The Black Mountain

The following morning, Kazimir awoke after being knocked out. The scenery had transformed from a lively green forest to rocky hills, with a colossal volcano visible in the distance. From this alone, it was evident where he was—The Black Mountain, a realm inhabited by various dragons, elementals, and orcs alike. Situated not far from the Grand Duchy of Silverbrook, where Radom was located, it presented a stark change in scenery.

Kazimir surveyed his surroundings and noticed six others who had been abducted, all confined in a cage pulled by thunder lizards. "Oi, you!" Kazimir raised his voice at a nearby orc.

"Hmmph?" the orc grunted questioningly.

"Yes, you!" Kazimir pointed at the orc.

"What do you want?" the orc replied.

"Where are we going?" Kazimir inquired.

The orc chuckled and, while pointing at the Black Mountain, said, "Can't you see?"

Kazimir grasped the futility of continuing the conversation with the orc. The entire Orcish squad comprised 60 orcs, with some riding beasts and most of them on foot. An average orc held far greater strength than a veteran human warrior, leaving no hope of resisting their overwhelming numbers.

All Kazimir could do was wait until they arrived at their destination and discover what fate had in store for him.

After some time, they arrived in front of a huge bridge that connected with the entrance to the depth of the mountain. As they approached the gate, it opened. It required a dozen orcs to open it from the inside, and the same number to then close it. The gate was made from black steel produced deep within the mountain. Orcs used black steel, which was extremely durable, for not only weapons but also fortifications and tools.

However, this place was not always a den of orcs. It used to be occupied by dwarfs from the underground Kingdom-city of the Black Mountain. Due to the overwhelming power of the Orcish race, dwarfs were forced out of the city and compelled to seek asylum in other kingdoms.

Therefore, it wasn't as if the orcs had built all of the infrastructure in the Black Mountain. In fact, they had no idea how to create anything more complex than simple buildings, tools, and weapons.

After all, they used to be a semi-nomadic race that built simple villages and traveled around to hunt for food, often engaging in battles with other tribes they encountered during their journeys.

"Heave-ho, heave-ho," the orcs grunted as they pulled the doors closed. Now Kazimir's fate was sealed; there was no more running away from the orcs.

"I guess I will just face whatever they throw at me," sighed Kazimir. "It's not like I have anyone to return to anyway."

They delved deeper and deeper into the mountain until they arrived next to a massive door with a sign reading 'Black Anvil Arena'. The arena was infamous for the fact that no one brought here ever returned alive. Many beasts and humanoid races were kept imprisoned in the arena so the orcs could indulge in their favorite sport: gladiator fights.