Chapter 107: The Truth Revealed

“Don’t you know the nature of orcs? They’ve taken medicine, and their wounds aren’t fatal. They’ll be able to walk by tomorrow!” Hughes looked at Simon, tall and sturdy, unwilling to stand alongside him.

“That’s good, that’s good!” Hearing Hughes’ words, Simon chuckled softly.

After settling matters here, Hughes and Simon returned to the dock. All the crew had been driven back onto the ship, and none dared to speak up.

As night fell, the orcs assigned a few to keep watch, then everyone found a place to sleep. Meanwhile, many on the ship lay awake through the night, worried about the days ahead.

Veli paid no mind and simply slept as needed, trusting in Hughes.

Sitting on the dock, Hughes tried meditating, only to realize his spiritual power had nearly reached its limit — it could only grow further after he ascended to become a formal wizard.

He remained there all night, until dawn broke faintly, when Simon came to find him.

“It’s really alright now, Hughes. You don’t know—those injured from my tribe have mostly recovered. They can travel with us without problem!” Simon said, excited. Upon waking, he saw many of the wounded already able to move, their injuries stable, which brought him great joy. Early in the morning, he came to tell Hughes.

“Can we leave today?” Hughes kept his eyes closed. From afar, he heard Simon’s footsteps, never expecting the visitor’s sole purpose was to deliver this news.

Still, Hughes thought he might as well try. If Simon had thought to catch him off guard while his eyes were shut, Hughes wouldn’t have been so polite.

“Yes, absolutely. At first light, I’ll have them carry the supplies and move out.” Simon answered without hesitation.

“Can we travel with my tribe?” Simon asked, somewhat embarrassed. He had promised the day before that he would leave with Hughes after Hughes treated his people, but now he seemed to be going back on his word, which made him feel ashamed.

In truth, Simon was selfish; even if Hughes refused, Simon could lead his tribe alone. But since Hughes agreed, their safety would be assured on the road—after all, nobody knew what dangers lay ahead.

“Alright,” Hughes said after a moment’s thought. He wasn’t entirely sure why, but he consented.

“Really?” Simon’s lion-like eyes widened as he stared at Hughes. Though he didn’t understand why Hughes changed his mind, the answer was exactly what he hoped for.

“Mm. Have your people prepare. We’ll try to avoid the Empire’s troops,” Hughes instructed.

“Good! No problem. I’ll have them ready right away!” Overjoyed, Simon dashed off to organize his tribe to set out for the Crater Mountains.

“Everyone’s up! We’re leaving soon. Gather your things—off to the Crater Mountains!” Simon shouted in a booming voice as he returned to the orc encampment.

The orcs, roused by his call, were still groggy, but upon hearing the destination, they erupted with excitement.

“Are we really going to the Crater Mountains?” a young lion-orc asked eagerly, quickly getting to his feet to inquire.

“Yes! We leave today!” Simon answered firmly.

His words ignited the fervor of the orcs completely.

“Great!”

“Finally!” an orc nearby sighed.

“Yeah! I thought we’d never get the chance.”

“All right! Everyone, get ready! Grab all the supplies we prepared earlier. Once ready, we move out!” Simon looked at his excited tribe with mixed feelings—sadness and determination.

“Yes!!!” The orcs responded joyfully to Simon.

“It really hasn’t been easy,” Hughes, not far away, heard the commotion and sighed.

These orcs had slaughtered many at the dock and plundered numerous goods. Were they wrong? Certainly. Their actions warranted harsh punishment, even burning at the stake. Yet, they only wished to live well in this world.

“This world is far crueler than the old times. Perhaps this is the fate of different races,” Hughes mused. He dared not imagine if he had merely been reborn into an ordinary human family—how tortuous and winding his path to becoming a wizard would have been.

As dawn brightened, Simon finished preparing the supplies. Hughes watched as Simon quietly brought out horses and wagons, their whereabouts previously unknown to him.

“All set, Hughes. We can leave soon!” Simon came over, signaling that the loading was nearly complete.

“Got it,” Hughes replied, noting the activity.

“I’ll inform the others,” Hughes said, bypassing Simon to board the ship.

By “others,” he meant Veli and their group.

“Are you leaving?” Veli asked, watching Hughes step aboard.

They had woken earlier when the orcs began loading but hadn’t dared descend.

“Yes. We’re leaving. And I don’t want to hear anyone say we’re heading to the Crater Mountains,” Hughes said, his tone carrying a subtle threat as he looked at the disheveled Veli.

“Don’t worry, I understand,” Veli said wisely. He had truly felt Hughes’ strength the day before and knew exactly what to do.

“Mm.” Hughes said no more and turned away.

“Let’s go once you’re ready!” Hughes asked Simon, who stood at the front of the caravan.

“Let’s move! To the Crater Mountains!” Simon shouted as Hughes returned.

“Good!” Upon the command, the caravan began its journey.

Hughes chose not to ride inside a wagon but sat atop the cargo, observing everything along the way.

He couldn’t help but marvel at the spoils Simon’s orcs had gathered—over thirty wagons fully loaded, seemingly carefully selected.

“How far to the Crater Mountains?” Hughes asked Simon, who sat up front.

“About two months, barring any surprises.”

“Pah, pah, pah!” Simon spat out a mouthful of dust stirred by the wind.

Hughes leapt onto Simon’s wagon, preparing to ask some questions.

“I want to ask you about Arclia,” Hughes said, sitting cross-legged, facing Simon.

“Don’t worry, Hughes. You saved my tribe. I’ll tell you everything I know!” Simon patted his chest, vowing truthfully.

Looking at the friendly lion-orc before him, Hughes thought anyone unfamiliar might believe Simon was genuinely grateful. Yet Hughes recalled when Simon had sent his tribe to test him—he hadn’t been like this then.

“That was an accident before. Just an accident!” Simon smiled as if he knew exactly what Hughes was thinking, explaining cheerfully.

Hughes didn’t bother arguing—it was pointless.

“By the way, your orc tribes... there are so many different kinds. Don’t they ever...” Hughes trailed off, leaving the question hanging.

“Of course not. We orcs eat meat, but only wild beasts. We never turn on our own. It’s like your humans—so many empires, yet you don’t eat each other, right?” Simon understood what Hughes was implying and was sympathetic—many were curious.

After all, many orc tribes are natural enemies in the wild. Some might prey on others, but such cases are rare. If every tribe truly devoured each other, the orcs would have vanished from the Arclia continent long ago.

“I see,” Hughes said, having long been curious, especially since Simon’s tribe included several traditionally hostile groups.