Chapter 22.2 Dance With The Orcs (3)
T/L: Lore_Temple (foxaholic.com)
“I am Cloud. Lugar, the son of Roxar, I—challenge you to a duel.”
Cloud's sudden words stilled everyone in the group except for him.
A duel?
Does that mean he is going to fight against that strong-looking orc?
On the other hand, Lugar looked at Cloud with an intrigued expression.
It was because it was particularly strange that a human knew about the orc's duel.
“Duel. Why should I duel with you, human?”
“For an orc warrior, isn't a duel an honorable battle to showcase his pure strength?”
"Indeed, but you are not an orc.”
“Is not being an orc a problem? I am also a warrior. Always ready to die a virtuous death in a honorable battle. Or that, you are unprepared to face one? Lugar, the son of Roxar.”
“A chieftain's position is not so light, that it will make me fall for such trivial provocations. No need to ask me again, my answer will be the same. For say, do I need to have a duel with something which I can kill like a bug just because of some trival words?”
Cloud put his hand under his arms. To which, the orc next to him raised his spear—ready to subdue him, but Lugar raised his hand to halt the orc's movement.
Because what Cloud took out were six heavy-looking tabloids.
“500,000 gold each. All together, it's 3 million gold. I will bet this as a wager for the duel. If you win, you can have all this money.”
At the word of 3 million gold, everyone's eyes shook except for Howl. This is because most people here were not qualified to hold even 10,000 gold, let alone 3 million gold.
Callios, the successor of a Viscount family, was the same. It's not that a Viscount family doesn't have 3 million gold.
But, there's no 3 million gold in cash.
To prepare 3 million gold in cash, they would have to sell a lot of their slaves, lands and assets.
He couldn't help but be surprised that something like that was easily available in Cloud's hands.
‘Damn, I was right after all..!’
Callios was very resentful of the past himself, who talked nonsense for no sense.
But it didn't matter, because people's reactions didn't mattered to Cloud.
“Ah, Mr. Orc, can you stop pretending to be so casual? You think I don't know anything?"
“What do you mean?”
“Jeez, still pretending to the end. You think I don't know that you orcs are buying scarce quantity of food from the Empire.”
“….you even know that much?”
They farm around the oasis and loot food from the kingdoms. Even then, food was and is still a scarce commodity for them.
Farming not always guarantees a bountiful harvest, and weaker the tribe, the less food they receive after looting the kingdoms.
That is why most of the orc tribes use money as a medium to exchange it for food at the Empire's borders.
In such a situation, a huge amount—that is 3 million gold was like a coveted fruit that any tribe will want to swallow.
“What do you want in exchange for winning the duel?”
“Guaranteeing the safety of me and my companions, plus food and bed for one day. And, a guide to the border.”
Cloud had no intention of travelling to the border on his own from the very beginning.
How can he get to the border with no food and proper navigation?
If he had been alone, it wouldn't pose a problem for him, but the burden that he was carrying was too much. So he chose to have a duel with the orcs. Surrendering to the outcome of the duel was one of the Orc's long standing tradition.
Besides, he had to visit an orc tribe someday anyways. Because he had to get that ability, the one Gis got in the game.
“How about doing this? If you give us that money, I'll fulfill every condition of your's. We will give you food and a place to sleep, and I'll personally guide you all to the border. I swear in the name of the chief.”
People's complexion brightened at Lugar's suggestion.
To them—an easy way to survive was plated in a platter.
However, just as Cloud said his words with a smirk, their faces stiffened again.
“Wait, wait, wait, you don't really mean it, right? Do you think that treatment, it's worth 3 million gold?”
“I can kill you and take it away right now.”
“Then do it, in form of a duel. It's same, ain't I right?”
“It just means that I don't have to step up.”
“You are frightened.”
“Once again, a chieftain's position is not so light, that it will fall for your trivial provocations. Choose—either give money and live, or die and then give money.”
At Lugar's threat, the group's complexion looked more frightened than before.
They wanted Cloud to give that 3 million gold to this orc.
Sure, it's a lot of money, but what about it?
—It's not my money.
Callios poked Cloud on the shoulders.
“Hey, you… I think it’s getting a bit dangerous. Why don’t you just give them the money? No matter how much it is, isn’t it less valuable than your life?”
“Then will you put that 3 million gold on the tab of Goldenbern family?”
“Wh, What?! No why, why put it on my family?!”
“It was the money that I spent to save the heir of their family, of course I have to put it on their name. Why, you don't like it?”
“…it’s not that I don't want to… but, if I go back with such a large amount of debt, my position as the heir will be a little jeopardized…”
“Then shut up and be quiet. The same goes for others. Only those who can pay back 3 million gold, please kindly raise your hand.”
Krappa standing on the side gently raised his hand and then quickly held it back.
Now he's not Haley's henchman, but Cloud's companion Howl.
Confirming that the people had become quiet, Cloud looked back at Lugar and said.
“A group of humans who were caught in distress and begged for a duel to the chieftain of the tribe against all risks, risking everything to catch that glimmer of hope. However, the chieftain didn't accept it, and his tribesmen cruelly annihilated the humans who weren't even capable of resisting. These are the real—very honorable orc warriors of a certain Wolftooth clan. How does it sounds?"
“Didn't I just said that provocation won't work?”
"You did. You said, a chieftain's position is not so light that it will fall for trivial provocations. But now, it will.”
"Hgm?"
“Even if you order your subordinates to annihilate my companions, I will survive. Because I have the ability to take myself out of here safely. Meanwhile, I will inform all the orc tribes around you about the disgrace you brought to the name of orcs. They will mock and despise you and your ancestors. Let’s see then, if the chieftain’s seat will still be heavy even then. Or, will it become light enough at that time?”
“You wanna die?”
An unusual pressure emanated from Lugar. It was obviously hostile. People were terrified and trembled at the pressure that flowed from a strong warrior.
But Cloud's expression was still same.
“Like I said, I won't die here.”
"…the other tribes won't believe you."
“I will make them believe. Even if in the process—I have to use up all of this 3 million gold.”
“In that case, wouldn’t it be better to quietly give us that 3 million gold and leave safely?”
In Lugar's words, the hostility had already disappeared. Cloud relaxed his expression and shrugged his shoulders.
“As you value honor, I value self-esteem.”
Seeing Cloud's smirk, Lugar sighed and nodded his head.
“Okay, I accept the duel. Anyone of you who wants to challenge me, come forward and challenge. I shall take it all.”
