I Want to Become Stronger

Watching Kaldara's arrogant expression, Malone suddenly felt a trace of envy.

After coming to Azeroth, Malone had finally realized just how important strength was.

Just as he had killed low-level characters in Stranglethorn Vale, in this world—especially within the Horde—the strong could kill the weak, while the weak couldn't even get anyone to speak up for the most basic justice.

Malone wanted to be like Kaldara and Zul'jin, but not so he could throw his weight around like they did.

Malone knew that even Zul'jin and Kaldara were no match for Nozdormu, the Bronze Guardian Dragon.

But he also knew that if he were as strong as they were, he could at least protect Tiffany, and no other Orc would dare object to what he did.

Malone was already powerful, at least compared with ordinary Orc warriors—but it still wasn't enough.

He had to find a way to level up as soon as possible. Malone made a silent resolution. At the very least, he had to escort Tiffany somewhere safe.

As Malone hurried after Teron Gorefiend and Kaldara, wondering how he could become stronger, the two of them began discussing something else.

"Teron Gorefiend, what did you think of Orgrim's performance today?"

Kaldara asked as they walked.

"...The Warchief is too weak."

Teron Gorefiend hesitated, but then spoke.

"Weak? You mean Orgrim? Interesting... Aren't you afraid I'll tell him what you said?"

Kaldara chuckled.

"You won't. And you think the same way I do."

Teron Gorefiend spoke without expression.

"What are you two talking about?"

Malone caught up from behind and asked.

"Teron Gorefiend says Orgrim is too weak. I think so too... What about you, Maiko... Malone?"

To Malone's surprise, Kaldara had actually remembered his name.

He must have heard Teron Gorefiend call me that, Malone thought.

Still, this Orc was more observant than most. He'd even noticed a detail like that.

"Weak... In what way?"

Malone also thought Orgrim's earlier performance had lacked the authority expected of an Orc Warchief, but he didn't know what Teron Gorefiend and Kaldara considered weak about him.

Was he weak toward Kilrogg or Zul'jin?

"Both."

Teron Gorefiend was always brief, but his words cut deep.

That was right. Both.

Malone had no idea how to rule tens of thousands of savage, brutal, and fractious Orcs. He also knew that if he were in Orgrim's place, he'd do a hundred times worse.

But as an outsider looking in, Malone felt Orgrim's approach had pleased neither side.

At a time like this, especially when someone had already died—no, when an Orc had died—punishing both sides equally wouldn't resolve the conflict. And Orgrim's punishment had been far too light.

"I think Orgrim should have been tougher. As for Kilrogg... his actions were clearly a challenge to Orgrim's authority. Orgrim should have done something about it instead of just letting him leave."

Malone offered his opinion.

"Orgrim isn't suited to be the Orcs' Warchief."

Kaldara said.

Not suited? Malone shook his head.

History had shown that, apart from Thrall, Orgrim was the most outstanding Orc Warchief. He had led the Orcs to conquer half of Azeroth—almost.

"Orgrim is an excellent second-in-command. I've never met anyone better. He's clever and brave in battle. But as a Warchief, he always thinks too much."

Kaldara seemed to notice that Malone wasn't convinced, so he explained.

"How could a Warchief not think things through?"

Malone shook his head. He thought it was always better for Orgrim to plan ahead.

"For instance, just now... I was already challenging Orgrim's authority. If it had been Blackhand, he would have grabbed a weapon and charged at me with a roar."

"He wouldn't have stopped to consider whether he could beat me or whether I might kill him. If anyone challenged his authority, he would make them pay in blood."

Kaldara said.

"But Blackhand died, and Orgrim replaced him as Warchief."

Malone replied.

What man didn't want to take revenge and act without restraint? But sometimes, when you weren't sure you could win, backing down a little wasn't an unforgivable mistake.

Like when Malone used to play in the arena. If he ran into a team he couldn't beat, sometimes he'd stop queueing for a while to avoid them.

"You're not wrong... But Orgrim thought of Blackhand just now. He remembered that his predecessor had died that way, and that's why he let my behavior pass."

"And that's exactly why Kilrogg grew bolder... Otherwise, do you think he's the kind of person who would storm out of a meeting like this just because he was angry?"

Kaldara explained.

Was that so? Malone suddenly realized he'd overlooked a lot.

So Kilrogg had acted that way because Orgrim hadn't responded to Kaldara's provocation?

"Do you understand now? Orgrim doesn't want to offend the Burning Blade Clan. He doesn't want to break the alliance between the Orcs and the Trolls. He doesn't want this, he doesn't want that... In the end, he gets nothing done."

"Even though he thinks things through, events always end up taking a turn he never anticipated."

Kaldara's tone was full of mockery. Clearly, he was dissatisfied with the Orc Warchief.

"You might not do any better."

Teron Gorefiend said coldly.

Malone thought so too.

Kaldara could talk all he wanted, but did that mean an Orc who wanted to draw his sword and fight whenever something displeased him was suited to be the Horde's Warchief?

"I'm just saying someone needs to help him. If things go on like this, we'll split apart."

Kaldara's words astonished Malone.

"You don't want the Horde to split apart? From what you said just now, I thought you'd be happy to see that happen."

Malone said.

"Of course I don't want the Horde to split apart. Our Burning Blade Clan joined the Horde to help the Orcs conquer this world. If the Horde falls to pieces, what was the point of everything we've done?"

Kaldara insisted that he didn't think that way at all.

"Then why challenge Orgrim's authority? If you hadn't provoked him, none of this would have happened."

Malone thought Kaldara was contradicting himself.

"I acted on impulse. Besides, I really did want to fight him and see just how strong he was."

Kaldara said casually.