Shame of despair

The day at the guild was ordinary.

At the large wooden tables, adventurers sat—some with contracts in hand, others with a mug of ale, some with yet another broken arm after a failed mission.

Everything was calm.

Until…

A THUNDEROUS CRASH.

THE DOORS OF THE GUILD SLAMMED OPEN, AS IF STRUCK BY A LIGHTNING BOLT!

BOOM!

Several tables flipped over.

A dark shadow whistled through the air.

—"WHAT THE—?!"

Someone jumped onto a table, drawing their sword.

Something raced through the guild at an inhuman speed.

Chairs flew to the side, mugs of beer shattered on the floor.

—"SHOULD WE KILL IT?!"

—"WHO LET IT IN?!"

—"IS IT A RAT?!"

—"WHAT THE HELL KIND OF RAT?!"

People looked around, trying to understand what had just whizzed past them.

But no one had time to make sense of it.

The dark spot zipped through the hall, climbed the stairs, and in the next moment…

BOOM!

Lenor sat at his desk, going through papers.

The large oak table was covered in contracts, reports, financial calculations.

He signed one of the documents, moved another into a side pile, and reached for his cup of tea…

BOOM!

The door to his office slammed open, crashing against the walls!

Lenor quickly lifted his head.

Before him, panting heavily, sat a creature.

Its legs trembled.

Its tongue hung limp.

Its eyes—two black abysses.

Bully.

A few seconds of silence.

Lenor narrowed his eyes.

His gaze fell on the collar.

With the note.

He slowly stood up.

He took the letter off it.

Unfolded it.

Ran his eyes over the text.

…his fist clenched.

Cracks spread across the paper.

He closed his eyes.

Took a deep breath.

—"This fool…"

For several seconds, he simply squeezed the note in his fingers.

Then he turned, tossed it onto the table, and calmly looked at Bully.

—"Give this creature some meat. And let it out of the city."

The adventurers standing by the door exchanged glances.

—"Isn't that a monster?!"

—"No. That's a problem."

Bully greedily cracked into the meat, lay on the floor to catch its breath, and, having received its reward, instantly disappeared out the door.

Lenor was left standing alone in the office.

He approached the window.

His gaze lingered on the horizon.

Thoughts tangled together.

Kano had once again gotten himself into something enormous.

And this time...

It was no joke.

Lenor walked to the desk, unfolded the letter again.

He stared at it for a long time.

Then, hoarsely, he whispered:

— "Kano... you're playing with fire."

The loud slam of the door.

The office sank into silence.

The dark tent, dimly lit by a magical crystal.

Kano stood before the desk, unrolling a map of the lands. His fingers gently tapped on the parchment as he studied the distance between the Wild Lands and the city of the dwarves.

Opposite him stood Rudgard—a burly dwarf, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

— "If you want me to go to the dwarves, then you better tell me what I'm supposed to offer them."

Kano lifted his head.

— "It's simple. We help them—they help us."

Rudgard squinted suspiciously.

— "You're too confident. Dwarves don't like orcs."

Kano sighed and nodded.

— "I know. But they love gold, resources, and professionalism."

He pointed at the map.

— "Here—mountain ranges. These lands are full of monsters that prevent the dwarves from expanding their mines. Orcs can wipe out these creatures in no time. And in return..."

He fixed his gaze on Rudgard.

— "The dwarves send us architects and help with building the city."

Rudgard scratched his beard, muttering something about the stubbornness of his people.

— "That makes sense…" he finally said. "But it's not certain they'll agree."

Kano grinned slyly.

— "What if we add another clause?"

— "What?"

Kano leaned forward, his voice soft but sure.

— "Instead of forming pointless alliances, I propose a guarantee."

— "A guarantee?"

— "If the orc city becomes strong, we can protect the trade routes between the dwarves and Drahfenfest."

Rudgard stared at Kano.

— "You're suggesting that the dwarves trust orcs to guard their goods?"

Kano smiled coldly.

— "No. They'll trust me."

Silence.

Rudgard stared into Kano's eyes, weighing every word.

Then he nodded.

— "If any dwarves agree, it will be because of logic. They won't do it for friendship."

— "I'm not counting on friendship."

Kano stepped back and crossed his arms.

— "I'm counting on reason."

Rudgard smiled in his own way—dwarvishly, with a hint of irony.

— "Alright, lad. I'll go. But if they roast me with magic or throw me in a cage—I'll come for your soul."

Kano clapped him on the shoulder.

— "I believe you'll return."

Rudgard muttered something indistinct, turned, and walked off to prepare for the journey.

Kano was left alone before the map.

His eyes slowly moved from the mountains to the territory of the future city.

"One step has been taken. Now, the next one must be made."

A hum of voices. Anticipation.

The orcs had gathered around a large fire. Men. Women. Children. Elders.

Kano stood before them—their leader.

His shadow, cast by the flames, seemed enormous.

Naira stood aside, arms crossed, watching.

Elgot, with an expression of "Oh gods, what is he going to come up with this time," barely held back a smile.

Lianel and Selina—silent but attentive.

Kano slowly raised his hand.

Silence.

Everyone froze.

His gaze swept over each one.

He saw something more in their eyes than mere faith.

You have become different.

You were cast out.

Your former leader abandoned you.

Your own brothers and sisters turned their backs on you.

But now...

The ritual has changed you.

Your muscles have grown stronger.

Your skin has taken on a deep brown hue.

Your eyes gleam with a cold fire.

You are no longer what you once were.

You survived where anyone else would have perished.

You have proven that you cannot be destroyed.

Kano took a step forward, his voice deep and confident.

— "They abandoned you."

The orcs froze.

— "They considered you weak. They gave you nothing. They condemned you to death."

The eyes of some of the warriors flared with rage.

Kano smiled.

— "But you survived."

— "You have become stronger."

— "You have become something else!"

A roar of excited voices.

— "And now, when they learn that you are alive… they will fear you."

A roar!

— "You will build a city like no other in the history of orcs!"

A city where you will not be slaves.

A city where you will not live in fear.

A city where you will live not because they allowed it, but because it is YOUR land!

You are the higher orcs!

You survived where they would have died.

You will become stronger than any other horde.

And if they ever come here to destroy you again...

You will make them beg for their lives!

But you will not kill them.

You will let them live.

If they submit.

If they accept your rules.

If they acknowledge your strength!

Kano's eyes scanned their faces.

— "I am not an orc. I have not lived among you."

— "But I will make sure you rule in your former horde."

— "I will help you become stronger than ever."

— "Because from now on—the world will see who you truly are!"

— "This will be YOUR HOME!"

— "And the world will know what true power is!"

A ROAR!

The orcs raised their weapons high!

— "GLORY TO CHIEF KANO!"

— "GLORY TO THE HIGHER ORCS!"

Kano felt the adrenaline surge within him.

"They didn't just accept me. They are ready to follow me to the end."

— "Disperse! Find the place where we will build your city!"

The orcs scattered in all directions, shouting battle cries.

Kano stood by the fire.

Naira stepped closer, looking at him with a sly smile.

— "Well? How does it feel?"

Kano grinned.

— "Like I just challenged the whole world."

Elgot sighed.

— "You finally get it."