Chapter 10: Confront
"The Orcs are talking and laughing? Huh. They seem intelligent and well-organized," Athena muttered, gripping her longsword tighter in her right hand while holding a metallic shield in her left. Without hesitation, she dashed forward.
Like a shadow, she moved faster than a galloping horse and arrived at the heart of the battlefield just as Superintendent Henry, Inspector Elijah, and the rest of the police force joined the fray.
In mere minutes, heads rolled, and the sandy ground turned crimson with blood. Police officers and private mercenaries slaughtered the low-rank monsters relentlessly, doing everything they could to reduce their numbers. But it wasn't easy.
The sheer volume of monsters made it nearly impossible to avoid injury. Casualties quickly mounted, especially when goblins began coordinating their attacks.
Athena noticed that the goblins were deliberately targeting the mercenaries. With swift, decisive steps, she leapt into the chaos. She held nothing back.
Her sword moved like a blur of steel and death. Every swing and thrust was executed with masterful precision, cutting down goblins, kobolds, and wolves in her wake. The battlefield became a symphony of clashing metal, savage roars, and the dying screams of monsters.
Suddenly, taller wolves, Hobgoblins, and elite Kobolds joined the fight.
Without hesitation, Athena sliced down two charging goblins with a single stroke and advanced toward the nearest tall wolf.
Sensing danger, the wolf shifted its focus to her and lunged, jaws wide open, aiming to tear her apart.
"Obsidian Shield!" Athena shouted.
A mysterious dark aura surged from her body, encasing her metallic shield in a black, crystalline layer.
With a dull clang, she slammed the shield into the wolf's open mouth, shattering its teeth.
Without missing a beat, she angled her sword and slashed at the beast's neck with incredible speed.
A normal sword would've barely scratched the creature's tough hide. But a shimmering, invisible force enveloped her blade—Basic Sword Aura.
With a clean sweep, she decapitated the intermediate-ranked beast.
And she didn't stop there.
She rushed toward an elite Kobold and cut it down in three swift strikes. Within minutes, she had slain over seven intermediate-rank monsters, lifting the morale of the nearby soldiers.
Cheers erupted from the men as Athena, soaked in blood, continued to cut down anything in her path.
While she became the hero of the frontline, Baron's Elite Squad engaged the Orcs.
A barrage of twelve Aether bullets shot from their rifles, striking the Orcs in various places—some in the eyes, some in the chest, and some missing fatal areas entirely.
But none of the Orcs died.
Instead, a strange reddish aura enveloped their bodies, pushing them into a frenzied state and bolstering their strength.
Realizing ranged attacks were ineffective, the Elite Squad abandoned their rifles and charged in for close combat.
Steel clashed with steel as their weapons met the massive axes and blades of the Orcs, filling the air with thunderous echoes.
Athena watched the battle, her eyes narrowing as she sensed the immense strength of these high-rank monsters. A powerful urge to face them surged within her.
"But they're already—" she began, then paused, her eyes catching something strange.
One of the Orcs, though wielding a massive sword like the others, moved with refined precision. It parried an Elite Knight's strike, feigning imbalance.
But Athena, well-versed in the art of Shadowstep Dance, could see the deception.
That Orc's swordsmanship… it's better than mine. It's baiting Knight Jayce!
She bolted forward, her voice ringing out.
"Sir Jayce! Don't fall for its feint—it's baiting you!"
"What are you talk—"
Steel met steel.
In a split second, the Orc's sword surged with brute force. Jayce's weapon shattered like brittle glass, and the monster's blade crashed into his armor. The impact sounded like thunder.
Jayce flew through the air—his body limp—before slamming into the ground fifty meters away. Blood bubbled from his mouth. His chestplate had collapsed inward, and his arm dangled like a broken branch.
A hush swept over the battlefield.
Athena froze. Her breath hitched. Her legs faltered beneath her, the image of Jayce's broken body seared into her mind.
I was too late...
The Orc's burning red eyes locked onto Athena. A slow, malicious grin spread across its tusked mouth.
It stomped forward, dragging its massive blade behind it, the metal carving a groove in the blood-soaked earth.
"Grrraah…" it growled—low, guttural, but deliberate. Not mindless. Intentional.
Athena tensed. This one wasn't just strong—it was a cunning beast.
"It's an Orc Commander!" one of the Elite Knights shouted. "A mutated monster—possibly descendant of a true magical beast! Watch out for its special abilities!"
"You're not going anywhere near her, you damned monster!" a voice yelled.
Shirley burst from cover and sprinted toward Athena, her face twisted with fury.
Baron and the others followed, having remained hidden in search of the enemy leader, never suspecting it had been hiding among the Orcs all along.
"Aunt, I'll be fine! Don't lose your cool!" Athena shouted as she charged toward the Orc Commander.
The massive creature sneered, revealing jagged teeth. Raising its blade, it lunged.
"Obsidian Shield!"
The black crystalline layer returned to Athena's shield. She braced for impact.
BOOM!
Their weapons collided, releasing a powerful shockwave.
Unlike Jayce, Athena only slid back a few feet, still standing tall. Her sword glowed faintly with the invisible edge of Sword Aura.
Another brief silence fell.
I can't block that head-on for long, she thought. I'll cripple it first.
The Orc Commander roared in frustration and raised its sword again.
But this time, Athena activated Dark Dash, a knight technique, and vanished from the spot, reappearing behind the Orc Commander.
Her blade cut low, surgical, ruthless, slashing clean through the thick flesh behind its knee.
A spray of dark blood arced through the air. The tendon snapped with a sickening twang.
The Orc staggered but stayed upright, its monstrous strength keeping it from collapsing.
But Athena saw it—the leg trembled, unstable.
'Good. You're strong, but you're not invincible.'
She watched, eyes narrowed, as its flesh began regenerating quickly. But the tendon remained severed.
'It can heal fast... but not enough to restore tendons. If I take the other leg, I can immobilize it.'
She moved to strike again, but the Orc, sensing her intent, spun and swung its blade.
"Shit!" Athena cursed, narrowly dodging with Dark Dash. Then she disappeared entirely.
Shadow Stealth—the first technique of the Shadowstep Dance.
Infuriated, the Orc roared and turned toward the other monsters.
Before it could take a step, a second cut opened behind its other knee. Blood gushed from both legs. It stumbled.
At that moment, Baron Alexander and Shirley arrived, blocking its path.
Baron moved like a falling comet—his broadsword aglow with radiant energy.
As he descended, the blade carved a glowing crescent through the air. It slammed into the Orc Commander's shoulder, slicing through sinew and muscle, forcing the beast to its knees.
Shirley followed in his wake, her sword blazing like molten steel.
"Burn!" she shouted. Flames exploded from her weapon as she slashed across the Orc's torso, igniting its flesh in a fiery torrent.
The creature howled—a deep, enraged roar that shook the battlefield.
Athena seized the opening with practiced grace. Activating the Shadowstep Dance, she blinked behind the Orc Commander, her blade shimmering with an invisible aura. In one fluid motion, she severed the remaining tendons in its legs.
The beast collapsed with a thunderous crash, unable to stand or strike back.
The coordinated assault of Baron Alexander, Shirley, and Athena had finally crippled the formidable Orc Commander. Yet, even brought low, the creature refused to submit. It let out a deafening roar, kneeling in fury, and swung its colossal sword with wild, brute force.
Baron Alexander raised his metal-bound shield and intercepted the blow head-on. The impact rattled his bones, sending a jolt of pain through his arm as he staggered backward, his grip faltering.
"Don't block it directly, My Lord," Athena warned, her voice calm yet urgent. "Its strength is unnatural."
If it wasn't already crippled... that strike could've crushed me. A cold sweat dripped down the Baron's brow.
Shirley engaged next, wielding her Inferno Blade Arts to meet the Orc's attacks in a dazzling clash of steel and flame. Meanwhile, Athena conjured her dark elemental shield, intercepting and redirecting attacks as she left grievous wounds on the creature's neck and chest.
Then, she vanished again—slipping into the shadows, silent and unseen. Her Shadow Stealth rendered her nearly imperceptible, allowing her to strike from impossible angles.
Frenzied and cornered, the Orc Commander entered a berserk state. Its eyes were bloodshot, and it pushed against its broken body and tried to stand. But suddenly, a formless shadow passed over its vision, blotting out the world.
It was too late.
Athena struck at its wrist, and the Orc howled in pain as its massive sword slipped from its grasp and crashed into the earth.
Without hesitation, the trio struck in unison.
Athena's blade cut clean through the nape.
Shirley drove her sword into its heart.
And Baron Alexander brought his weapon down on its skull with a crushing blow.
Even as the creature's body spasmed, its rage boiling in its fading eyes, the life finally left it. The Orc Commander slumped over, dead.
"Inspector Athena has slain the Orc Commander!" Shirley's voice rang out across the battlefield, clear and sharp. "Finish off the rest of the monsters!"
Her shout galvanized the police officers and mercenaries. Cheers broke out across the chaos as they pressed the advantage.
Baron Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Hmph. You don't need to shout so loud—I had no intention of stealing your child's glory," he muttered, recognizing her intention with a half-smile and a shake of his head.
Together, the trio joined the other elite Walkers. They focused on the remaining high-ranking threats before systematically wiping out the rest. The wave ended with minimal casualties—an unexpected success.
"Collect the magical crystals from the monsters," Baron ordered briskly. "Also, send word to Goren's dismantler crew. That Orc Commander's corpse'll be a treasure trove for any decent alchemist."
Athena's eyes lit up. She stepped forward without hesitation.
"Wait, My Lord. I want the Orc Commander's corpse."
The entire camp fell into a moment of stunned silence.
"You realize what you're asking for, Athena?" one of the elite knights, Mark, said coldly. "That corpse is the most valuable trophy of this entire battle."
"But you didn't help slay it, did you?" Shirley interjected sharply. "Even if Lord Baron hadn't joined, Athena would've finished it alone. No—she did finish it."
Her words hung in the air, undeniable.
Baron Alexander narrowed his eyes, gaze drifting to Athena. Her calm expression hid something deeper. Something... familiar.
The Orc Commander's corpse is worth a fortune. And yet...
He sighed internally.
The destruction caused by this monster horde isn't nearly enough to earn my family compensation from the Royal Court. A troubled frown creased his face.
His thoughts turned to Athena's performance.
Tactics or not, she fought like a seasoned knight—no, better. He replayed the scene of her deflecting the Orc Commander's strike. Her movements, her technique... they weren't ordinary.
Those skills... even the Whitbard family doesn't possess such refined Knight Techniques. That dark shield—could it rival the Imperial Knight Techniques?
Then, his gaze caught on something unexpected.
A silver bracelet.
He frowned.
That symbol... a winged serpent? Isn't that...
His thoughts spun.
The Royal Family's emblem.
A jolt passed through him.
Could she be—?
He remembered a piece of hidden court gossip. The Sword Princess has been missing for seven years. Vanished from the palace without explanation. There were no search orders or royal decree—only quiet rumors and political scrambling.
If I reveal her location to the right noble—one of the Dukes or Princes—I could be elevated to Viscount. Maybe more...
But then, doubt crept in.
And what if I become a pawn in their game? Or worse, put her life in danger? Tch. I'm thinking like a villain.
He exhaled sharply, forcing the ambition from his mind.
I can't let the Whitbard elders get their hands on her. That bracelet... that symbol isn't for me to meddle with.
With renewed clarity, he stepped forward and spoke solemnly.
"You may take the Orc Commander's corpse, Athena. But in return, you'll receive no other reward from this mission."
With that, Baron Alexander turned away, heading back toward the town—his footsteps heavy, but resolute. He'd lost a prize, but perhaps gained something far more valuable.
Behind him, the officers tended to the wounded and retrieved the fallen. Medics arrived from the town, treating injuries and offering comfort.
Shirley stepped beside Athena, eyeing the enormous corpse.
"So, what are you planning to do with this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Athena chuckled softly. "You already know the answer, Aunt. Should I go fetch that brat?"
Shirley shook her head after a pause. "No. Let's not draw attention to his talents. Too risky. We'll bring the corpse back to the house and let his teacher handle the rest."
Without delay, she returned with a large horse cart. With help from the officers, they lifted the Orc Commander's corpse and placed it carefully onboard.
As they approached the northern gate, a crowd had already gathered.
The story of the battle—and Athena's decisive role—had spread like wildfire. Citizens lined the streets, cheering and shouting her name.
The sight of the slain Orc Commander drew gasps, then a roar of applause.
Gratitude filled the air.
When they reached the town square, a temporary stage had been set. Baron Alexander reappeared, stepping onto the platform.
His voice rang out with authority.
"Today, we faced a dire threat. But together, we prevailed. Our officers, our warriors—especially Inspector Athena—displayed courage beyond measure. This victory belongs to all of us. Let it remind us what we can achieve when we stand united."
The crowd erupted into cheers. He gestured toward the Orc Commander's corpse.
"This fallen beast represents our defiance. Let this day be remembered not for fear, but for resilience."
Though brief, his words stirred the townsfolk. Hope and strength took root.
Athena and Shirley slipped away with the cart as the celebrations died down, making their way back home.
The streets buzzed with excitement, their names on every tongue.
They didn't mind the stares.
Athena dismounted when they arrived at the house, walking to the door.
Before she could knock, it creaked open—and a young boy peeked out, barely 120 cm tall.
"Raven!" she exclaimed, spreading her arms.
But he ran past her.
"Sister! Aunt! Are you hurt?" he gasped, seeing the blood on their armor, rushing to Shirley's side.
Athena let out an exaggerated sigh. "Really? You never jump into my arms."
Then Raven's gaze fell on the enormous corpse behind them.
His eyes widened.
"Whoa! That's an Orc Commander!" he cried, running to examine it up close. "How did you get this, Sister?!"
Athena and Shirley exchanged a knowing glance.