Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 132: Orcs, Exile

An orc!? Momentarily taken aback, Darn quickly recalled the uproar surrounding the orc delegation from the Kingdom of Bylins. He then raised his sword, aiming it at the orc who was stepping through the rift into the living room!

The orcs know about the demon sword! Then...

Darn felt an intense surge of anxiety, yet the boy refrained from attacking, for at first glance, he recognized that the orc standing before him bore an uncanny resemblance to the shaman who had inflicted significant damage upon the Wild Lion Legion, leaving a deep impression on Darn. As a staff, entirely different in design from that of human mages, appeared in the orc's hand, Darn was utterly convinced of the other's identity.

Though the orc's visage was fearsome, his gaze was clear, and Darn sensed a powerful force within the shaman, one that rivaled that of Grand Mage Ambrol. Faced with such an elder orc, who could stand shoulder to shoulder with a holy-tier mage, Darn found himself lacking the courage to initiate an attack.

Taking two hurried steps back, Darn created some distance between himself and the elder orc. In that instant, the rift he had torn with the Sword of Horgani swiftly closed, and behind that rift, Darn glimpsed a throng of soldiers, priests, and the holy-tier mage Ambrol.

The living room once again fell into a standoff, but Darn felt slightly reassured as the elder orc showed no intention of attacking him. Instead, the orc's gaze immediately fell upon Cessata, who lay unconscious on the ground.

After observing her intently for a moment, the elder orc suddenly spoke in the orc tongue. Then, a bright gust of wind emanated from the staff in the elder orc's hand, carrying a gentle aura as it blew towards Cessata's tightly shut eyes.

What is the orc doing? Uh, it doesn't seem like he's up to no good; it appears he is... saving her!? Gripping the Sword of Horgani tightly, Darn restrained his impulse, soon realizing that his guess was correct.

With a groan, Cessata slowly opened her eyes. Once the girl was fully awake, the priestess, who had been intent on vanquishing evil and slaying demons, immediately noticed the changes in the living room.

"You... Who are you? Did you save me?"

Struggling to stand, Cessata did not display the hostile attitude Darn had anticipated towards the orc. On the contrary, she expressed a demeanor of humble gratitude, which immediately astonished Darn. Even more surprising was the fact that the elder orc responded to Cessata's inquiry-in human language!

"My name is Zazu, a shaman." The elder orc spoke in a calm tone.

"Little human girl, I have not completely rescued you from the demon's grasp; the evil power still resides within you. That malevolent force is too strong; I lack the ability to purify it entirely, for the demon that seeks to enslave your body and soul has already embedded its power deep within your essence!"

What! What should we do now? Listening to the elder orc Zazu's awkward human speech, Darn felt a surge of anxiety once more.

"Not being directly killed by the demon is both your fortune and misfortune. As for the mysteries of the soul, only through your own will or the power of the divine can you completely rid yourself of that evil. Therefore..."

The elder orc did not continue, but a meaningful expression appeared on the shaman's face.

"...I understand. I will not allow evil to prevail; my soul is free, and even if I must destroy my body, I will not surrender it to the demon!" After a moment of silence, Cessata spoke softly, then turned to Darn, who had been watching her with concern, revealing a fierce expression.

What the hell! What have I done to deserve this? Why must you beat me up? Gazing at Cessata's unabashed hostility, Darn felt a chill run down his spine. Even more alarming was the fact that the elder orc also turned his gaze towards the boy.