Parallel Vol. 4 [LEGACY EDITION]

Chapter 27.2: Betrayal

Rudega cast a wary look at Durst as he sat on the ground opposite the orc chief. He quickly motioned to Mokern and Ungund, who, despite the disgust on their faces, joined the dwarf on the ground. Rudega released a sigh of relief, as he had feared these dwarfs' pride would not allow them to sit on the ground. Luckily, it seemed they still knew the correct action to take in this situation.

Durst, meanwhile, examined the expressions on the dwarfs' faces as they sat down. From Mokern and Ungund's disgust to the relief in Rudega's eyes; nothing left his eyes. He began to assemble a profile of the dwarfs in his mind.

When Mukern and Ungund finally sat down, Durst spoke, "What was your role in the massacre of my people?"

The dwarfs' expressions warped in shock and anger. What the hell? Who came right off the bat with accusations like that!? The proper procedure was to slowly feel each other out through dialogue before launching any accusatory remarks. This was because once allegations were thrown out, it could be considered as burning the bridges. It was quite tough to repair any relationship once charges had been tossed out.

However, in this case, the orcs did not seem to care about decorum.

"Durst-san, don't you think that accusation's a little harsh?" Rudega softly challenged. Although he was here to repair bridges, he was not going to roll over like a dog.

"Harsh?" Durst snorted. "Sorry, but orcs do not play your stupid word games. When we want to know something, we ask. You can choose how to answer." The orc's eyes narrowed, and the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy with an unseen pressure. "Just don't lie to me. You won't like the outcome."

Rudega snorted, and his aura scattered the pressure on the dwarfs. He glared at Durst, the anger in his eyes expressing his distaste for such intimidation tactics. "My people had nothing to do with the attack."

Durst glared at the dwarf. His voice dropped low, and with no attempt to hide the threatening tone, he growled, "Are you calling my people liars? The only survivor of my people forced himself to live long enough to report this one message. You dare to insult the honor of a proud warrior?"

Rudega winced as he felt a headache coming on. Shit, he had never expected there was an eyewitness. Damn you Brilith, what did you do!? He had been hoping it was mere speculation on the orcs' part. After all, the dwarfs were their direct enemy so it would make sense that they suspect them first.

However, there was an actual witness. That certainly complicated things.

Rudega gathered his wits about him and said, "Were you able to get any description on this dwarf?"

"No," Durst replied. "He only had enough life left in him to report the existence of the dwarf."

Rudega gritted his teeth. "Have you investigated further? Do you have an estimate of how many dwarfs were present?"

"You no longer deny the presence of the dwarfs?" Durst questioned with a raised brow. He had expected Rudega to continue denying all the way to his grave.

"You warrior had no reason to lie," Rudega replied in a grim tone. "There is no time to go back and forth over whether a dwarf did it or not. The important thing is to find the culprits and bring them to justice over such a tasteless massacre."

"You don't seem to be lying," Durst said. He looked at the dwarf across from him with a tinge of respect. "We confirmed there were at least thirty murderers. One of them was very skilled. They single-handedly wiped out all the guards stationed around the village. The others entered the village and slaughtered everything that moved."