The corpses rose.
All that was dead, be it orc or human, stood up.
"Necromancer..."
Although he was witnessing it with his own eyes, there was a dissonance in Phillion's understanding.
This was because the man who had been wielding aura moments ago was now using dark magic, which defied common sense.
Crack!
One of the undead lost an arm from an orc's axe.
But the lifeless undead still grabbed the orc's body and tore at it.
-Kahatoo!
As undead appeared here and there, the atmosphere shifted drastically.
-Grukh!
-Croppa! Magamina!
Countless corpses suddenly rose, charging at the orcs.
The unexpected appearance of the undead shocked not only the orcs but also the humans, swiftly changing the course of the battle.
"It's a necromancer!"
"We can win! We can do this!"
The necromancer, who possessed an absolute power on the battlefield, changed the tide in an instant. Undead creatures swarmed over the walls like cockroaches, overwhelming the orcs outside.
The spectacle of all the corpses that had died becoming enemies or allies was an uncanny scene to behold.
-Grukh!
-Kazatoo!
Dismayed, the orcs tried to fend off the undead, but as they destroyed one undead, two more appeared in their place, an endless horde.
'Being a necromancer is impressive, but what kind of magical power is this...'
Phillion questioned whether he was dreaming. Even if he was a necromancer, the sheer number of corpses at the south gate was staggering. It was unimaginable how much mana would be needed to raise all these corpses.
On the other hand, as the undead surged over the walls, Adrias remained calm. His attention was not on the battlefield, but rather on Al-Ghurad.
"Luna."
Fortunately, Luna wasn't severely injured. She seemed to be in high spirits, her smile suggesting she was actually enjoying herself.
"Wow, there are so many undead!"
"Because I'm a necromancer."
Adrias appeared by Luna's side, handing her a potion without explanation.
Even without being told, Luna drank the potion in one gulp.
"I'll help too."
"Go ahead! Those orc souls are your friends, right?"
With those words, Luna dashed toward Al-Ghurad.
This time, she used a different soul for her necromancy, and her attack pattern was distinct from before.
Woong.
Luna's movements were unbelievably fast, almost like light itself.
It seemed like she had analyzed the situation while clashing with Al-Gurrd, creating a new attack pattern that countered him in a way.
Woo-oo-ooong.
In the midst of the battle between Al-Gurrd and Luna, a rift appeared in space, followed by a surge of black energy. Soon after, a figure emerged, revealing itself as Nickel, Timur, and Ludo.
-Kihikihihi!
Around them a small, shadowy fairy flitted, resembling tiny wisps.
"Ludo, Mirenae. I entrust the battlefield to you."
-Graaah!
A massive titan ghoul roared as it charged onto the battlefield, wielding its greatsword.
Following behind Ludo, Shadow Banshee Mirenae flew using some unknown magic.
Nickel, Timur, and me together should have some chance, Adrias thought.
Adrias quietly seized the opportunity.
Ultimately, Luna would be the one to land the decisive blow.
When facing a giant, only another giant could match up.
Although Luna was an exceptional case, having transformed into a Warlock-class mage by imprinting Eve Millennium's soul, her strength hadn't diminished.
Quang!
Quaddudeuk!
The battle between Luna and Al-Ghurad was magnificent.
However, even with her altered attack pattern, Al-Ghurad seemed to have a slight advantage.
Whoong.
Nickel appeared silently and swung his sword.
But Al-Ghurad, who had sensed it, easily evaded the attack and moved back.
-Kkahah! Unbelievable! Young warrior, did you summon these undead creatures?
Responding to Al-Ghurad's relaxed question, Adrias approached him, clutching his sword.
He had been constantly summoning skeleton soldiers, so his concentration was scattered. But since he was used to using magic and wielding a sword at the same time, he didn't mind.
'The figure behind him seems formidable. Should Ludo take care of it?'
He thought that he might need to fight based on size, but he quickly dismissed the idea.
Regardless of size, the only one who could determine victory would be Luna.
However...
Adrias still had a strong belief that they could win.
Therefore, he wasn't particularly worried about Al-Ghurad, who appeared so composed.
He had already noticed that he would soon lose that composure.
"Give me your soul!"
With an innocent expression, Luna charged forward, shattering Al-Ghurad's composure, and struck at him.
Though she couldn't use Aura due to the nature of her necromancy, she was still proficient with her swordsmanship, the very essence of an Aura Master.
Kwaaang!
With one swift movement, Al-Ghurad blocked Luna's fast approach.
But before Adrias knew it, he was already beside Al-Ghurad.
Ckah!
Kaahah!
In the midst of the skirmish, Adrias had closed in, using the skeletons as a diversion.
'I'm sure if Luna summons Eve Millenium...'
He had seen her use it once before, but Eve Millennium was different from ordinary spirits. In a way, Adrias had come to consider it Luna's final trump card.
However...
Although Adrias briefly considered Eve Millennium, he couldn't force it upon Luna.
Their current relationship was relatively good due to Luna's unique personality, but that made him even more cautious. He couldn't let his guard down and risk damaging their current dynamic. No one could predict how their relationship might change if he acted carelessly.
If it becomes absolutely necessary, she'll use it on her own.
It was overwhelming to use necromancy against Al-Ghurad.
Adrias retreated one step back. Watching Nickel and Timur's movements, he then shifted his gaze to observe the entire battlefield.
Hooong.
Kwaaaang!
Ludo swept through the battlefield like water, his colossal size dwarfing even the ogres.
Simultaneously, Mirenae, who was making her debut, flew through the air, using her unique shadow magic to wipe out the orcs despite her petite form.
The sight of the two of them together was akin to an army in and of itself.
And the orcs they swept away were resurrected as undead once again.
'It's thanks to the effect of Original Sin, the attributes of the Vessel, and the mana talent, that such insane feats are possible.'
While an ordinary Necromancer might find it impossible to summon such a large number of undead, the endless mana restoration and the vessel-like nature of his body allowed Adrias to continuously revive all the corpses on the battlefield.
"Don't let a single one escape!"
Dawson Endeavor seized the opportunity, opening the fortress gate and rushing out.
Having dealt with the intruders that had entered the fortress and assembled the elite forces within, they joined forces with the undead.
"Warriors of Endeavor! Advance!"
Although the number of humans was small, the overwhelming quantity of undead revealed a gaping disparity in both momentum and morale.
Koong!
Amid the changing situation, Al-Ghurad, who had been enjoying the battle, also began to feel the pressure as things shifted rapidly.
A war was a massive flow that an individual couldn't control. Even if he could win his own battles, it was meaningless if he lost in the context of the war.
-Kraha!
Kwaaaang!
The enormous orc created with an aura weapon swung its club, causing destruction all around.
However, Nickel and Timur adeptly dodged its attacks, and while Luna, now a mage with the soul of a wizard, watched from a distance, she didn't approach.
Time gradually passed, and the heat of the battlefield began to wane.
Al-Ghurad momentarily halted his attacks and murmured to himself.
-Huhuh. Is this fate?
As an individual, Al-Ghurad had no doubts about his loss.
However, he understood that winning individually wouldn't be meaningful. He smiled wryly, knowing that it was a fact.
-I've lived as if I were the only master of this world, spending my time only in the land of Vayatra. But after meeting individuals like you, I've come to realize many things. There are likely even stronger individuals in this world that I can't even imagine.
As Al-Ghurad spoke, the air around him grew cold.
Surrounding Al-Ghurad were hundreds, even thousands of undead orcs that had suddenly approached.
-The world is truly vast and intense! Come on! I will personally send you all to the eternal battlefield!
Clang!
Kwagagagak―!
As Al-Ghurad's words came to an end, the undead stuck to him.
The massive figure of an orc swung a mace, shattering the undead, but their numbers didn't seem to be diminishing.
"Truly a monster."
Returning from the pursuit of the orcs, Dawson muttered an almost inaudible sentence as he gazed at the scene, unsure whom he was addressing.
It was none other than Aura Master himself.
Despite being an orc, Al-Ghurad was a formidable one, powerful enough to rival Luna Pendragon, the strongest necromancer in the world.
-Krah!
Al-Ghurad's body roared as his strength gradually returned.
No matter how much of an Aura Master he was, there were limits to his mana reserves.
However...
He did not give up.
He never stopped.
The sight of the orc lord roaring and shedding blood all over his body while fighting was a testament to his noble warrior spirit.
Al-Ghurad knew that he would be defeated.
However, he couldn't fall so as to send even one more orc to the land of the eternal battlefield.
Thud!
-Kruh. Hoo.
Al-Ghurad staggered as the club hit the ground.
Around him, most of the undead forces had been reduced to dust.
"It's over, Al-Ghurad."
When Adrias spoke, Al-Ghurad grinned slightly.
-Since becoming a great warrior, I have had no fear. I once confidently claimed that I could change the world with my power. While my words might sound conceited, there's one thing I want to say. You are an amazing warrior. It will be you, not me, who changes the world.
Despite lacking the strength to stand, Al-Ghurad, leaning on his club, didn't appear weak. In fact, he seemed more resolute than ever, causing admiration despite being an enemy.
-Great warrior, I have one final request.
"Speak."
-Can you send me to the land of the eternal battlefield with your sword?
At Al-Ghurad's words, the entourage from the Endeavor side, who had returned after ending the pursuit of the orcs, exchanged glances
"It's dangerous! We have to end it like this!"
"Even if he seems half-dead, an Aura Master is still an Aura Master. A wounded beast is most dangerous."
Despite the protests around him, Adrias lifted his sword.
After all, soon Al-Ghurad's soul would be imprinted onto him.
Fulfilling such a request held significance, and it was also a chance to test his own limits.
'I might lose, but I don't feel like I'm going to die.'
Adrias turned his head to Luna to seek her approval.
However, Luna was indifferent, her gaze fixed on her bloodstained clothes.
'Consistent as ever.'
Deeming her truly perplexing, Adrias aimed his sword at Al-Ghurad.
"Al-Ghurad, I know nothing of honor or chivalry. I'm a rogue who doesn't even understand the concept of fame. I've never worried about things like reputation. But even so, I respect your determination."
Adrias quietly pointed his sword upward as a gesture.
"I will take responsibility for your end, Al-Ghurad."
-Words aside, I know that there's a warrior's spirit in your heart. I express gratitude for your kindness, and I too will ignite my final flame.
In the midst of the battlefield, a peculiar duel unfolded.
The only living orc in motion was Al-Ghurad, but his aura was similar to that of thousands of orcs.
-Krah!
Due to insufficient mana, the orc figure behind Al-Ghurad, now swaying like a candle, swung his mace in response to Al-Ghurad's attack.
The speed was unimaginable for a mace, but Adrias deftly twisted his body to evade and moved closer to him.
"Hup!"
A wave of mana burst forth as a sword faster than sound approached Al-Ghurad.
Along with the sonic boom that ruptured the air, Galakshur emitted a black light.
Shoe-aeng.
Phew!
Kwaaah―! {T/n: The sound effects always make me laugh when I'm translating XD}
Though exhausted, Al-Ghurad barely managed to block Adrias' attack, but he couldn't prevent the faint sign of life returning. Thus, the outcome was determined.
'Blood Curse.'
Adrias didn't let his guard down.
He employed every technique he could.
Even if it seemed cowardly, he didn't mind.
Rather, he believed that using everything at his disposal was a sign of respect towards Al-Ghurad.
Kwaang!
Quaddeudeuk!
Ching! Clang!
The mouths of those watching, witnessing several exchanges of offense and defense in a blink, remained agape. Having confirmed his exceptional skills through battles with the chieftains, they were still amazed to discover that even that hadn't been his full strength.
"Who on earth is he? Could he be a divine messenger sent to protect the Endeavor Fortress?"
"He's truly a monstrous talent. But what's even more terrifying than that is the vast undead legion he's conjured with his immense magic. If we were to encounter him as an enemy on the battlefield, unless a legendary dragon from the myths appears, there's no hope of winning."
"That's not all. Look at those massive undead and the magical banshee. Even against so many orcs, they seem unscathed."
Listening to the comments of his subordinates, Dawson nodded.
Those undead, who didn't seem outwardly exceptional, were already remarkable with just one, but facing a multitude at that level was insane.
Perhaps this is what they meant by being so surprised that there was no strength left to be surprised.
They didn't say anything, but even the undead that threatened Al-Ghurad, who had been seen in the battles before, were not to be underestimated.
Though convention dictated that undead, despite their quantity, were individually weak, this undead, which could tie down an Aura Master, defied such norms.
'As the Orc Lord said, this man might really be capable of changing the world.'
Thud!
As the battle progressed, Al-Ghurad's offensive weakened.
Having already expended much energy in his fight against Luna, he now fought the undead force single-handedly, and his body crumbled.
In addition, he couldn't withstand a blow from Adrias' sword infused with Blood Curse.
-Cruh.
Ultimately, Al-Gurd's Aura scattered and he coughed up blood.
Nevertheless, he still held onto the club, staggering, and swung it.
Whoosh.
Phew!
Adrias felt his emotions rise as he pierced Al-Ghurad's heart with a single motion.
Despite being an enemy, his unyielding determination was enough to make Adrias' throat choke.
-Kra...ha.
Al-Ghurad, who had become the Orc Lord, the first official Aura Master orc in 40 years.
Right in the midst of the battlefield he had desired...
He smiled and let out his final breath.