If we're not careful... we'll be annihilated!
The monsters' tactics were flawless.
However Frederic was among the four battalions.
Shoom
Splat
Splat
Splat
Like lightning, his spear appeared and vanished, coiling like a serpent and piercing through the hearts of three enemies.
With his skill, he created an opening.
Thanks to that, maybe—just maybe—they wouldn't be slaughtered outright.
The decision to let him fight freely had already paid off.
But for now, all four battalions of the 7th were trapped in this damned ambush. On top of that...
Morlowe's eyes darted in every direction, scanning the forest.
Even though nothing was visible, his sixth sense left no stone unturned.
In front and behind, goblins and orcs; on the flanks, ogres—or so it seemed.
And as expected, the ogres appeared all at once.
At the forefront, a massive ogre seemed to lead the charge. Bulging muscles like stone adorned its arms, while its battered armor bore the scars of countless blades.
"Kuooooooo!"
Its roar shook the very earth.
A piece of cake for a first mission...
The boy thought sarcastically.
And as that thought took shape in his mind, the monsters closed the distance.
Focus, damn it! Now's not the time for idle thoughts!
Morlowe bit his lower lip, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.
Splat
The blade swept through the air, severing the head of one orc.
Piiiii
The sound of a horn echoed through the forest.
"We must charge forward!"
"We'll break through their forces and escape this cursed forest!"
Apparently, the three battalions ahead of them had chosen to push forward.
The obvious choice was the orc army blocking their path. They were certainly easier to face compared to the ogres.
Clang
Clang
Clang
Amid the metallic cacophony of clashing weapons, the three battalions had already engaged the orcs.
Only the Rose Troop, slightly behind the others, remained in a position to decide their next move.
"Damn it!"
Gale cursed, gritting his teeth as he watched the battle unfold.
Ogres on the sides, orcs and goblins in front and behind... And if that wasn't bad enough, the orc numbers far exceeded their own.
To make matters worse, the other three battalions had already committed.
"Forward! We must advance!"
Gale's order echoed through the trees.
But one boy hesitated to follow.
In his mind, hundreds of pages of military history flipped past like a whirlwind.
No! We can't go forward or backward...
A vision formed in his mind, pulling him from the chaos.
Why would they surround us and divide their forces evenly? Of course... To bait us into a false escape route! Behind those bastards, more enemies lie in wait!
An ambush within an ambush.
The only way out... is through the ogres.
Though stronger and more fearsome than orcs, the ogres held the key to freedom behind them.
I can't let us charge forward!
With another swift strike, Morlowe decapitated a second monster, sprinting to the front lines.
Fortunately, the orcs' advance had stalled the battle.
"Commander!"
Summoning all his strength, Morlowe called out to Gale.
"Huh?"
The man, mid-charge atop his horse, turned toward the familiar voice.
Morlowe?
Seeing the boy, the captain yanked his reins, halting his steed abruptly.
"What is it?"
Irritation marred the man's face.
We don't have time for this!
Gale thought, glaring at the youth.
"We can't move forward. We need to strike the flanks. That's our only escape."
Morlowe's words deepened the man's scowl.
"You're suggesting we face the ogres head-on?"
"Exactly, sir."
The boy's reply was unwavering.
Gale was puzzled, as were his advisors.
The number of ogres is smaller than the orcs, sure, but there are still over two hundred of them. Thinking we can take them on with eight hundred foot soldiers is madness.
At last, one of the counselors couldn't hold back.
"You brat! Reading a few books at the Academy must've fried your brain! A rookie like you dares defy the Commander's orders?!"
The other advisors nodded furiously in agreement.
"You're saying we should fight ogres instead of orcs? Are you insane?"
"You're sending us to our deaths!"
"Look, kid! The first squadron has already broken through the enemy lines. The path is clear!"
The advisors shouted in unison, pointing toward the front.
Despite the insults, Morlowe's face remained stoic.
It's a trap.
The boy's unwavering gaze fixed on Gale.
"Beyond this forest lies a hill—the perfect spot for an ambush. I studied the terrain during our journey from the Capital."
As if struck by divine revelation, Gale's expression froze.
"You're saying the orcs are retreating to lure the battalions in?"
"Precisely, sir."
Morlowe nodded, his face resolute.
Without a word, Gale turned his attention to the front lines.
The orcs and goblins, pushed back, seemed ready to scatter.
"Advance!"
"Just a bit more and we're out!"
"Keep going, soldiers!"
The three battalions pushed through the enemy and escaped the forest.
"Commander! We must join them! If we delay any longer, we'll be trapped!"
Kenny's desperate cry pierced the air.
Once more, Gale looked to Morlowe.
That face, filled with certainty—not a trace of doubt on his youthful features.
Though he's only been here ten days, this boy has already earned countless merits. He's found monster camps and identified their escape routes time and time again.
Should I trust him again?
As Gale wrestled with his thoughts, Dosen, who had been battling at the rear, reached the command point.
"Commander! Something's wrong!"
Dosen's shrill voice rang out.
"Look! Even though they ambushed us, those monsters aren't attacking aggressively. It's like they're only trying to..."
Morlowe finished the sentence for him.
"...herd us forward."
Dosen nodded solemnly.
At those words, Gale scrutinized the enemies surrounding them on three sides.
...They're right...
Though victory seemed within the monsters' grasp, their attacks were measured, as if deliberately holding back.
It was clear now—they were planning something.
"Commander! Time's up! You must decide!"
Faced with his counselors' demands, Gale made his choice.
"The flanks! We'll break through the ogres!"
Kenny's face twisted in shock.
"Sir! There's already a clear escape ahead! Why face those beasts—"
"Enough!"
Gale silenced him, raising a calloused hand—a hand forged by years of swordsmanship.
"If we delay any longer, all four battalions will be in danger. Cavalry, redirect and charge the flanks!"
Koff.
Finally, Kenny bit his tongue, though his flushed face betrayed his anger.
Looks like I'm on his blacklist now.
Morlowe thought, avoiding Kenny's glare as he regrouped with the 42nd squad.
Piiiii
The horn blared again, signaling their advance.
"Toward the ogres! Charge the flanks!"
"Run east and west!"
The advisors relayed the orders to their troops.
"Damn it! We really have to fight those things?"
"Why complicate things!?"
Even the soldiers grumbled but obeyed nonetheless.
Rejoining his unit, Morlowe addressed them.
"Remember, our goal isn't to kill the ogres."
His gaze was icy, his voice resolute.
"We're breaking through. Create an opening and get out of here."
His comrades nodded firmly.
"Good. I'll see you all alive on the other side."
"Yes, sir!"
They replied in unison.
Piiiii
The horn sounded once more.
At the forefront, Morlowe dashed forward, sword in hand. Behind him, his soldiers followed.
"Waaaaa!"
"Attack!"
"Kill these bastards!"
Amid the war cries, the Rose Troop's charge began.
"Kuooong!"
The ogres' battle cry mingled with the humans'. The unexpected—no, inevitable—battle ignited.
_____________
Perched on a tree branch, a young man with long black hair and weary eyes watched the fight unfold.
In his shadow, a pair of skeletons seemed to revel in the spectacle.
"Even after 150 years, the smell of blood is delightful. Seems like someone will join us today, don't you think, Gozen?"
Indeed, my lord.
The skeleton replied wordlessly.
And finally, he too vanished into the abyss.