Ch.5858. Raid (2)

Right after rushing out of Nature’s Hut with my staff in hand.

The first thing I did upon entering the forest atop the Tarrasque was to give Corin instructions.

“Corin! Scout the enemy!”

[·······?! Got it!]

Having accompanied me for the longest time and developed perfect coordination, Corin understood my brief command, spread his wings, and soared into the sky as he always did….

Not long after, I discovered why the Tarrasque’s alarm had sounded.

[Master! Big humans! Big humans!]

“What do they look like?”

[Twice as big as Master! Not human!]

After listening to Corin’s vague description and briefly glimpsing through his eyes.

What reflected in Corin’s pupils was none other than about seven giants approaching our location.

Muscular figures about twice my height. Sharp teeth and claws.

Their bellies, which at first glance appeared to be mere flesh, were actually all muscle protected by tough leather.

And I know this species better than anyone else.

Ogres. Alongside trolls, they’re considered typical mid-tier giant subspecies. They’re essentially a combat power measuring stick that separates the lower and upper ranks of the mid-tier.

Physical abilities that don’t fall behind even compared to primal giants. Skin tougher and harder than ordinary giants, comparable to steel rope in durability.

And intelligence that, while low, isn’t as severely stupid as trolls.

They not only possess mid-tier level output but can also skillfully utilize this power, making them formidable opponents that require more than just nominal mid-tier abilities to face.

However… questions still remain.

How did ogres, a species far removed from magic, detect our Tarrasque?

Focusing on this persistent question, I observed them carefully, and the answer soon became apparent.

Among the ogre group, one stood out with a distinctive appearance.

‘That one…’

In one hand, he holds a large, beautiful oak staff. In the other, a sword (a greatsword by human standards) with a handle that suggests it was originally human-made.

He’s wrapped in a cloak made of dozens of animal hides stitched together, and all over these leather garments are accessories made from bones… especially skulls and claws, attached in clusters.

Decisively, a wild aura emanates from his entire body, making the situation impossible to ignore even if I wanted to.

‘That one… a magic user?’

There’s a high possibility that this ogre is also a magic user, or more precisely, a shaman who uses wild magic.

Shamans are magic users who rely on innate qualities to wield magic.

Therefore, shamans often use primitive forms of magic, with wild magic being a prime example.

Many shamans from barbarian tribes, who frequently encounter powerful beasts and magical beasts, use wild magic.

Although their proficiency and precision fall far behind a druid’s wild magic, their explosive power is by no means inferior.

And with wild magic, one could certainly discern the nature of this Tarrasque.

The life force detection magic that I use almost constantly is also a type of wild magic, with countless applications.

If one is even slightly vigilant, detecting this Tarrasque’s basic concealment would be entirely possible.

Meanwhile, questions like ‘why are they targeting us’ are meaningless.

From the start, ogres are a species second to none in ferocity and violence.

Though generally lower, their intelligence is not comparable to mere trolls.

They are cunning despite their size, and on top of that, they are naturally gluttonous and prefer cannibalism.

Thus, when ogres appear, rural villages tend to disappear entirely.

In terms of damage scale, they’re no different from natural disasters. The reason they’re attacking is… probably because they spotted us?

“My friends! Prepare for battle!”

Regardless, the one clear truth was that we had to face these enemies.

※ ※ ※

This group, consisting of one ogre shaman and six regular ogres, could undoubtedly wipe out a mediocre frontier territory of the Frankish Kingdom in an instant.

Six mid-tier subspecies giants, ogres, who can fight on equal terms with “knights” – human weapons who are not only proficient in all weapons and combat techniques but can move as one with their horses.

Plus, one ogre shaman who can support them with wild magic specialized in physical enhancement.

Purely by numbers, they have seven mid-tier beings while we have eight.

However… this doesn’t necessarily mean we have the advantage.

The biggest issue is size. Since ogre sentinels are well-armed, we’re at a disadvantage compared to their nearly four-meter-tall frames.

Of course, we have the advantage of terrain (the Tarrasque’s back) instead.

[Small Aleinos Forest! Repel the intruders!]

The first power I invoked was the command to subjugate external enemies, which I can activate as the successor to the Aleinos Forest manager.

The small Aleinos Forest begins to move like a living being in response to my command as the manager’s proxy.

The forest’s mystery exerts pressure on those foreign enemies while bestowing the forest’s grace upon the allies I designate.

Although it can’t compare even slightly to the commands that Mother, the manager, activates in the real Aleinos Forest, the impact of environmental support on the battlefield cannot be ignored.

And… simultaneously, the ogres began to move.

-Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

At the front are ogres wielding shields as massive as castle walls, and behind them are ogres with spears almost like pillars or enormous clubs.

An extremely simple formation that requires no special technique, but precisely because of that, it has no particular weakness, making it difficult to break through.

[■■, ■■■! ■■■ ■■ ■ ■■■ ■■ ■■■ ■■■■!!!]

Additionally, the ogre shaman positioned at the rear of the formation chants in what seems to be the giant language.

The magical form taking shape through the incantation is a spell easily recognizable to druids – one that strengthens the body by imbuing it with bestial power.

Despite the forest environment supporting our side, the battle situation isn’t positive… but there is at least one element where we clearly have the upper hand.

That is, the diversity of deployable forces.

[Everyone! Prepare for battle!!]

I shout with all my might, infusing my voice with magical power and clear intent.

The ogres growl at me, seemingly taking this as a declaration of war, and without hesitation, I begin weaving magic, emanating magical power from my staff.

[Behold, fairies of the forest. Look at those invaders! Born from evil, committing evil, and trying to justify evil through instinct!]

Like singing, I utter incantations and move my staff, gradually weaving the magical power emanating from its tip into a single spell and magical form.

This was clearly the precursor to a great spell… and the enemies weren’t fools.

[[[UOOOOOOOOO───!!!]]]

The roaring ogres thrust their shields forward and charge. Their intention is clearly to stop me before the spell can be cast.

And……..

[Take this───!!!]

-──────CRACKLE-BOOM!!!!!!

Starting with Corin’s lightning, which was on standby and struck before the ogres could move, crisping them up, the animal friends’ attacks began.

[■■■■■■■■■■■───!!!]

In the 12 wide-open mouths of the hydra peering from the forest, lumps of magical power mixed with venom began to form, then shot out like bullets, striking the ogres’ bodies.

“───AWOOOOOOOO!!!”

Meanwhile, Fenrir, who can only engage in close combat, is using his unique ability to face ogres head-on to throw them into confusion.

His roar is excellent at breaking the ogres’ concentration, and by poking and threatening them, he prevents them from focusing on me.

-Hissssssss……..!!!

“■, ■■■■■■■■■───!!!!”

And through the gaps created this way, the hydra’s venom bullets pour down, melting the ogres’ flesh.

As I begin to feel the familiar flow of magical power from the Tarrasque beneath my feet, I smile with satisfaction and……

[───Therefore, I hereby declare! The punishment of the Aleinos Forest!]

Completing the long incantation, I activate the pinnacle of nature magic… or more precisely, druid magic, ‘Greater Nature’s Punishment.’