Chapter 2: Setting Fires

As deep autumn arrived, the situation in Nicosia became turbulent once again. The orcs, who had been quiet for a long time, seemed to suddenly awaken from their hibernation, bursting with unprecedented energy as if determined to vent all their pent-up frustration. They launched fierce attacks on the surrounding areas.

The wolf tribe’s cavalry surged forward like a tide. The few isolated fortresses in northern Galle were utterly unable to stop them. The wolf cavalry had no intention of capturing these fortresses; they simply rushed from one town to another, with no other goal than plunder. They took everything they could carry—grain, livestock, cloth, ironware, gold, silver, books—anything of value. Yet these wolf cavalry members were much more civilized and restrained than before. Unless faced with strong resistance, they avoided killing and burning, content with simply looting whatever they deemed valuable.

Supporting the wolf cavalry were the deer tribe’s light cavalry. Faster and with a greater range of attack, their excellent discipline and speed allowed them to expand around the wolf cavalry’s main force, enabling them to seize as much as possible.

The situation in Cilicia was not much better than in Galle. Affected by the large-scale attacks from the wolf and deer tribes, the ox tribe’s light infantry and sheep tribe’s infantry also frequently raided the western regions of Cilicia. Relying on their numerical advantage, they pressed forward relentlessly. Whenever they encountered the Cilician knightly forces, they called in the bear tribe’s heavy infantry to use delaying tactics, keeping the outnumbered Cilician cavalry trapped in one battlefield while the ox and sheep tribes took the opportunity to plunder towns and villages.

Unlike the selective attacks of the wolf and deer tribes, the ox and sheep tribes’ plundering was thorough and indiscriminate. Whether it was towns or villages, wealthy merchants or poor farmers, they left none untouched. This rampant looting met firm resistance from the local Cilician people. However, given the overwhelming military advantage of the ox and sheep tribes, such resistance was weak and had limited effect.

The sudden surge of the orc army sent panic sweeping through Galle and Silesia. Rumors abounded that the orcs would march south and east once again to utterly destroy the Kingdom of Nicotia. Even in Katin and Gothenburg, there was widespread fear. Although the orcs seemed to hold a more moderate attitude toward these mortals in the south, it didn’t mean they would maintain such selective attacks. Having tasted success, the orcs might do anything, a view shared by all mortal nobles and merchants.

“Well done, Mahagumi! I will reward you handsomely!”
Komer beamed with joy. Amidst the turmoil in Nicotia, he acted like a savior, constantly accusing Duke Zelin of Galle and Duke Nisa of Silesia of stirring up wars internally while kowtowing to the orcs and betraying the interests of the people, completely ignoring the safety of the people in the border regions. He also pressured Katin and Gothenburg to demand that Kakiya and Hoffman punish Duke Zelin and Duke Nisa, urging them to counter the orcs’ attacks and defend the reputation of the Kingdom of Nicotia and the rights of its people. He stated that if Galle and Silesia agreed, he would unconditionally send his troops to help them fight back against the orcs.

“My lord, I haven’t done anything. It’s all thanks to your plans and arrangements,” Mahagumi said, also beaming with joy.

“Hmm, we can’t be careless. Are there any unusual reactions among the orcs?”

“Not yet. We have to admit that the Giza people are quite clever. They’ve mobilized a large number of resources, making it difficult to trace their actions after a few transfers. But Queen Kristina of the Fox Clan is very alert. She seems to have sensed something and is now actively contacting the Snake Clan. The scouts and spies of the Snake Clan are well-hidden; even we don’t know much about them. I’m worried this situation won’t last long.”

“Hmm, the orcs aren’t fools either. They can analyze and judge. But right now, we just need time. As long as this pressure continues, the people of Galle and Silesia will become unstable. If they don’t take action, public opinion will crush them. Without popular support, Zelin and Nisa won’t be able to stay in power. If they try to counter the orcs, we’ll welcome it. Whatever the outcome, it will be good for us.”

“My lord, what should we do now?” Mahagumi asked thoughtfully. He was gradually learning to adapt to Komer’s way of thinking. The lord’s ideas were often unexpected yet logical, and he needed to find better solutions by following that way of thinking.

“We need to stoke the fire further, Mahagumi. We must act while the orcs haven’t fully awakened, intensifying our efforts to put greater pressure on Galle and Cilicia. The boars have already followed in the wolves’ footsteps—what about the bears? And their vassal tribes? Can they really resist such temptations? Once this gap opens, the rules they once set will be broken, leading to a more fierce backlash. The orcs will release the repressed emotions they’ve held back, trying to make up for the lost time. That’s exactly what we want to achieve.” Madness flashed in Komer’s eyes. “Only when the people of Cilicia or Galle can no longer bear it will our chance arise.”

“My lord, what do you think of this? I believe we can also stir up trouble among the people of Galle and Cilicia, inciting those nobles and merchants who have suffered heavy losses from the orcs’ raids. This will force the armies of Galle and Cilicia to confront the orc forces head-on as soon as possible. Once this war truly begins, no single side will be able to decide when it ends. Perhaps it will be up to you, my lord, to decide then.”

The sinister smile on Mahagumi’s face made Komer nod in approval. This half-orc bastard was indeed clever, able to draw parallels and refine his own ideas further—more ruthless and cunning. Truly worthy of being a bastard!