Chapter 43: The History and Conflicts of the Orcs (Part II)

Due to the great defeat suffered by the orcs, they developed a strange and conflicted attitude toward those different from their own kind. They once harbored hostility toward half-orcs, for the mere sight of them reminded the orcs of their humiliation in that crushing defeat, and thus they initially rejected half-orcs. However, humans were even less accepting of half-orcs. While orcs initially treated half-orcs with indifference, humans and other races insulted by half-orcs sought to eradicate this mark of shame entirely. This forced many half-orcs to flee to the mountains. At that time, the orcs were weakened and desperately needed fresh blood to replenish their numbers; otherwise, they would not be able to withstand the continued human onslaught.

Ultimately, the orcs accepted the half-orcs, categorizing them according to the bloodlines of their creators. If the paternal and maternal traits were equally prominent, the half-orc was generally assigned to the tribe that raised them. Yet within all tribes, pure-blooded orcs held the highest positions. Although half-orcs were incorporated into the tribes and allowed to reproduce, they never gained core status. The chieftainship was traditionally hereditary among pure-blooded orcs, and even elder positions in the tribes were rarely granted to half-orcs—only a few brave half-orcs who had performed great deeds had ever been honored this way.

Nonetheless, the inclusion of half-orcs proved beneficial to both sides. The orcs gained new strength, enabling them to resist human aggression during those trying times. Some human scholars later reflected that the initial exclusion of half-orcs was one of humanity’s mistakes after their victory over the orcs; had they accepted half-orcs earlier, the orcs might have been wiped out entirely. For the half-orcs, this acceptance gave them a home, ending their status as a homeless, outcast people.

Despite this, the prohibition against intermarriage between different races among orcs was never fully abolished, resulting in a peculiar situation. Some high-ranking orcs who prided themselves on their pure bloodlines insisted on marrying only within their own pure-blooded kind. Others, while looking down on half-orcs within their ranks, lived surprisingly uninhibited lives. For example, the centaur House of Orcs especially favored relationships with female donkey-people. The centaurs possessed formidable virility and extraordinary endurance—while other tribes might tolerate their notable prowess, they could not endure the centaurs’ frequent and relentless vigor. Only the donkey-people, known throughout the orc world for their endurance and resilience, could keep pace even in such matters. Although orcs generally forbade the formation of new tribes through interbreeding, they were surprisingly accepting of the mule-people produced by centaurs, likely because the mule-people had proven invaluable during the great war, leaving a deep impression that softened orc prejudices.

In summary, orc marriage customs remain complex and contradictory. New tribes formed solely from pure-blooded orcs are generally forbidden, with the mule-people being a notable exception. Half-orcs born from unions between pure-blooded orcs and others are superficially still banned, but in practice, half-orcs are accepted and integrated—albeit dispersed among the tribes to prevent them from gaining independent power. Pure-blooded orcs strive to maintain equal intermarriage among themselves, but half-orcs do not adhere as strictly, though tribal laws and kingdom statutes still make large-scale intertribal marriages impossible. Honorably distinguished half-orcs or famed warriors, however, may marry into other tribes if they so desire.

Even the orc war god seems to accept this strange arrangement. The great war drastically reduced orc populations, so permitting half-orcs to join, though not easily fostering true followers, is preferable to having none at all.

Even the most uninhibited centaur warriors do not immediately act on their desires upon seeing Indira. After all, in ancient times, the Smai tribe was the ruling clan among orcs—back then, there was no joint governance by eight tribes. Among the eight tribes of the present orc kingdom, only the Rhine, Taigo, and Fort clans were dominant in ancient times. Others, such as Wolf and Biel, occupied only middle ranks.

Amid curious and reverent gazes from both sides of the road, the female Smai walked along a street far wider than those of humans, entering the royal palace of Einimon City.

Inside the palace, people had been waiting a long time. Since Indira left the Nanktesybius Mountains, word had traveled swiftly through orc communication channels to the capital. When they were still three hundred kilometers from Einimon, Gina, the female Cartellan guiding Indira, had entered the city ahead to announce her arrival, allowing for a smooth entry.

Although this meeting involved only orcs, these were from two very different worlds: one, the ancient orcs who abandoned the Old Continent and thrived in the New; the other, those left behind who formed the joint governance of eight tribes.

Indira stepped along the carpet toward the throne at the hall’s end. Flanking her were various orcs: stocky centaur warriors, towering Orlfen warriors, the northern-dwelling Biel and Mank clans, Wolf and Fort clans. Closest to the throne, the Rhine and Taigo clans stood in strict rows. The Taigo bore cold, disdainful expressions as they eyed the female Smai, while the Rhine appeared outwardly kinder, furtively grooming their golden sideburns even under the king’s watchful gaze.

At that moment, Sisley felt faint. She never imagined she would suddenly face so many orcs—some of them from clans she had never even heard of, like the Orlfen elephant-people, whose pillar-like legs were astonishing. She was shocked to discover such shameless tribes existed—beings with the lower bodies of horses and upper bodies of humans, four hooves and two hands, with an exposed and ever-growing monstrous member standing straighter and thicker than a door bolt or a pen. Unlike other orcs who at least wore clothing, these centaur-like orcs seemed utterly unashamed. Could they be from the infamous centaur House?

Indira had no time to be as startled as Sisley; she was on a mission. Approaching the current orc king, Antaeox of the Rhine clan, she revealed a scepter made of gold and studded with countless rare magic crystals.

“Oh? The Radiant Scepter? Cartellan High Priestess, could you verify it for us?” The Rhine king’s eyes brightened. An elderly Fort priest stepped forward from the ranks, carefully taking the exquisite scepter from the female Smai and examining it.

After a moment, the old priest responded, “Yes, Your Majesty. This is indeed the Radiant Scepter, forged to symbolize the inheritance of power.”

Upon hearing this confirmation from the Fort priest, the orcs regarded Indira with more kindness. This proved she was not lying—she was truly a female Smai and the legitimate envoy of the distant King Bimon. In ancient times, King Bimon wielded no weapons, relying on invincible bodies and claws, but to facilitate the transmission of power, a beautiful scepter was forged—the very Radiant Scepter before them.

Today, the orcs of the Western Continent pass down their authority through a war god’s hammer, crafted by divine decree and wielded by each successive king. This hammer is not only a symbol of power but also a secondary artifact of immense might. A secondary artifact is an item created according to divine ordinance. The orc war god designed this powerful artifact for the orcs, including its forging methods and materials. Though orcs cannot wield magic, the rare magic crystals embedded in the hammer grant it spell-like effects. However, since the war god did not imbue it with divine power, relying solely on design and crystal magic, it is classified as a secondary artifact.

“Indeed, you are the envoy of King Bimon. Do you have a message for us?” Antaeox finally spoke, confirming Indira’s identity and acknowledging her as the king’s envoy.

“Before I speak, could you please arrange for my friend to rest?” Indira referred to the frightened Sisley.

“Of course.” Antaeox agreed and kindly signaled the Fort priest Cartellan to attend to her. The elderly priest sent two young Fort priestesses to escort Sisley away. Seeing these beautiful female Forts tending to her instead of the fierce Wolf or Taigo, or the shameless centaur House, Sisley finally calmed and obediently followed, though she worried about Indira facing so many orcs alone. Her subconscious refused to reconcile the image of Indira—comparable to the most graceful human ladies—with these coarse orcs before her.

“All right, you may speak now,” Antaeox said once Sisley had disappeared from view.