Chapter 21 [Instructions. Truth]
Vanderfein V.: If we talk about the orc, I can say that he is not ordinary. He was not just a brainless creature, but as if he was talking to me. I realized this when I started to disconnect.
Faceless>Chlori: And in more detail, can I?
Vanderfein V.: Good, good. He had a black beard. There's a patch over one eye and a scar all over his face. His hair was tied in a knot, and he used a huge axe as a weapon.
Faceless>Chlori: I get it, I'm interested, but what about the witch?
Vanderfein V.: Honestly, I didn't want to talk about it, but apparently I have to... In an old book about great monsters, a legend from fairy tales was written on the page with the witch of the vines, but with great details.
Faceless>Chlori: Yeah... And why are you so interested in this legend? You couldn't just search for this particular page, could you? You're not hiding anything, huh?
Vanderfein V.: No way, I'm telling you everything from the very beginning. Can I continue without you interrupting?
Faceless>Chlori: Okay, sorry, go on.
Vanderfein V.: So, while preparing for the exam, I decided to re-read the basic theory so as not to make a mistake, and began leafing through a book about great monsters. When I got to the witch of the vines, I noticed that only she had a legend, but it was also detailed. After reading it, I didn't understand anything. I started to figure it out and a week later I did not come to an answer. Then, I decided to turn to knowledgeable people and went to the academy to find Rohal's teacher. When I found him, he sent me to the basement to an old witch who might know at least something about this legend. After talking to the old witch, I got a lot of useful information that the legend is not false and everything that is written in it is true. After that, I set up a clearing party and got permission from my father. After finding the witch, she did not accept my power and took away our senior magician. I think that's it...
Faceless>Chlori: I understand the situation, but there is one thing. What was it written there that you decided to go to her?
Gordon V.: I can answer that.
Faceless>Chlori: I'm listening.
Gordon V.: It's very simple. To begin with, I didn't know that my son wasn't just going to clear the forest. So, the legend says: Those who lived know, those who do not know do not suspect, the dead assume, those who met knew. The witch who lives in fetters gives strength, only the power of knowing - come. If you don't find out, you'll die. That's how it's written. If we talk about a children's legend, then they just bully children so that they don't go there, but the first line is written.
Faceless>Chlori: Although it's not the whole legend, but I got the gist. In that case, Calm madman, as soon as you finish your business, go to the witch, and I'll go to the orc.
Calm Madman: What do I need to learn from a witch? Isn't there some kind of essence?
Faceless>Chlori: Of course, find out about her plans. If she's going to this city, then stop her. If it doesn't work out, then I'll do it later. Of course, if it doesn't start before I get back from my brother. Oh, yes, and don't forget to get acquainted and warn me.
The calm madman: I get you.
Faceless>Chlori: Gordon, can I be free? Have we solved all the issues?
Gordon V.: Yes. But, the question is. When will you arrive back?
Faceless>Chlori: Soon.
Gordon V.: All right.
Faceless>Chlori: See you all soon. Prince, try to get well as soon as possible.
Vanderfein V.: Of course, all the best to you.
Gordon V.: Goodbye.
Soy V.: Have a nice day.
Faceless: Chlori, stay here.
Chlori: All right, Mr. Gordon, according to the Faceless One's instructions, I have to stay here. Can I?
Gordon V.: Of course. Mofl, tell the butler to take her to the spare rooms.
Mofl: I obey and leave.
"Mofl left the room."
Faceless: Chlori, I'm off.
"The faceless one, moving away from everyone, raised his left hand and turned to face the door and left the room."
Faceless: * I really want to talk to both the witch and the orc. Okay, I've already chosen an orc. I'm really wondering, if we agreed with Fedfrosl, then why did that orc attack? But what interests me more is that he's probably intelligent. Eh...*
"The Faceless One left the palace grounds and went to the gate to the city."
--- At this time---
Calm madman: Vanderfein, which way is that witch of the vines?
Vanderfein V.: She lives in a forest of vines.
Calm madman: Is it logical, that is, there is no specific place other than this?
Vanderfein V.: Unfortunately, yes.
Calm madman: I got it, it's bad. Okay, then, I'll go too.
"A calm madman opened a portal under himself and got into a black market store."
The calm madman: I've arrived, can I pick up the people?
Verma: I'm very interested, how did you intimidate our most courageous workers so much?
Calm madman: It's very simple, I just came and they were already scared.
Verma: Then I was very curious, what do you look like?
Calm madman: Are you blind? I've never figured it out.
Verma: Yes, it is. I'm blind. I'm good at hiding things, aren't I?
Calm madman: I won't argue, it's very good.
Verma: Everyone who was sent to work in the future empire, come out. They've come for you.
???: Is it really necessary?
Verma: Exactly.
???: We are afraid that we will be killed!
Verma: Don't be so afraid. Yes, he may look like that, but it doesn't show his intentions.
???: Well... well... Okay, we're going.
"The curtain from the dark corridor was pulled back and a bright light appeared in the dark, which was covered by huge people."
Calm madman: Oh yes, I thought I was wrong, but apparently not.
Verma: What is it?
Calm madman: When I saw them for the first time, I wasn't sure if they were strong. But now, I've seen it. 10 2-meter thugs that barely fit in the doorway. Yes, they will definitely do it.
Verma: In that case, we are waiting for the return product soon.
Calm madman: Of course.
"A calm madman approached the new employees and put his hand on the hand of the nearest person."
Calm madman: Don't be afraid. You guys need to stick together. Now, I'll carry you over.
???: Good. Have you heard everything? The first order! They quickly took everyone by the hand!
"After this command, everyone held hands. A calm madman opened a portal under everyone and they found themselves outside the city."
Calm madman: So, I'll take you to your place of work and leave. Listen to the dwarves' orders there.
???: We are listening.
"The calm madman began to mix with the help of portals to the tree."
--- At this time---
Faceless: * So, a prince was found somewhere here. I followed the trail of blood to the place of battle, but I don't feel any traces of mana. I wonder how I'm going to find the orc?*
???: Man, why did you come here?
Faceless: * Apparently you won't have to look for it.*
???: We're playing silent, aren't we? If you leave now, you won't get hurt. And I don't recommend walking here anymore.
"The sounds of the swaying trees, which were accompanied by the growl of the orc, did not set the Faceless One in motion. He stood waiting for the orc."
???: You're not going to leave? So don't worry if you die.
"Immediately, an orc came out that was over 3 meters tall and matched the description of the orc that the prince described."
???: Well? Frozen with fear? You must have bitten off your tongue too, since you can't speak?
"The Faceless One has begun its movement. He was walking towards the monster."
???: What, do you think you're going to beat me? The commander of the forest Orcs Belias? Is it possible for a person to do this?
"The Faceless One came close to Belias and put his hand on his leg."
Faceless: So we can talk.
Belias: And? How is that? Where is he? Why does my voice sound like it's in my head? Answer me! What did you do?
Faceless: Nothing, it's physical telepathy. I can't communicate in any other way.
Belias: Let's say. But still, you won't be able to kill our elder, because I will kill you!
Faceless: You think? And so?
"The faceless one began to take off half of the mask and mana appeared around, which began to destroy all living things. Belias's hand began to rot. Belias jumped back."
Belias: What? What did you do!?
"The faceless one put the other half of the mask back on, and walked up to Belias, putting his hand on his leg."
Faceless: I could kill you anyway, so I suggest we talk.
Belias: Who sent you?
Faceless: Nobody, I became interested in you, after the story of the man you disfigured.
Belias: So he sent you!
Faceless: No, please listen. I came just out of interest. No one directed me to you, much less to kill you. I'd like to talk to the elder. If you're afraid for his life, you can hold me or tie me up or stick something with poison.
Belias: I won't let you see the elder.
Faceless: Then I'll find him myself.
Belias: I won't let you pass.
Faceless: Try it.
"The faceless one jumped towards the forest and started jumping on tree trunks with great speed."
Belias: Just because I can't keep up with your speed doesn't mean I won't stop you!
"Belias threw a huge axe that was just below Belias. Taking hold of the chain attached to the handle of the axe, he pulled the axe back. He did this many times to get caught by the Faceless One, but it was all in vain. He only destroyed a lot of trees."
Faceless: * I wonder how long he will continue this. I can just make a sphere out of pure mana and find the elder by his mana accumulation.*
Belias: Okay, stop. I'll take you away, but you'll be chained up.
"Belias was exhausted and therefore got down on one knee. The faceless one came out of the forest and approached Belias, putting his hand on his knee."
Faceless: To be honest, I've been able to find the elder for a long time, but I wanted to meet you. Will we train our warriors?
Belias: I can't, I serve our people.
Faceless: Good.
"Belias got up and started wrapping the Faceless One with an axe chain. As soon as he finished, he tightened the chain and slung the Faceless One over his shoulder and ran towards the village."
--- At this time---
Calm madman: Grituun! I've arrived and brought my hands free!
Grituun: Bring them here!
"The calm madman led all the workers."
Grituun: So, for starters. That's what we did in your absence.
The calm madman: Oh! This is the basis, right?
Grituun: Yes, this is the foundation on which the dome of the tree will be built.
Calm madman: Wonderful. And these are the new employees. Give them tasks and they will take care of them. Also, it would be good to find free dwarves to make a good defense in one building.
Greetoun: Okay, I'll take care of it. As soon as they are free for a long time, I will give them to you.
Calm madman: That's good. Then, I went to the forest of vines.
Grituun: Good luck to you.
Calm madman: Thank you.
"The calm madman opened a portal beneath him and began to move into the forest of vines."
--- Some time later---
Bilias: Elder! I've brought a guest! He was looking for you to talk!
???: Skip it!
"Bilias went up the stairs and found himself by the bed, on which a big and skinny orc was lying."
Belias: Elder, this is the guest who was looking for you. For him to talk to you, he has to touch you.
Elder: Don't delay, let him go and let him talk to me.
"Bilias lowered the Faceless One to the wooden floor and unwound the chain. The faceless one approached the elder."
Faceless: Hello, right away, I'd like to ask. Why is your commander standing behind the forest and guarding your village?
Elder: It's just that these are the times. We were told that a war with people in the vicinity would soon begin and we put up guards. Since our army has thinned out and 20 outposts are empty, we have strengthened security to the maximum throughout the territory.
Faceless: Who reported it?
Elder: Some creature in a black robe came and informed us. We don't know who it is.
Faceless: Okay, then I'll tell you. The people who live next to you are the capital of the kingdom with which our empire has entered into a peaceful alliance. Therefore, there will be no war. I suggest so. I will hand over one high-class demon, and you will give us Belias. Of course, this is all for a while. We just need to train some warriors. By the way, I suggest you join our empire.
Elder: Okay, I agree to a temporary exchange. But why are you inviting us to your empire like this? We are weak and useless.
Faceless: Don't say that. Everyone has a benefit. It's just that I thought you were weak now, and we need territory. You will get protection, and we will get territory. Also, so that you are not afraid. We have entered into a peaceful relationship with the demon king and the queen of hell.
Elder: It turns out that the orders for attacks stopped because of you.
Faceless: That's right.
Elder: What kind of empire are you that stopped the war of monsters with humans?
Faceless: We haven't stopped yet, but we are eradicating evil. Therefore, we started with the war. In general, the union with them happened by accident. It's just that my brother was looking for an artifact to protect this planet from death and offered them an alliance. Something like that.
Elder: It's amazing. Belias, you're going to their empire to train their warriors. And you can find out your name.
Faceless: I don't have a name. I am the son of the progenitor and my nickname is Faceless.
Elder: Then it is clear why you are so unusual. Belias, tell everyone that we will soon join the empire of the Faceless One.
Faceless: For that matter, can I find out your name?
Elder: I'm sorry, old age, I thought I had already introduced myself at our meeting. My name is 'Satsui'.
Faceless: Nice to meet you. And see you soon.
Elder Satsui smiled and closed his eyes. Belias went to the exit of the elder's chambers. The faceless one barely found Belias's hand."
Faceless: Belias, I'm sorry, but I'm blind. I can only see because I feel mana, but you don't have mana and I can't find you, much less a way out. So don't leave until we get out.
Belias: All right, Mr. Faceless.
"The faceless One, holding Belias's hand, followed Belias out to the exit to the stairs."
Belias: That's it! Listen up! This is a Faceless, future emperor for us! Soon we will enter into a treaty with his empire and give this territory to him, but we will not lose anything! So no need to worry!
"There were a lot of cheers and cheers around."
Belias: Also! I will temporarily leave the territory to train their warriors! As I understand it, after I leave, a demon should arrive to protect this place.
Faceless: Also, there will be no war, since this is just an incorrect rumor. Yes, perhaps it could be, but after making an alliance with them, they will not start a war.
Belias: Really?
Faceless: Really.
Belias: I have just received information that there will be no war!
???: That's great! That's it! Applaud our emperor!
???: Hooray!
???: Hooray!
"There were sounds of applause and cheers all around."
Faceless: Come on, let's go.
Belias: Where do we need to go?
Faceless: Let me think.
"The Faceless One started releasing mana forcibly. Because of the mask, the mana was pure. The more mana he released, the more mana he could feel around."
Faceless: I looked at the mana around. We need to turn right.
Belias: Okay, let me carry you so it's faster.
Faceless: Yes, of course.
"Belias took the Faceless One and holding it under his armpit went down the stairs and started jumping in the indicated direction."
--- At this time---
The Calm Madman: The Witch of the Vines! I know you can hear me! I've come to talk!