Chapter 12

The conversation with the princess went smoothly, and I was released.

I’m sure I’ll continue to be used, but if they prepare things like this for me, it’s not bad.

I hold up the rainbow-colored metal plate given to me by the princess.

It scatters the sunlight and shines in seven colors.

I have plans to process it, whether to make it into an accessory or to upgrade some armor.

With this, it can also serve as an excellent catalyst for magic, significantly enhancing my combat capabilities.

When I channel magical power into the metal plate, the rainbow colors become even stronger.

After storing it in the warehouse, I regained my composure and went to the guild to look for requests.

No matter how valuable the items I receive are, I always need cash separately.

Earn and spend. It’s a natural cycle. The dividends from the money I lent out will come together soon, but I still need to earn my own money, or I’ll be bored.

I’m not suited for unearned income. When I die, I can rest as much as I want.

The requests I picked up were all easy for me. There’s also the reception of slaves, so I rejected long-term requests. Solo long-term requests are incredibly tedious with various procedures and preparations.

From the rental warehouse, I select a sword suitable for the request.

It’s a subjugation mission, so maybe I’ll take a fire sword.

The thunder sword is also convenient and good, but it’s a bit too consuming against weak opponents.

It’s not particularly heavy for me, but since I don’t have time and want to keep moving and subjugating, the cost-effective fire sword is convenient this time.

I’ll also take the thunder sword as a backup. It’s convenient for moving around.

I draw the fire sword from its sheath. The treasured sword, Flame Brand.

The blade is dyed a vivid, bright red.

In high-difficulty dungeons, this fire sword is a commonly seen weapon, and it’s the most circulated. It’s expensive, but advanced parties often have it.

Most front-line fighters first get their hands on a magic sword or treasured sword, and it’s usually this one.

Being cut by its searing fire is enough to inflict a fatal wound on any living creature.

On the other hand, the thunder sword is expensive. Damn expensive. More so than any gemstone. When this sword was put up for auction, I spent all my money and sold almost everything I had to buy it. I even went into debt.

Since then, I haven’t heard of it being offered, and it would probably sell for even more now.

The sky sword is a one-of-a-kind item. There is no other like it. It cannot be sold.

If I die, this sword will return to its original state due to the contract, so there will be no future owners.

The request I accepted is from a town two days’ travel away, where there might be an emerging orc community, so the job is to investigate or exterminate them.

Of course, I’ll exterminate them. Good orcs don’t come out where people are.

Orcs active in human-visible areas are enemies at that point.

It’s a lower-class request than what I usually do, but it’s urgent, so it’s not a problem.

It’s not very popular anyway.

Upon arriving in town, I quickly gather information at the local guild and pinpoint the location of the orc community. From experience, I can guess the general area.

A guild certificate that shows one’s identity is handy at times like this.

The gold-embellished guild certificate proves my status as an adventurer.

By the way, if I lose it, the reissuance fee is exorbitant.

When I arrive at the forest I’ve marked, I draw the fire sword and wrap it in fire by channeling magical power.

I don’t know how developed the community is, but beyond the forest is already their territory.

I walk along the maintained path while checking for traces. There have already been several kidnappings and attacks. The orcs can’t completely erase their tracks.

Unnatural animal trails, broken trees. The stench of rot and faint traces of blood. I proceed in the direction that feels off. The fire sword is also handy for clearing brush.

As I go deeper, the tall trees become an obstacle and darken the area. Beyond the undeveloped land is the orcs’ base.

I crawl slowly and observe their behavior.

Normally, orcs wear outfits made of tree bark or animal hides, and the influential ones wear something like armor made of wood.

However, everyone here has iron weapons and is clad in armor.

They have blacksmithing skills. That means an individual who has lived long and accumulated knowledge is the boss of the group.

Ordinary orcs grow bigger and wiser as they live longer and accumulate power.

Such individuals are called Orc Lords. If they grow further, they become Orc Heroes.

An Orc Hero would be a bit of a troublesome opponent even for me.

I don’t know if either is present, but if left alone, a town could easily disappear.

It would be nice to charge in from the front and push through with brute force to relieve stress, but I have to check for survivors first. I’m called a Sky Knight, but I’m not a knight; I’m an adventurer. I prioritize efficiency.

I’ve checked all around, and the orc base is becoming fortified, with guards always watching the entrances and exits.

They’re well-organized.

I choose the spot with the faintest presence, raise the temperature of the fire sword, and decide to burn through the wall to get inside. The wall is made of wood, but I can control the fire sword’s power so it doesn’t burn.

After making a hole and getting inside, I’ll just hide the hole.

No matter how well-organized they are, the lower-ranking orcs are not very smart. If they can’t see the hole, they won’t notice it.

Orcs have better night vision than humans. I don’t wait for nightfall and start infiltrating.