Chapter 859: Naming My Orc Generals (Patreon)

It took Luke a full day to turn all 1,013 newly emerged orcs into his [Dark Lord Soldiers]. [Dominate] was easy enough to use. The damn skill just burned through an absurd amount of mana. At least that part was done. He had his soldiers. Now he needed to turn them into an army.

“My lord, what are your orders?” one of the generals asked.

Luke looked over his new soldiers. Five generals, ten vice-generals, fifty captains, and 948 regular troops. Each orc held a rank in both the orc hierarchy and the Dark Lord's army, though only the generals had become Ascended.

“You five are in charge. But before we get started, I'm giving you names.”

He pointed to the only female general.

“Storm. That's your name.”

She dropped to one knee, resting a hand on her massive warhammer.

“I gladly accept that name, my lord.”

[Dark Lord Soldier has been named]

The other four generals had each awakened a different class.

“Victor,” he told the Fighter General.

“Logan,” he said to the Knight.

He pointed to the Warrior. “Bishop.”

Then he turned to the Shaman. “Maximoff.”

All four knelt beside Storm.

"Hey, Luke..." Artemis spoke up inside his head. "Those names sound familiar."

Luke ignored her and addressed the army.

“Follow me.”

He led them out of the forest and through the underground passage to the Underworld. The tunnel opened onto a vast grassy plateau high atop an enormous mountain.

“Here's the catch. When a mindless orc Awakens, their XP gain takes a serious hit. Leveling gets a lot harder. My [Dark Lord Soldier] buff helps make up the difference, and the higher your rank, the bigger the bonus. So make it count.”

From the edge of the plateau, the Underworld stretched out beneath them. Forests broke up miles of open grassland, with predators and monsters roaming the trees and plains. It was practically a training ground made for them.

“That whole place is crawling with dangerous beasts. Stick together, listen to your generals, and don't get careless. Your race levels might be high, but most of you have never been in a real fight. You're still getting used to your weapons.”

Luke had already seen ratfolk awaken classes by climbing the ranks of [Dark Lord's Army]. If the same thing worked for the orcs, they had plenty of room to grow. Even the ones who never became Ascended could still gain strength.

Ten thousand Soul Energy just to convert a thousand of them... They'd better be worth it.

He turned to the five commanders.

“Your orders are simple. You've got one week. Make yourselves and your soldiers as strong as you can.”

A deafening roar went up from the army. Then the first orc jumped off the mountain, followed by another and another. Within moments, soldiers were streaming over the edge, leaving the generals behind for their final instructions.

“One more thing. Once you're down there, don't circle around the mountain. There are people living on the other side. Stay away from them. No attacking sentient beings. Period. Hunt aggressive beasts and leave everyone else alone.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The generals nodded and jumped down after their troops. Luke turned back toward the passage.

"X-Men, Luke?"

I have no idea what you're talking about...

Back at the larva cave, Zamor rushed up to him.

“How? How did you do that, master? That shouldn't be possible!”

“Because I can. Now keep feeding them.”

He left Zamor standing there without another word.

***

Four days into the orcs' training, Luke was enjoying a luxury he rarely got anymore: doing absolutely nothing. He was stretched out in bed at an inn in Veyra when Charlie stirred beside him, yawning as she woke.

“Good morning...”

“Morning? It's evening.”

“Well, it feels like morning to me.”

They got dressed and headed out for the evening. Charlie wore a simple dress for their walk through the city, and nothing about their clothes gave away who they were. To everyone else in Veyra, they were just another couple out for the evening. They found a restaurant and ordered one of the local specialties. While they waited, Luke received an update through [Soul Infiltration].

“Angie's back at the castle. Sounds like she's been pretty busy.”

Charlie narrowed her eyes.

“Master Luke. No talking about work.”

“Right.”

He cut the connection. When their food arrived, Charlie decided she was feeding him herself. They spent the rest of the evening browsing the shopping district, where plenty of stalls and shops were still open. At one of them, Charlie disappeared into a fitting room and emerged wearing a new shirt.

“Well? How do I look?”

“Beautiful. Same as always.”

She smiled and insisted on paying for the shirt herself, using the money she'd earned as a knight. Luke came away with a present of his own before they were done shopping.

“Your birthday's coming up.”

“Yeah. Hard to believe it's been almost a year since we left Sunken Realms.”

It had been two years since he'd last seen the Baumanns. Far too long. He missed them more than he ever let on.

Luke reached for Charlie's hand, and she slipped her fingers between his, giving them a gentle squeeze.

They left Veyra the next morning and followed the main road until the other travelers were well behind them. Then they cut into the forest, where Luke finally stopped.

“Are you sure I won't slow you down?” Charlie asked. “I could use my horse skill.”

“This is better.”

He turned his back to her and waited. Charlie hesitated, then climbed on, settling against him as he slipped his arms beneath her legs.

“I'm faster.”

“I know. I just don't want to make things harder for you.”

“You're not. You barely weigh anything.” He shifted her a little higher on his back. “Besides, I've got something pretty amazing pressed against my back.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Before she could question him further, Luke took off through the forest. What would've taken most travelers weeks took Luke only a few hours, and he hadn't even pushed himself. With Charlie pressed against his back the whole way, why would he?

People started greeting them almost as soon as they entered the Moonlight Kingdom. Before long, someone was handing them bread, another person was offering meat, and more citizens were coming over with sweets and fruit to thank them for everything they'd done for the kingdom. By the time they reached the castle courtyard, Charlie was staring at the ridiculous amount of food they'd collected.

“There's so much stuff...”

“I'm seriously thinking about building a secret entrance. We spent more time accepting food than getting to the castle.”

"Absolutely not," Artemis cut in. "You never turn down free food."

Luke ignored her and opened the castle doors with telekinesis. Angie was waiting in the entrance hall. She gave them a small bow.

“My lord. Charlie. I have some news.”

Charlie let out a sigh. “Hmm... More work.”

“We had four days off,” Luke reminded her.

“We could've had a lot more.”

Angie smiled. “Actually, I think you'll like this news. It should take some work off your hands.”

“Really?”

“I found someone who can help around the castle. She's just as dedicated as you are. We won't have to keep our special guests a secret from her, and she can protect the castle while we're away.”

“Seriously? Where'd you find someone like that?”

Angie only smiled wider.

“And now, allow me to introduce our newest maid!”

She stepped aside with a flourish as a black-haired woman emerged from the hallway in a maid uniform. Her cheeks were bright red, and she kept her eyes down.

“Y-you don't have to make such a big deal out of it...” she mumbled.

“Nara?”

It was the Spider Mother, in her humanoid form.

“L-Lady Angie offered me the job. And I thought... well, Lord Luke has been working so hard lately. I wanted to do something to help.”

“Hmm... Well, at least we know we can trust her,” Charlie said.

"So, my lord? What do you think? Doesn't Nara look lovely in a maid outfit?" Angie said.

He nearly choked. You really had to emphasize the maid outfit?

"Would you rather I told her not to wear it?"

He took another look at the outfit.

Let's keep things exactly the way they are.

Angie gave him a discreet nod before turning her attention back to the other two women.

Thank you, Angie. You're an angel. Literally.

You were Badass Luke just a few days ago," Artemis cut in. "One MILF in a maid outfit, and suddenly you're Virgin Luke again."

Luke chose to pretend he hadn't heard that.

“Oh, and my lord? We have two more additions to the castle staff.”

“More?”

“And these two already have plenty of experience.”

Two familiar figures emerged from the hallway: Omur and Sumula, the royal guards who had served Kobi and Rheera.

“There are a few conditions, of course,” Angie explained. “Neither of them is allowed to leave the castle without permission. We can't risk Gurgal finding out where the children are. He might offer them their freedom in exchange for that information.”

“We would never betray them,” Omur protested.

“I believe you,” Luke said. “But their safety comes first.”

Omur wore soldier's gear that looked dwarven-made, along with human-style clothes tailored to fit him. Sumula stood just behind him.

“Are you sure I'm supposed to wear this? Do humans really dress like this?”

“Of course,” Angie assured her. “It's perfect for your role as the heirs' protector. You do want to protect them, don't you?”

“Of course I do.”

Luke finally got a proper look at her outfit. A maid outfit.

First Nara, now Sumula?

Unlike Nara's, this uniform was cut to show off her curves. Even the skirt was shorter.

Angie... Don't you think you're going a little overboard?

Behind her, Angie gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

“I will do my best to fulfill my duties...”

Angie cleared her throat.

“That's not how we practiced it.”

Sumula bared her tusks and took a deep breath. Then she pinched the edges of her skirt and attempted a small curtsy.

“I will do my best to fulfill my duties, my lord.”

“Sure...”

Behind her, Angie was now giving Luke two thumbs-up.

I really need to have a talk with her. We need some boundaries around here.

"Boundaries? Luke, we don't do boundaries!" Artemis said.

He escaped to the laboratory before Angie could introduce a third maid. He had a few experiments in mind, along with some things he wanted to record in his journal. Unfortunately, a familiar green orb was already hovering near his workbench.

“Hello, Illyra.”

“Don't think I haven't noticed what you've been doing, Botanist.”

“The orcs?”

“Obviously.”

“I'm helping you out. They're clearing dangerous beasts out of the Underworld. Have they hurt a single sentient being?”

“No. But don't treat me like an idiot.”

“I appreciate you letting me use that cave for the larvae. And those orcs are going to live in my kingdom, you know. You've seen how peaceful they are.”

“Well... they certainly aren't like the others. And I did swear to protect the talking monsters, so I suppose that includes them.” Illyra drifted closer. “But I know what you're planning, now that you've somehow gotten them on your side.”

“And what exactly do you think I'm planning?”

“People don't build armies just to hunt beasts, Botanist. We both know that.”

Fair point. He wasn't about to admit that out loud, though.

“Look at my kingdom. The forest's peaceful, the goblins are doing well, and I've made sure you're looked after, too. Why would things be any different here?”

“Hmm...”

“You're part of Mother Nature, Illyra. This planet's your home, too. I want to make it better for everyone living here, and I'd rather do that with your help.”

Illyra went quiet for a few seconds. “Anyway... I've been thinking about the plants.”

Luke let her change the subject. She hadn't agreed to anything, but she hadn't told him to stop, either. He could live with that. Before long, they were going back and forth over designs for wooden sentinels and other creations. Illyra picked apart Luke's ideas, and he found just as many flaws in hers. Neither seemed to mind. A few hours later, the laboratory door creaked open.

“M-master... I'm coming in.”

Nara appeared with a tray and a cup of tea. She took small, careful steps, watching her feet the whole way.

“Is... that what I'm supposed to call you? I'm still not sure.”

“Call me whatever you're comfortable with.”

“Lady Angie said I should call you Master.”

She took another step and tripped. The cup slid off the tray and shattered on the floor.

“I'm sorry!”

She crouched to gather up the pieces, and Luke knelt beside her to help.

“I'm still getting used to walking on two legs... Sorry.”

“It's all right, Nara. Don't worry about it.”

Once they'd picked up what they could, Luke helped her to her feet, which only made her blush harder. She hurried toward the door and almost made it out before stumbling again.

A clumsy maid? Jackpot.

***

When the orcs' week of training was up, Luke returned to the Underworld to find an entire camp at the base of the mountain. Tents stood in neat clusters, and smoke rose from cooking fires, carrying the smell of roasting meat. Some orcs chopped wood while others butchered the beasts they'd hunted. Near the tents, a few were stitching together crude hide armor, and another group sorted supplies.

They'd arrived naked and barely able to handle their weapons. Now most had clothing and equipment made right there in camp. As Luke made his way through the camp, soldiers stopped what they were doing to greet him.

“My lord.” Storm came over to meet him.

“Looks like you've been busy.”

“Yes, my lord. I had them put up tents, at least four to a tent. I figured it'd help them learn to work together, maybe even make friends. Some of them have a knack for working with wood and hides, so I've encouraged them to keep at it when they're not training.”

“Good thinking. And the people living around here? Any trouble?”

“None. I ordered our patrols to turn back whenever they found signs of a settlement.”

“Good. Keep doing that.”

Storm had only been alive a little over a week, and she'd already figured out that an army needed more than fighters. There was even a map spread across a nearby table.

“You had the area mapped?”

“Yes, my lord. We've also set up sentry posts around the perimeter. The guards work in shifts, and our patrols follow regular routes.”

An orc dressed in animal hides approached the table.

“Maximoff.”

The Shaman bowed his head. Luke recognized the staff he'd bought a few months earlier and given him, though it looked different now. Parts of the wood had been painted, and several bones dangled from it.

“What happened to your staff?”

Maximoff looked down at it.

“Did I do something wrong, my lord?”

“No, you're fine. I was just asking about the decorations.”

“Oh. I don't know. I just thought it looked better this way.”

Huh. They've even got their own sense of style.

Two large blue wolves stood behind the Shaman, their bodies partially translucent.

“What are those?”

“My ghost wolves. I've been training them.”

He made a small gesture, and both wolves moved to his side.

Luke called the remaining three generals over and tapped the map.

“You've shown me you can run a camp. Now draw up a strategy. I want to see how you'd conquer this region with the forces under your command.”

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Sorry today’s chapter went up late, guys. I’ve got a migraine, so I’m going to try to stay off screens for the rest of the day. No bonus chapter today, unfortunately.