Chapter 16: Fierce Battle with the Orcs - Part 1
The information I heard from Schwein was quite stimulating.
The Orcs deployed in the southern forest numbered about 300, led by Orc General as the vanguard.
Their objective was to capture Fort Esperanza.
Fort Esperanza was a fortress under construction by the Primera Knights in the territory of the eastern monsters.
It had become the most critical location where the Primera Knights dedicated all their efforts to fortify and defend it as a base for investigating the eastern countries that had fallen to the monsters and launching a counterattack.
Unfortunately, Schwein didn't know much about it and seemed to have come to this forest solely for breeding and increasing their numbers.
The Orcs' breeding ability theoretically allowed them to triple their numbers in about half a year.
Schwein mentioned that they had started gathering females from other races for breeding purposes.
Although Orcs didn't have females, they possessed the breeding skill that allowed them to mate with any other race, and with their insatiable stamina, they reproduced explosively, making them a troublesome species.
I initially thought of it as a picnic-like adventure, but the situation was currently extremely serious.
Chloe's complexion turned pale after hearing Schwein's story. Although it concerned me, there were more pressing matters at hand.
"Chloe, I'm sorry, but please inform the Adventurers Guild and the Knights Order about this. Time may be of the essence."
"W-What will you do, my Lord?"
"I'll stay behind and try to reduce the number of those Orcs as much as possible. Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless like attacking their stronghold."
"...Please promise me that you won't push yourself until I return. You're... my, our last hope..."
Chloe... She's making that expression again.
"Hmph, my, my Lord?"
I gently stroke Chloe's head.
"Don't worry. I'm a man loved by the Grim Reaper. I promise I won't die. Besides, I want to try eating Orc meat."
"Hehe, my Lord, if you're loved by the Grim Reaper, wouldn't you die instead? Understood, I'll go now."
Along with the soft sensation, Chloe hugs me tightly.
I'd like to touch her ears and tail amidst the commotion, but I endure it with a steely resolve. I can't ruin the good atmosphere.
"[Learned: Mental Resistance]"
...How many skills am I going to acquire just because I want to touch them?
Chloe tilts her head as I sink into a slight depression and then returns to the town.
Alright, now let's go hunt those Orcs.
I'll let Ravi search while guiding Schwein.
According to Schwein, the Orcs are currently divided into squads to gather females, so I'll aim to defeat them individually.
With Ravi and Schwein here, it should be manageable as a squad.
***
The silver wind raced through the forest.
(Things have gotten tough...)
Chloe sighed inwardly.
Leaving her master behind was something that should never have happened, but the Fort Esperanza was Chloe's hope, as well as the hope for everyone. It couldn't be lost under any circumstances.
But... Chloe thought of her master with black eyes and black hair.
Her master was a very kind person. Dangerously so. In this world, those who are kind end up dying.
He said he wouldn't do anything reckless, but if he saw someone being kidnapped, he would surely go to their rescue. Even though they had just met today, Chloe understood.
Faster... even faster.
Chloe took off her clothes and stood naked. She didn't want to use it too often, but...
"...Beastification."
Chloe transformed into a silver wolf and ran with all her might. She had to inform them of this crisis as soon as possible. She had to return to her master's side in the blink of an eye.
***
"Master, there's a group of orcs. There are eight of them."
It seemed that Lavi had detected a group of orcs. I haven't converted the speech in my mind, as always.
"Master, the leader of the squad is a high orc. He's strong."
"Yeah, thanks, Schwein. I'll be careful."
Orcs are generally not very attentive to details. In other words, they're rough. Even if we approach them a bit forcefully, the chances of them noticing are low.
The trees gradually become sparse. There should be a village ahead. Are they planning to attack the village...?
"Master, I can hear human screams."
Damn, did I not make it in time...?
In a location a little away from the village, there are several corpses with crushed heads. They all seem to be adventurers. One orc is also lying there, but it seems they were caught off guard and outnumbered.
I store the bodies in my backpack.
Through body enhancement, I could hear the screams of women, too.
"Lavi, Schwein, I'm sorry, but I need you two to charge in frontally. I'll take advantage of the opportunity."
"Understood, Master." "Got it."
...Just wait, I'm going to save you now.
***
"...You guys, calm down a bit. We're moving on. We won't finish our quota otherwise."
The leader of the squad declares, exasperated.
The female member of the human race they had captured earlier is being subjected to alternating acts of humiliation by the subordinate orcs.
Well, they had held back until they arrived in this forest, so they allow some freedom to prevent morale from dropping. Besides, once they reach the village, there will be plenty of prey.
"Alright, let's go—"
Just as the leader is about to give the signal to depart, a giant horned rabbit and an orc come charging at them.
One of the subordinate orcs falls, pierced by the horn of the rabbit.
The mysterious orc is strong too. In an instant, two of the subordinates are defeated.
(What's going on with these guys?)
I have no idea what they're after, but I know it's not good if it continues like this.
Damn it, things aren't going well. I don't have time to stumble around in a place like this.
"I'll show you the difference in class."
Orcs don't evolve. Their rank is determined at birth. A king is born a king.
I was born as an elite high orc. The difference between an elite and a common grunt is overwhelming power.
The leader orc effortlessly catches the horned rabbit's charge and snaps its spine. The rabbit turns into particles of light and disappears.
While surprised by that sight, the leader orc faces the attack from the other orc head-on.
"You seem to be doing well for just a regular orc, but in the end, you're nothing more than a slightly better grunt."
Pushing back with tremendous strength, the leader orc kills the orc with a swift strike. The orc too turns into particles of light and vanishes.
(...What is this? I don't understand.)
I try to assess the extent of the damage, but my body won't move, and my vision is distorted.
(Why am I lying on the ground...?)
A black-eyed, black-haired man stands over me. That was the last sight the elite orc saw.