Chapter Four: A New Mission

After returning to the orc town that had just been attacked, Yuneiro expressed his hope that Lancer would stay. After all, orc ancestral rites often welcomed visitors from other races. Lancer was just about to agree when he received a new task.

“Quest Initiated—Revenge of the Undead: The Shadow Fiend attacked the orc village because a necromancer was researching an evil spell. After the Shadow Fiend left, the necromancer unexpectedly completed the magic. He now intends to experiment with it in the sentinel border city—Luminous Night City. If the spell succeeds, countless innocent civilians will perish. Intercept the necromancer in the forest.”

When he saw the quest, Lancer was again at a loss for words. This task was truly exasperating. Judging by his abilities, Lancer could easily counter a necromancer, but after his encounters with the Shadow Fiend and the Dark Ranger, he realized combat in this world was far from the ordinary battles of a game. During the duel with the Dark Ranger, for example, she had repeatedly used a double-arrow technique to pin him down. If he wanted to maximize the effectiveness of his poison abilities, a dagger or similar weapon would be best. Yet when he’d set out, he hadn’t brought any melee weapons at all. The thought left him conflicted.

“Lancer! Come have a drink!” Although Lancer hadn’t yet accepted the invitation, Bloodhoof, whose personality was even more forthright than Yuneiro’s, immediately dragged him over for a drink. Sipping quietly, Yuneiro noticed the subtle change in Lancer’s expression and asked, “Lancer, is something troubling you?” Hearing this, Bloodhoof paused for a moment, then laughed loudly: “Hahaha, if there’s something, just say it! You’ve just done our orc tribe a great favor. If you need help, we won’t refuse.” He took another swig.

“How much longer until your ancestral rites begin?” Lancer suddenly asked.

“Hmm, three days. Why?” Bloodhoof had guessed Lancer had a request.

“I’d like to know how long it would take your best wolf riders to reach Luminous Night City from here?” Lancer finally revealed his intent. After all, going with companions was safer than going alone.

“About half a day,” Yuneiro answered after some thought.

“I hope you two can accompany me to Luminous Night City.” Lancer’s expression turned grave. Though he was not of this world, he didn’t want to watch living people be slaughtered by the Scourge.

“Is something going on?” Bloodhoof asked, noticing his solemnity.

“While wandering, I happened to hear that the Scourge may be plotting something in Luminous Night City. That’s why I happened to pass by here,” Lancer said, without revealing the source of his information.

“How reliable is your intel?” Bloodhoof’s brows furrowed.

“Over eighty percent.”

Bloodhoof was momentarily stunned by Lancer’s confidence. “Alright then. But at my speed, I doubt I can be much help. Our ancestral rites are important, after all.” He looked at Yuneiro.

“Why are you looking at me? I never said I wouldn’t go!” Yuneiro finished his drink and stood up.

“Old Huate! Have your wolf cubs prepare our two finest war wolves!” Yuneiro called, and an elderly shaman hurried out.

Seeing Lancer hesitate, Yuneiro said, “No need to thank me. This is a matter of importance.”

“I just wanted to say you spat in my drink.” Not waiting for Yuneiro and Bloodhoof’s odd expressions, Lancer downed his drink in one gulp. Then, along with Yuneiro, he took the reins of two war wolves from the old shaman. Yet once astride, Lancer felt as if his bones would scatter to the wind—riding these beasts made horseback riding seem laughably easy in comparison.

––––––––– Transition –––––––––

After more than an hour’s gallop, the two entered the forest near Luminous Night City. At this moment, Lancer’s ring alerted him to the presence of another sentinel hero nearby. He also noticed a trace of amusement on Yuneiro’s lips. How could one tell an orc was smiling? With a mouth so wide, only the blind would miss it.

“Well, it seems our luck isn’t bad today,” Yuneiro said, halting his war wolf.

“Hey! Sven! Come out!” Yuneiro’s booming voice startled countless birds into flight. But it was effective—a figure emerged from the trees.

“Can’t you orcs keep your voices down? Bloodhoof is loud, and so are you. Why can’t you be more like Lord Thrall?” the newcomer complained.

“Haha, Lord Thrall is a shaman, not a warrior like us,” Yuneiro laughed.

“By the way, Yuneiro, is there some emergency that you’re riding a war wolf? You can run as fast as they do.”

“Apparently the Scourge is plotting something in Luminous Night City, according to Lancer here.” Yuneiro gestured to his companion.

“Oh, you’re the one everyone’s talking about. You look so young.” Lancer, originally in his early twenties, had inexplicably reverted to his teenage years upon arriving in this world.

“Don’t underestimate him, Sven. Even Nevermore and Bone Fletcher couldn’t take him down.” Lancer was still very young for this world, and heroes of his age were few.

Lancer only grinned sheepishly. After all, the Shadow Fiend had never used his ultimate, which was truly terrifying, and Bone Fletcher seemed only to have tried to delay him rather than unleash his full power. Lancer knew better than to underestimate these heroes—he hadn’t even beaten Yuneiro yet.

“Alright, if the Scourge are up to something, I’m in. They destroyed another small town in the last war, and I intend to settle the score this time.” Sven’s tone grew steely. Of all the sentinels, Sven was among the most righteous and had no intention of missing the battle. Lancer was glad for the added strength.

The two rode their war wolves toward the city while Sven headed there on foot.

––––––––– Time Shift –––––––––

When the two arrived at Luminous Night City, they found the city unchanged. Yuneiro hopped from his wolf. “Hey, Lancer, are you sure your intel is good?” Gazing at the peaceful town, even Yuneiro began to doubt.

“I hope so.” Lancer sighed. His quest prompt had just triggered, and seeing this tranquil town, he resolved to protect it at all costs.

“Big brother, would you like to buy an apple?” Standing inside the city gate, Lancer and Yuneiro were approached by a child peddling fruit. Too frightened by the imposing orc, the boy turned instead to Lancer.

“Oh, thank you. I’ll take two,” Lancer replied, glancing at Yuneiro.

“Hey, kid, why are you looking at me? You’ve got the same look as Sven when he’s broke. Doesn’t anyone carry money around here? Any one of you could probably buy the whole city if you wanted.” Muttering, Yuneiro still handed over a gold coin, which Lancer passed to the boy.

“Sir, here are your apples. I don’t have change—could you wait a bit?” The boy, afraid of angering Lancer, didn’t dare look up. Someone carrying only gold coins was not someone an orphan could afford to cross.

“Go ahead. My companion and I have business here, so I’ll wait for you to return.” Lancer even smiled at him. Though he had no interest in boys, this child’s innocence was endearing, and besides, it wasn’t his money.

“Thank you, sir!” The boy ran off happily.

“Perhaps one day we’ll fall fighting those monsters, but children like him are the future of the Sentinel.” Yuneiro’s tone grew uncharacteristically wistful. He remembered his teacher—the first Blade Master—who perished in the first defense against the Scourge. Countless heroes fell then: the Archmage, the Mountain King of the dwarves, the first Moon Priestess of the elves, and the first orc Blade Master. Their sacrifices bought time for new heroes to rise. Yuneiro took up his master’s blade and returned to war. The Archmage’s apprentice, now the famed Mage of Light, swore vengeance for his master, and the long-retired Blood Mage donned his faded cloak for his dwindling kin. Many new heroes were born, and Yuneiro, once a boy himself, had now fought for decades. His own disciples had grown into the Dread Troll Warlord and the Godly Warrior, both feared by the Scourge. The thought brought a shadow to his eyes; one never knew when the old would bury the young, and even the strongest warriors could feel a moment of fragility.

At that moment, Lancer felt a strange fluctuation. “Yuneiro, do you sense that?” Before Yuneiro could reply, Lancer pulled him aside.

With a muffled explosion, black flames ignited above the city gate. Curiously, despite the destruction, no sound could be heard.

“Sir!” came a shout from within the gate, just as a magic missile flew past.