Chapter 612 - 611: The Confrontation of the Two Sides

Chapter 612: Chapter 611: The Confrontation of the Two Sides

Colin had expected the Orcs to turn and flee, but to his surprise, those attacking the city immediately abandoned the formidable walls. They formed a loose, scattered formation at the bottom of the slope, looking as if they intended to fight the army to the death.

Most of the Orcs over there lacked complete Armor, holding only worn-out Axes and Short Spears. They didn’t look like much of a fighting force.

"They think they can overwhelm us," Albert said, breathing a sigh of relief at the sight. "This is good news. At least we won’t have to spend all our time riding through the mountains searching for them."

"This is a tribe that’s been pushed to the brink," Kase stated calmly.

Colin asked curiously, "How can you tell?"

"There are many women among them. Under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t see so many women on the battlefield. This means they’re running out of food."

Colin peered at them but found he couldn’t distinguish the female Orcs from the males at all, and had no idea how Kase had spotted them.

"Aren’t we going in?" Dorn asked.

"We have to deliver the decisive blow," Albert replied.

All the Knights were now gathered around Albert on their Warhorses. More than fifty heavy cavalrymen held their Riding Lances high, gently pulling on the reins to calm their mounts.

They awaited the Lord’s command, like a hammer raised high, waiting to be swung.

Mikhailo, clad in Plate Armor, also rode his horse over to Albert’s side. A black Horn had appeared in his hand.

While answering Dorn, Albert kept his eyes fixed on the distant Orc line.

Colin, meanwhile, watched the Recruits slowly advancing.

The city Recruits, armed with Long Spears, formed the front line. The village Recruits were positioned at the rear of the formation, and behind them all stood a line of elite veterans to keep the line steady.

A few Knights on horseback circled the formation, shouting out commands at the top of their lungs.

"Albert."

"What is it, Colin?"

"In a moment, can you point out the Orc leader to me? Kase and I can take him out directly," Colin said. "That should help reduce our losses."

Albert smiled. "I appreciate you offering to help."

"I can spot the Chief myself." Kase snorted like a horse as he drew the Battle Axe from his back. His arm began to tremble again.

Colin frowned and asked, "Are you..."

Kase noticed his own arm.

He laughed and rubbed his arm, which immediately stopped trembling. "It just means I’m excited... you know?"

"And here I thought your old affliction was acting up again."

As he spoke, Colin noticed that Ale, who was beside them, seemed to want to say something but held back.

’She probably wants to help, too. But it’s safer for just me and Kase to team up right now. After all, we’re about to charge right into the middle of the Orc formation. Bringing Ale along might lead to an accident.’

While they were chatting, Colin took a glance at his Task Log.

In addition to the task of being Albert’s bodyguard, another uncompleted task had, as he’d expected, appeared.

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[Quest: Slay the Orc Chief]

[Rating: Not Started]

[Reward: Not Calculated]

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While the group was chatting, the formation in front was also slowly drawing near.

The Crossbowmen at the front of the formation raised their Heavy Crossbows and rained Crossbow Arrows on the Orc formation.

Thick, short Crossbow Arrows flew through the air, one after another, embedding themselves in the Orcs.

Orc after Orc fell to the Crossbow Arrows, but the Scouts and Hunters among their ranks, not to be outdone, returned fire with their Bows and Arrows.

However, their sparse Arrows looked nowhere near as intimidating as the volley of Heavy Crossbows from their side.

The remaining Orcs charged rapidly toward the front of the battle line.

"Cease fire."

The moment Albert gave the order, Mikhailo blew the Horn. The Heavy Crossbowmen at the front immediately ceased fire, peeling off from the flanks to retreat behind the main line.

The Recruits in the phalanx’s front rank raised their Long Spears, forming a spear wall.

However, the dense forest of Long Spears didn’t seem to instill the slightest bit of fear in the Orcs.

These towering Warriors charged, brandishing their Short Spears and Axes. Some tried to parry the Long Spears with their weapons, while others simply ignored the spearpoints, risking impalement to close the distance.

But under the dense spear thrusts, this kind of reckless bravery was completely useless.

The charging Orcs were either run through or forced back by the spear tips, unable to get close to their enemies at all.

The Recruits from the city were surprisingly capable fighters.

They held back the first wave, solidifying the entire formation until it was as firm as a rock. The front and back ranks of Long Spears thrust in alternating, methodical waves.

At first, the village Recruits in the rear were terrified, but seeing that the Orcs couldn’t break the line, they gradually grew bolder.

They picked up rocks from the ground and threw them over the front rank toward the Orcs, desperately screaming curses to bolster their own courage.

"Colin, the Orc Chief is over there!" Albert suddenly shouted.

Kase chimed in, "That’s definitely him."

As Colin looked in the direction they pointed, he began Casting, applying [Haste] to himself.

The one they pointed to was an Orc in Leather Armor, standing amidst his troops and bellowing, trying to rally his comrades.

The creature was a full size larger than the Orcs around him, his face a mess of hideous scars. Iron plates had been stitched onto his Leather Armor for added protection.

"We’ll probably appear behind that Orc Chief."

Colin reached out and placed a hand on Kase’s shoulder.

He drew [Burning Blood] from his hip, entering his Sword Dance state. He ran the blade lightly across the back of his hand, and it immediately began to absorb the blood, which then burst into roaring flames.

At the same time, wisps of cold air flowed out from the seams of his Armor, traveled down his arm, and clung to the blade of his Long Sword.

He began Casting, his eyes locked on the Chief in the middle of the Orc troops.

The moment the Spell was complete, a buzzing sound suddenly rang out in front of them.

A swirling pattern of blue light manifested, quickly forming a translucent rift that spread toward them. Kase’s shoulder twitched, as if he’d been startled.

The rift brushed past their faces like a gentle breeze.

"ROAR!" "Urs!" "Urs, Grok!"

Deep, guttural voices assaulted them from all sides, and Colin nearly gagged on the foul stench that washed over him.

The smell was sour and foul, like a pile of rotting meat left to stew in a barrel for weeks.

Colin looked straight ahead.

As if on reflex, he swiftly cast the Magic, enhanced with [Instant Potency] and [Instantaneous Instant Cast].

[Steel Wind Slash]!

The scene before Colin’s eyes changed again.

His first target was the Orc Chief in front of him. He swung his sword at his opponent’s shoulder.

The blade cut through the enemy’s iron-plated Leather Armor like a hot knife through butter, severing muscle and bone in the shoulder before lodging in the collarbone, unable to penetrate any further.

’This guy’s no pushover.’

Before Colin could even pull his blade free, his target shifted to another Orc, and he instinctively thrust forward with [Burning Blood].

Thrust. Swing. Up-slash. Hack...

The instant he reappeared in his original spot, blood erupted from all directions, spattering against his Armor like rain and dripping down its contours to the ground.