Starting with the defeated female knight

Not to mention, in addition to practical technology, Green was also willing to support them in carrying out their own special research. And as they gradually became influenced by the atmosphere of Dawn City, they also began to try to talk with their companions, and their ideas constantly collided, constantly sparking various inspirations and ideas.

After shedding those putrid shackles, knowledge and technology returned to their original form. Research was no longer a painful ordeal, but an extension of one's own thoughts. No matter how tired one was, even when sleeping on the desk, one would still be muttering theorems, feeling incredibly happy.

This is also why they became increasingly thin from their previous immersion in research.

This is also why Uri thanked Green.

but......

I will definitely continue to develop knowledge protection and patent systems; researchers need some safeguards and rewards.

The tentacles swayed slightly.

[Furthermore, unrestricted research is also dangerous. When we have time in the future, we will definitely need to improve the rules and regulations.]

"But you wouldn't make it like that, would you?"

Uli laughed, and she seemed to take on a more human-like quality.

“I know these are necessary, and I can offer you help and advice later if needed.”

"Just for now, even just for a little while would be fine."

She looked up at the magicians who had finished their workout and were now sprawled out, panting and discussing various formulas and theorems with shining eyes. Her smile grew even gentler.

"Let them have some fun for now."

In this unrestrained land, in this paradise for researchers, in these mountains where ideas can take flight.

In the most primitive way, let them recall the joy of their initial research.

as well as......

Don't think you can get away with changing the subject. Shouldn't you go take a shower?

"...Can I skip the shower? It's just for one day, I'm so tired."

【no】

------

P.S.: I can't finish the second chapter yet, so I'll just post this one for now and add the rest later.

Volume 1: Chapter 76: The Tentacles' Reputation is Deteriorating...

Uri was dragged by tentacles to take a bath.

The mages were still chatting over there, not only discussing their skills but also secretly plotting who would take the blame if the next explosion happened.

After all, that meant several whole days of not being able to do research, plus eight hours of physical labor combined with exercise!

But while the magicians were having their cheerful discussion, in the distant wilderness...

The atmosphere in the orc tribe called Firestone was unusually heavy.

The temperature is getting lower and lower...

"There's not enough food..."

"Many people want to leave, to go to places unaffected by the demonic tide..."

"It's too far, and nobody knows what's going on outside..."

"Old Hule's injuries have worsened again. He was the one who covered the retreat during the previous demonic tide outbreak; we can't abandon him..."

"But we don't have a doctor, and we've run out of ointment..."

irritable.

As one piece of bad news after another came into his ears, the black wolf orc with purple eyes sat in the tent, his expression growing increasingly agitated.

For orc tribes, getting through winter is always a significant problem. In addition to the problems that plague humans, many orcs, due to their racial traits, face additional limitations in winter, making it even more difficult for them to survive the winter than for ordinary humans.

This year, the cold air arrived earlier and more intensely, and there were several, even dozens, of "magic waves" recently.

The Black Wolf Beastman didn't know the exact number of times, since she didn't have the means to investigate. She only heard from other tribes of beastmen that gray fog had appeared in other places besides their area. She didn't know the exact range, but it certainly couldn't get close.

Although these were all small-scale demonic tides, they were far less significant than even the first camp defense battle, let alone the defense of Dawn City. It's hard to say if they even amounted to a fraction of the total.

The problem is that although the demonic tide is small in scale, they also lack the protection of the ancient gods with tentacles.

Survival was already difficult enough, and with the added impact of the demonic tide, although thanks to everyone's unity and the orcs' natural physical strength, they suffered no casualties.

But whether it's food, medicine, or anything else, we're already running out of supplies.

She knew without anyone telling her that she couldn't possibly survive the winter.

Just when she thought this was the worst-case scenario, the fallen leaves in the wilderness brought even more unsettling news.

A group of strangely dressed beings, resembling humans, were wandering around the wilderness.

Wherever they went, all the orc tribes disappeared without a trace. Only a very few who acted alone could be contacted, and the information they received came from them.

Given the Empire's past history of capturing orcs as slaves and experimental subjects, the Black Wolf Orc felt it was necessary to prepare for the worst.

Of course, while the Empire did indeed do many terrible things to the orcs, the orcs were not entirely innocent either.

Although she hadn't done it herself in the Firestone tribe where the Black Wolf Orcs lived, she knew that many orc tribes were not good at production and relied solely on robbery and plunder to survive.

Moreover, it wasn't just humans; the orcs would also attack other orcs. The Firestone tribe had encountered this several times, and it took them considerable losses to force the other side to retreat.

The ambient temperature plummeted, supplies dwindled, the tribe was filled with fear, and unknown dangers roamed outside...

As the eldest sister in the tribe, she didn't know what to do.

The good news is that she won't have to worry about these things anymore soon.

Just minutes later, news came from outside that a group of strange people were heading towards the tribe.

His entire body was hidden under a black robe of strange material, the surface of which was engraved with mysterious and eerie patterns of varying degrees.

They were well-equipped, with clothing and weapons unlike anything the orcs had ever seen. Although they looked like humans, their appearance, demeanor, behavior, and everything else were completely different from the border people they had in mind.

Even without engaging in combat, just watching them walk from afar, one can feel a chilling sense of oppression.

They might just be passing by.

The orc in charge of surveillance prayed like this.

Unfortunately, his prayers went unanswered.

Even upon getting closer, through his race-derived keen sense of smell, he could detect a faint, very fresh, bloody odor emanating from them, a scent that, though cleansed, still lingered.

They had just killed orcs.

Moreover, this freshness will not last more than half a day.

Combined with the recent news of the orc tribes going missing one after another, and with his heart pounding, he put down the rudimentary device that resembled a telescope, jumped down from the tree, and prepared to run back to the tribe to warn everyone to escape immediately.

but......

boom.

He hadn't run more than a few steps when a spear flew over his head and stuck in front of him.

Then, with the sound of something hitting the ground, he felt a gaze on his back.

He stopped and turned around with difficulty, only to see the most terrifying thing he had ever seen.

Was that a human? Or an insect?

He couldn't tell the difference.

He only knew that he had never seen such a being before. When he looked at it just now, it was a human, but when he got closer, he saw that under the black robe with dark gold patterns, there was an insect-like carapace on its body.

Its eyes turned into black pupils like those of a locust, its mutated chitinous carapace formed a mask, and at the end of its arthropod-like arms, it held a twisted weapon forged from the limbs of an insect.

"Stop."

The figure in the black robe spoke, his voice low and eerie due to the physical mutation.

"We are looking for a nearby orc tribe and need a guide."

The black-robed figure slowly stepped forward, his weapon leaving a trail on the ground, until he reached the terrified orc.

"You were observing us just now, and you were going to report it after you spotted us, right?"

It was a terrifying scene.

But in fact......

"Hiss, it's getting colder and colder. Luckily, the robe the adults gave me is warm. I'd better tighten it up quickly."

"Have you cleaned up the bodies of that orc bandits? Remember to wash away the blood so you don't scare anyone."

"Hey, look over there, aren't there some orcs watching us? They seem to be leaving; they're probably scouts from a nearby tribe."

"It looks like it's trying to run away. I'll transform and go stop it first, just in case something goes wrong."

As for the various villainous remarks that followed, although they did sound a bit off, the blame actually lies with Green.

Because even now, communication still relies on swaying, and they often come up with all sorts of nonsensical concepts and terms.

Over time, the people in Dawn City were basically influenced by him, and their language and style changed. They especially liked to use concise language to express the main points.

This approach works fine in Dawn City because everyone there is influenced by the tentacles, and their habits and perceptions are similar. So even if the content of their conversations sounds a bit strange, there won't be any misunderstandings.

But when facing people outside Dawn City, that...

"...Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Guided by the tentacles, the scout orcs eventually found the location of the Firestone tribe, despite the orcs' repeated claims that they knew nothing about it.

Upon approaching, they were confronted with strangely dressed, terrifying figures in black robes.

The orcs gripped their weapons tightly, a chill running down their spines.

As for the leader of the black wolf orcs, he clenched his fists, his purple pupils filled with vigilance and alertness.

“We have come by the command of God…our Lord, to seek what He needs.”

One of the men in black robes stepped forward, his calm tone unsettling.

"Don't be nervous, lost sheep, we have not come with any ill intentions."

“Our Lord has foreseen the calamity of the demonic tide and knows the suffering you are about to face. Therefore, he has specially sent us out to search for those children who will suffer in the bitter cold and to provide them with shelter and warmth.”

"Food, medicine, warm shelter, and everything else you need... Our Lord can give you."

"As long as you are willing to come with us and pay a small price."

silence.

It would have been better not to explain; after the explanation, the orcs became even more frightened.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, one of the tall, black-robed figures, with a chest as broad as a mountain, stepped forward, removed his hood, and revealed the appearance of a bovine beastman beneath.

“What he said is true, Hein.”

Hein is the name of the Black Wolf Beastman.

Upon seeing the face of the bull-like beastman, Hein frowned.

"Chloe? What are you doing here?"

Hein recognized the bull-like beastman in front of her; he was the leader of a tribe she knew well and one of the first beastmen to disappear.

Because they couldn't get in touch for a long time, Hein had assumed she was dead.

But now, the other party has appeared in the group of men in black robes, and...

Where is your daughter?

Hein knew that Chloe's most precious possession was her daughter, who was also a bull-type beastman. She took her with her almost everywhere she went and had never seen them separated.

“I dedicated her to God… I mean, my Lord.”

Chloe's tone was somewhat regretful.

"Unfortunately, my lord refused."