Kano stood, breathing heavily, feeling the pain in his shoulder gradually subside. His fingers still gripped the sword, but he no longer felt the threat.
Before him, kneeling, stood the old orc—a once-proud warrior, now wounded and weary from a life in exile. His gaze was stern, but there was no hatred in it.
The orcs stood around in silence.
No movement. No sound.
They looked at the scene before them as though they could not believe what was happening.
And then, slowly, one by one, all the orcs dropped to their knees.
Even the one Kano had defeated.
A recognition.
Kano slowly swept his gaze over these fighters, now swearing allegiance to him.
He didn't understand.
—"What does this mean?" he finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.
The old chieftain lifted his head.
—"We belong to you."
—"Why? I didn't kill him. I let him live."
—"Exactly."
Kano felt a chill settle inside him.
—"You fight for power. You kill chieftains to become chieftains. I didn't do that."
—"And that is why you are now the greatest among us."
Kano swallowed the lump in his throat.
His hands clenched into fists.
—"But I don't want to rule over you!"
The old chieftain paused, then slowly rose to his feet.
—"You don't understand, boy. We have no home. No place to go. We were cast out, like dogs. We had no choice but to become bandits, because we had nothing left."
He gestured ahead, pointing toward the dark passage between the mountains.
—"Look."
From the shadows that hid behind the rocks, women and children began to emerge.
The orc mothers carried infants, young girls supported the elderly, who no longer had the strength to stand on their own.
They were not warriors. They were survivors.
Kano felt everything inside him tighten.
He saw with his own eyes.
This was not just a band of warriors. This was not a pack of killers.
This was a people who had lost everything.
And now, they stood before him.
And waited.
They waited for him to speak.
They waited for him to act.
Kano slowly unclenched his fists.
His expression grew serious.
He realized that now he was not just victorious in battle.
He had taken on responsibility.
Kano stood before dozens of orcs, before women, children, and old warriors who could no longer hold weapons. His heart still raced from the battle, but now it wasn't from fear or adrenaline.
Now, he had to decide their fate.
He saw hunger in their eyes, traces of exhaustion, despair they no longer tried to hide.
Kano turned his gaze to his companions.
Rudgard watched the scene with a heavy expression, as if he understood the weight that was about to fall on their group.
Selina covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes filled with pity.
Lianel was silent, her palm gripping the bow, as if she didn't know what would happen next.
Naira… She stood apart, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her gaze swept over the women and children. Her hands trembled slightly.
Elgot.
His gaze was the sharpest.
And he was the first to break the silence.
—"You need to say something to buy us some time. We'll figure out what to do."
Kano slowly loosened the fingers that had still been gripping his sword.
—"Elgot…" — his voice was strained, almost broken. — "I don't know what to command them. I've never led anyone in my life."
Elgot paused for a second, his eyes scanning the faces of the orcs who waited. They didn't stir. They didn't speak a word. They simply waited.
—"Tell them to set up camp. We'll figure something out in the meantime."
Kano sucked in a breath through his teeth. He lifted his head, staring at the crowd before him.
The orcs were still kneeling.
Waiting.
He felt the pressure of the situation weighing on him more and more, but… he couldn't do anything.
No.
He had to do something.
Slowly, as if his words carried more weight than himself, Kano finally spoke:
—"Break camp. We'll stop here for the night."
Silence.
And then—movement.
The orcs rose, asking no questions.
They simply obeyed the command.
His first command.
And for the first time in his life, Kano felt what it meant to lead someone.
The sun had already dipped below the horizon, and the darkness slowly enveloped the camp. The air smelled of smoke from the bonfires, fresh meat roasting on spits, and the weariness that seeped into every movement.
The orcs were setting up a temporary camp—some were fixing gear, others helped the wounded, prepared food, or built shelters from hides and wood. The air was filled with an unusual silence—despite the bustle, everyone seemed to sense that something bigger than just their chieftain had changed today.
Kano sat in his cart, elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands. His heart was still pounding heavily from the battle, but now not from fear or adrenaline.
Now, he had to decide their fate.
"Am I really a chieftain?"
He still couldn't fully grasp the weight of it.
His gaze fell on the orcs, who didn't even think of resting. Someone was tending to the wounded, someone was handing out food, and some simply sat by the fire, staring into the flames as if looking for answers.
His group wasn't standing aside either.
Selina was healing the wounded orcs, using her powers as much as she could. Lianel was showing several young orcs her bow, explaining how it worked. Naira… For the first time in a long while, she smiled sincerely, chatting with the orc women, who listened to her stories with interest.
"This is a people who just need a home…"
But how could he give them that home? How could he make them not a threat to the world, but a part of it?
Kano felt something pressing on his chest.
He wasn't a leader. He had never led anyone.
In his past life, he had always been subjugated—a cog in a vast machine that simply followed orders. He knew what it was like to feel powerless.
And now, he had to make decisions for others.
His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
—"Do you really want to do this?"
Kano looked up. Elgot was standing before him. The mage crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and restrained reproach.
—"What exactly?"
Elgot waved his hand toward the orcs.
—"This. Leading them. Protecting them. Turning them into your army."
Kano scowled.
—"I don't want to make them an army. I want them to be free."
The mage scoffed.
—"Are you really that naive? Kano, these creatures don't know life without war. They only obey strength. Today, they see a leader in you, and tomorrow, someone stronger will challenge you—what then?"
Kano silently turned his gaze toward the camp.
—"I don't know... But I want to help them."
Elgot sighed and sat beside him.
—"You're going to regret this."
Kano didn't respond.
He glanced at the orcs again.
"I don't know if I'm doing the right thing… But they trust me. I can't just leave them to fend for themselves."
The mage slowly stood up.
—"Alright. Think it over again. I'm going to the fire, maybe I'll find something wise there."
Elgot disappeared into the darkness, leaving Kano alone with his thoughts.
Kano remained sitting in the cart, staring into the darkness. His thoughts were heavy, like stones pressing down on his chest. He tried to pull them together, trying to figure out how to make the right decision.
The silence was almost absolute, only the crackling of the fire and distant voices of the orcs disturbed the peaceful night.
Suddenly, something thudded loudly beside him.
Kano jumped and saw a familiar face in front of him.
—"So you're hiding here, boy?"
Rudgard plopped down beside him, setting a huge chunk of meat directly on the wooden board. It had a scent of spices and smoke.
—"I can't believe you haven't eaten yet. Take it, try it! The orcs made it."
Kano skeptically eyed the piece of meat, but hunger reminded him of its presence, so he took it and took a bite.
…And froze.
—"Well, how is it?" — the dwarf grinned slyly, already predicting his reaction.
Kano chewed and swallowed, staring in disbelief at the piece in his hand.
—"If there's such a thing as heavenly food, this is it!"
Rudgard burst out laughing loudly.
—"What did I tell you? These orcs aren't just warriors, they're damn good cooks too!"
Kano looked toward the camp. The orcs were indeed celebrating their victory, but not noisily, not in the way he had imagined. They supported each other, talked, rejoiced over the food they had earned, took care of the wounded.
—"I knew dwarves were hardworking and resilient, but these guys… They've got something more."
The dwarf spoke seriously, no jokes.
—"I respect the dwarven people, their endurance, their craftsmanship, but now I see that the orcs are a people the world doesn't understand. They're not just fighters. They're unity. They're brotherhood. And if given a chance… they could become something greater."
Kano heard those words, and something inside him clicked.
Rudgard took a deep breath, savoring the scent of the night, and patted Kano on the shoulder.
—"Alright, enough philosophy. If you don't want me to eat your portion, let's head to the fire. Honestly, this meat is worth setting aside all your thoughts for at least an hour!"
Kano sighed and nodded.
—"Go ahead, I'll be there soon."
The dwarf stood up and walked toward the fire, cheerfully humming something about "the best dinner of his life."
Kano remained where he was. But now, there was more clarity in his mind.
"If even Rudgard sees potential in them… Then maybe I'm not wrong?"
Kano stayed in his spot, thoughtfully gazing at the dancing shadows of the fire. He almost didn't notice when two figures approached him.
—"Kano."
He looked up and saw Selina and Lianel. Both girls looked serious, without their usual jokes or warm smiles.
—"Can we sit?" — Lianel asked.
Kano nodded.
Lianel carefully settled beside him, while Selina, as always, tucked her legs under herself and sat closer to him. Her expression was concerned.
—"We need to tell you something important," — she began.
Kano remained silent, waiting.
Lianel glanced at Selina, as if allowing her to speak first.
—"This clan… They were cast out. They're not just bandits who settled here in the mountains. They're those who refused to follow their true leader's orders."
Kano raised his eyebrows.
—"By order?"
—"Yes. Their horde was preparing for a major campaign against human lands. They were promised new territories, homes, stability. But those who are here now… they didn't believe those promises. They knew humans couldn't be defeated, and if they went to war, they'd perish."
Kano felt something tighten inside him.
—"And they were just cast out?"
Lianel shook her head.
—"No. Their chieftain challenged the true leader of the horde. He fought for a chance to stay with his people and change their fate. But he lost."
Selina lowered her head.
—"And they became exiles. No right to return. Rejected by everyone. No chance at all."
Kano could no longer stay still.
He abruptly stood up and paced a few steps, clenching his fists.
—"And who is this bastard who cast them out?"
His voice was low, heavy, filled with anger.
Lianel sighed.
—"Vheldegar Lokris."
Kano froze.
His head seemed to explode with a thousand thoughts.
Him again.
That name again.
Vheldegar Lokris—he was the one who destroyed the second kingdom, the one who captured Liánisa Virenia, the one who destroys everything he touches.
—"It can't be just a coincidence..." — he whispered.
His gaze again fell on the orcs, sitting by the fire, unaware that he had just learned their truth.
They were not criminals.
They were refugees.
—"I can't just leave them to fend for themselves," he said, more to himself than to the girls.
Selina gave a slight smile.
—"You've already made your decision, Kano. You just don't know it yet."
Kano looked at her, then turned his gaze to Lianel, who calmly nodded.
He silently turned and walked deeper into the camp.
There was still much to think about.