Love for Family

Sun: "Wait a minute... we forgot to take one of the villagers for the validation."

Nebula: "Don't fret, brother. They can call the guild association and give their statement."

Sun: "Eh? Is it that easy? What proves the call is true?"

Slinger: "You can say the same about having a physical witness. You can just threaten them into supporting you."

Nebula: "Or buy their loyalty..."

Sun: "Gosh, I forgot how easy it is to rig votes..."

Slinger: "You learn the hard way. Was your original world like this?"

Sun: "Yes. Frauds and scams are common wherever humans exist."

Miguel: "But we are not searching for a human, are we?"

Sun: "Oh, right, I forgot to show you this."

I summon the trumpet used to call the Orc King.

Nebula: "Is that from the orc attack? I haven't seen you use it yet."

Sun: "It's used to call the Orc King, a legendary beast. I don't think you saw him in this timeline, since I knew about the attack beforehand. Shizuru saved us a lot of trouble."

Nebula: "Is he strong?"

Sun: "Absolutely. He can be compared to the legendary adventurers and the Heroes."

Slinger: "How do you know so much about him? Is he your creation too?"

Sun: "Yes, a direct creation. I created some of the legendary beasts. If we can recruit him, we'll have a great advantage."

Miguel: "Is the phoenix not enough?"

Sun: "Beasts are different from summons. If they die, they can't be resurrected by the same means. You can't make it disappear either, right?"

Miguel: "No... That's why you wanted this baby hidden from Sol."

Sun: "Exactly. We can't put them in unnecessary danger. And more is better."

We land on a jungle.

D: "A jungle? Sun, did you create this place?"

Sun: "Yes. This is one of the biomes I created for the world, but this particular place is the orcs' hideout. Better yet, their kingdom."

We walk among towering trees surrounded by greenery. We hear the roar of rivers, the songs of wildlife... everything a beautiful yet dangerous jungle has to offer. With one addition: treehouses!

D: "Do they live up there?"

Sun: "There's an entire society of orcs here. Families, leaders, warriors... like human cities, but with a different way of life."

Some orcs land near us, forming two lines. D stands in front of me, spreading his arms.

Miguel: "Don't worry, they're on our side."

They all bow down before us.

Sun: "Miguel... did you brainwash them?"

Miguel: "What? Aren't we here to recruit them?"

Sun: "I was thinking about just the leader."

Miguel: "We have to find him first."

Sun: "There."

I point to a massive tree in the middle of the town. We climb hundreds of steps until we stop in front of a big door.

Miguel: "What are you waiting for? He's already under my control."

Sun: "It's just... I already died to him once. He's still pretty scary to me..."

D: "Really? I will kill him if he lays a finger on you."

Slinger pushes the door impatiently. We enter. A few wise orcs read books here and there. In the center, there is a throne. But the leader is front of it, bowing before us.

Slinger: "Let's just get this over with. I want to rest."

Sun: "We share the same feeling, Slinger. Why are you so impatient?"

Slinger: "I just... don't like monsters..."

Sun: "That's not it. You're thinking about something."

Slinger: "Look, my mind is overwhelmed with everything that's happened these past few days. About you being my creator, about the whole world not being real..."

Sun: "It is real. Look around. Even monsters have families, a society, a hierarchy. Nothing you did was in vain. Everything is real, including me now."

Slinger: "You say you're stuck here, but it doesn't feel right. You're enjoying this a lot more than any of us."

Sun: "Because I always wanted this world to be real. I wanted you to be real."

Slinger: "Tsk. So you wanted me to suffer after all."

Sun: "Slinger, stop being so pessimist. We're going to fight Mitsurugi together and win, alright?"

Slinger: "Yeah... we must win..."

She stares at the ground, conflicted.

This is the first time she's looked so vulnerable...

Miguel: "Orc King, do you have a name?"

Orc King: "No, my master. I have been called that ever since I was crowned."

Miguel: "What was your name before that?"

Orc King: "Orca..."

Miguel: "Do you agree to be our servant until your death or ours?"

Orca: "Forever and ever, master. However, may I make a complaint?"

Miguel hesitates and looks at me.

Sun: "Sure. Ask us anything we can sort out in no time."

Orca: "My people thrive primarily on robbery and raiding. If I leave, they will have no means of support and no leadership."

Sun: "They can become adventurers. The association accepts monsters if they're kind enough. And since they're strong, they won't be intimidated so easily."

Orca: "Is that so? We've never tried that, as humans don't take us kindly, and for good reason."

Miguel: "Do you have another request?"

Orca: "No, my master. I am ready to partake in your adventures."

Sun: "About that, you can wait here."

I summon the trumpet.

Sun: "Do you recognize this?"

His white eyes widen in surprise.

Orca: "Is that a..."

Sun: "I'm sorry, I had to kill one of your servants."

Orca: "It's understandable. My people have attacked several villages. It's only fair that someone fought back."

Sun: "If you don't mind, I'll call you with this when we need you."

Orca: "Understood."

We go to the phoenix.

Slinger: "Is that all for today? Can I go home now?"

Sun: "Sure."

She begins to walk away.

Sun: "Thank you for trusting me throughout this entire plan. We could all have died, but you chose to help. You made the right decision. However, if you betray us again, I will kill you in every timeline."

She stops for a moment, staring at the ground. Then she resumes walking.

Sun: "What about you guys?"

Miguel seems uncertain about something.

Sun: "What's on your mind?"

Miguel: "I don't know, man... seeing the orcs playing and training together... makes me a little envious..."

Sun: "Don't you have siblings?"

Miguel: "I'm my parents' only child... I don't fully understand how a loving family works. They never really cared about me."

Sun: "It may seem that way, but it's not always true. Even if it's for their own benefit, they can't live without you for long."

Miguel: "They must be celebrating right now."

Sun: "In my original world, I wasn't the best at showing emotions. People thought I hated them. Your parents might be the same."

Miguel: "What was your original family like?"

Sun: "I had a loving mother, but that's all. I do miss her, but I wouldn't abandon you or this world for anything."

Miguel: "Do you love it here that much...?"

Sun: "Obviously. It has my face all over it!"

We laugh a bit.

Sun: "Why don't you go ask your parents how they feel? They'll be happy to see how far you've come."

Miguel: "Do you think so?"

Sun: "Anyone would be proud of you."

Miguel: "Only because of you."

Sun: "We all worked together. Without you, our team would be much weaker."

Miguel: "Yeah..."

Sun: "You don't sound fully convinced."

Miguel: "Do you... think the ice queen had a family?"

Sun: "Probably not. She didn't deserve one anyway."

Miguel: "Her guards, the rabbit, the crow... We murdered and stole them..."

Sun: "Hell of a boring family. They couldn't even speak."

Miguel: "She could have been useful to us if I just..."

Sun: "You were not powerful enough yet, Miguel."

Miguel: "I know, but... what if we spared her?"

Sun: "We had many reasons to kill her. Not only because she deserved it, but because we needed to become stronger and richer."

Miguel: "She was trying to protect her kingdom... just like Orca..."

Sun: "You said not to care too much about all kinds of life, remember? It's a food chain. You have to care about yourself before others."

Miguel: "Don't you feel just a little bad...?"

Sun: "Of course I do. But if we hadn't killed her, she would have killed many inexperienced adventurers. It was a worthy sacrifice."

Miguel: "I guess so..."

He smiles.

Miguel: "Thanks for the advice, pal. I'm going to visit my parents."

Sun: "I'm sure they will like it."