Episode 28 – The Creature at the Frontier (8)
‘I roughly knew, but it really is true. It actually… just looks like people living their lives.’
The concept of this game was that each civilization consisted of various races, but even though they were different species, there were always some commonalities.
The city of the hobgoblins in front of me was no different.
Numerous demons tilled fields, herded livestock, and did business in their daily lives. They took care of their families and experienced joy and sorrow with a daily drink, a scene quite familiar.
The need to eat, the competition to grow influence and power—there was no difference from humans. They were all beings of similar intellect, after all.
Still, this was the first properly functioning society I’d seen since entering this world.
I mindlessly stared at the scene, letting it deeply imprint itself in my mind. It was a sight far different from observing through a monitor.
Because one day, my soldiers will invade here.
“This is the most developed city in this area. Lord Lumon asked me to assist you, so if you need anything, just say so.”
“Thank you.”
Seeing my expression, the hobgoblin knight Durn, assigned to me by Lumon, chuckled softly, presuming I was a country bumpkin amazed by the grand city.
If he thought that, then fine—I intended to take advantage of his offer.
I wanted to observe how they’d react when my main body moved.
“Attack the Orc’s territory as planned.”
I left my duplicate to pose as a hobgoblin and opened my eyes as my true form. I mobilized the main force, now entirely restructured.
Not just restructured—a whole host of newly-added troop types made it feel like an entirely new force reborn.
“Reports indicate Viscount Zik of the Orcs and Count Ludras of the hobgoblins maintain a rare amicable relationship in this region.”
“So you plan to remove him to pressure Count Ludras?”
“They already believe some force is attacking them. We must fan the flames of that belief.”
As Seira suggested, I intended to play the pragmatist and also apply psychological pressure to our enemies.
If they send troops out of anxiety, it won’t matter anymore. The moment Viscount Zik of the Orcs is crushed, Count Ludras of the hobgoblins will be left only with troublesome neighbors.
My greatest concern is that all the powers in this region unite to kill me first.
If that doesn’t happen, I won’t falter.
“The cities I’ve taken are already fully nested, and I’m expanding my territory using them as bases. Seira, you lead the newly organized legion against the Orcs.”
“Yes.”
War began once again, but Seira, appointed as the vanguard general, smiled as if pleased with her task.
The target, the territory of Viscount Zik of the Orcs, governs a power smaller than my current one, spread across about fifty districts. I thought if I committed all my forces, I could easily sweep it away.
*
“Hmm?”
In the eastern forest of the territory, Orc hunters tracking mana beasts noticed something was off.
The signs of a fierce battle remained, and the faint tracks of a mana beast that had been hunted suggested that another predator had beaten them to it.
“What’s the deal? Not a single piece is left.”
“The footprints leading back seem fresh, like an Augu’s. Damn, they stole a good prey.”
Based on the footprints, one of the Orcs speculated what kind of mana beast had been hunted.
“If so, what are these then?”
At that moment, a companion called out. The Orc expert in mana beasts nonchalantly approached the companion.
“These… these are…”
Even the experienced hunter couldn’t recognize the footprints there.
They resembled those of insect-type mana beasts but the problem was the sheer number.
Countless tracks filled the area, making it impossible to even estimate how many mana beasts had passed through.
“Come to think of it, didn’t you hear a rumor? The city ruled by the hobgoblins to the north was destroyed by a mana beast attack. They said those beasts were insect-like too.”
“Are they coming this way? There’s plenty to eat around there; that’s ridiculous.”
He chuckled at his companion’s serious muttering.
It was unreasonable by all logic. Even if the mana beasts had attacked the city, why would they bother to come here, where food was plentiful?
Unless they were specifically attacking this place, it was impossible for them to bypass the numerous forests and mana beasts in between.
“Anyway, since we’ve come up empty, let’s just head back.”
Deciding further investigation was futile, they gathered their tools and turned around to return to their village.
“…”
But none of them noticed the numerous predators who silently and stealthily surrounded them in the shadows.
These “insect” creatures, covered in black carapace, moved in such a way that it was hard to believe they were living beings. They’d already encircled the Orcs long ago.
“Uwaaaahhhh!”
In an instant, the monsters attacked. They weren’t warrior-level fighters; it was impossible for mere hunters to resist several dozen of these monsters.
Poisonous stingers flew from the air, piercing the hunters’ bodies, and swift forelimbs crushed them to the ground.
“Ga..hk..”
He fell to the ground amidst the cries of his mortally wounded comrades.
It wasn’t good fortune that allowed him to survive, merely a decision by the predators not to touch him.
“Hi… iiiiik!”
Realizing in that fleeting moment that his companions were all ground to pieces, he became ashen-faced as he noticed the horde approaching him.
The enemy mass parted into two, and someone slowly approached. A figure shorter even than an Orc walked toward him with a spear in hand.
“You will be spared a painful death if you tell me all you know.”
The black mask covering the face dissolved, revealing a beautiful vampire.
He had no choice.
“The result of the interrogation reveals there is no proper castle worthy of the name except the one where the Viscount resides. The surrounding villages are merely protected by wooden palisades or dirt ramparts.”
“Then we may overrun them without issue.”
Seira had extracted information through brutal torture, and naturally, the knowledge was relayed to the Queen, connected by hive consciousness.
Understanding that the northerners preferred nomadic and agricultural lifestyles rather than building grand structures as Orc castles, the Queen judged there was no need to hesitate anymore.
“Seira, you will take the largest contingent and strike the biggest village. The rest of the forces will split and simultaneously attack the nine other villages set as objectives.”
With the previously gathered intelligence, the Queen deduced there was no need to lead so many soldiers to seize each place individually.
Even if the forces were split countless times, their numbers would far exceed those of the Orcs in each village.
She deemed it more advantageous to launch a full-scale invasion, preventing the enemy from fully mobilizing.
“A map is unnecessary.”
The Queen, satisfied, closed her eyes and manipulated the hive consciousness.
With the help of the massive auxiliary brain, she was able to command the entire force as one. Unlike a game with its mini-map, she could oversee the entire situation with one glance through her heightened awareness.
There was no need for the nine separate battalions to communicate. They could share updates and coordination in real-time.
“What, what is that? There’s so many!”
“Monsters are swarming from the forest!”
Without hesitation, the Queen began battle the moment her battalions settled into their positions. The sun was setting, and the Orc villagers, preparing to return home and enjoy dinner with their families, were caught by surprise.
“Everyone, rush out quickly!”
“Take up arms! They’re trying to scale the walls!”
Thrown into chaos, the Orc villages descended into confusion. Everyone capable of fighting, regardless of age or gender, grabbed their weapons and stepped out.
To protect their homes, families, and society.
Under the command of warriors, they desperately fought to maintain their defensive lines. Running away was already too late, and even if they abandoned their settlement, they’d only end up as refugees.
[The newly created ranged units are preparing for battle.]
“Hmm, let’s see.”
For the Queen, this moment was merely a testing ground for her newly created soldiers.
While basic troops created cheaply clung to the walls, the heavy assault warriors and ranged units revealed themselves from the back, their massive bodies making a striking appearance.
From the extended, sturdy bases of the ranged attackers, a glob of flesh filled with toxic fluids squirmed and was flung far away with the pincers attached to their tails.
