"What is a bodyguard of your quality doing in this shabby castle in the orc steppes? Let's start with that."
Although Miloş and the other bodyguards hadn't put up much of a fight against Nafız, that wasn't proof of weakness. Warriors helplessly slaughtered by an opponent's overwhelming power were the kind of men who shouldn't have been in this corner of the world in the first place.
"Sir, we made a deal with a clan from the Lands of Light to escort trade caravans. In the middle of our journey, a grand mage stamped a seal of captivity on our souls, turning us into Godfrey's slaves."
Hearing the name Lands of Light made certain memories flicker in the depths of Nafız's consciousness. This community, the eternal enemy of the Hell Realm, consisted of psychopaths who viewed themselves as the supreme and blessed race. Treating everyone except their own citizens as slaves, this union was an organization formed by the combination of many clans.
"What is the name of the mage who placed the seal on you? Which clan does he belong to?"
Faced with these questions, Miloş bowed his head.
"The person who placed the seal forbade us from answering these questions; we cannot speak of it even if we die."
The helpless situation of the warrior before them infuriated Alyon. The supreme warrior of the orcs could not accept a warrior losing his honor due to such vile treatment, even if they were enemies.
"Wait a bit. When that trash lying on the floor wakes up, I will give you your freedom."
As soon as Alyon finished his sentence, Nafız shouted furiously.
"I have plans for him! You can't just act on your own, you idiot!"
Nafız's anger wasn't without cause. Although Alyon generally liked to stay calm and in the background, he was incredibly stubborn about enforcing his decisions once made.
"Since you spared my life, I will do whatever you say without question for five years. After that, if you won't grant me my freedom, please kill me right here."
Because Miloş was unaware of their plans, he assumed Godfrey would be killed after being interrogated. If the person who enslaved him died, the seal would break, but the moment that happened, the images seen by all the slaves of the deceased would instantly appear in the mind of the one who cast the seal.
In a situation where he didn't share his master's fate, it was only a matter of time before the grand mage found and killed him, so sticking with these people might be to his advantage. If he could return to the Mercenary Sanctuary within five years, he wouldn't have to worry about his life.
"Actually, that time should be sufficient. Rather than arguing with you, I can be reasonable this time."
Miloş's self-surrender offered a new opportunity for Nafız. Using an essence she took from her ring, she revived Godfrey. The city lord, who had experienced an emotional breakdown before passing out, scanned his surroundings with lifeless eyes, but when he saw the skinny old man, he stared in terror.
"Gulag, have the city lord say that Miloş is obliged to obey my orders for the next five years."
Nafız adopted a very serious attitude while telling the old man, who was just coming to his senses, what to do. A mistake made now could complicate things, which was the last thing Nafız wanted.
Receiving the order from his former right hand, the city lord turned to Miloş without showing any emotion.
"From this moment on, you are obliged to do whatever the female orc says for five years. Afterward, I return your freedom to you."
Although Nafız was very annoyed that the second part of the statement was dictated by Alyon, she didn't make a sound. Pushing her luck after achieving her goal wouldn't do her much good in this situation.
Waiting for his owner's death, Miloş hadn't lost his cool at what he heard, but he was secretly curious about what was going on. The person he had been a slave to for a long time was obeying the orders of his former right hand without objection. As Gulag spoke with a proud tone due to the success of his serum, his joy caused his eyes to sparkle.
"As you can see, my serum works. You made the right decision by helping me."
Seeing Gulag puffing up like a turkey, Alyon thought to himself, I guess these types are all like this. Actually, Gulag had every right to brag; while manipulating people's consciousness with various techniques wasn't too hard, those methods were bound to leave scars on the person's soul.
However, in the serum the old man prepared, things were based on the balance of nature. The soul of the weak person, who instinctively bowed to the strong, was forced to obey naturally.
"Old man! I have a few points I'm curious about regarding this spineless wretch; order him to answer my questions."
Nafız gestured to the city lord while asking for Gulag's help.
"Godfrey, you will answer all the questions asked of you."
When the skinny old man gave his order, a weak voice came from the city lord.
"Okay!"
Seeing the person who had oppressed him for years standing helpless before him, Gulag smiled with arrogance, pointed at Godfrey, and signaled the orcs beside him to proceed.
"What is your name? Which family are you from?"
"My name is Godfrey of Bouillon, and I am the son of the third elder of the Fellowship of Light Companions."
"Who owns the seal of captivity on your bodyguards' souls?"
"My father, Jeffrey of Bouillon."
As the interrogation continued, Alyon suddenly flared up.
"What business do the dogs of a narcissistic society like yours have in my lands? Answer quickly."
To the question roared by the orc standing before him, Godfrey answered with his usual soullessness.
"Over a hundred years ago, the current Orc Lord asked for help from the Union to dethrone Cesuryürek, who was ruling at the time. When their plans succeeded and he became the new Lord, he handed over the job of selecting the lords of the trade cities in the orc steppes to the Union, as promised."
"Who the hell is this Union?"
Alyon shouted in anger and smashed the throne in the room to pieces with a single punch.
How could this formation, whose name he hadn't even heard in his master's memories, toy with the fate of the orc steppes like this? While Alyon's aura, fueled by his peaking rage, began to make breathing difficult for everyone in the room except Nafız, Godfrey stammered an answer.
"I don't know, the memories are in pieces, I can't put them together in my mind, I won't be able to answer your question!"
Nafız, fearing Alyon would lose control because he didn't get the answer he wanted, took his arm and whispered in his ear.
"What's the rush, big guy! Our adventure has just begun; a voice inside me says we will definitely run into these pretty boys who call themselves the Union!"
While Alyon began to calm down a little at his partner's warning, Gulag, soaked in sweat, began to speak.
"We managed to execute our plan in the best way possible. What are your ideas for the next steps, brave warriors?"
Taking a deep breath and completely soothing his anger, Alyon began to share his thoughts with Gulag, while Nafız threw a robe over herself and walked out of the throne room with Miloş.
"Ma'am, where are we going? If you are seen inside the city, things could get out of control."
Knowing that orcs were not welcomed in Nikonya, Miloş took the initiative to warn his new mistress. Nafız grinned slyly at the city lord's former bodyguard, who was speaking excitedly.
"This place looks like a very quiet spot. Come on, let's stir things up a bit!"