I Became a Druid in Another World

[Totem: The best defense is complete through offense.]

This totem wasn't meant for me. The effect itself wouldn't be very useful to me. The effect of [The best defense is offense] was quite simple. When an attack comes in, 1% of the damage is stored in the Mud Rhino's core. The damage accumulates in the Mud Rhino's core, and when it reaches its limit, the stored damage is released through the Iron Hedgehog's quills. This was a totem that used the Mud Rhino's ability to store energy and the Iron Hedgehog's ability to release it.

Even though 1% of the incoming damage was insignificant, when it's stored and then unleashed, it can do a lot of damage to the enemy. So this was essentially a tank-specific totem. It wasn't much use to someone like me, who would be supporting from the rear and watching the battle, but it would be of great help to Lloyd. Also, with the Orcs involved this time, this totem should prove to be quite useful.

"Master!"

Just as I was admiring the totem with satisfaction, I heard El calling me as she hurriedly ran up the stairs.

"El?"

"Lloyd has returned!"

Speak of the devil. Lloyd had come at just the right time. El suddenly opened the door and came in, and a large black shadow appeared behind her. I greeted him warmly.

"You're back."

"Sorry for being late."

"It's fine. You're not late at all."

It was still before the subjugation, after all. As he entered the room and El took Lloyd's coat to hang it on the wall, Lloyd sat down in a chair with an exhausted sigh. After a few days of staking out, no matter how tough Lloyd was, he couldn't help but be worn out. I poured him a cup of water and handed it over, then spoke to El.

"El, go to the innkeeper and get a chunk of meat. Take it to the stables. Ayla should be there as well."

"Yes, Master!"

After El left, I closed the door and, just in case, locked it tightly. I asked Lloyd with a lowered voice.

"You look exhausted."

"...."

"Was there something that I should be worried about?"

Lloyd was silent for a moment before nodding his head.

"There are more and more orcs in the Sequoia Forest."

"...."

"Some of them were even patrolling outside the forest. It's strange. Once they cross the forest's boundary, they're more likely to be attacked by humans…."

Patrolling.

It felt like they were preparing for the subjugation.

"I've dealt with orcs more than enough to be sick of them, but this time something's different. It feels like they've become a bit more cunning."

"…I see."

Lloyd nodded his head heavily.

"Was there anything else?"

"..."

That was a reaction of "there is something".

"What is it?"

"…This is just my speculation."

"Understood. I'll take it into consideration. Please, go on."

Lloyd remained silent for a long time as if he were hesitating. It was unlike him, and though I found it strange, I quietly waited for him to speak first.

"Someone has been using the secret passage."

"...!"

As I thought! I knew it.

"But it wasn't for an outsider to sneak into the castle."

"Then?"

"It was an insider…"

-Gulp.

"It seems they're using it to communicate with the orcs."

"…Wh-What did you say?"

"I don't understand the orc language, so I couldn't make out what they were talking about."

Is that really the issue here? Someone from the castle is conspiring with orcs!

Still, I could understand Lloyd's reaction. Considering his connection with Louis, he probably didn't want to believe it.

"Did you see who was involved in the conspiracy?"

"…No."

Well, it's obvious even without seeing. It's either Dawood or "Fabio", the one Dawood keeps close.

"Alright. This information is enough. Even though you couldn't understand because they were speaking in orc language, I can easily guess what the conversation was about."

"..…"

"It's obvious. They were likely discussing the upcoming orc subjugation in Sequoia Forest. It must have been some kind of 'deal'."

What kind of deal did Dawood make with the orcs? I walked slowly around the room and went into deep thought. As I did, Legion who had been sleeping on the bed started to follow my steps and play with my shadow. I moved carefully to avoid stepping on Legion's tail when…

"Lloyd."

"..."

"Usually, orc subjugations are done in three stages, right?"

"That's right."

Though I had no direct experience with orc subjugations, I had picked up some random knowledge from other mercenaries during my time working as one.

Orc subjugations were typically carried out in three phases. In the case of elves, they could wipe them out in just one or two rounds, but for humans, it usually took three to fully "subjugate" the orcs.

The first subjugation focused on wiping out the weaker orcs, the grunts. The stronger ones were deliberately lured out but avoided for the time being.

The second subjugation concentrated on the orcs they had purposely avoided during the first. No matter how strong an orc was, it would eventually fall under concentrated attacks from skilled humans.

Once the orcs were thinned out to a manageable level, the final subjugation targeted the orcs' main lair. They would kill any remaining young orcs and set the lair on fire to destroy it completely.

"So then…."

The conspirators and the orcs must have made a deal regarding the first subjugation. They probably negotiated how much sacrifice each side would accept, and how they would manipulate the situation.

When I connected the "sacrifice" mentioned in the letter Blackie brought with this scenario, one conclusion came to mind.

The "sacrifice" was…

The mercenaries.

It was still unclear whether the sacrifice was meant for the orcs or for some other third party like a demon.

If the sacrifice was for the orcs, then Dawood might have offered the mercenaries to the orcs in exchange for the promise of safety for his territory, or perhaps he could have secured their help. Since Corin was already a safe city, the former seemed unlikely, while the latter seemed more likely. And if it was the latter… something quite sinister would likely unfold. Probably.

If the mercenaries were the sacrifice for a likely third party demon… well, the outcome was obvious. The orc subjugation would have been a ruse. They would gather a ragtag group under the pretense of fighting the orcs, lead them into Sequoia Forest, perform the ritual, and summon the demon. No one would suspect a thing if they claimed that the mercenaries were slaughtered by the orcs in Sequoia Forest. In that case, the orcs would have been promised a fitting reward…

…Either way, it's grim.

However.

There was certainly an "opportunity".

The first subjugation. That's the opportunity.

I stopped pacing around the room and looked at Lloyd. His face still held a hint of gloom; he was clearly troubled by the idea that a traitor within the castle had struck a deal with the orcs. It was understandable, given that he had been a close friend of Louis for many years. His feelings were bound to be complicated.

"This actually works in our favor."

".….."

Lloyd looked at me as if he had misheard. I shrugged my shoulders and feigned ignorance. Legion, who had quickly climbed up onto my shoulder while I paused, mimicked my gesture from the same spot.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said."

"...."

"During the first orc subjugation, Corin will be completely empty. The castle will be as well since Dawood said he'd be joining the subjugation. Fabio, the man who always follows him, will of course be with him."

"And so?"

"We'll use that chance to head to the castle with Louis."

"The castle?"

"Yes. We'll hit them where it hurts. If we search the castle, we're bound to find something."

"But if we do that, the mercenaries participating in the subjugation will…."

"Don't worry."

Lloyd slightly shook his head; he still didn't understand. I patted his shoulder and offered him a faint smile.

"I've already sent someone to take care of that."

"Someone?"

"Well, to be precise, not a person; he's an elf."

Callisto. As long as he was there, the subjugation wouldn't go according to their plans. Not only when facing the orcs, but even if the whole subjugation turned out to be a trap…

If it's Callisto, he'll survive and get out to bring me the truth.

This was exactly what it meant to extend your legs after assessing where to lie down.

"An elf?"

"Yes. Lloyd, I met a good ally while you were in hiding…"

It wasn't as if we had hired a mercenary, so the explanation felt a bit awkward. But Lloyd didn't ask any further and simply nodded.

"…Well then, that's a relief."

As he exhaled deeply and looked as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders,

– Grrrrowl…

A sound, almost like thunder, rumbled from Lloyd's stomach. Whoa, that was surprising.

"….…"

"….…"

An awkward silence fell between us. We just stared at each other without saying a word. Ahem, ahem. After a brief moment, I cleared my throat and, to break the tension, I forced out a loud laugh.

"Haha! It's alright, Lloyd. It's understandable. How long was it, five days? No, maybe a week? You've been in hiding for a long time, after all. You were surviving on jerky and biscuits, weren't you?"

That's why I told him to pack a lunch. He even refused when I offered to bring him food, and now look where that got him… Given his size, Lloyd must burn more energy than the average person, so of course he was exhausted. No matter how rigorously trained his body was, hunger was a fair foe for everyone.

"…I'm a bit hungry."

"It's late, but we should be able to borrow the inn's kitchen."

"As long as it can tide me over…"

"No, that won't do. It's your first proper meal in a week!"

"…Thank you."

"Now, now. You can thank me after you've eaten. For now, take a bath, change your clothes, and come down. I'll have the meal ready."

After confirming Lloyd's nod, I left the room. Legion who had darted into my clothes asked in an overly sweet voice,

[Theo. Me. Dinner?]

"No, you've already had dinner. This meal is for Lloyd."

[Theo. Me. Can eat. Dinner. Twice.]

"…Fine, but you're only getting a taste. Got it?"

[Theo. Me. Like. Taste!]