Island God: Going From Level 1 To World Ruler-Chapter 67: Myth Of Peace
The loud noise of metals clanging against each other reverberated through the land.
Dorhal walked past the many furnaces gorged into the ground, each one paired with dozens of orcs that constantly worked on fashioning new armor and weaponry.
Hundreds of other orcs wandered the area between the mountains of Karak-O. Homes were built within stone and mountainsides, and others were crafted from the ground up using logs.
Dorhal surveyed the surroundings, a narrow look in his eyes. The orc looked slightly different from before. His left eye was closed, a long, deep scar sealing it shut.
’Sergalas left a lasting impression...’ Dorhal thought to himself, ’That serpent may be unbeatable, and I also heard that the Player, Midas, is still alive and well.’
These two factors were sure to make him wary.
Dorhal was not the type to fear causelessly. He was admired by those around him for his bravery and ability to thrive under pressure.
Yet, he couldn’t wrap his head around the situation his kind were currently in.
’Without Sergalas subdued, we have only fed him more souls. Given him more power. He may stay reserved and maintain his iron rule within his cavern on the eastern side of the island... but chances are, this new victory will lead to an arrogance that will quickly spiral out of control. That serpent is already arrogant enough. Now that it has defeated us, it may attack once more to try and finish us off once and for all.’ He exhaled, looking around at the orcs in the city.
Many were children, some resembling the size of normal adult humans.
They played with genuine joy in their eyes, not a single worry in the world.
Others lived their lives with dedication to their crafts, not wanting to live a life of war and malice.
Many walked beside the commander on the street within the valleys, living out their day-to-day lives without concerns of death or destruction.
Seeing this, Dorhal’s expression softened. He did not feel contempt for those who chose to live in harmony. Why would he?
’Souls aren’t made to live lives in the mortal world just to suffer. We live so that we may enjoy what we call life.’ Dorhal thought, ’Perhaps if I were born to only peace, war would be something that disgusted me.’
He clenched his fists, ’But unfortunately for me, war is all I know. It has forged me, like iron within a furnace. It is the only thing now that grants me any semblance of joy.’ He turned, gazing toward the southern mountain tops.
’I knew you were there with Sergalas before us, Midas.’ He said to himself, his eyes narrowing, ’There was a reason that serpent was more angry than ever before. It attacked us with all its rage from the very beginning, as if it had been holding in its malicious intent for several hours or something. Never before in the history of war between our two species has Sergalas been so hostile and violent--not caring for shame and instead slaughtering all those in his sight. You must have provoked him in some way... You must have planned for our demolition.’ He thought.
Dorhal surmised all of this from the context clues that he was given.
Still, he wasn’t sure.
’During this time of vulnerability, we must be even more careful. Until our forces restrengthen, we are at risk.’ These were his final thoughts before he headed toward a path that led up the tallest peak of the Karak-O mountain range.
His eyes remained locked onto a large estate carved within the stone atop the mountain.
’Our kin can no longer afford to wait around, brother...’ He said inwardly, his eyebrows furrowed seriously.
Many miles south, Midas and a few other names gathered around for a meeting
Midas, Gool, Yemo, and Bzzrt were toward the center. Everyone else was spread around randomly, their attention drawn to their leader.
"Next time, our meeting room will be the mosquito vault," Midas said, digging his stick into the ground. He glanced down at the dirt map below, "This map is no good compared to that one."
Bzzrt chuckled, nodding in agreement.
"If I may, lord Midas. I know you said you already have a plan for the orcs. But I have an idea for the attack that I believe is quite lucrative." Bzzrt said, capturing Midas’s attention.
"Oh?" Midas raised a brow, "Go ahead."
"I think that your plan against my kind was nearly perfect in both thought and implementation. It would be wise to continue using the same type of plan to conquer more of the island, including the orcs." Bzzrt said.
"Hmm... I don’t think you are wrong, Bzzrt." Midas said, "All beings on this island are used to living with the conditions of the island by default. The other species that live here, the atmosphere, the climate of war and politics. It is mostly unchanged simply due to the fact that Demadur seems to be completely disconnected from the rest of the world. As of yet, not a single sign of exterior life has been spotted." Everyone nodded and followed along as Midas continued.
"So, the strategy of abrupt danger paired with lethal threats and then a proposal of peace right afterward would likely work on all species on this island." Midas paused, his eyebrows scrunching together as he thought.
"However, using the exact same plan would be a mistake in the case of orcs. With more of a mighty force, we can pose a much greater threat to the orcs. But it still won’t stop them from fighting back. They aren’t like the mosquitoes," Midas paused, glancing at Bzzrt, "No offense, of course," He said with a nod before continuing.
"Orcs will not give up unless there is no other choice. We will execute a similar plan with the orcs, but one where the stakes are upped to the max. It must feel to them as though it is the end of the world itself. All paths to safety must be destroyed, and only then will a delayed, mere myth of hope shine down upon them like a ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds."
