The Ultimate Glitch ～One Man Conquers a Dungeon That Humanity Couldn’t Conquer for Hundreds of Years, in Only Two Hours～ - Chapter 27

The Ordos

Chapter 27

“Where are the others?”

Dozens of soldiers, wearing leather armor with swords on their hip, rushed into the empty village. They held something some kind of a club.

“A total of ten arrests orders have been issued, including this village’s chief, Daniel,” said Corporal Darei, from the back of the group. His appearance was different from the others. “I demand that you hand them over without making a fuss.” The man was now standing in front to Reid and Axel.

“He’s not here right now,” answered Axel. “Besides, what are they all accused of?”

The Corporal’s face contorted with disgust at Axel’s behavior, before taking out a piece of parchment from his pocket. “We have a warrant,” he explained, “that states that people of this village have violated the National Security Law. It’s considered to be an act of treason against the country.” With a smirk, he adds, “well, as an Ordo, you might not be able to read it.”

“I can read it no problem,”replied Axel, angry. He quickly studied the document before saying, “The village chiefs just pleaded for the kids to be able to go to hospitals and schools! I don’t know how this could be considered treason.”

Darei clicked his tongue with annoyance. “Are you saying that we should give human rights to worms like you? Invest in idiots? You should be grateful for being given a place to live.”

Reid and Axel were shocked by the man’s words and attitude. Were they really not human beings to him?

“Captain! There’s no one in the village!,” reported one soldier after having investigated the village. Reid and Axel hoped they’d leave since no one was here to be arrested.

“Well, since the criminals aren’t here…” Darei paused and winked at the soldier. His subordinates took out torches from their bags and lit them on fire.

“What are you doing?,” asked Reid.

“It was the King’s decision that all the fields and houses of this village were to be confiscated.”

“But if you do that, we won’t be able to make a living!”

The Corporal scoffed. “It doesn’t matter whether the trash lives or dies.” He gestured to his soldiers, “do it.” At his orders, they started to set fire to the houses.

“Stop!,” pleaded Axel, “not our houses!” He clung to Darei’s arm, “please, make it stop!” A soldier came behind him and hit him in the face with a club. Axel fell to the ground.

“Axel!,” screamed Reid. The Corporal pulled out his sword. “Stop!” Reid rushed to Axel’s side but was stopped by soldiers.

“Trying to stop me? This is treason,” said Darei with a grin, “you guys can kill him if you want.”

At his words, a soldier laughed and swung an iron club at Reid’s head. He wasn’t quick enough to dodge it so he stopped to put his hands up to stop it when, a second later, Orchid was in front of him, gripping the club with one hand.

“What? Who is she?” The soldier tried to pull the club away from Orchid, but he wouldn’t let go. “Hey! Let it go!”

Two other soldiers came from behind Orchid with clubs, but she easily dodged their attacks and hit their vital points. Darei was astonished by the woman’s strength, but was also annoyed by it. “Everyone, attack her!,” he screamed. They obeyed and rushed on Orchid, whose eyes had turned red and steam erupted from her body. As she adapted her posture to fight, Reid knew people would get seriously hurt – and no matter the situation, he didn’t want that.

“Orchid,” he shouted, “stop!”

At his command, she went still, long enough for a club to hit her in the face, the sound echoing. As she fell to the ground, her face cracked.

“Orchid!”

Orchid, the Guardian, possessed speed and powers exceeding humans, but unlike the Blue Knight, she did take serious damage once hit.

She was now lying on the ground. Her hands and feet were trembling, making her unable to stand up.

Five soldiers surrounded her and started to beat her up, their eyes filled with rage.

Reid saw Orchid’s hand slightly raise before dropping back to the ground. She was motionless.

“Stop it,” he pleaded, “please, stop!” Reid tried to approach Orchid, but one soldier beat him. “Ah!”

“Don’t get too close, insect,” the man said.

With blood coming out of his mouth, Reid fell to the ground. The soldier tried to hit him again but he was startled by a black shadow. “What is that?” He panicked, desperately trying to tear off the thing that was biting his arm.

“Jack!”

Jack had come to help Reid. He’d now let go of the man to attack the soldiers surrounding Orchid.

“What’s up with this dog?!,” said one soldier. “Hey! He went over there!”

“Shit, we need to catch it!”

Jack was running around them, the soldiers chasing him. The dog was a hound that could fight bears – soldiers were nothing to it.

Axel took advantage of that moment to rescue Orchid. Lifting her up from the ground, he shouted, “Reid, now’s the time! Let’s go!”

Reid quickly stood up and tried to call for his loyal companion. At the same time, a soldier pulled out his sword. “Jack!” The blade swung at Jack’s body. Blood started to spill on the ground. Its body started to tremble on the ground. He tried to reach out to help his dog but Axel stopped him. They had to run away.

Axel carried Orchid on his shoulder and took Reid’s hand to lead him into the forest. Some soldiers followed but he knew the forest by heart and was able to lose them.

They stopped at the slope of a mountain and looked down at their village. It was a place they could no longer live in.

Reid and Axel watched their home burn.

****

“Hey, look! Our houses are burning!”

Those who had taken refuge in the mountains were watching their village burn, hopeless.

“I lost my home… again,” said the village chief. The Ordos were nomadic people, so losing a place wasn’t unusual. But losing it this way was hard.

“Don’t be sad,” Kosel said, “all that matters is that we are all alive and safe! We can build a new village, start over!”

“Right…”

“I know it’s hard not to feel depressed, but we can do this!”

The Village chief smiled faintly, “I didn’t expect to be encouraged by you Kosel, you’re such a shy man.”

At Kosel’s words, people gradually raised their heads. They were Ordos – no matter how oppressed and discriminated against they were, they had no choice but to move forward.

****

Reid and Axel were walking up the mountain, exhausted. Orchid was still being carried by Axel.

It’s my fault, Reid thought, if I hadn’t stopped Orchid, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt, and Jack would still be by my side…

He was full of regrets. If he had let her fight, they would’ve all escaped without any problem.

“Reid!,” shouted Fyne as they arrived. “Oh, they’re safe!,” said the village chief.

“I’m glad you two are safe,” said Fyne, “I was so worried about you!”

“I’m sorry…” replied Reid, looking at the ground shamefully, “I couldn’t protect the village.”

The villagers gathered around them and expressed their gratitude. If they hadn’t helped them escape, they don’t know what would’ve happened.

No matter how grateful they were, Reid couldn’t help but be embarrassed.