Chapter 29 – The Monster at the Frontier (9)
[Loading Cannonball]
A massive lump of flesh, about the size of the upper bodies of the cart-pulling orcs, was expelled from their bodies. The catapult soldiers grabbed it with hooks and tensed their muscles, preparing to throw it.
However, the orcs were unable to stop them.
In the first place, they were too busy trying to repel and push back the enemies that had drawn near to even notice what the monsters far away were doing.
[Cannonball Fired]
The cannonballs were ultimately launched skyward. These soldiers were the result of concentrating all the resources of the Legion and possessed a throwing range comparable to a trebuchet, achieved purely through their physical prowess.
The airborne biological bombs landed directly on the orc encampment.
“What, what is this?”
The accelerating bombs collided with the ground, structures, or unfortunate orcs with strong impacts.
The biological bombs, comprised only of flesh, were instantly crushed, dispersing the gas and poison within in all directions.
“It’s poison! Poison!”
The poison and acidic liquid that erupted out began destroying the orcs’ respiratory systems and corroding their flesh.
The Legion-style acidic poison was produced by extracting and condensing all the poisons handled by mana beasts into their most potent form capable of corroding steel.
The orcs, who had minimal resistance to poison, fell helpless to the spreading toxic gas.
‘This is working.’
As indiscriminate bombardment continued, gaps appeared in the defensive line. The queen smiled, pleased with the efficacy of the biological bombs, and ordered her soldiers to charge.
Amidst the chaos caused by the relentless rain of bombs, the wall of the encampment was breached. Assault troops clad in heavy armor and wielding blades, along with numerous regular soldiers, rushed in to begin the massacre of the orcs.
“No! Hold your positions. If we scatter, we’re finished!”
Shamans attempted to summon winds to disperse the poison, but it was already too late to change the situation.
Like a flood, the monsters rushed in and toppled the orcs who resisted. The more who fell, the more the orcs were overwhelmed.
“How could this happen…”
The chieftain who ruled the encampment fell to the ground in despair, watching helplessly as his warriors were massacred.
Much like how one hand can’t contend with ten, no matter how fiercely the warriors fought, the enemies that were already swarming around the encampment were too numerous.
If only there was a magic-stone powered spell tower capable of firing large-scale spells, they could have withstood the assault using that firepower. However, since they often moved because of their nomadic lifestyle, their encampment lacked such grand facilities.
“Chief, please evacuate quickly. We can’t let our lineage die out, can we!”
Some urged the chieftain to evacuate hastily. They had already prepared the residents, including young orcs, for evacuation.
While the remaining ones stood their ground, this was a plea to abandon the place and escape to save their lives.
“No, I cannot abandon this land given to me by my ancestors and lord.”
The chieftain shook his head. Instead, he raised his axe towards the approaching monsters.
“I will die as a warrior here. Therefore, you must survive and not forget this. You must avenge me someday.”
Having proclaimed this resolutely to those in despair, the chieftain charged forth with his axe in hand, along with a group of his subordinate warriors who had decided to make their stand.
The sacrifice of everything for the homeland and future of the tribe. This was the duty of one born as a warrior.
“Die, you monsters!”
As the subordinate warriors fell one by one, the chieftain plunged into the fray alone, axe in hand, against hundreds of enemies stained with the blood of his comrades.
*
[The enemy encampment has been completely occupied.]
“Better results than expected. Let’s create temporary nests in the occupied encampments and supply nutrients to the soldiers.”
The orcs attacked by us, without knowing why, fought more fiercely than expected.
However, regardless of the fierce battle, the exchange ratio was more profitable than my calculations, thanks to the excellent performance of our newly introduced catapult troops.
Thanks to this victory, I managed to collect war spoils with ease. These were merely organic meat pieces now, despite being fierce opponents until just a short while ago.
“Significant numbers of survivors have been observed fleeing in all directions. Though many have been hunted down and killed, there are likely survivors who have escaped.”
My basic strategy after declaring war was not to give them any time to recuperate.
One of our advantages is that while they hardly know anything about us, I know what I need to about them. This was my reason for maximizing that advantage.
We created temporary nests by transporting workers and my cells to the captured enemy encampments and began feeding all possible nutrients, including enemy corpses, into artificial digestive organs.
My soldiers can continue fighting as long as they have enough nutrients to move their bodies.
My intention was to kill as many enemies and seize as much land as possible before word of us spreads further.
“Since they lost the entire eastern part of their territory from the start, they have even less resilience.”
My scouts had already taken over their skies, from which we observed the panicked orcs rushing to prepare defenses and amassing armies.
However, we successfully inflicted considerable damage to their forces before they could react.
Without reinforcements from the outside, it’s certain they wouldn’t be able to withstand my attacks.
「Consciousness Enhancement Level 5」
「Physical Enhancement Level 4-3」
「Reproduction Enhancement Level 4-3」
My trait points are steadily increasing. It’s possible that when levels in physical and reproduction reach five, new abilities might manifest.
Once the war against the orcs ends, we’ll find out.
“Let’s proceed with this strategy for now.”
While I have “new soldiers” to deploy, the enemies are still struggling to counter our catapult troops.
Once they muster all their strength and devise countermeasures, I plan to unleash my next card.
That way, I’ll deliver maximum despair to the enemy and maximize efficiency for myself.
“Our next target is the villages farther away from the frontier instead of the smaller encampments.”
“Most likely, those places already heard the news and prepared to fight.”
“Still, they haven’t prepared more than two days, right?”
I chuckled at Syla’s comment.
It took us only two days to capture the enemy encampments, convert them into temporary nests, and supply nutrients to our troops.
The larger towns near the core of the territory, which survivors fled to, are undoubtedly preparing to fight. However, they lack the time, no matter how they prepare.
“Our clones are slightly toward the northeast, but hobgoblins can easily obtain news. The fact that those places haven’t heard the news indicates the fact that the entire orc territory hasn’t realized it’s under attack.”
The strategy of quick, decisive strikes proved effective.
Before anyone fully comprehends, we might be able to conquer the orc territory.
“Go and capture the larger towns. In the same way, we’ll move all at once.”
I instructed Syla to launch another attack with the troops, now replenished with nutrients.
We haven’t only replenished ourselves but also added newly produced troops. Despite the losses from the previous battle, our forces had grown larger.
We have already installed more than several dozen nests each capable of digesting nutrients and producing soldiers.
If there’s enough nutrition, we’re capable of producing many times more soldiers in an endless, short-term process.
“Since there’s been no news about other players, we’ve removed most possible variables.”
In between, I had the prisoners interrogated to see if there were any notable powers recently. But there were no such testimonies.
Having confirmed the absence of any final obstacles, I issued the attack order promptly.
We need to attack relentlessly to minimize our losses.
“The northwest orc territory has been attacked by an unknown horde of mana beasts!”
News reached the hobgoblin city where my clone was stationed just as our forces, who had finished all preparations, started marching without rest.
“Who are those bastards?”
“Even if there are powerful individuals who can control mana beasts, can they possibly control so many monsters?”
Everyone around my clone was talking about the attack on the orc territory.
Most reactions were disbelief or fear.
Do they really believe they can help? And does their lord have enough troops to send?
“There’s no way the lord can muster armies to help, considering they are asking for more soldiers elsewhere!”
When I subtly asked, they shook their heads in disapproval.
While they should help the orcs, it’s clear they cannot mobilize large numbers right now.
“The military must deal with too many threats. Perhaps sending mercenaries as support is all they can do.”
One knight arrogantly explained and confidently snorted.
As expected, sending mercenaries is all the support they can manage.
Having heard this, I smirked to myself. It appears we can wipe out orcs without much worry.
