Chapter 315: Fields of Dragon Bones
"L‑lord, I do not know. We never dare go deep into the mountain. For centuries, we have lived only on the outskirts…"
The Orc, Levi had pinned down, spoke with effort.
"I see…"
That tracked.
Orcs bullied the weak and feared the strong. They would never test a dragon's temper. If any dragon took offense at them, that would be the end of them all.
"If you know nothing, then close your eyes forever with your fellows."
The light words chilled the Orc's blood.
"Wait, wait!"
"L‑lord, I know something else!"
"Speak."
The greatsword pressed against his neck. The Orc nearly blacked out.
"I know there is a band near the inner deeps that serves the dragon. They handle things for it… hunting food and such…"
"I can lead you to them, trick them into talking, lure the dragon out. You can set an ambush ahead of time…"
Crunch.
The view turned. The Orc fell silent.
"No need."
So said the man.
In earlier days, Levi might have considered what that Orc proposed.
Now?
As he had said, no need.
Following the Orc's plan meant devising scheme after scheme—finding the dragon's servants, coercing and promising to keep them in line. Too fussy, too fragile.
That was another person's method. As for Levi…
He would roll straight through.
Levi drew out the map again and moved from mark to mark, visiting each Orc hold.
Each time he passed a site, he drew a ring over the mark.
That meant the den was cleared.
When more than half the dens were silent, some quick Orcs finally sensed something wrong.
The ones closer in grabbed weapons and charged, only to meet a dark figure dragging a greatsword.
It was hard to tell if the dark red on him was a pattern or blood.
"You… you had better not come closer. Do you know whom we serve—dragon, a mighty dragon!"
They trembled at his face, but with a dragon at their back, some Orcs still swung.
Crunch.
Those who dared to raise weapons were hewn in half with them.
"Before my patience runs out, take me to your master."
Clatter.
The remainder yielded.
The dragon was far away. Levi was here. That settled it.
Led by the force of example, the Orcs stumbled forward as guides.
The deeper they went, the stronger some presence grew.
Levi halted, and the Orcs flinched.
Under a shattered pillar lay a complete dragon skeleton.
"Just what I lacked."
Levi stepped over and began to take the frame apart, gathering bones.
A dozen pieces came free. A rich haul.
Watching him work, an Orc's mind turned. "L‑lord, do you need dragon bone?"
Levi looked over, letting him continue.
"I know many places with dragon remains. If you wish, I can lead you."
"Oh?"
Levi's eyes showed interest.
"If you spare me, I will swear to you!"
"And us as well!" a squad of Orcs echoed quickly.
Serving a dragon or serving a dragonslayer was still serving. If they must be under someone, what difference who, so long as they lived?
In any case, one side would die today. Better swear to the one who remained.
Serve the strong—that was the Orc way.
Unless they were Mordor's Orcs, bound to Sauron's will by a brand like the One Ring's mastery over the others. Those almost never betrayed their master.
"I will consider it."
Levi's reply was brief.
The Orcs of the Misty Mountains were relatively free. Their words held some weight.
But only some. Orcs were Orcs.
Even that much made the Orcs exhale. They dared not ask more.
Years dealing with cunning, cruel dragons had taught this band a rule: never bargain with one who can crush you.
Else your devoured comrades are warning enough.
Once decided, they moved quickly. Drawing on centuries of knowing this place, they led Levi to heap after heap of dragon bones. In short order, his pack was full.
Thankfully, his ender chest was light. It could hold all the bones they found.
Staring at a nearly full chest of dragon bone, Levi could not help but think.
It was a mercy that dragons, like Orcs, were creatures of chaos, ill at order.
Had they not torn each other apart and instead grown in peace, the other races would have had no life left. All would be miners for their hoards.
When the last cache known to the Orcs was gathered, Levi followed them deeper.
They stopped before a sealed door and lowered their voices.
"L‑lord, the dragon is inside. If you would…"
"Go. Remember your words."
"Yes… we swear…"
They fled in haste.
Thud.
Levi opened the door by force. Inside, all was dark. No sound.
He lit a torch and descended the stairs.
At the bottom, he raised the torch. Gold and silver flashed in the glow.
Clink. Clink.
Coins and jewels slowly rolled, as if pushed by something beneath.
"I told you… Do not interrupt me for nothing."
The hall rang with a vast voice.
A dragon tore free of the wealth piled on it and thrust out its head.
It met eyes, calm and flat as glass.
Its nostrils quivered. Instinct whispered a thread of unease.
"Who are you?"
"The one who kills you."
"Ha ha ha… laughable whelp. A mere man dares such—"
Thud.
Levi set the torch in the wall and brought the sword around in a single stroke. Wind boomed as the blade smashed down, breaking the scales on the dragon's brow and sending shards flying.
The whole dragon lurched back under the blow, rising from the hoard.
Now Levi saw it clearly.
"Pfft."
He could not help but laugh.
"This counts as a dragon?"