, he at least won't be barring our path when we wage the war against the orc king" Berigard solidified the plan before dispersing the orc commanders and the army they commanded.

"[Gale Magic Mastery]… Sniff Sniff—Hmph, spies sent by Berirock huh!!" Berigard muttered and as soon as his voice fell, his body disappeared. He then appeared next thousands of meters away from his mountain and quickly grabbed the spying diluvian High orc.

"GUGA?!!" the orc that was captured by the throat, was surprised and tired to struggle free from the grasp. Nevertheless, Berigard was an orc shaman who was slowly bordering the levels of a disaster class. He was in a league of his own, how could a mere soldier be able to rersist that kinf of power?

Soon, the orc was turned onto a bloody pulp. Space trembled around Berigard once again, and just like before, his figure disappeared and appeared on top of the mountain.

A day passed by in the blink of an eye and the night of the second day, which was also called the night of the moon dance. A ritual of the Diluvian High orcs where they gather at the middle of their territory for an annual meeting every year and dance.

This year, Berigard decided to use this day to wage war against the orc king when he calls forth for all of his generals in one place to overthrow him for once and all.

Since it is a meeting where one can bring as many of their subordinates, it was a rare chance for him to bring his army. Normally, one isn't allowed to bring their subordinates anywhere near the orc king especially when the guard dog, Belddom was around.

However, the night of the moon dance was different, out of the three generals siding with the orc king, one was away currently while the other one decided to stay neutral. Which meant that the orc king only had one general beside him.

It was a rare opportunity one that might not come again.

The night of the moon dance was always held outside the underground chamber where the orc King resided, so in a way, it could also be said that it was a tribute to the orc king.

In a large plaza outside the underground chamber, one could see thousands of orcs swarming the place, making bonfires, skinning monsters to roast meat and busily doing other various stuff. On a pedestal made especially for a single individual, was an orc whose stature, power and authority towered over every other orc in the plaza.

He was releasing an aura so powerful that the very air felt suffocating around him. The being seated on that pedestal was none other than the orc king Belgarious. Currently, he had a mug bigger than the human's head in his hand as he sipped the contents of the mug in big mouthfuls.

BURP… a loud burp and a pungent smell wafted in the air, the orc king wiped his mouth and asked the orc beside him "Oi… are my generals not here yet?".

The orc that was one of the personal subordinates of the Orc King, replied orderly "My king, other than general Berigard and general Berimond, all other generals are here. Sir Berirock is seeing to some work while Sir Berimal…".

The subordinate glanced at the orc king and continued—"we are unable to contact him".

Belgarious arched his brows at those words, his big snout twitched a little and he exhaled a deep breath.

"Unable to contact him you say? That is very unlike him. Did something happen to him while he was in the eastern region of the forest? No, that is not possible, there shouldn't be any monster powerful enough to bring him down. Then it must mean that he is busy conquering that dungeon that he doesn't even have the time to look at the transmission conch".

Thinking so, Belgarious dropped the topic and picked a different one "By the way, how are the preparations on our side?" he asked with a big grin on his face.

Likewise, the subordinate too smiled and responded "My king doesn't have anything to worry about, I have seen to everything myself. We are prepared to snuff out any signs of revolt that the traitors might show".

"Good… Good—GUGAGA, then let us wait and watch how this farce will unfold" the orc king laughed.

Time passed by swiftly and the swarm of orcs surrounding the plaza increased to a number big enough to make anyone dizzy. From a distance, they looked just like a red carpet with their heads bobbing like waves in a sea.

Midnight soon arrived and a new group of orcs swarmed the plaza. Their numbers were quite big, big enough to garner the attention of the other orcs in the plaza. The one leading them was Berigard who was followed by his three commanders walking behind him.

To his side was another general called Berimond and together they were the four generals that were under the orc king.

Berigard gestured his subordinates to stay behind and along with Berimond, he approached the platform where Belgarious was seated.

"GUGAGA, if it isn't Berigard? I thought you would be quite busy to attend the event, fancy seeing you make the time" Midway, they were joined by Berirock who stood in the path to the pedestal.

"What are you saying? Today is the night of the moon dance and the orc king himself called for us, there is no way I would be absent from such an important event" Berigard responded in a calm, astute manner.

He did not waste time with Berirrcok anymore and swiftly passed by him to address the person he was here for.

"GUGAGA… you did well coming all the way here. I assume you all have been well?" the orc king initiated after he saw the two bow in front of him.

Although Berigard was extremely revolted to perform a stance such as this, but for the sake of his plan, he had no choice.

While clenching his hands and keeping his emotions in control so as to not reveal his hostility outright, Berigard addressed the Orc King.

"The orc king looks as impressive as ever, your aura is far more powerful than before, this one is in awe".

"GUGAGA… what are you saying, my accomplishment in these past few years cannot be considered much when compared to the rate of your growth. Honestly, I am blessed with a truly competent subordinate. In the future, I'm thinking of even making you my second in command—what do you say?".

Belgarious asked, one could see a shrewd light flash inside his eyes. Second in command, it was no doubt an alluring position that would make numerous orcs go green in envy.

Second in command means that in the orc hierarchy they would be unquestionable, their authority second only to the orc king and above the other orc generals. An incredibly alluring offer; nevertheless, it also has its catch.

A second in command is a position given only to the orc who is the most loyal to the orc king. If not for Belgarious announcing it in this event, every orc would have guessed Berimal to be the one to get that position. After all, amongst the four generals, he was the most loyal towards the orc king and was known for his monicker, the guard dog.

The orc king's smile said it all, with his question he indirectly put Berigard in a position where he has to reveal where his loyalty lies. If he accepted the offer, it was all good. In fact, it would also clear the doubts the orc king has been having about him and it would make it much easier later when he revolted to usurp the orc king's reign.

Berigard could simply lie through his teeth and make the suspicions the orc king had over him fade away. However, if he did that, the thousands of orcs that believed and followed him all the way here, would be disappointed and even start judging his character.

However, if he rejected the offer, he would clearly be displaying his intention in front of the orc king and make him even more suspicious.

Sometimes, in life one must tread on a harsh path even while knowing that there was an easy path out that would make their life much more easier.

Berimond who was beside Berigard, carefully looked at the latter with a mysterious expression. If it was someone else in place of Berigard, they would no doubt accept this offer of fealty. However, Berigard wasn't the type who would lose his subordinates' trust just to tread on the easy path.

The orc king was fully aware of it, that is why he gave Berigard this option. It was his way of judging his subordinate's loyalty.

In front of the stunned eyes of everyone present, Berigard bowed his head and rejected the orc king's offer of becoming the second in command.

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