LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 72.3
“No, never. I was part of a support force. There was an attempt to evacuate dignitaries here… but we didn’t make it.”
The coachman chuckled. Although Stormhill Castle had been surrounded by the Seven Races Federation, the Four Races Alliance had done their best to send support. However, they hadn’t succeeded. So if someone had been here before, it meant they had died.
“Come on, let’s get going,” the coachman said.
“Understood! Thank you for the advice. Goodbye.”
Judith waved and stepped down from the carriage. The coachman waved back and began moving the vehicle. After bidding him farewell, Judith turned toward the castle, gathered her courage, and shouted.
“Well… is there a guide?”
Although she was a rookie knight, her status was high. Such an assertive way of speaking was allowed to her. In fact, it was a position she had to take, as she had learned in knight school. Immediately, a nearby soldier saluted and stepped forward.
“I will be your guide!”
“Very well!”
It was a haughty attitude, but the soldier didn’t mind. During emergencies, one was allowed to state their purposes and means without regard for their status or rank. It was an implicit rule among human soldiers.
Judith followed the soldier and began to walk. They entered through a small side entrance, where even humans had to crouch, and then traversed a labyrinthine corridor. After turning several corners and climbing stairs, she lost track of where they were. If she had walked alone, she might have returned to the starting point without realizing it. The castle’s complex structure was an intelligent defense against creatures like orcs, lizardmen, and harpies, but it was insignificant against demons or succubi.
“Here we are.”
Upon arrival, they were in a hall. However, it was too narrow to be called a hall. Originally, it might have been a meeting room or something similar, but the tables had been moved to create the appearance of a larger space. The room, which would normally have felt cramped, was now strangely spacious. In the four corners of the room were potted plants with silver leaves. It was an elven barrier. Judith looked at the five people inside the barrier.
“…That’s Thunder Sonia… the Elven Archmage.”
Because they were particularly famous figures, she could roughly identify who was who. There was the young elf with a staff, Thunder Sonia. The golden-haired human dressed in fine clothes, Nazar. The refined-mustached human, Chancellor Crusader Alma Lagie. And the human with a physique similar to that of an orc, Grand General Brian Gotron. They were all faces that anyone would recognize. The last person was behind Thunder Sonia. Judging by the white lily hairpin, they were her bodyguard.
“I am Judith Hoplons of the Knights Order of Krassel. I have come to interrogate Bash, the Orc Hero.”
“Well, you’ve arrived! I was looking forward to this.”
Brian spread his arms wide and embraced Judith. His hug was like that of a bear, and Judith felt her shoulders creak.
“As it involves orcs, we called for Houston due to his expertise, but I never expected his disciple to come!”
“I will do my best to be useful.”
“There’s no need to be modest. Houston, who knows orcs better than anyone among humans, sent you. You’ll be fine!” Brian said.
Judith didn’t know it, but Brian used to be Houston’s direct superior long before he became the commander on the orc front. Although it was a story from an earlier era, Brian and Houston had known each other well since then. That’s why Houston had told Judith, “If things get rough, trust Brian. He should be able to get you out alive.”
“Hey, you’re getting up there in age, so don’t harass the young girls too much. You’ll make them dislike you,” an elf interrupted the conversation. “So, you’re Judith?”
“Yes, that’s me. It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Thunder Sonia.”
“That’s right. I heard the ‘Pig Slayer’ was coming, so I was surprised. Can you interrogate an Orc properly? How do you perceive Bash? You won’t make fun of him, will you?”
“Sir Bash is a person of great pride. He is exceptionally intelligent among orcs and someone who accommodates himself to us. Whether he gets angry or not depends on him…”
“I see. I’m relieved to hear that you seem to know him well. By the way, is the ‘Pig Slayer’ still alive?”
Houston also knew Thunder Sonia. Toward the end of the war, elves and humans cooperated to corner orcs. She held Houston in high esteem. After all, she herself had faced Bash in battle and barely survived, while Houston had managed to escape from Bash repeatedly, ultimately surviving. That was something that couldn’t be done even if one wanted to. If they had killed Houston, there might not be an elven territory in the Siwanasi Forest now.
“Yes, but please refrain from using that title in front of Sir Bash. It might offend him,” Judith replied.
“What are you saying? He’s the only one who survived encounters with Bash and lived to tell the tale. Even I came out badly after a draw. So Bash recognizes him as the ‘Pig Slayer.’ It’s a title befitting his reputation.”
“Hehehe.”
Judith chuckled softly. If Houston were here, he would have laughed too, albeit with a dry laugh. The meaning of “survived” would have been different. Thunder Sonia had clashed directly with Bash in a head-to-head confrontation, while Houston had simply run across the battlefield, surviving. However, even as he ran, he had continued to command and successfully corner the orcs. That was undoubtedly Houston’s skill and achievement. Those who didn’t recognize it were probably the ones who had never fought Bash directly. Unfortunately, there weren’t many who had survived after facing Bash head-on.
“By the way, why are His Excellency the Chancellor and His Highness Prince Nazar here?” Judith asked, looking at the two remaining individuals. She hadn’t been informed, but it might be some kind of secret meeting. Normally, someone of her status wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet with them.