That day, Margrave Larcus, the noble ruler of the City of Gilm, faced a miserable awakening.
Ever since the report had arrived that Orcs had established a settlement only a day’s march from the city, the entire region—including the Knight Order—had been on high alert. With many of Gilm’s most capable adventurers participating in the Orc Subjugation Force, Larcus had been buried under a mountain of paperwork to support the operation while simultaneously managing his regular duties as lord. To make matters worse, a certain letter had arrived from the Royal Capital during this frantic period, making the last few days a literal whirlwind of exhaustion.
His only saving grace was the knowledge that this frantic pace had a deadline: it would end once the Orc Subjugation was complete. Had he been told to endure this for a month, even Margrave Larcus might have reached his breaking point and abandoned his post.
Just as that grueling day ended and he had finally succumbed to a heavy, mud-like sleep, the door to his bedroom was suddenly assaulted by a relentless series of knocks—rap-rap, tap-tap, thump-thump, bang-bang—jolting him awake.
Sitting up in bed, Margrave Larcus scanned the dark room. He judged that he hadn't been asleep for more than a few hours.
"What is it? What on earth happened?"
Maintaining his dignity as a lord, he threw a robe over his nightclothes and opened the door.
Standing on the other side was his secretary, who should have been just as exhausted as he was. However, unlike the Margrave, the man showed almost no sign of fatigue. If anything, his face glowed with a look of pure triumph.
"My Lord, I apologize for disturbing your rest at such an hour. However, there is something I must inform you of immediately."
"I don’t mind. What happened?"
"A few members of the Orc Subjugation Force returned just moments ago."
Margrave Larcus felt a flash of foreboding at the mention of only "a few members," but the feeling vanished with the secretary's next words.
"The report they delivered to the Guild has reached us. The Orc Subjugation was a complete success."
"Is that true?"
"Yes. Those few were sent ahead as heralds to report the victory as quickly as possible, and also..."
"And also what?"
"They rescued two women who were being held captive in the Orc settlement. It seems they were sent ahead to ensure the women could be put to rest and receive care without a moment's delay."
"...I see."
Women held in an Orc settlement. It was easy to imagine the horrors they had endured.
"Ensure they are welcomed warmly. Grant them enough support to become self-sufficient."
"Understood."
"Even so... they successfully wiped out the Orc settlement, did they?"
Margrave Larcus let out a long sigh of relief. If the Subjugation Force had failed, there was almost no military power left in the city to oppose the threat. He would have been forced to contact the Royal Capital and have the Noble's Faction or the King's Faction dispatch reinforcements, knowing full well it would cost him dearly in political favors later.
In that sense, that letter might have been convenient in its own way, he thought.
The memory of the letter that had arrived earlier that day crossed his mind, but he immediately shook it off. Regardless of the politics, the adventurers of Gilm had handled the threat on their own, and that was cause for celebration.
"So, what was leading the Orcs? Was it a Rare Species after all?"
Recently, reports of Rare Species discoveries had been increasing throughout the frontier. The most recent incident involved Goblins attacking travelers and merchants on the highway, supposedly led by a Rare Species.
Come to think of it, I haven't heard any reports of those Goblins for the last few days. Did they realize we were on alert and move elsewhere?
It didn't even occur to Margrave Larcus that the rookie adventurer with the Gryphon he’d been watching had already dealt with that particular threat.
His internal monologue was cut short when the secretary spoke again.
"No, my Lord. According to the returned adventurers, the leader was an Orc King."
"...What? Did I mishear you?"
The secretary shook his head solemnly.
"You did not. An Orc King was leading them. Furthermore, the presence of numerous High-ranking Species, such as Orc Archers, Orc Mages, and Orc Generals, has been confirmed. Additionally, while the initial intel suggested roughly fifty Orcs, the actual number was well over a hundred."
"Wait. Wait, wait, wait. An Orc King plus a small army of High-ranking Species? And over a hundred of them? How in the world did they win?"
According to the reports from the Guild Master, the Subjugation Force only consisted of about thirty people—hardly a match for a hundred Orcs led by a King.
"From what I've gathered, the A-Rank Party, the Axe of the Thunder God, served as the primary combat force and defeated the vast majority of them."
"Ah, right. I remember now—Elk’s group was part of the force. Forgive me; my brain isn't quite functioning yet."
"It's only natural, my Lord. You've been wrestling with a mountain of paperwork for days."
"Right... but wait. Did the Axe of the Thunder God defeat the Orc King?"
The secretary frowned slightly, hesitating. The information he had received was so unbelievable that he had been wondering if he should even pass it on to his superior.
"...Was it not them?"
Sensing the hesitation, Larcus pressed for an answer. The secretary seemed to resolve himself.
"Well, I haven't confirmed the details yet, so this is strictly based on what the heralds are saying, but..."
"Be direct, man."
"...A G-Rank adventurer defeated the Orc King in a single-handed duel."
"Absurd! An Orc King is a B-Rank monster! For a mere G-Rank adventurer to... No, wait. Are you certain that adventurer was G-Rank?"
"That is what the official record states."
Hearing those words, Rei’s face immediately flashed in the Margrave's mind. He couldn't think of any other G-Rank—a rank normally reserved for green amateurs—who could possibly fell an Orc King. In fact, he knew for a fact there was only one G-Rank adventurer in the entire Subjugation Force.
If the Gryphon had done it, I could accept it. But the report says he won in a duel. Does that mean Rei himself possesses the strength to slay a B-Rank monster?
In that moment, Rei's value to the city skyrocketed in the Margrave’s estimation.
The news had chased away any lingering sleepiness. Larcus immediately began barking out orders. Normally, sleep would have been his priority, but he was currently in a state where excitement, relief, and a sense of liberation made rest impossible.
"When will the main body of the Subjugation Force return?"
"They have to process the materials at the Orc settlement, so they expect to arrive the day after tomorrow at the earliest."
"The day after tomorrow... Good. Send a messenger to them on that morning. We will hold a triumphal parade upon their return."
"A parade? But my Lord, if we spend the budget on such an event..."
"I understand your concern. However, the news of an Orc settlement just a day away has already spread. To completely dispel the city's anxiety, we need to welcome them with grand fanfare."
The Subjugation Force was a massive undertaking, including an A-Rank Party and over thirty people. There was no way to keep it quiet, and rumors had already saturated the streets. To prevent these rumors from spiraling into panic, the Guild had already released official information. While that had prevented riots or hoarding, the underlying fear remained. Larcus decided that a spectacular welcome was the only way to wash away that lingering unease.
"In that case... we need a hero."
"A hero, my Lord?"
"Yes. Someone to serve as the face of this victory."
Two names came to mind. One was Elk, the leader of the Axe of the Thunder God, Gilm’s famous A-Rank Party. Larcus had met him several times and knew his character; he could trust Elk to understand the necessity of playing the part.
The other was Rei, the one who had actually slain the Orc King. Larcus had never met him and only knew him through reports.
Should I build Rei up as the city's hero right now? ...No, that's too risky. I don't know his temperament yet. If he's the type who hates the spotlight, I might drive him out of Gilm entirely. Besides, the residents will find it much easier to accept a famous figure like Elk as their savior rather than a rookie who just registered.
"It will be Elk."
"Ah, yes. My apologies. Elk it is. I will make the arrangements immediately."
The secretary had briefly wondered why he wouldn't use the man who actually killed the King, but he quickly reached the same conclusion as his lord and left the room.
Watching him go, Margrave Larcus sat heavily on the edge of his bed.
"Not only does he command an A-Rank Gryphon, but he has the personal strength to solo a B-Rank Orc King. If you factor in the Gryphon’s power, he’s effectively a one-man A-Rank Party. And yet he's still G-Rank... No, wait. G-Rank? I see."
The letter that had arrived yesterday flashed through his mind. It contained a request—which was essentially an order—to assist with a sensitive problem. The sender had specifically requested adventurers no higher than D-Rank.
"Even if Elk takes the spotlight for the parade, the fact that Rei killed the King remains. That achievement is more than enough to jump him to E-Rank and have him sit for the D-Rank Rank Up Exam immediately."
Coincidentally, Margrave Larcus was thinking the exact same thing as Bobbs, the official leading the force.
"Leaving someone of that caliber at G-Rank is nothing but a liability for Gilm."
He muttered this to himself, finally noticing the room was growing light. The sun had begun to rise while he was lost in thought.
Another busy day for Margrave Larcus was beginning. However, the exhaustion of the previous days was gone, replaced by the drive to prepare the city for its heroes.
Two days later, several carriages pulled by Warhorses were traveling along the highway toward the City of Gilm.
"A triumphal parade? And I have to be the one at the front?"
Inside one of the carriages, Elk’s disgruntled voice echoed. He was sharing the space with Min, Rhodos, Bobbs, and Rei.
His grumbling followed the arrival of a messenger who had informed them of the planned festivities. If it were just a parade, Elk wouldn't have been so annoyed, but being told he had to lead the procession from the city gates all the way to the Guild was too much for someone who hated stiff formalities.
"Just deal with it. Word of the Orc settlement has already reached the city," Min said, sitting across from him. Her tone made it clear there was no room for argument. "The Margrave needs to wipe out the people's fear."
"I know that, but you know how I feel about these grandiose displays."
"I do. But which matters more: your personal preference, or the peace of mind of the residents?"
"Urgh... Then why not Rei? He’s the one who took down the Orc King."
"Don't be ridiculous," Bobbs cut in. "You're a famous A-Rank adventurer. Rei only just registered. It’s obvious which one the public will respond to. ...Though, if Rei actually wants to do it, I could make the case."
Rei immediately shook his head.
"I’ll pass on anything that tedious. Tell you what... if it’s the Axe of the Thunder God they want, why not put Rhodos at the front? Call him the 'Successor of the Axe of the Thunder God' or something."
"Hey! Don't use me as a sacrificial lamb!" Rhodos shouted.
He didn't mind watching his parents in a parade, but the idea of being the center of attention himself was a nightmare.
"Everyone, settle down. Elk, give it up. Look, the city is in sight. We’re stopping here to get into formation."
Bobbs blew a Magic Whistle, and every carriage in the line came to a synchronized halt.