Orc Lord

When the pale light of morning finally became true daylight shining through cracks between the leaves, I had found the perfect place for my city.

I'm surprised the trip was so smooth. I didn't run into any Fomor soldiers or even any Torment Curses-- and I was sure I would meet a couple of those. There were a few dangerous plants and animals, but I was able to avoid them. I just kept running with

and on, and everything went smoothly.

Now, the place I've fallen in love with is like this: Wide spaces between the tall trees; a large river flowing a few dozen feet beneath the ground; and I saw a cat-like animal climbing a tree nearby. I want it as a pet. Maybe there are more in this area.

Really though, this region is bland: it’s wide open pine forest with flat orange soil wherever you look. Having an easy water source is already the most I was hoping for. Also, the location isn't bad if I want to go to war with the nearby Fomor villages. It’s placed roughly between the ones I noticed, but not totally surrounded. It would still be possible to split the enemy up or funnel them into one place.

Before the sun can get any higher, I rush back to Dagoran’s Village to gather up the others. A few War Orcs without villages, including the two I spoke with a few days ago, have gathered with the intention to join our group. Of course I'll welcome a few extra guards for our little caravan.

This time, I'm heading the procession, since only I know where we’re going. The journey takes three hours at a walking pace. When we stop, I order all the wagons to be parked neatly.

Next is a wall. This is a fortress city, so I have to invest in a wall as one of my top priorities, even if it means another night under the stars. I don't hold back at all, using to make a wall five feet wide and twenty feet tall. It has to be at least that big, since Fomors grow from ten to eleven feet tall, with a reach of about five feet. Any shorter, and they would climb it with ease. This should at least slow them down.

The wall encompasses an area of about one square mile, and is made entirely of solid stone. Without it wouldn't be possible for me. Higher level spells are more efficient than lower level spells. They can accomplish a similar task with less Magic Power. However, the Spell Pattern requires more skill and focus to create. Because of the reduced cost, I built a ridiculous structure in an instant. My people and our things are safely enclosed inside.

Actually, while I'm on the topic, there’s something I've always found a little funny about the spell system in this world. Spells are stored by the S system similarly to skills. And, just like skills, you can use extra Magic Power to complete the task with better results. For example, you could make a spell stronger, increase its duration… or have the Spell Pattern auto-complete. So, with desire to learn spells and Magic Power to use them, any idiot could become a powerful Magic caster.

For the sake of getting more done, I always build my Spell Patterns myself.

Ah, but I'm out of fuel now regardless. I could go hunt some Fomors to recharge my Magic Power, but I want to lay low before launching a full offensive tomorrow. Sigh, another night out in the open.

Not everyone is as calm as me. Especially the new additions to our group, who didn't know I was proficient in earth magic. Most flustered of all, though, is Fiara.

“Th-that wasn't , or even ! Chief, was that a level three spell just now?!”

“Ah, yeah. I'll give you the details when my Magic Power recovers. I don't even have enough to make a tablet right now.

Fiara looked devastated, but she could only hold off for now.

“What shall we do in the meantime, Chief Vyra?” Durghan flicked his ears and asked.

It’s a good question. Normally, the thing to do would be to unload, but there’s not much point when there isn't anyplace to unload things to. But there’s certainly some things we could be doing.

“We came here for two reasons,” I started a motivational speech. “One is to begin a better civilization for our people. The other is to extinguish the long-standing threat of the Fomors. This is a challenge that the Expansionist Orcs have never been able to overcome. Now why is that?”

I gave the group a chance to answer, but they just attentively waited for me to continue. Fiara’s disappointed eyes had become bright again as she focused on my words. The War Orcs held their breath as if waiting to receive a sentence.

“They lacked the diversity necessary to put their tactical skills to proper use,” I answered my own question with poise. “The Small Baphomets wield magic as a weapon to eradicate Orcs, but they don't have any resistance against it. In any of the battles against the Fomor, imagine how the outcome could have changed with a few Mageic casters in the back supporting with spells?”

“Strong fighters are necessary. Strong Magic casters are also necessary. Since we have time now, we will see which of you have the potential.”

Those who have aptitude for it will be encouraged to learn magic. Even if they don't have any aptitude, if they have an interest in magic, I can have them research Spell Patterns and basic spells. If this war comes to a siege at any point, I will have Mageic casters raining spells from atop the walls.

“So then, if everybody could please be quiet, cup your hands over your ears,” I demonstrated myself, listening to the palms of my hands as if they were conch shells. I indulged in the feeling that washed over me like I was half buried in sunny soil. “... and listen.”

I gave everybody about two minutes to relax and feel things out, then I called out loudly. “Alright, anybody who heard or felt something strange, please step over to this side. The rest of you can relax for now, but try not to be too loud.

It took the time to hear out all the people with attributes. Some of them were there by mistake, but ultimately we found six High Orcs, seventy-eight Orcs, and seven Goblins with attributes. Few of them will have the motivation or ability to become powerful Magic casters, but all of them should know level one spells.

The elemental attributes of our potential Magic casters are spread out across all of the possibilities. Some had fire, water, lightning, or earth attributes, like momma, Fiara, and me. Others had the wind, wood, light, or dark elements.

Personally, I was shocked to hear that there were light and dark attributes when there are already Holy and Demonic attributes. Apparently, they're actually not all that similar.

There were only a handful of people with those attributes. By far, wind and fire were the most common, followed by water and earth, lightning and wood, then light and dark last.

The elements are different, but their first form of training remains the same. Each potential Magic caster, by my orders, has their hands tied behind their backs by leather strips. Then, momma, at my request, shoots fireballs at them.

I'm not evil. Of course, Fiara is on standby with water magic.

The reason for doing it this way is, of course, to create strong desire and a situation where magic would be useful. With pain coming their way, they will want a way to resist it, but their hands are literally tied. They will need a method to defend or attack that doesn't require physical action. Whether it’s an attack spell or defense spell they learn will likely depend on their element and personality.

Many of the Orcs are able to succeed on the first try, to my surprise. I expected more than half to require multiple attempts. The Goblins, actually, had an even higher rate of success. Maybe their weakness makes their desire stronger when faced with such an attack. The High Orcs also did quite well, but there were a few who had trouble.

Let’s see, what to do next… I can feel myself starting to get creative. I order the Magic casters to pair up into groups of two and sit opposite each other. In the middle, a food item from the garden (honestly, one that’s nearing expiry, and that I don't have the Magic Power to preserve) is placed between them. Our meals these past few days have been a little sparse, and I know they're hungry. The challenge is, without moving, to obtain the food item before the opponent can.

I thought those with the wind attribute would have a natural advantage, so I had them paired against each other.

Spells started flying, and the others gathered around to watch the first of what will from now on be called the Magic Games.