"Lord, I don't know... We never venture near the inner mountains. For hundreds of years, we've only lived on the outskirts..." an orc caught by Garrett spoke with difficulty.
"I see."
That was only natural.
Creatures like orcs, who bully the weak and fear the strong, would never risk provoking a dragon's wrath. After all, if any dragon so much as disliked the sight of them, their entire tribe would be wiped out.
"You know nothing, then close your eyes forever along with your companions."
The words were spoken lightly, yet they chilled the orc to the bone.
"Wait, wait! I do know something!"
"Speak."
The greatsword resting on his neck nearly made the orc faint.
"I know there's a group deeper inside, ones who serve the evil dragon. They help it with certain things, like finding food and such... I can take you there, we can question them, maybe trick the dragon into coming out. You could set up an ambush in advance..."
Crack.
The world spun, and the orc lost his voice.
"No need."
That was all Garrett said.
If it had been before, he might have considered the orc's suggestion.
But now...
Just as he said, there was no need.
Following that plan would mean scheming, finding that group serving the dragon, threatening and bargaining to keep them from betraying him. Too troublesome, and unstable.
That kind of strategy belonged to other people. As for Garrett himself, he would simply crush everything head-on.
He pulled out his map again and, following the markings, visited each of the orc strongholds one by one.
Each time he passed through a site, he drew an extra circle on the mark, signifying that stronghold had been cleared.
When more than half the orc bases had been wiped out, some of the smarter ones finally realized something was wrong.
The orcs closer to the inner region picked up their weapons and charged out, only to meet a dark figure dragging a massive sword.
It was hard to tell whether the dark red on his body was a pattern... or blood.
"Y-you'd better not come any closer! Do you know who we serve? A dragon! A mighty dragon!"
Seeing his face clearly, the orcs trembled, but thinking of the dragon behind them, a few still mustered the courage to swing their weapons.
Slash.
Those who raised their arms were cut down, bodies and weapons split together.
"Before my patience runs out, take me to your master."
Clang.
The remaining orcs yielded.
The dragon was too far away, but Garrett was right in front of them. What good was defiance?
With the example of their fallen comrades before them, the orcs had no choice but to lead the way.
The deeper they went, the stronger a certain presence became.
Until, at one point, Garrett suddenly stopped, startling the orcs ahead.
Beneath a broken pillar lay a complete dragon skeleton.
"Just what I was missing."
He walked over and began dismantling the bones, collecting them piece by piece. He gathered a large pile, quite a haul.
As he worked, one of the orcs' eyes darted and he quickly spoke up, "Lord, you need dragon bones?"
Garrett turned his head, giving him a glance that meant, continue.
The orc gritted his teeth and said, "I know there are many other places with dragon remains. If you need them, I can take you there."
"Oh?" Garrett's expression showed a hint of interest.
"As long as you spare my life, I'll pledge myself to you!"
"And us too!" a group of orcs behind him quickly echoed.
Serving a dragon or serving a legendary dragonslayer, either way, they were still serving someone. What difference did it make who the master was? Besides, after today, only one side would still be alive. In that case, they might as well serve the stronger one.
Whoever is strongest, that's who they obey. That had always been the way of the orcs.
Unless, of course, they were like the orcs of Mordor, those bound under Sauron's control, marked by a brand like the One Ring's domination over the others, making betrayal nearly impossible.
"I'll consider it."
Garrett's answer was short.
The orcs of the Misty Mountains were relatively free, so their words had at least some credibility, though only a little. After all, they were still orcs.
Hearing Garrett's reply, even though it was vague and uncertain, the orcs finally breathed a sigh of relief. They didn't hope for more.
After years of dealing with cunning and cruel dragons, these orcs had learned one thing well: never bargain with someone who can crush you completely.
Otherwise, the fate of their devoured comrades would be their own.
Once their decision was made, the orcs acted efficiently. Drawing on centuries of experience in these mountains, they quickly led Garrett to one dragon skeleton after another. Before long, his inventory was full.
Fortunately, his ender chest wasn't crowded, and it easily stored all the dragon bones the orcs had helped him find.
Looking at the nearly chest-full pile of dragon bones, he couldn't help but reflect.
Fortunately, these evil dragons, like the orcs, were creatures of chaos, hostile to order and unity.
If they hadn't fought among themselves, if they had instead multiplied and developed peacefully, the other races would have had no way to survive. They would have become slaves, mining and hoarding wealth for the dragons.
After gathering the last of the dragon remains known to the orcs, Garrett followed them deeper into the mountains.
Until, at the entrance of a sealed chamber, the orcs suddenly stopped and spoke in low voices:
"Lord, the dragon is inside. You see..."
"Go, and remember what you said."
"Y-yes, yes... we promise..."
They hurried away at once, clearly desperate to be gone.
Boom!
The chamber door was smashed open by him. Inside, darkness filled the space, utterly silent.
He lit a torch and descended the steps slowly.
When he reached the bottom, he raised the torch high. Golden and silver light shimmered across the floor, catching the glow of the flame.
Clatter...
Coins and jewels shifted, rolling down as though moved by something beneath them.
"I told you not to disturb me without reason!"
A deafening roar shook the entire hall.
A dragon burst forth from beneath its buried treasure, lifting its head. Its eyes met a pair of calm, emotionless human eyes.
The dragon's nostrils flared as it sniffed the air, and for some reason, an instinctive unease crept up its spine.
"Who are you?"
"The one who will kill you."
"Hahaha... ridiculous little creature! A mere human speaks so arrogantly..."
Boom!
Without another word, Garrett thrust the torch into the wall and swung his greatsword in a gust of wind. The blade struck the dragon's head, shattering the scales and scattering shards of them across the hall.
The dragon reeled backward from the force of the blow, its massive body tearing free from the pile of treasure.
Now he could see its full form clearly.
"Pfft."
He couldn't help but laugh.
"This thing counts as a dragon?"