Undercurrents Surge

In the quiet room of the Orlando Adventurer's Guild headquarters, the scent of expensive incense mingled with aged parchment.

The walls were constructed from polished obsidian, muffling the outside clamor and absorbing the light.

In the center of the room, a communication crystal as tall as a person emitted a steady, soft blue light, the sole source of illumination, reflecting on Leon and Liana within.

Leon leaned casually against a high-backed, velvet-padded chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

Liana, on the other hand, was slumped in another chair, her posture utterly lacking any lady-like grace. Her legs were propped up on a low table, and she held a cup of "Sweet Kiss" rainbow slushie, frosty and steaming, spooning it listlessly with a silver spoon. Her eyes, like those of a dead fish, were half-open, resembling a lazy cat.

Ripples spread across the crystal's surface, and a synthesized voice, magically altered to be unrecognizable, emanated from it in a flat tone:

"Captain Leon, Member Liana. The preliminary report regarding the Orc attack on the official road east of Changhe City has been received. The Guild headquarters commends your efficient crisis management and efforts to preserve the merchant caravan's property."

Leon straightened slightly, a habitual smile on his face. "It was nothing. However, the presence of these Orcs in the kingdom's heartland, at this time and place, is rather peculiar."

"More than peculiar," Liana mumbled indistinctly around her spoon, "Those green-skins were like they'd been injected with something. And there was this big guy in tin can armor, almost gutted that guy. If it weren't for me..."

"Ahem," Leon coughed lightly. "Liana means to emphasize that the combat will and individual strength of this group of Orcs seemed to exceed that of ordinary raiders."

The voice in the crystal paused before continuing, "Your observations corroborate recent intelligence. In the past month, over thirty reports of Orc incursions have been received from the kingdom's eastern and southern borders. The scale has not been large, mostly small groups of dozens of individuals, but their actions have been exceptionally swift and destructive."

"So many?" Leon's smile faded. "Where are they coming from?"

"Based on analysis of captured individuals and tracking intelligence, these Orcs were not acting out of plunder," the voice in the crystal explained. "They are more akin to defeated remnants from an internal Orc war."

"Defeated in an internal war?" Leon mused. "So the ones we encountered were just scattered remnants? That's not something ordinary Orcs would do. They usually beat each other bloody over who gets a bigger piece of meat."

"Maybe some unlucky deity lost a bet and was punished by being sent to be a military advisor for the Orcs?" Liana guessed gleefully, scooping another large spoonful of slushie.

"Precisely. These defeated soldiers are currently merely causing scattered trouble, not posing a significant threat to the kingdom." The voice in the crystal shifted, becoming solemn. "However, what truly causes 'concern' for us, and for the Royal Capital, is the 'strongman' who may have already, or is about to, unify the Orc tribes."

"Forewarned is forearmed, I understand," Leon immediately grasped the intention. "A unified Orc empire, even in its nascent stage, would be a sword hanging over the kingdom's head."

"Easy for you to say," Liana scraped the last bit of slushie from her cup and pouted. "Unifying Orcs? Sounds terrifying. That guy probably doesn't have eight arms and breathe fire, does he?"

The voice in the crystal cut directly to the chase: "His Majesty's stance is clear: we absolutely cannot stand by and watch such a potential, massive threat quietly take shape on our flank. The Guild has accepted a commission – to ascertain the Orc leader's background, and assess his true strength and intentions. If his threat is confirmed to be immense..."

"...then eliminate him, and let the Orcs go back to fighting like dogs over territory and food, got it," Leon finished the sentence for the other party, his tone unreadable.

"The Guild's position is to maintain the status quo," the voice in the crystal stated emotionlessly. "A unified Orc force or a completely harmless Orc tribe are both unacceptable to the Guild."

"Nothing new under the sun," Liana put down her empty slushie cup, stretched, and yawned ungracefully. "Oh, great Randall, great Lord of Radiance, I mean no disrespect."

The voice in the crystal seemed to ignore Liana's grumbling. "Captain Leon, your abilities are sufficient for this task. A detailed mission briefing and advance operational funds will be personally delivered to you by the Orlando branch president later."

"I'll handle it," Leon stood up.

He knew that this so-called "forewarning" was inevitably intertwined with the strategic considerations and power struggles of the kingdom and the Guild.

But what concerned him more was preventing a war that could sweep across the border and displace countless civilians.

"I will investigate thoroughly," Leon's tone was calm but decisive. "As for that Orc leader... I will make what I believe to be the correct judgment based on the investigation's results."

The voice in the crystal did not object. "We await your report. Communication ends."

"Sigh, a life of toil," Liana also stood up, stretching widely.

Leon opened the door to the quiet room, and the branch president waiting outside immediately stepped forward.

"Lord Leon, Lady Liana..."

"We'll take the mission," Leon nodded. "Put the briefing and funds on my desk."

He took a couple of steps, then stopped, turning back to look at the branch president, his expression becoming serious.

"By the way, Mr. President," Leon said, "There's something I need you to handle."

The branch president immediately bowed. "Please instruct me, my lord!"

Leon leaned in and whispered a few words.

The branch president nodded repeatedly, a hint of confusion in his eyes, but more so, respect.

Having given his instructions, Leon no longer lingered. He left the Adventurer's Guild with Liana, who was still yawning.

The branch president remained standing there, silently contemplating the instructions of the Gold rank dignitary.

That same night, outside Orlando City.

The twin moons hung high, casting a clear, cool radiance across the land.

The majestic city walls loomed like silent beasts in the night. The gates were long closed, and the drawbridge was raised.

Xia Lin and Sera, dragging their weary bodies, finally arrived outside the East Gate.

"Curfew," Xia Lin muttered as he looked at the closed gate.

"Camp in the wilderness?" Sera's hoarse voice carried a hint of exhaustion.

"Don't be ridiculous." Xia Lin straightened up, walked to the base of the gate, gathered his strength, and shouted towards the top of the wall: "Hey! Brothers on the wall! Do us a favor! Urgent business to enter the city!"

A rustling sound came from the wall, and a sleepy guard poked his head out, shouting impatiently: "What are you yelling about! Can't you see it's curfew? Come back at dawn! Scram!"

"Don't do that, big brother!" Xia Lin immediately put on a smile, pulled a silver coin from his space bag, and flashed it in the moonlight, ensuring the other party could see its enticing gleam. "We just came from the east and ran into those damned Orcs on the road, which delayed our journey! This little token is just a small gesture, buy yourselves some late-night snacks to boost your spirits! Please be accommodating, we're in urgent need!"

Upon seeing the silver coin, the guard's attitude immediately changed.

"This is a one-time exception!" a small side door creaked open.

Xia Lin handed over the silver coins and pulled Sera into the city quickly.

Once inside, the streets were wide and buildings lined them, exuding a prosperous aura even in the dead of night.

Xia Lin's spirits lifted, and he pointed towards the distant lights, "Over there is the Drunken Dragon tavern! And the Moulin Rouge..."

"Shut up, human," Sera interrupted him. "Find a bed to sleep in."

Xia Lin's enthusiasm was dampened, and he reluctantly began searching for an inn. However, after asking at several places, they were all full. Even the most remote small inns had "Full" signs hanging out.

"Is there some kind of celebration in Orlando tonight?" Xia Lin stood at the entrance of an inn, looking at the bustling crowd inside, feeling a bit dejected.

"Perhaps your luck is just bad," Sera leaned against the wall with arms crossed, their tone mocking.

Finally, at a large inn on the outskirts of the city, the owner pointed to the adjacent stable. "No rooms left. The stable is five copper coins a night, take it or leave it."

Sera looked at the shed that reeked of hay and horse manure, their brow furrowed.

"It's better than sleeping on the street," Xia Lin was indifferent and walked directly towards the stable.

The two found a pile of hay in a corner.

Xia Lin placed his weapons nearby, confirmed his space bag was hidden close to his body, and practically fell asleep the moment his head touched the hay. The consecutive battles and travel had completely exhausted his energy.

Sera looked around with disgust, but ultimately couldn't fight off their fatigue. They curled up on another pile of hay and closed their eyes, which burned with dark red flames.

In the stable, the horses occasionally snorted, becoming a monotonous background sound.

For this pair of temporary partners who had just faced death, this night was surprisingly peaceful.