“Female Magician? Fate?”
As soon as General Love spoke, the killing intent radiating from Teresa faltered, replaced by a deep, unsettling confusion.
The Princess was a woman of iron will. No matter how many challenges she faced, she rarely wavered. But the words “Female Magician” seemed to possess a strange, magnetic power, instantly snagging her focus.
“What… what Female Magician?” Teresa asked instinctively.
“Hehe.” General Love ignored her, completely dismissing the assassin who had just delivered a lethal strike. With eyes full of desolate sorrow, he reached for a half-empty bottle on the table and drained it in a single gulp.
The Legendary powerhouse seemed to have lost all will to fight, choosing instead to drown his emotions in alcohol.
“At a time like this, why play dumb?” Love looked coldly at Teresa. “I don’t know who you are, where you came from, or what your goal is, but why ask what you already know?”
Teresa watched the Orc General, her mind racing. Though his words were cryptic, she had gathered enough intelligence to begin piecing together a startling possibility.
Acting… General Love is indeed acting!
The sense of dissonance she had felt earlier finally made sense. How could a hero, a Legend, a brilliant commander who had once annihilated the advanced Eighth Legion, truly sink so easily into a stupor of wine and women?
“My friend”… is he referring to the Great Shaman who helped him defeat the Imperial Army?
I see. I understand now!
The rumors claimed General Love was a restless retiree who volunteered for the front lines. But looking at him now, it was clear he was in hiding—he was fleeing a disaster.
As for the reason? While Orcs were often characterized as lacking the human appetite for schemes, they were still a highly civilized nation. Power struggles and conflicting interests were inevitable.
“Just as the Eighth Legion was betrayed by power struggles within the Empire, this Orc hero has reached his expiration date.”
Compared to the political heart of the Royal Capital, the position of Frontline Commander-in-Chief was an empty honor—a decorative title with no real power.
“Just like my position at the Indomitable Bastion.”
For a moment, Teresa felt a flicker of empathy for the old Orc veteran—or she would have, if his earlier display of lechery hadn’t soured her impression of him so thoroughly.
In that case…
Teresa’s mind worked at lightning speed. Can I lean into his assumption? Can I play the role of the “Assassin” to bait the truth out of him?
She decided to take the risk. It cost nothing to try. Although the original plan was to capture him and let Green handle the interrogation, a Legend’s willpower was formidable. Having multiple avenues to the truth about the Eighth Legion wouldn’t hurt.
“Hehehe.” Teresa let out a soft, shallow laugh. “Some say you have fallen, General Love—that the hero of old is gone. Seeing you today, I see that isn’t true. You didn’t become decadent out of success; you did it for survival.”
Her lips curved into a subtle, provocative arc. “I wonder, General… before you die, could you tell me a few interesting stories?”
“Like, for instance… how exactly did you ambush the Human Empire’s Eighth Legion back then?”
Hearing this sudden barrage of questions, General Love’s gaze finally locked onto the “assassin.” A flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
She… she isn’t a puppet created by that Female Magician’s crew?
A spark of hope flared in the General’s heart. Although he had just put on a show of heroic resignation, he had actually given up on life. He knew exactly how terrifying the members of that “Circus”—the Female Magician and the Puppeteer—really were.
Even as a high-and-mighty Legend, he doubted he could last a few rounds against them. Even the strongest power in the Orc Kingdom, the Great Shaman, was cautious and subservient in their presence.
So when Teresa struck, he assumed it was the end. When she revealed a weapon that was at least a Divine Artifact and activated top-tier Imperial magi-tech, he was certain she was a puppet controlled by the Puppeteer.
But… how can a puppet talk?
As a Legend, he could tell her expressions were not those of a soulless doll. She was a real, living person.
Then why is she trying to kill me?
Whoosh.
“She’s a target of the Female Magician too!” Love realized instantly. “Hey, Human Lady!”
He shouted hurriedly, his voice thick with panic. “I don’t know what grudge you hold or why you’re here to kill me, but I guarantee you—if you kill me, you will regret it!”
“Listen to me! Your presence here is part of a script designed by the Female Magician. I know you think your plan has succeeded, but believe me, it’s all a lie—”
What is this guy talking about? Teresa was baffled. She had expected intelligence on the Eighth Legion, not a nonsensical, illogical rant.
Why was she here? Because Andy’s Northwind Chamber of Commerce had found a fatal flaw in the Orc defense line. To repay him, she was capturing Love. Green had planned the infiltration. What did a “Female Magician” have to do with it?
Is he so afraid of death that he’s lost his mind?
Bzzzzzt!
Suddenly, the magi-tech device Teresa had activated to mask the noise of the manor began to shake violently. Wisps of pitch-black energy began to leak from it.
Hiss—
“Chaos Power… it’s too late…” General Love turned deathly pale. He began to tremble, unable to move, looking like a mouse staring into the eyes of a wild cat. “We’re finished.”
Chaos Power? Teresa thought. I think Mr. Green mentioned that before.
“General Love, you are a Legend. Can’t you at least—”
BOOM!!!
The earth shook. The luxury manor built on the mountainside began to collapse in massive sections. Something from deep underground was surging toward the surface.
“It’s him. He’s coming!” Love managed to choke out.
“Who?” Teresa asked, feeling an immense, inexplicable pressure.
“Hehe.” Love looked at the human woman—an enemy of his, but perhaps an “enemy of his enemy.” He sighed helplessly. “The Great Serpent.”
“The ancient beast the Great Shaman kept here.” Realizing he was doomed, Love stopped hiding the truth. “Even a dozen Legends might not defeat it. It is the Shaman’s trump card. If the Serpent is unearthed, it means only one thing: my ‘old friend’ has arrived at the front lines.”
The Manor Warehouse.
“Mr. Andy?” Green, who was writing in his parchment scroll, suddenly looked up. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Andy, busy adjusting their “contraband,” looked at Green in confusion. “Forget that for a moment. I’ve almost finished setting up the equipment. Once Her Highness hits the communication crystal, we can—”
“No, we can’t wait anymore.” Green snapped his scroll shut. “Actually, Teresa likely already pressed the crystal. We just didn’t receive the signal.”
“Impossible! This is the Northwind Chamber’s finest tech; even the Imperial Academy couldn’t—”
“Magi-tech has its limits,” Green said firmly. “For example… Chaos Power.”
Bang.
The warehouse door was kicked open.
Clap, clap, clap.
“Magi-tech has its limits. My, my… these days, few people understand that as well as you do.”
A cold, hissing voice—like a venomous snake—echoed through the warehouse.
“Let me guess who you are.” Green looked at the withered figure flanked by the Orc staff officer and gendarmes. He gave a playful smile. “The Great Shaman of the Orcs?”
“I never thought I’d be lucky enough to meet such a grand figure.”
Clang!
Looking at the thick, cloying Chaos Power radiating from the Shaman, Green’s hand went to his sword, ready to strike.