Chapter 67: Bone to Be Wild: The Orc Republic Edition

Chapter 67: Bone to Be Wild: The Orc Republic Edition As they walked, the narrow, well-lit path opened up dramatically into a cavernous, expansive room that made Schalezusk’s eyes widen in disbelief. It was the industrial floor, a chaotic symphony of productivity that was both mesmerizing and overwhelming. He witnessed the inner workings of a skeleton workforce toiling to the bone—literally. Three sturdy skeletons hauled a large, roughly-hewn wooden log and dropped it with a clatter onto a pile, while three others, pushing a heavy cart, poured a mound of iron ore and coal onto the ground before dashing away to their next task. In the distance, he could see the nearly-finished construction of a new foundry, its furnaces still cold, but its shape a marvel of engineering. A diverse industrial department, handling different products, was all mixed into this single, massive floor. "Woaahhh! What is this place?" Schalezusk said, his voice a low growl of pure wonder and curiosity. Karl gestured to the humming activity around them with a proud sweep of his hand. "This is the backbone of our company," he said. "Our very own, nearly self-sufficient industrial area. Though this isn’t as big as I want, it’ll do for now since we’re just starting out." "This isn’t big?!" Schalezusk exclaimed, dumbfounded. "Even our fortress blacksmithery is dwarfed by the size of this area!" Karl smiled, a cold, dry rustle of bone against suit fabric. "That’s just the start of my plans, of course. This area alone isn’t enough to fulfill my goals." He turned to face Schalezusk, his empty eye sockets holding a glint of chilling ambition. "As a wise man once said, ’Complacency is the enemy of success.’" he smirked. Karl then opened a door that led to a more private area. Simon and Schalezusk followed, while Rook came in last, his silent presence a constant reminder of the power they had just witnessed. Inside the guest room, Rook began to prepare coffee, the gentle clink of the mug and spoon a stark contrast to the industrial noise they had just left. Karl gestured to a pair of wooden ergonomically designed chairs. "Please sit down while my associate prepares a meal. In the meantime, we can get to know each other a little bit better." Simon sat down in the opposite chair, his curiosity about the strange room momentarily overriding his trepidation. Schalezusk, however, sat down on a wooden ergonomic chair, and the strained creak of the wood made him freeze. He said, sheepishly, "Uhh... I... apologize." Karl smiled reassuringly. "Don’t be. It’s my fault; it’s a part I overlooked. Next time, I will make sure you can sit comfortably as you want to." Schalezusk leaned forward, his warrior’s intensity returning. "How shall we proceed with this ’getting to know each other’ thing?" Karl thought for a moment. "Well, to make it simple, you can ask me a question, and I’ll answer truthfully. However, I reserve the right to keep some information secret. The same goes for you. I’ll ask you questions, and you can answer as much as you want. Then it’s my turn. How’s that?" Schalezusk smirked and relaxed himself slightly in the strained chair. "Seems simple enough." "I’ll give you the honor of asking first," Karl said. "Then, first, can we really trust you?" Schalezusk asked, his eyes never leaving the lich. Karl was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled slightly. "Wow, direct to the point, huh?" "We orcs tend to be more direct than others," Schalezusk said, a smirk on his face. "Instead of just wasting time, we get to know each other by combat." Karl smiled. "About your question, it’s not really a matter of trust. For a long time, people have sugarcoated the word, "trust". Whether one can trust someone or not, It’s really just a matter of whether one can benefit you, either through money, services, food, a shared bond, or goals that align with each other. But for me, personally, trust is a matter of mutual exchange." Schalezusk’s smirk faded. "So, you don’t really trust anyone, huh?" Karl’s smile widened. "Trust is like jumping from an endless pit. You trust that someone might pull you out of it, save you falling from grace. But the only person you can truly trust to save you from that hole is yourself. Trust is a gamble; it’s unpredictable. But when you weigh that risk and plan to save yourself, It’s not really a gamble anymore. It’s just survival. The means to survive." Schalezusk’s face became serious. "Trust, huh? If we talk about your kind of trust, what do we gain, and what do we risk from trusting you?" Karl’s smile was thin and unsettling. "For one, power." "Power?" Schalezusk said, confused. "Though I do sense an immense mana from you, it’s not the kind of power we want. We wouldn’t risk ourselves turning into an undead." Karl’s smile grew. "I apologize if you misunderstand, but power..." his thoughts envisioning modern military, industrial efficiency, logistics capacity, information, political power, resource control, technology, and a nuclear bomb, he smirked and continued. "...is power as a whole." Schalezusk felt an absurd amount of pressure and fear radiating from Karl’s smile alone. It was the same kind of fear he felt when his grandfather told him stories of the three kingdoms. He took a deep breath, fighting down his instinctive terror. "I-I don’t know what you mean." Karl’s smile never wavered. "Power isn’t just one type of power. You can scale power by how much one organization or faction grows. For example: money—how much one can gain in a month; logistics—how fast one can deliver resources; information—how much you know about everything; technology—how easy their way of life is; industrial—how much one can produce in a specific time; politics—how much your words weigh, how many allies and connections you have; resource control—politics also plays a huge part, but one can gain control of a resource, whether that is a gold mine from a kingdom or a huge iron deposit; and of course, how much destruction you can cause. That is power. Power is just not one thing. Power is everything." Schalezusk was speechless. He thought to himself, He is insane! Is he trying to be a god!? I can’t even comprehend his goals alone! I don’t even think he’ll be contented even if he rules the entire world. Simon, who was intelligent enough to understand all of it, was also visibly shaken, his face pale with fear. Karl leaned back in his chair, his voice a calm, reassuring rumble. "Now my question is, what can you offer?" That question alone, after the terrifying display of ambition and intellect, pressured them more than their father ever had. Schalezusk and Simon looked at each other, their minds working furiously to come up with an answer. Schalezusk looked at Simon, who was the smartest of them both. Yet Simon, struggling to find a single asset they possessed, simply admitted defeat. "Mr. Karl," he said, his voice flat with acceptance, "we have nothing to offer you." Karl’s smile didn’t waver. "Of course you do," he said. Both orcs looked at him, confused. "Your birthright," Karl explained. "Your claim to your clan’s legacy. The position of chief, the loyalty of your bloodline." The mention of their birthright seemed to re-ignite a flicker of hope and resolve in the brothers. Simon leaned forward, the fear in his eyes replaced by a burning ambition. "But Mr. Karl, how do we even begin to take back our position as heirs?" "That’s where I come in," Karl replied smoothly. "I will provide you with everything you need—weapons, intelligence, manpower. Whatever it takes." He leaned back in his chair, the clack of bone against wood echoing in the quiet room. "Your concern is what you can offer me, yes?" Simon nodded, his gaze fixed on the lich. "After you take back your rightful place as chiefs, I want only one thing in return," Karl said. "An alliance." "That’s it?" Schalezusk scoffed, incredulous. "No strings attached?" "That is just it," Karl said, the smile returning. "No strings, only shared benefit. I am not here to make you and your own people my soldiers. Why would I restrict your freedom when you could be so much more? Through our alliance, I will help you build a new nation of orcs. Not the tribal barbarians the beastkin see, but a civilized, sovereign power. You will build an empire, a true industrial force in a world still clinging to bows and magic. Your strength will not be measured by the size of your axe, but by the weight of your economy and the power of your technology. We’ll give your people schools to train engineers, clinics to heal the sick, and factories to build a future that is not just a dream but a tangible reality." He stood and began to pace slowly, his voice a mesmerizing rumble. "Imagine a nation built on free will, a meritocracy where the most capable can rise. You will be the first orc nation to interact with other kingdoms on equal terms, trading with them, gaining political influence, and forging your own destiny. You will show the world that the orcs are not just beasts of war, but a people capable of industry, innovation, and self-governance. A nation of orcs, for the orcs, ruled by the orcs. Your destiny is not one of revenge; it is one of rebirth." They rose from their chairs, their eyes shining with a fierce conviction that had been absent for a long time. The words painted a picture of a future they had never dared to dream of, a future that was not just about vengeance but about a new beginning for their entire race. Karl simply watched, his silent smirk hidden beneath. The orcs believed they were seizing their destiny, but they were simply stepping into a plan that was already set in motion. Karl inside, was already laughing, HAHAHAHAHA, I am indeed helping you build a nation, but you’re just going to be my puppet nation. A powerful democratic nation, secretly controlled by a single entity. You both are just the first step in revolutionizing the entire world.