The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

“…This land is truly blessed. Chwik.”

“Indeed, Great Chief. Chwik. A land where fruits grow without farming—unbelievable. Chwik.”

Standing atop the makeshift fortifications—crudely patched with wood and sand over crumbling stone walls—were Orcs with green skin.

Their upturned noses, exposed lower tusks, and rugged features gave them a fierce and rough appearance. Physically, they were imposing, averaging a height of 2 meters, making them inherently superior to humans.

With an incredibly fast growth rate, they reached adulthood in just two years, making the Orcs a formidable race. Moreover, with each birth producing four to five offspring, their population growth was unparalleled.

However, sustaining such a population required vast amounts of food and prey.

“Have all the tribe members settled, chwik?”

“Yes, chwik. The land is indeed vast. Chwik. Our subordinate tribes have also found suitable places to settle. Chwik.”

Standing atop the wall were the Great Chief Mauhagr and the chiefs of the Blackstone Tribe Alliance.

Mauhagr, towering at over 2.5 meters, was exceptionally large even among Orcs, who averaged about 2 meters.

His immense strength and leadership had helped him lead his tribe effectively. Mauhagr leaned his axe against the wall and started reminiscing. The harsh and barren plains.

A place where food was always scarce and dangerous predators constantly roamed. Despite this, the Blackstone Tribe had survived through the ages.

The years of struggle and survival had forged the tribe into one of the top ten great tribes among the Orcs. And then one fateful day, the prophecy that their ancestors had foretold came to pass.

“Return to the ancient homeland beyond the ‘Mystic Gate’. Though days of struggle and trials await, the future of the tribe lies there.”

The grand prophecy spoke unanimously by the shamans of the entire tribe. Subsequently, the enormous ‘Mystic Gate’ appeared.

Though it was only natural to follow the prophecy, not everyone was in agreement.

“This place is our home now. Chwik. Why risk finding our old home, chwik?”

Five of the ten great tribes chose to stay, Leaving the land they had settled over thousands of years wasn’t easy. The remaining five chose to follow the prophecy.

“This land is dying. Chwik. Staying in a place losing its vitality is no different from abandoning life itself. Chwik.”

“For the sake of our future generations, we must reclaim our ancient homeland, chwik!”

As the five great tribes crossed the gate, they were greeted by the heart of the Forbidden Zone, teeming with mana and life force. Naturally, there were already inhabitants, so war was inevitable.

“They’re just powerful prey, chwik! Defeat them all and reclaim our homeland, chwik!”

“There’s no place left to return, chwik! We must establish a foothold for our kin still at the mystical gate, chwik.”

The monstrous creatures of the Forbidden Zone were formidable. However, despite their individual strength, they weren’t united. In contrast, the Orc tribes formed a cohesive army centered around powerful war chiefs and shamans.

Though many Orcs shed their blood, they eventually succeeded in driving the powerful monsters to the periphery of the forest and Forbidden Zone, securing the heartland.

Now, the fruits of their labor were before their eyes. Abundant edible plants and fruit trees thrived. There were enough animals and prey to sustain the entire Orc tribe.

“Indeed, it is an abundant land as foretold. Chwik. We were right to choose our ancient homeland, Great Chief, chwik.”

The nearby monsters remained a threat. Even compared to the world they had left behind, many strong creatures deserved the term “monsters”. Even now, as they held their ground, warriors bled daily at the borders.

But it was manageable. That was what unsettled Mauhagr. The tribe members were content with the current situation, but as the Great Chief, he needed to see further ahead.

‘There must have been a reason our ancestors left such an abundant land. And according to the stories, there were other races living here besides us…’

Six months had passed since they crossed the mystical gate. They had driven out the previous occupants and settled, but his instincts kept warning him. The real challenge had yet to begin.

“Great Chief, the scouts have returned, chwik.”

It didn’t take long for his fears to materialize. The seemingly impassable walls to the north and south of their world vanished overnight.

*

‘Hmm.’

Raul examined the map on the table carefully. Continuous aerial reconnaissance after the barrier opened had gathered information about the interior of the Forbidden Zone.

And today, the map, once darkened, was now brightly lit with new details.

“Amazing. Where did these creatures even come from?”

Second Combat Group Leader Homer shook his head in disbelief.

“It’s baffling. It doesn’t seem like they’ve been settled for long. If they really came through the gate…”

As Fourth Combat Sub-Captain Omar furrowed his brow and spoke, the room filled with heavy sighs. The western Forbidden Zone’s Monster Forest was enormous—comparable to the size of two kingdoms combined.

Its periphery was a dense forest of massive trees and rough terrain. Yet, deep within lay a vast plain, an almost paradisiacal land surrounded by the forest like natural walls.

The Orcs had settled in the central part of this plain, dividing it vertically into three sections. They occupied the middle, bordered by forests to the north and south.

To their left and right were areas teeming with monsters driven out by the Orcs. The most crucial point was that the number of Orcs was far higher than anyone had anticipated.

“Even the rough estimates suggest over ten million. And we have no idea how many more are beyond the gate that hasn’t closed yet.”

Kane reported.

Jake whistled, “Whew. Just like the master said, this is almost on the scale of a kingdom. Seventy thousand during the civil war was massive, but this….”

Given the nature of the Orc race, except for very young children and the elderly, almost everyone was a combatant.

“What’s even more worrying is that these Orcs are unlike any we’ve encountered. According to those who have faced their scouts, they are at least 1.5 to 2 times stronger than the Orcs that appear in the kingdom. Moreover, unlike ordinary Orcs that don’t surpass monster intelligence, these ones possess significant intellect, making them even more challenging opponents.”

The seriousness of the situation weighed heavily on the leaders listening to Kane’s briefing.

These Orcs, being inherently stronger and far more numerous than humans, and intelligent on top of that, represented a newfound force capable of contesting the continent’s dominance.

At this, Raul finished his contemplation and spoke.

“Everyone, focus. I understand your concerns, but the situation isn’t entirely bleak.”

Raul drew several lines on the map with his hand.

“As you can see, they aren’t united into a single collective. From the arrangement of their villages and tribes, you can tell they’re divided into five major groups.”

The lines Raul drew effectively divided the Orcs into five distinct groups.

“Furthermore, there’s no immediate reason for them to attack us. Luckily, it’s the harvest season, so they’re well-supplied with food.”

Orcs typically don’t covet land beyond what they need.

They rely on hunting and gathering rather than settling and farming.

‘So when they start running out of food, they’ll likely try to expand their territory.’

Though conflict was inevitable if the population of the Orcs continued to grow explosively, that was a concern for the future.

“For now, let’s focus on the fact that they have another enemy besides us—the Empire.”

With a gesture from Raul, Kane took over the explanation.

“This is footage from the northern forest edge of the Monster Plains, which we’ll refer to from now on.”

The magic screen displayed aerial footage showing dozens of humans. Zooming in, the armor they wore bore the black dragon emblem of the Empire. The next footage revealed a wall of bones barely visible through the foliage.

“The Empire is already there?”

“They’ve even constructed ramparts….”

It was clear why Raul had focused on establishing a strong defensive line. The Forbidden Zone didn’t just hide powerful monsters; two massive forces were also in play.

This identified the four factions now vying for control over the Monster Forest. The original monster inhabitants of the Forbidden Zone. Raul’s First Knight Order and their players, forming their base in the southeast.

The Orcs occupying the central Monster Plains. And the Empire to the north. All four factions likely had the same goal: securing the fertile, resource-rich Monster Plains. This inevitably meant war.

“For now, we will monitor the situation calmly and look for opportunities. Advise our players not to cross our defensive lines unnecessarily and prevent any unnecessary conflicts with the Orcs.”

“Yes, Master!”

Though the meeting ended on that note, Raul wasn’t planning to sit passively and wait for opportunities. When there isn’t an opening, one must create one.

The best strategy in the current situation was, ‘To instigate a conflict between the Empire and the Orcs.’

While the two forces exhausted themselves in battle, Raul’s forces could prepare and strike decisively. This was Raul’s ideal scenario.

In his past life, it had been the large guild alliance that first clashed with the Orcs. Brimming with confidence, they had underestimated the difference between ordinary Orcs and the new Orc tribes, pushing into the Monster Plains recklessly,

‘Only to be thoroughly defeated and forced into a retreat, almost losing the Forbidden Zone’s entry points.’

The Empire had then taken advantage, advancing into the heart of the Forbidden Zone while the kingdom alliance had to fight on two fronts, including the western Forbidden Zone.

Raul had no intention of repeating such foolish mistakes. A direct conflict with the Orcs might be too much for his current defensive lines and First Knight Order’s forces to handle.

‘A ten-million-strong army is significant no matter how you look at it.’

It was easy to write down such a number, but facing it in reality was an overwhelming prospect. Thus, the first wave of the Orcs had to head north, not south.

‘Let’s see who’s stronger.’

Raul’s lips curled into a slight smile. The next day, Raul entered the Monster Plains alone for a special mission.

*

Shwink.

A mana-infused sword sliced cleanly through an elemental monster.

“…Doesn’t something feel off?”

The swordsman who retrieved his blade tilted his head.

“What do you mean? That the monsters are tougher? We’re deep in the Forbidden Zone, so that’s expected, right?”

Inside the secondary barrier of the Elemental Jungle.After the major guild meeting, the players began a full-scale pioneering rush.

Elite squads from various guilds, forming five to ten-member parties, scoured the jungle for new pioneer points.

“No, it’s not that. Have you noticed the elemental traps haven’t triggered for a while?”

“Now that you mention it, yeah.”

The traps that frequently activated up to the secondary barrier’s edge had gone silent.

“And don’t the monsters seem… different? They used to act on instinct, but now they’re….”

Their movements were showing traces of organization, almost as if receiving orders.

“The change might suggest something’s up. Everyone, keep a close eye on the surroundings! There might be a pioneer point nearby—ugh!”

“What the—ugh!”

“It’s an ambush! Defensive forma—!”

Shwink! Thud!

Within just a couple of breaths, the first arrow claimed its victim, and in the blink of an eye, nine of the ten party members, excluding the captain and tank, were dead.

The tank looked at the arrow that had pierced his shield and stopped right between his eyebrows, cold sweat trickling down his neck.

‘Who the hell—!’

He thought only other players would use metal weapons in the Elemental Jungle. But his thoughts were cut short. An arrow arched over his shield and pierced his forehead like a serpent going over a wall.

In his last moments, he glimpsed, ‘Pointy ears…?’

On the same day and at roughly the same time, elite pioneering teams from various guilds who crossed the secondary barrier of the Elemental Jungle were annihilated.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:
We have the Orcs, the Empires, the Guilds, and now the pointy ears. Who’s willing to be they are elves?