I Want to Become Stronger

Looking at the arrogant and overbearing expression on Kaldara's face, a trace of envy suddenly stirred in Malone's heart.

After arriving in the world of Azeroth, Malone finally realized just how important strength was.

Just as he had killed low-level players back in Stranglethorn Vale, in this world—especially within the Horde—the powerful could slaughter the weak, while the weak had no one to speak up for even the most basic justice.

Malone wanted to be like Kaldara and Zul'jin, though not to be arrogant and overbearing like them.

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

But he knew that if he possessed their strength right now, he could at least protect Tiffany, and no other Orc would dare to voice an opinion on his actions.

Malone was already quite strong compared to an average Orc warrior—yet it was not enough.

Must find a way to level up as soon as possible, Malone secretly resolved, at least until I can escort Tiffany to a safe place.

Just as Malone was catching up to the pace of Teron Gorefiend and Kaldara, while thinking about how to become stronger, the two of them began discussing another matter.

"Teron Gorefiend, what is your take on Orgrim's performance today?"

Kaldara asked as he walked.

"...The Warchief is too weak."

Teron Gorefiend hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Weak? Are you talking about Orgrim? Interesting... aren't you afraid I'll tell him what you said?"

Kaldara let out a soft chuckle.

"You won't, and your thoughts are the same as mine."

Teron Gorefiend said with a blank expression.

"What are you two talking about?"

Malone caught up from behind and asked.

"Teron Gorefiend said Orgrim is too weak, and I think so too... What about you? Maco... Malone?"

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

He must have heard it when Teron Gorefiend called out to me, Malone thought.

Still, this guy was quite observant for an Orc to notice such a detail.

"Weak... which side are you referring to?"

Malone also felt that Orgrim's previous performance lacked the charisma of an Orc Warchief, but he didn't know which aspect of Orgrim that Teron Gorefiend and Kaldara considered weak.

Was he weak toward Kilrogg, or weak toward Zul'jin?

"Both sides."

Teron Gorefiend's words were always simple, yet sharp.

Indeed, both sides.

Malone didn't know how to rule over tens of thousands of savage, brutal, and disunited Orcs, and he knew that if it were him, he would do a hundred times worse than Orgrim.

But standing from the perspective of an outsider, Malone felt that Orgrim's approach pleased no one.

At a time like this, especially when lives—no, Orc lives—had already been lost, a "punishment of fifty lashes for both sides" could not resolve the conflict, and Orgrim's punishment was far too light.

"I think Orgrim should have been firmer. As for Kilrogg... his behavior was clearly a provocation to Orgrim's authority, and he should have taken measures instead of just letting them walk away."

Malone voiced his own opinion.

"Orgrim is not suited to be the Warchief of the Orcs."

Kaldara said.

Not suited? Malone shook his head.

Facts proved that Orgrim was the most outstanding Orc Warchief aside from Thrall; at least, he had led the Orcs to occupy half of Azeroth—almost.

"Orgrim is an excellent lieutenant; I have never seen a better one. Resourceful and brave in battle. But as a Warchief, he always thinks too much."

Kaldara seemed to see that Malone was noncommittal about his words, so he explained.

"How can a Warchief not think things through?"

Malone shook his head; he felt that Orgrim being far-sighted was never a bad thing.

"For example, just now... I was already challenging Orgrim's authority. If it were Blackhand, he would have definitely picked up his weapon and lunged at me with a roar."

"He wouldn't have considered whether he could beat me or if he would be killed by me; as long as someone challenged his authority, he would have made that person pay the price in blood."

Kaldara said.

"But Blackhand is dead, and Orgrim replaced him to become the new Warchief."

Malone said.

What man didn't want to settle scores with a swift blade? But sometimes, when you aren't sure of victory, backing down a little isn't an unforgivable mistake!

Just like when Malone played in the arena before; if he encountered a team he couldn't beat, he would sometimes stop queuing for a while to avoid them.

"You aren't wrong... but it is precisely because Orgrim thought of Blackhand, thought of how his predecessor died exactly that way, that he allowed my behavior."

"That is precisely why Kilrogg grew so bold... otherwise, do you really think that fellow is the type to storm out of a meeting like this just because of a fit of anger?"

Kaldara explained.

Is that so? Malone suddenly realized he had overlooked many things.

So it was because Orgrim did not respond to Kaldara's provocation that it led to Kilrogg's subsequent actions?

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

"Even though he thinks a great deal, things always end up developing into a situation he never imagined."

Kaldara's tone was full of mockery toward Orgrim, making his dissatisfaction with this Orc Warchief quite evident.

"If it were you, you wouldn't necessarily do any better."

Teron Gorefiend said coldly.

Malone thought the same.

Don't let Kaldara's grandstanding here fool you; would an Orc who wants to draw his blade and fight the moment he sees something he dislikes really be suitable to serve as Warchief of the Horde?

"I only mean to say that someone needs to help him, otherwise, if things continue like this, we will fall apart."

Kaldara's words took Malone by surprise.

"You don't want the Horde to split? Judging by what you just said, I thought you would be quite happy to see such a scene."

Malone said.

"Of course I don't want the Horde to split. Our Burning Blade Clan joined the Horde to help the Orcs conquer this world; if the Horde were to fall apart like this, what would be the point of our previous actions?"

Kaldara insisted that he absolutely did not have the thoughts Malone suggested.

"Then why did you go and challenge Orgrim's authority? If you hadn't provoked him, wouldn't everything be fine?"

Malone felt that Kaldara's words were self-contradictory.

"That was an impulsive moment; besides, I really did want to have a fight with him to see just how strong that guy actually is."

Kaldara said dismissively.