Chapter 355: A Metallic Monster...? (1/2)

”Hoh-oh! Hoh-oh! Hoh-oh,” The Ogres chanted with an increasing pace as the meat turned from its previous pink color to a dark brown. The aroma of the spices covered the whole cliff, making each Ogre drool as they stared at Arthur.

Like a conductor in the middle of an orchestra, Arthur waved his hand, and the meat danced around him. The flames surrounded him in a circle as the Ogres waited for their meal.

When they were done, meat slabs descended from the sky and landed in front of the Ogres. They were gleeful and began clapping and stomping their feet on the ground. Arthur took it as a standing ovation and bowed after his performance.

”Eat to your heart's content.” He said and returned to his seat as the Ogres began eating. Their expressions said it all: the pure delight they felt. The Ogres looked at Arthur as if he was their savior in the apocalypse.

”Ju ku Guni!” The Leader roared toward Arthur with a grateful expression, and Rosa hurried to translate.

”He says you're a brother now,” Rosa said with a smile, and Arthur gave the Leader a thumbs-up which he clumsily returned. Then, the Ogres continued eating, and the meal was over.

”Ask them something for me,” Arthur turned to Rosa. ”Tell him if there are any metallic monsters around.”

”Metallic monsters...” Gruen flinched and turned toward Arthur, who nodded at him with a smile. ”Seika, how about we find another way...”

The dwarf pleaded as the Ogre's Leader stood up and began to guide them. He took them toward a cave at the top of the mountain, where Arthur felt a strong presence.

”Tell him I'm sorry about his son,” Arthur said to Rosa, who relayed his message. The Ogres' Leader nodded at Arthur and pounded his chest with a shout.

”He says that Ogres are born for battle, and it's an honor that they die in it,” Rosa said with an uncomfortable expression that piqued Arthur's interest.

”Do you disagree?” Arthur was curious.

”No one is born for battle; the circumstances dictate it,” Rosa said with an expression of distaste. ”There's no honor in dying.”

”I hope you didn't say that in front of him,” Arthur said with amusement. ”Let's just be grateful he didn't try to kill us for revenge.” Rosa paused and nodded with a serious expression.

They followed the Ogre toward the top of the mountain, where a desolate cave with a big entrance existed. The Leader stood a distance away from the cave with a wary expression.

”He says that a monster of metal was inside, but it was too dangerous to step inside,” Rosa explained.

”I understand. Thank the Leader and tell him that we'll send people to collect the ores after a while. When they do, roasted meat will be brought as well.”

Rosa told him, and the Ogre had a happy expression as he went back. Arthur looked at him with confusion, as his attitude wasn't something a father who lost his son should show.

”Familial ties are stronger in civil societies than the wilderness. From their conversation, I knew that there were a lot of sons of the Leader, and the one you killed might have been evolved, but in no way that special.”

”That's sad in a way.” Arthur sighed as he walked toward the cave.

”Do you prefer that he wept and wanted to behead us?” Gruen asked as he followed after.

”Maybe, that would make him more than just a monster,” Arthur muttered as he tried to sense what was within the cave. What he felt surprised him: runes.

”Seika, how about we take it slow? This place looks scary.”

”I think appearances can be deceiving, but it will do for your awakening,” Arthur said as he walked toward the cave. He had a certain suspicion, but he wanted to confirm it.

”Is it going to hurt?”

”You're presented with the ability to be the Ruler of Metal, and you're afraid of getting hurt?” Arthur was speechless. ”Just imagine how much Aimee would love you after you get such cool powers.”

”She already loves me a lot,”

”Sounds like it's bothering you.” Arthur smiled. ”How about I tell her for you?”

”No, it's not bothering me!” Gruen looked more scared by the prospect of her knowledge than the process of his awakening.

”Seika, do I need to go in too?” Rosa looked at the cave with a wary expression.

”If you want me to protect you. I can't be in two places at the same time.”

The two followed after Arthur with reluctance as they dived into the darkness. They walked through the rough terrain in the creepy cave. As it became too dark to see, a flame appeared beside Arthur to light up the cave.

”Am I going to fight it with my fists?” Gruen began stretching with a resolute expression of someone who's about to die.