Isekai Lizardman Survival Log

The orc tribes in this area are mainly divided into four.

The most numerous and hot-tempered [Blue Tusk].

The [Green Skin], a gathering of misfits expelled from their tribes.

The [Black Claw], boasting overwhelming mobility with their trained wolves.

Lastly, the [Red Claw], closest to the most common image of orcs.

The Blue Tusk tribe would throw axes rather than attempt to resolve issues through dialogue, making them the worst option. The Green Skin lacks the will to do much of anything, so there’s no benefit, but at least communication is possible, making them the second-worst option.

The Black Claw, though smallest in number, have tamed dire wolves, giving them excellent mobility and combat prowess, and are friendly, making them the best option.

Lastly, the Red Claw have no particular issues but are in a state of complete hostility with trolls, making them the second-best option, but.

In fact, being hostile to trolls doesn’t matter.

Our village is already in a semi-hostile situation with trolls, as Jamel had come to scam our village on his chief’s orders.

Although Jamel himself has reformed and is dedicated to the village, so we’ve accepted him, the hostility towards other trolls hasn’t disappeared.

Therefore, being in a hostile relationship with trolls was actually a positive factor from our village’s perspective, but.

“I know it’s a difficult question. I also know it’s shameless to ask about his well-being after driving him out with my own hands.”

The problem is that most of the orcs who settled in our village were exiles from the Red Claw tribe.

Even if most of the orcs claim to have let go of their grudges and resentment, you never know what’s in people’s hearts.

There could still be some lingering resentment in a corner of their hearts.

“Just tell me if that young one is living well, that’s all I need to know.”

Karakt said that and stared at me intently, but when I couldn’t easily open my mouth, he sighed softly.

“Right, I’ve done something, so it must be hard to speak…”

Karakt looked up at the moon for a moment, then spoke with difficulty.

“…How much do you know about the issue between our tribe and Kart?”
“…I only know that Kart’s father committed treason.”
“You know almost everything then.”

Karakt smiled bitterly and took a sip from his cup.

“Yes…. Where should I start…”

He hesitated for a moment, seemingly embarrassed about the tribe’s shameful past, but then continued.

“My brother Kruta was a great warrior. He was a wise leader and a loving parent. He was the pride of our tribe.”

Karakt’s eyes shone dimly as if reminiscing about fond memories.

“That’s why no one thought Kruta would betray the tribe.”

Karakt, his throat seemingly parched, took another sip of alcohol and spoke with difficulty, his head lowered and expression bitter.

“Re―x. Brother, son of the small dragon. I dislike trolls.”

“They always toy with good-natured people with their cunning tongues, manipulating them as they please.”

“This isn’t just my personal opinion, but the opinion of our entire tribe. You know why, don’t you?”

Pffft

Karakt spoke emotionally, as if drunk.

“The day our tribe clashed with the trolls. After that day, Kruta changed. The warrior who lived with honor and pride in his heart died, and a beast blinded by greed was born.”

“In fact, I still don’t understand why. Our father had already named Kruta as his successor. Why on earth did he kill our father…”

His throat seemed parched as he tilted his cup, but it was empty, not a drop falling.

Tsk―

Karakt clicked his tongue, then threw the cup to the ground and continued.

“The elders say it’s because father lived too long, but I can’t understand. Isn’t it a good thing for family to live long? What’s this paltry position worth killing family for…”

Pffft―

I handed a cup to Karakt, who was coughing dryly as if his throat was very dry. He quickly took it and drank.

“Many brothers died. Brave brothers, wise sisters, all died. All siblings except for me and Kruta breathed their last that day.”

“Kruta was on his last breath. Even I, who was weak, could have easily killed him.”

Weak, he says…. With that build, two fists larger than other orcs, it’s hard to imagine….

While I was thinking this to myself, Karakt continued speaking.

“I had to make a choice. All those who sided with Kruta were dead, but I had to decide the fate of the warriors who were used without knowing anything… and young Kart.”

What emotion is in those eyes looking bitterly at the night sky? Regret? Guilt?

“The radical ones said we should kill them to appease the grudges of our fallen brothers. The moderate ones said we should cut off their arms and exile them to give them a chance to repent.”

“But nowhere was there an opinion to spare Kart. The consensus was that as Kruta’s son, he should bear the sin.”

Pffft―

“At the time, everyone was in a state of blood-boiling anger. Now, they all regret the words they spoke then. That’s how great the sense of betrayal from Kruta was…”

Karakt carefully put down the empty cup.

“I… couldn’t bring myself to kill that young one. What fault did that child have?”

“So I exiled Kart. I wanted to take care of him myself, but… you never know what’s in people’s hearts.”

-It probably wouldn’t be good for him to grow up in the hands of the one who killed his father….

Karakt stared blankly at the empty cup for a while, then raised his head.

“Along with that, I exiled other warriors with their bodies intact. On the condition that they would take care of Kart until he became an adult.”

Ironically, Karakt’s eyes shone with trust in his kin.

Despite being betrayed by his brother, he still trusted his kinsmen to the end, which was somewhat…

Yes, it was very orc-like.

Regardless of promises, they could have just run away outside the forest, but the chief believed in them, and the exiled ones kept that promise to the end. Could there be a more stubborn race?

I couldn’t help but laugh at how unnecessary all my worrying had been.

Probably the orcs who settled in our village had also put the past behind them, and those here had let go of their grudges as well.

“Kart is living well. In fact, there are complaints about how noisy he is.”
“Is that so.”

The relationship between this scarred uncle and nephew might heal much more easily than I thought.

The Red Claw tribe. I thought they were the second-best choice, but maybe…

“Seems he’s doing well.”

They might be the best choice after all.

“Yaw―n―.”

I gently stroked Chik-chik’s head as it kept rubbing its eyes sleepily.

As I gently rubbed as if combing its fur, it purred contentedly, seeming to have calmed down a lot overnight.

I continued stroking Chik-chik, who was sprawled on my crown as if contented, as we walked through the Red Claw village.

“Brother―!”
“Eep!”

I caught Chik-chik, who almost fell off making a strange sound as if startled by the sudden booming voice, and turned my head.

Karakt approached, his voice as booming as Kart’s, true to their shared bloodline, but unlike last night, he had a much brighter expression.

“How was your sleep―!”
“Not bad.”

Honestly, as long as there was a roof to keep out the rain, I wouldn’t have minded sleeping on the ground, but Karakt said he couldn’t treat a guest like that and gave us an empty house.

“My head is ringing…”
“Oh, little friend. I’m sorry.”

Chik-chik slumped on my crown while holding its head, and Karakt, as if just noticing Chik-chik, quietly apologized.

“I’ll be careful from now on.”
“Yeah∼.”

Well… Thinking of Kart, Karakt will probably forget and shout again before long.

“So, what’s the matter?”
“Oh, brother. I almost forgot.”

Karakt took out a seal from his waist. The white seal, seemingly carved from bone, had a black claw shape engraved on it.

“Didn’t you ask for information about elves? We don’t, but I heard the Black Claw folks interact with elves. If you go with this, they’ll treat you as an honored guest.”

Karakt said that, then hesitated for a moment before carefully continuing.

“…Rex. Brother. You probably know, but we’re at odds with the trolls.”
“Why is that?”
“If you ally with us, you’ll be completely at odds with the trolls. Although the trolls are vile and petty creatures, their power is not to be underestimated. So if you want to…”
“Stop.”

I extended my hand to cut off his words. Karakt looked at me with dissatisfied eyes, but.

“Didn’t you say we’re friends? Is a friend someone who abandons and runs away when things get tough?”
“Re―x…!”

At these words, Karakt approached with a moved expression, but when I twisted my body to avoid his attempt to embrace me, Karakt’s arms awkwardly sliced through the air.

“I don’t have a habit of hugging men.”
“Neither do I.”

Pffft

As Karakt cleared his throat embarrassedly, Chik-chik tapped my crown.

“Why didn’t you just let him hug you once?”
“I told you I don’t have that kind of habit.”

Even if we’re friends, that’s going too far. Does it make sense for sweaty men to hug each other?

“Ahem. Anyway, thank you.”
“It’s nothing, friends help each other.”

Karakt expressed his gratitude while sheepishly scratching the back of his head.
He seemed quite pleased to be trusted so much after only meeting a day ago, but in reality, I was just trying to establish a good relationship because it’s hard to find someone as trustworthy as Karakt in this barbaric world.

Above all, since our village was already in a semi-hostile situation with trolls, it didn’t matter if we became completely hostile, but…

‘It’s no fun to just be on the receiving end….’

Until now, we’ve let things slide because we tried not to get deeply involved with the forest, but once we’ve decided to get involved, we’ll charge in even if they say no.

If you’ve been hit, you should return it twofold, shouldn’t you? Moreover, there’s no reason to go easy on those who just suck out the benefits and even abandon their own kind.

“Brother, are you planning to return to your village?”
“Yeah. I suppose I should head back.”

Now that we’ve found a clue about the elves, I’d like to visit the Black Claw tribe right away, but.

Having formed an alliance with the Red Claw tribe, we needed to inform the village about this.

We needed to return as soon as possible so that both we and they could get acquainted.

“Then, can you call Kart to our tribe?”
“Suddenly?”

I was hoping for them to have a smooth conversation, but this seems too fast…

“He should be coming of age this year, and I’d like to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for him.”
“If that’s the reason…”

We’d have to hear Kart’s opinion, but he probably wouldn’t dislike it.

“But, is it common to bring back someone who’s been exiled?”
“Usually it’s not allowed. However, I need an heir to succeed me.”
“…? Can’t you choose one from within the tribe?”

Karakt shook his head with a serious expression.

“The chief of the Red Claw has always been from our bloodline.”
“Then, couldn’t you get married and have a child even now?”
“No, it has to be Kart.”

I’m speaking comfortably because of my memories from my previous life, but in terms of age, he’s nearly twice as old as I am now.

Despite that, there was no sign of a wife, let alone children. Could it be that he felt too guilty towards Kart to start a family?

But something about the nuance seemed a bit off…

“I can’t have children.”
“…?”
“My egg is broken.”
“…What?”