"That was trash," Raze said.

The old ogre's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected the human to so casually and brutally dismiss his sword technique. Before he could react, Raze continued.

"The way you stand. The way you attack. You're forcing the fighting style of a longsword onto a katana," Raze said calmly. "Look at the weapon properly. It isn't made for what you're doing. That wide, careless slicing doesn't suit it."

He shook his head.

"Even a longsword isn't meant to be used like that."

Raze stepped forward.

"There's a flow in the body. Technique comes before strength. Strength alone can only take you so far, but with proper technique, you can overpower enemies far stronger than you."

He extended his hand.

The ogre hesitated, then slowly handed the katana over, stepping back to watch. He wanted to see what Raze meant, wanted to see if the human could truly do better.

Raze gripped the katana with both hands, his palms resting naturally at the base of the hilt. He adjusted his stance, compact, grounded, balanced.

Then he moved.

His feet twisted, his hips turned, his shoulders followed, and the blade came down in a single, clean slash. No excess motion. No wasted strength. The strike was compact, sharp, and decisive.

Raze looked up.

The old ogre was visibly stunned.

"If you move like that," Raze said, "your slash gains more power and more beauty."

He tossed the sword back.

The ogre caught it and immediately assumed the stance Raze had shown him. Carefully, deliberately, he raised the katana and slashed down with all his strength, this time following the flow of his body.

A massive gust of wind and dust exploded outward.

When his eyes widened, he realized something shocking.

The blade hadn't touched the ground.

Yet a deep cut scarred the stone beneath him.

Power surged through his arms, different from anything he had ever felt before.

"That…" he muttered, staring at the mark. "That was far better."

"Exactly," Raze said. "You compress your body into a single chain. Don't distance yourself from the sword and treat it like a tool."

He tapped his chest lightly.

"Become the connection. When your body and weapon flow as one, your attacks become impeccable."

The old ogre listened intently, every word sinking deep. He adjusted his stance again, this time tighter, more refined, and thrust forward.

Thwap.

The blade pierced the air with a whip-like sound. Clean. Stable. Perfect.

This ogre has insane talent, Raze thought. Even without proper technique…

The only person he had seen comparable was Galan.

After several more swings, the ogre's face broke into a wide smile. After years of stagnation, he had finally felt improvement, real, undeniable growth.

He sheathed the katana and turned toward Raze.

Then he bowed.

"Thank you," he said deeply. "You may not understand the weight of what you've given me, but this has allowed me to take a step forward after many years."

Raze waved his hand quickly.

"No, no, don't make it a big thing. I just shared a little information I had."

"Still," the ogre said firmly, straightening up. "In tomorrow's meeting, whatever happens, I will ensure you receive the best deal possible."

He nodded once more and walked away.

[....]

The next day came faster than expected, and it was finally time to speak to the chief of the village.

Raze, Ella, and Fey were led back to the house, where seats had been prepared. The same figures were present, the mysterious ogre standing to the side, the old ogre whom Raze had helped with the sword technique the previous night, and the female ogre as well. Finally, Gundar stood beside his father, who sat upon his throne.

The chief spoke first.

"I know your coming here concerns the constant clashes between my tribe and the lizard men. The queen wishes for you to mediate between us and ensure peace, if I have guessed correctly."

His gaze settled on Raze.

"These lands belong to us ogres, and we do not plan to leave for any reason. The lizard men are the ones who must leave."

"The land belongs to none of you," Fey suddenly spoke.

Cold eyes locked onto the chief.

"Both of you are living on borrowed land and fighting wars over something that isn't yours. That's pathetic," he added flatly. "Land only belongs to those who claim it from its birth and defend it from everyone else. If the queen decided to throw all of you out, you'd have nowhere to go."

The statement enraged the chief, but he kept his face calm, gripping the arm of his throne tightly.

"Fey, stop," Raze interjected, turning slightly toward him. Then he faced the chief. "Forgive him for speaking out of line."

"No," the chief said sharply, his tone turning heavy. "I will not forgive him."

He leaned forward.

"We ogres deserve to live on this land, not those lizards. The kingdom handed this land to us. And now we're expected to share it with such low-life vermin? We will not compromise. If they do not leave, there will be no peace."

Raze slowly rose to his feet.

Before anyone could react, a bat appeared in his hand, and he pointed it directly at the chief.

The female ogre moved to step forward, but Fey's eyes flashed with an ominous light. Whatever she saw made her freeze instantly. Sweat broke out on her skin as she stepped back, shaking.

Fey's gaze returned to the chief.

"I was going to do this the easy way," Raze said calmly, "and have everything settled quickly. But it seems you'd rather be difficult."

He glanced at Gundar.

"If only you were more like your son. He's calm. Thoughtful. Frankly, he'd make a better chief than you."

The taunt landed hard.

The chief frowned deeply. "How dare you come into our home and threaten us? Do you have a death wish?"

"No," Raze replied immediately. "That question should be directed at you."

His voice sharpened.

"You think you can sit on the queen's land and defy her orders just because she's been lenient? Every action has consequences. Right now, I can be your way out or your reckoning."

He smiled.

"Choose wisely. I promise you don't want to do this the hard way. It won't be kind to your bones."

That was when the chief finally snapped.

He turned toward the old ogre beside him and spoke through clenched teeth.

"Even if he speaks for the queen, he does not deserve to address us in this manner."

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