Chereads / From Overlord to Slime World: A Time Traveler’s Journey / Chapter 24 - Chapter 23: The Battle Begins

Chapter 24 - Chapter 23: The Battle Begins

The sun hung low in the sky, casting an ominous glow over the battlefield as Ainz stood at the forefront of his army, flanked by Rimuru. The air was thick with tension, the faint sounds of war drums echoing in the distance. Warriors from the allied kingdoms were gathering, each one prepared to defend their home against the rising threat of the Orc Lord and his relentless army.

Rimuru, his blue eyes glinting with determination, turned to Ainz. "Are you ready for this? The Orc Lord's forces are vast, and they won't be easy to handle."

Ainz adjusted his skeletal mask, a faint glimmer of resolve emanating from his darkened eye sockets. "I have summoned the most formidable of my minions, but the strength of the enemy is not to be underestimated. We must act decisively."

Behind them, the sounds of armor clanking and weapons being sharpened filled the air. The knights and soldiers of the kingdom were preparing for battle, their faces a mixture of fear and determination. Baron Leonhart stood nearby, rallying his troops.

"Listen up!" he shouted, his voice booming over the assembled warriors. "We fight today not just for our lands, but for our families and our future! We may be outnumbered, but with courage and strength, we can turn the tide of this battle!"

The warriors cheered, their voices rising in a unified roar. Among them, Ivar and Celia stood side by side, gripping their weapons tightly. Celia looked at her brother, anxiety etched on her face. "What if we can't hold them off?"

Ivar turned to her, his expression fierce. "We will hold them off. We have Ainz and Rimuru on our side. Together, we are stronger than we've ever been!"

As the warriors prepared for the onslaught, Ainz and Rimuru exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. They both knew that this battle was about more than just defeating the Orc Lord; it was about proving their worth as allies and securing a future for their respective kingdoms.

"Let the battle begin!" Ainz commanded, his voice resonating with authority. With a wave of his skeletal hand, he summoned a host of undead minions—warriors clad in rusted armor, their soulless eyes staring blankly ahead, ready to charge into battle.

At that moment, the ground trembled as the Orc army began its advance, a terrifying tide of green and black surging forward, their war cries piercing the air like arrows. A monstrous figure emerged from the horde—the Orc Lord himself, towering over his troops with a cruel grin plastered across his face.

"Today, we will crush these pathetic humans!" the Orc Lord bellowed, his voice filled with a malevolent glee. "Their lands will be ours, and their blood will water the fields!"

Ainz's expression remained unchanged as he observed the advancing horde. "We must not falter. Demiurge, lead our undead forces into battle."

Demiurge stepped forward, a wicked smile curling his lips. "It will be my pleasure, my master." With a gesture, he commanded the undead minions to charge, their skeletal forms rushing headlong into the fray.

As the first clash of weapons echoed across the battlefield, the kingdom's warriors surged forward, their hearts pounding with adrenaline. Knights clashed with Orcs, the sounds of metal against metal ringing out as blood was spilled on the scorched earth.

But as the battle raged, it quickly became clear that the Orcs were overwhelming in number and ferocity. The kingdom's warriors fought valiantly, but they were falling, one by one, before the savage onslaught of the Orc horde.

"Form up! Hold the line!" Leonhart shouted, desperation creeping into his voice as he fought back-to-back with his knights. Ivar's sword slashed through an Orc, but more quickly filled the gap.

The battlefield was engulfed in chaos as the clash of metal and the cries of warriors echoed through the valley. The Kingdom's warriors, clad in armor and armed with swords and shields, charged forward to engage the incoming horde of Orcs. Their battle cries filled the air, a testament to their bravery, but as they collided with the ferocious Orc forces, reality quickly set in.

"Onward, brothers! For the kingdom!" shouted a knight, leading the charge with his sword raised high. His determination was palpable, inspiring those around him as they surged forward.

However, as they met the Orcs head-on, the difference in strength became stark. The first line of warriors was met with brutal ferocity. The Orcs, muscular and battle-hardened, fought like demons, their battle axes cleaving through armor as if it were made of parchment.

"Push them back! We can't let them through!" a commander yelled, but the desperation in his voice betrayed his fear.

Rimuru watched from a distance, anxiety creeping into his heart. "This isn't right," he muttered. "They're being overwhelmed."

The knights and soldiers fought valiantly, but one by one, they began to fall. An archer let loose a volley of arrows, only to see them deflected by the thick hides of the Orcs. A mage tried to conjure fire, but his flames were snuffed out by the sheer number of enemies rushing him. Soon, cries of anguish and fear filled the air as warriors were trampled underfoot or cut down without mercy.

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The Warriors' Desperation

The commander of the frontline, a burly man named Sir Rodrik, rallied his men. "Hold the line! We must protect the kingdom!"

But even as he shouted, an Orc warrior charged at him, swinging a massive axe. Rodrik managed to parry the blow, but the force sent him stumbling back. "We can't let them break through!" he roared, but the words fell on deaf ears as chaos unfolded around him.

"Sir! To your left!" one of his knights shouted, but it was too late. The Orc had already swung its weapon, and Rodrik fell to the ground, his body lifeless.

Rimuru clenched his fists, watching his comrades fall, knowing they were fighting valiantly but ultimately failing against the overwhelming horde. "This can't be how it ends!" he exclaimed. "We need to do something!"

Suddenly, a loud explosion rocked the battlefield. A group of mages had tried to unleash a powerful spell, but it fizzled out before it could even take effect. Their faces were pale with fear as the Orcs pressed forward, their numbers seemingly unending.

"Retreat! Fall back!" shouted another commander, but it was too late. The horde surged forward, engulfing the remaining warriors in a tide of flesh and steel.

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The Moment of Realization

Seeing his comrades being slaughtered before his eyes, Rimuru turned to Ainz, who stood calmly amidst the chaos. "We need to intervene now, Ainz! They're getting slaughtered!"

Ainz's expression was calm but intense, his eyes scanning the battlefield as he assessed the situation. "Indeed. It seems my undead army alone will not suffice. They require a demonstration of true power."

Without another word, Ainz raised his hand, calling forth the magic that flowed through him. "Witness the power of the Tenth Tier!" His voice boomed, reverberating across the battlefield, commanding the attention of both allies and foes.

With an incantation that resonated through the very fabric of the air, Ainz unleashed a spell that had not been seen in ages—one that harnessed the forces of nature itself.

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The Spell Unleashed

The ground trembled as dark energy swirled around Ainz. Shadows coalesced and twisted into tendrils of destruction, forming into an immense sphere of energy above his outstretched hand. "Darkness Devastation!" he proclaimed, unleashing the spell with a flourish.

The massive sphere erupted, sending a shockwave that rippled across the battlefield. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as all eyes turned to the source of the overwhelming power.

The explosion of dark energy consumed everything in its path. Orcs, warriors, and the very ground beneath them erupted into a maelstrom of destruction. The power of Ainz's magic tore through the Orc ranks, ripping apart their formations and obliterating dozens of them in an instant. Blood and debris filled the air as the Orcs were thrown back like ragdolls.

"Fall back! Retreat!" the Orc leaders screamed, realizing the tide of battle had suddenly turned against them. Panic spread through their ranks as they witnessed their comrades being annihilated in waves.

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The Aftermath

As the dust settled, Ainz lowered his hand, surveying the battlefield. The ground was littered with the remnants of the Orc army, half of their forces decimated in a matter of moments. The warriors who had fought bravely before stood in awe, their fear replaced by a sense of hope.

"By the gods..." Rimuru breathed, shock etched across his features. "That was incredible!"

Demiurge, standing at Ainz's side, smiled widely. "Such is the might of our lord! The Orcs will think twice before challenging us again!"

Ainz's skeletal visage showed no sign of arrogance, merely the calm focus of a master tactician. "We must not become complacent. There are still many Orcs left, and their leaders will not easily yield."

Rimuru nodded, still amazed by the display of power. "Right. We need to take advantage of this moment. Let's push forward and finish what we started."

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Rallying the Troops

"Warriors of the Kingdom!" Rimuru called out, his voice ringing with newfound vigor. "The tide has turned! Let's push forward and eradicate the remaining Orcs! For our fallen comrades!"

With renewed determination, the warriors rallied around Rimuru. They surged forward, driven by the desire for vengeance and the promise of victory. Ainz, with Demiurge by his side, followed closely behind, ready to unleash more of his formidable magic if necessary.

As they advanced, the remaining Orcs, now frightened and disoriented, began to retreat, their morale shattered by the catastrophic power displayed by Ainz. The kingdom's forces pressed on, determined to secure their home and avenge their fallen brothers.

Rimuru fought alongside them, his heart pounding with adrenaline. "We can't let them escape! Let's end this!"

With the undead army leading the charge and Rimuru's forces pushing forward, the remnants of the Orc army crumbled, their will to fight shattered. The once-feared Orc Lord was now on the defensive, and the battlefield that had seemed hopeless just moments before was now filled with the cries of victory.

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The Final Confrontation

In the distance, the Orc Lord, a hulking figure clad in battered armor, watched the chaos unfold. His eyes narrowed as he realized his forces were being decimated. "This cannot be! We will not be defeated!" he roared, rallying the remaining Orcs around him.

"Fight! Fight for your lives!" he bellowed, though his voice wavered with desperation.

Rimuru and Ainz moved together, their determination burning brighter than ever. "Let's finish this!" Rimuru shouted, charging toward the Orc Lord.

Ainz raised his hand again, ready to unleash more of his devastating magic if needed. The battle was turning in their favor, but they would not underestimate the Orc Lord, not now when victory was so close.

As they advanced, Rimuru felt the weight of his comrades' sacrifices resting on his shoulders. He wouldn't let them down. The kingdom would be safe, and the Orc Lord's reign of terror would come to an end.

And so, the stage was set for the final confrontation, where the forces of darkness would meet the resolve of the brave, a battle that would decide the fate of the kingdom once and for all.