Survive As The Brute's Wife-Chapter 172: Stolen Orb

Arioch followed the raven. It came back to the place he was staying at in the beginning—the entrance to the Uileag forest.

As he wondered what the raven is doing, he saw a small, dark, swirling circle that let out a little cracking noise—one that is similar to cracking firewood.

<A Portal..?>

"What is this..? You want me to get here?" Arioch asked the raven, and the red eyes of the raven glistened in the dull light emitted from the portal.

"Should I..." Arioch pointed at the portal once more.

The raven cocked its head. Arioch bowed his head wondering if he should trust that raven. He had a feeling that the raven is the Dark Mage, but he did not trust the bird enough to risk his life by getting inside a dark portal.

He looked around, trying to find out if he could see anyone else. There won’t be anyone here in this dark, but if there is anyone who could take his place, he would risk their lives.

<My life is too precious! I have a lot to achieve!>

But he saw the crumpled paper in his hand. His blood boiled as he realized that Alexandra has been playing him this life too. He decided to take a chance. He needed to do whatever it takes to achieve his dreams. He should rule the world.

On his fours, he crawled through the portal. The entire place was dark and he could feel something thin and dark on him. He knew what that was—A spell of concealment.

He could see some elven soldiers standing with their lances to their sides around a small pillar. Over the pillar was a dark cloth that was covering something.

<Is that the Choshech Orb?>

Arioch’s face curved to a smile.

He slowly crept closer to the dark cloth. He picked up a small bust that was almost the shape of the Orb. The elf soldier who was standing closer to the bust furrowed his brows and turned in his direction. Arioch held his breath.

The soldier leaned forward and his bronze helmet almost touched Arioch’s head. He felt the breath of the soldier on him. Holding his breath, Arioch stood without any movement.

The soldier stared right at his face for some time. At that time, they heard the sound of a bell ringing. Arioch gulped wondering what the bell meant.

<Am I caught?>

But he saw a new set of soldiers walking in and realized that the bell was just for a swift change. As the soldiers handed over their guard post, Arioch quickly picked up the bust and hid it in his clothes.

The change in shift of the elven soldiers was so precise and clutterless. They didn’t even exchange words of greetings, or engaged in small talks. They just turned and left with their usual salutations.

Step by step, Arioch got closer to the small pillar where the Orb was kept. He wondered if he could manage to pick up the cloth and get the Orb inside. Managing his breathing so not to be obvious, Arioch stood in front of the Orb.

The thing of his desire... It is right in front of him for his grasp.

His heart started to pound. He looked around. The soldiers were forming a circle around the Orb. His hands trembled as he reached for the cloth covering. He is going to get this one chance. After this, there won’t be any other chance.

<I must be careful... Could this be a trap?>

He looked around. He remembered Alexandra keeping the Orb in her room. How did this end up here?

He waited just to be sure that no one has seen him. The soldiers were staring right in front of them, and even Arioch got bored of waiting too much. There is no way they will be letting him stay here this long if they knew he was here.

There was a long trumpet sound that almost made Arioch jump. What followed was the clattering sound of the bronze armors of the soldiers as they knelt facing North. They then started to recite a chant praising the Great Father for all the blessings he has given to their kind.

<What a bunch of fools...> Arioch sneered in his heart.

<No one is even sure if the Great Father was a real character or just folklore. And these people consider him a god? Imbeciles! These fools need someone to kneel to... Don’t worry, soon you all will be kneeling in front of me—The Great King!>

He clenched his jaws to focus. Now would be the chance for him to do what he wants to do. His nimble hands quickly swapped the bust and the Orb. Making sure the cloth is covered perfectly, Arioch turned and walked calmly and steadily towards the portal that only he can see.

He hugged the Orb close to his chest. He could hear the familiar voice of Inanis that he missed. When he knelt to crawl back into the portal, he, to his horror, found out that the portal has shrunken further.

<Ah...Did I waste too much time here?>

He tried to squeeze himself inside the portal. But as he was folding his hand over his chest, holding the Orb, his arms couldn’t squeeze inside the portal. He tried to enter the portal sideways, but since he was holding the Orb, he couldn’t squeeze in.

<Should I throw the Orb out first?>

Arioch knew that was the reasonable option. But he didn’t know if the other side would be where the raven is or some other place. This portal could be a trick that damn Alexandra made. This could be a ploy to trap him.

Like a monkey that had his hand in the peanut jar, unable to release its hand, Arioch got stuck unable to leave the place because he was not willing to let go of the Orb even for a moment.

He was not willing to give up the Orb.

He took in a deep breath, and let his head inside the portal. He then tried to grab the Orb with one hand, but he couldn’t. He could see the raven on the golden sand that was looking at him.

<This is the same place... Right?>

He still couldn’t believe that.

As he was lingering, he heard a noise from behind him. The soldiers were saying something in elvish. Arioch found it odd since they were silent while doing the guarding duty.

He turned. One of the soldiers pointed his lance at his direction. Only then did Arioch realize that his feet is not covered by the grey haze. And that means, his feet should be visible to those soldiers.

Knowing that now is not the time to worry about the Orb, he threw the Orb through the portal and squeezed himself in. His body was out and he only had to pull out his legs.

But then he felt a sharp pain. He screamed.

Through the little gap in the portal, he saw a lance had gone through his right foot. He tried to pull his leg out, but the lance hit on the mouth of the portal making him unable to drag his feet out. And as he watched, another lance went through the same feet and the soldiers held his ankles to pull him.

The raven cawed from behind him. And near his hand was a sharp dagger.

Arioch had to make a decision.

He didn’t want to do it. But he’d rather be a limp king than a dead prisoner. He picked up the dagger and sliced his foot, and crawled out of the portal.

The portal closed immediately after he got out entirely, and the shouts of the elven soldiers went silent.

Arioch’s blood fell on the sand and without even spreaduong, the thirsty land drank his blood to quench its thirst. Arioch, screaming, tore a pice of his cloth and tied it around his calf. He is bleeding so much and if he doesn’t get medical help immediately, he will die.

"Help..." he looked at the Raven, now sitting on the Orb. "Please..." he pleaded.

He had no qualms about begging someone when it is needed.

As the Raven just sat there and stared at him, his heart started to pound.

<Was I played? Am I not getting help?>

He knew he cannot get anxious now. That will make his heart pump faster making him lose more blood. He needs to control his bleeding, by controlling his breath.

"Help... Inanis..." He stretched his hand. "You need my help, remember?"

-----

Alexandra was standing in front of King Glarald, asking for his support. This is going to be the battle of the lifetime on this beatuful planet. She needed all help on deck.

At that time, there came a messenger running. He bowed in front of King Glarald and spoke, controlling his heavy breathing.

"Your Majesty... the Orb... The Choshech Orb... It was stolen."