Ch.5353. The Orc Subjugation Battle, Begins.

In the middle of the vast plains located in the southern part of South Pyongan Province, there is a massive lake formed by groundwater springs.

As water is an extremely valuable resource, this lake is naturally considered the most strategic location, and thus it has always been home to the ruler of the plains—consequently, an orc fortress stands at this prime location.

The stationed forces are truly the main strength of the orc legion. They consist of the Orc Lord, chieftains and shamans from the 17 most powerful tribes, most mid-tier and higher orcs with their lower-tier orc assistants, and the monsters that serve as both their livestock and mounts.

Ten thousand orcs with twenty thousand mounts. With all the orcs’ main forces—that is, their professional warrior class—deployed here, the fortress itself matches this scale.

This enormous log fortress, built by cutting down the tall, straight trees growing on the plains, primarily consists of long, high wooden palisades that completely encircle the lake.

Nineteen watchtowers are installed throughout the palisade to survey the surroundings, each typically garrisoned with seven orc archers who constantly monitor the area.

And this was no exception for the northernmost watchtower, the ninth watchtower nicknamed the “Winter Watchtower.”

“Grooks, I’m bored……..”

“……..You’re not the only one who’s bored, so please shut up. Idiot Grooks.”

“Grooks not idiot!”

“Who cares!”

Displaying typical orcish camaraderie, these archers were passing time by watching the stupid antics of the new recruit Grooks, who had joined after one of the previous archers died in an accident.

“How did this guy even pass the test?”

“Maybe his mother did something for the examiner?”

“Stop with the disgusting talk, Churuk. It’s almost lunchtime.”

“Who cares, Korus.”

These archers who bickered all day long, though it might not appear so, were all well aware of the great defeat in the jungle.

Therefore, according to protocol, those stationed at the northernmost watchtower closest to the jungle should be constantly vigilant, especially toward the north, ready to shoot arrows the moment they spot any suspicious movement, but…

Remember this: One should not expect such diligent and honest duty performance from orcs whose average intelligence is roughly equivalent to that of a marine.

They’ve tossed their bows somewhere aside and are bickering with each other, anticipating lunch rather than maintaining vigilance.

……..For the sake of orc honor, let’s keep it a secret that just by not leaving their watchtower posts, they already demonstrate character and personality in the top 10%.

“I’m—so—huuuungry!!!”

And while they were making a ruckus during their duty.

“…………Huh?”

Korus, the most senior orc archer, realized at some point that their watchtower was vibrating, but this observation never left his lips.

Whoosh—CRASH!

Hundreds of massive boulders flying from the distance smashed into the palisade, shattering it to pieces, and the watchtowers were no exception.

The boulders that struck the upper part of the watchtower—where the orcs were positioned—not only destroyed the structure but also crushed the orcs inside. Immediately afterward, the beings who had thrown the boulders from beyond the horizon began charging forward.

KRAAAAAAAAAAK—!!!!!

KIEEEEEEEEEK!!!!

HOROLOLOLOLOLOL—!!!!

Emitting indescribable shrieks, thousands of ein-type monsters charged toward the fortress with bloodshot eyes.

Jungle trolls, goblins, sugar gliders, ogres, crocmen, and various other ein-type monsters charged forward, disregarding their once adversarial relationships.

This advance, best described as a mad rush, naturally drew attention since it began with the spectacular destruction of the palisade. Consequently, warriors on standby rushed in to intercept these eins.

The orc warriors stationed at the fortress were mostly composed of renowned or exceptional warriors from each tribe, with a minimum of 7th grade and over 30% being mid-tier—nothing but powerful warriors.

Additionally, since these were the orcs who had led the vanguard against the lizardmen, they were well-equipped with advanced weapons and gear captured from the lizardmen.

While the more than 7,000 eins were certainly concerning, as long as they abandoned the intelligent movements and throwing weapons typical of ein-type monsters and charged like animal-type monsters, they shouldn’t be too difficult to handle, but…

Gu, GUAAAAAAAK!

CRUNCH!

KIEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!

With these eins consumed by madness, the situation changed entirely.

The eins charged forward without regard for their bodies, biting and clawing at the orcs until they were completely incapacitated and unable to move.

While ogres and jungle trolls engaged the mid-tier monster-evolved orc warriors or formations of lower-tier orcs, goblins swarmed in large numbers, clinging to lower-tier monsters to overcome their disadvantage in weight class.

A chaotic melee of killing and dying ensued as the madness-consumed monsters charged recklessly, but as warriors continued to join from the rear, the scales gradually tipped in favor of the orcs.

‘……What a mess.’

And there was someone who had such a reaction upon seeing the two ein groups in the distance—

[Advance, Seri.]

‘Yes, Captain.’

It was a being now called Seri, who began moving troops according to the orders of the Hive Queen whom she called Captain.

※ ※ ※

Seri. She was the commander leading the drakemen, an enigmatic being in humanoid form who revealed none of her skin.

She wore black armor made of the finest materials and massive amounts of nanomachines covering her entire body, with silver fur and a cape flowing behind her back.

On her head, she wore a helmet with horn-like protrusions resembling animal ears, and in her hands, she wielded a two-handed sword that looked like it could be a magic sword straight out of a fantasy novel.

And she rode a horse-like monster wearing armor similar in design and form to her own—its name was Ironbreaker.

Ironbreaker

Grade :: 3

Level :: 93

Stats

Strength :: 3500

Agility :: 3500

Vitality :: 3500

Intelligence :: 200

Resistance :: 7500

Energy :: 1000

Command :: 0

Traits

Monster Gene(B), Predator(B), Hive Mind(B), Subjugation(EX), Bio Core(B), Mobile Warfare Expert(B), Rider Support(B), Psychic Resistance(B), Tireless Stamina(B), Superhuman Strength(B), Super Regeneration(B), Close Combat Expert(B), Manifestation-type Psychic User(B)

Skills

Sprint(B), Charge(B), Endurance(B), Mobile Evasion(B), Thousand-Mile Run(B), Telekinesis(B), Psychic Construct(B), Combat Art: Horse(B), Psychic Enhancement(B), Psychic Healing(B), Psychic Barrier(B), Horsemanship: Reverse(B)

Bio-weapons

Nanomachine Horse Armor(A), Charge Hammer(A)

In simple terms, its appearance was that of a massive black horse covered in full-body black armor. While generally similar to a normal horse in appearance, the wire-like tail ending in spikes and the curved demonic horns growing from its head proved this horse was indeed a monster.

Its legs (hooves) were equipped with large, beautiful rechargeable shock wave-generating close-combat weapons called Charge Hammers, and the horse armor was practically fused with its skin and was a masterpiece capable of changing into various forms.

Even the greatsword wielded by the woman riding this magnificent steed was far from ordinary—it was Anitheus, a grade 3 monster.

Anitheus (Hive Sword)

Grade :: 3

Level :: 89

Stats

Strength :: 1500

Agility :: 1500

Vitality :: 1500

Intelligence :: 2500

Resistance :: 10000

Energy :: 5000

Command :: 0

Traits

Monster Gene(B), Predator(B), Hive Mind(B), Subjugation(EX), Bio Core(B), Versatile Psychic User(B), Elemental Resistance(B), Psychic Resistance(B), Adamantium Skin(B), Enhanced Body(B), Super Regeneration(B), Close Combat Proficiency(B)

Skills

Shape Shifting(B), Psychic Flame(B), Psychic Lightning(B), Psychic Frost(B), Psychic Barrier(B), Telekinesis(B), Psychic Construct(B), Weapon Arts(B), Psychic Enhancement(B), Psychic Healing(B), Psychic Explosion(B), Life Absorption(B), Psychic Concealment(C)

Bio-weapons

Psychic Sword(A)

Anitheus, a living sword that could freely change its form and assist its user with psychic abilities, was the ultimate ego-sword. And the woman who wielded this dangerous weapon-monster was skilled enough not to be controlled by the sword.

Anyway, enough boasting—now was the time to move according to the directives from above.

‘Let’s go, Ironbreaker.’

[Hihihing (Understood).]

Skillfully giving instructions to her mount, she immediately issued advance orders to the drakemen through the Hive Mind network she was connected to, while simultaneously dispersing the lizardmen auxiliary forces in all directions.

After briefly watching her comrades begin to move according to her orders, Seri channeled energy into her weapon, Anitheus, transforming it into a cavalry lance—

《—Here we go!》

Emerging from the concealment field that had been hiding the Hive Mind’s army, she charged with full force into the flank of the orc warriors who were busy fighting the ein slaves.

THUD—!