"Apologies, I must excuse myself for a mont!"
The occurrence of a special situation imdiately caught Ronald’s attention.
Though reluctant in his heart, he quickly dismissed the two orc girls with a few words, then turned and headed back towards the judge’s seat on the stage in the square.
As ti went on, the crowd that had gathered for the festival beca increasingly dense.
Ronald pushed forward among them, trying not to draw attention, but inevitably affected by the crowd. Throughout the process, his eyes remained fixed on the scene at the judge’s seat.
During the day, the festival atmosphere was thick.
The orc spectators enjoying the festival on the square basked in the festive atmosphere, and the singers on stage earnestly showcased their vocal talents.
Except at the judge’s seat.
An orc’s face showed no trace of happiness whatsoever.
He was staring intently at Orel on the judge’s seat, both remaining silent, creating a tense atmosphere.
The silent orc was the chief official of this city.
On ordinary days, he was considered the most powerful figure under Orel, and also one of the officials who dealt most frequently with the King of Giant Beasts.
And what he was staring at was a doppelgänger left by Orel, which could only react according to procedure, with extrely low adaptability.
Crisis and tension lood around.
The ordinary orcs around perhaps hadn’t yet noticed this situation.
But with his extraordinary perception, Ronald, who had not left the square earlier, heard the catalyst that led to the silence at the judge’s seat:
"You are not Mr. Orel, who are you really?"
—Orel’s doppelgänger had been exposed.
Normally, Ronald wouldn’t bother with such matters.
He didn’t have a bad impression of the King of Giant Beasts, but also had no intention of ddling on his behalf.
But the developnt of this incident not only pertained to Orel’s doppelgänger being unmasked, but could also affect the ceremony being held in the city.
As soone who needed the ceremony to enter the Holy City.
Even though he was unwilling, Ronald could only co with a reluctant face to assess the situation.
In the crowded festival masses, Ronald, attempting to act covertly, continued moving toward the judge’s seat.
After a period of silence.
The orc official maintaining eye contact with Orel’s doppelgänger, his expression growing more serious, could no longer hold back and spoke again:
"State your identity, impostor!"
The official also understood what the disappearance of Orel ant for this city.
So even if he had already seen through the falsehood of the doppelgänger.
He still made an effort to control his voice, preventing others near the judge’s seat from noticing the change here.
Coincidentally, the orcs were engrossed in the festival’s songs.
His caution and discovery fortunately did not attract too much attention.
And opposite him, asked again, Orel’s doppelgänger finally spoke:
"Water, what are you talking about? I am Orel, there is no doubt about it."
"If it were the Lord..." Upon hearing the doppelgänger’s response, the official nad Water raised his voice instantly, but suppressed it through sheer effort.
He then leaned forward, almost face-to-face with Orel’s doppelgänger.
His eyes, writing the words threat, stared directly at the other:
"If it were the Lord, he would say—’Port, although today is a festival, such jokes should not be made lightly.’ Listen! I have followed the Lord for over a hundred and forty years, I wouldn’t mistake sothing so obvious!"
"..."
After a few seconds of silence, Orel’s doppelgänger spoke again:
"Water, although today is a festival, such jokes should not be made lightly."
"..."
In an instant, the expression on Official Water’s face shifted from a threat to extre anger.
Previously, he might have held a sliver of weak hope, expecting that he made the wrong judgnt. But the doppelgänger’s wrong response in this extre situation made him give up that hope entirely.
Even worse—
The response from this ’Lord Orel’ in front of him was obviously not sothing a being with normal thinking capabilities could co up with.
The fake on the chair, that he had unmasked, did not even have a normal thought!
When had Orel been replaced by this puppet?
With the convenience of its position, how many ridiculous commands had this thing issued?
And for the world of "Song in the Forest" that had been stable for countless years, what did this an?
Thinking of this, the official hurriedly issued several questions to Orel’s doppelgänger.
With probing and advancing seasoned speech skills, he finally confird the truth of the person before him—this was a puppet without self-thinking!
Perhaps this thing could mimic Orel and make so very similar decisions. But ultimately, it was a machine without wisdom!
The official felt panic internally.
But the knowledge accumulated through years of work allowed him to make a quick judgnt.
"My Lord, there is an urgent matter requiring you to return to the palace to deal with."
"This is sothing your position obliges you to do."
Upon hearing the official’s request, Orel’s doppelgänger, only capable of chanical responses, naturally nodded in agreent:
"Alright, I will depart imdiately!"
The official then raised his voice to shout to the square managent personnel beside him:
"Lord Orel has urgent matters to handle, the competition site is temporarily maintained by you!"
With these words, Water hurriedly chased after the departing Orel’s doppelgänger.
Others didn’t have his eyesight; they only thought sothing had indeed happened in the city, requiring Orel to handle it.
So as soon as the ruler stood up, the orcs consciously made way.
The crowded square did not even require the shouts of guards to maintain, as a wide path erged to leave this place.
Along the road opened by the crowd, the official and his counterfeit king proceeded towards the palace in the city.
Walking on the road they had passed countless tis before.
The official gazed at the fake ahead, identical to the one he pledged allegiance to, his expression changing again and again, his mind overwheld with indescribable chaos.
Where is the real Lord Orel now?
How could such a powerful king be replaced soundlessly by this machine?
What terrifying event is happening in "Song in the Forest"?
Even more thoughts crowded in.
As the only one aware of this situation, could he now make so particularly special decisions...
Suddenly, amid his swirling thoughts, the official stopped.
He noticed that the street once bustling and crowded had inexplicably beco deserted.
And on the road leading to the palace in front of them.
A man who had engaged with Orel not long ago and was referred to as an honored guest was standing there seriously.
At this mont, Ronald, who blocked their way, spoke:
"Sir, please wait a mont."
"There are so matters we might discuss?"
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