Translator: Cinder Translations
...
The Watcher Fortress.
The north wind howled, and dark clouds covered the sky.
The air was thick with tension, as the vast orc army gathered outside the fortress, their presence making the atmosphere oppressive.
The previous day, the fortress had received a scout's warning that the orc army was approaching. By the time the sun rose, a dark mass of orcs and their human vassals had already emerged from the depths of the distant grasslands.
Not only were there orc cavalry, but also infantry units from their human vassals, bringing advanced siege weapons like ladders, siege towers, battering rams, catapults, and crossbows.
Inside the fortress, Duke Morton, the commander of the legion, furrowed his brows.
When he had received word of the orcs negotiating with the Gabella people, he had realized the orcs' attention would shift westward.
Chief Abal's ambitions toward the human world would not be limited to a few small desert oasis nations.
The vast plains and forests were his true goal.
Knight Arthur rushed over, "My lord! Two letters for you. One from the orc envoy, and one from... Earl Grayman of the Northwest Bay."
Duke Morton took the letters, first opening the one from the orcs. He quickly skimmed the contents.
He recognized the handwriting of Chief Abal, a clear sign of the orc leader's personal attention.
Abal was fluent in several human languages, including the Aldor language, and as the commander of the Watcher Fortress, Morton was no stranger to Abal's handwriting.
"What does the orc say?"
"They're urging us to surrender," Arthur said angrily.
"This is an insult!"
Arthur paused, a bit more worried, "What do you think, my lord?"
Duke Morton sighed wryly.
This wasn't the first such letter from Abal, some of which had been coercive, others tempting.
"What do you think I'm thinking? Tell the orc emissary to take this message back: My life or death is for Aldor, and I am the Duke!"
Arthur breathed a sigh of relief.
Next, Duke Morton opened the letter from the Northwest Bay.
"I don't believe I know any Earl Grayman," he muttered.
Arthur scratched his head. "I feel like I've heard that name before... Ah, yes!"
He suddenly remembered something.
"A few years ago, when Sir Hal Duke and I were in the Northwest Bay, we met an Earl Grayman. It must be him."
"Really?" Duke Morton looked up from the letter, surprised.
"He's warning us of the orcs' imminent attack! How could a baron from the Northwest Bay know this?"
Of course, Morton had no time to dwell on it. The orc attack was imminent.
If only the letter had arrived sooner.
Arthur went off to relay the message to the orc envoy, and as he left, Sir Duke, the deputy commander of the fortress, arrived.
Morton sighed, "By the looks on your face, it seems like you didn't bring back the results I wanted."
Duke nodded somberly. "The lords gave me some soldiers, but they're either old, weak, sick, or criminal types."
"Well, better than nothing. Hopefully, they'll prove their worth in battle."
A deep horn sounded from afar, signaling that the orc army was on the move, slowly advancing toward the fortress.
The attack was about to begin.
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Northwatch Town, Northern Neron Corridor.
At the town gates, two knights sat on horseback, gazing north.
The towering Rocky Mountains stretched across the land like a giant dragon.
The ones they were waiting for would come from these mountains.
"Are we really going to do this?"
Langfero hesitated, looking at his companion.
Boyle shook his head. "It's not us doing it, it's Duke Bradley."
"This is dishonorable!"
"Executing our lord's command is the highest honor for a knight."
Their debate stemmed from their mission—to welcome the orc army into the Neron Corridor.
This had been ordered by their lord, Duke Bradley.
Inspired by Giles and Vibern, Duke Bradley, who held territory in the kingdom's northeast, had developed new plans.
However, his power could not match the other two, and there were still loyal Watcher legions stationed nearby.
He had to seek outside help, and the orc army, conveniently, extended an olive branch at the right time.
In fact, Duke Bradley's family had long-standing ties with the orc factions.
Under the cover of the Bradley family, goods controlled by the kingdom were continuously shipped to the orcs, who then returned with fine horses, gold, and other treasures—all of which were seized by the Bradley family.
This cooperation had lasted for generations.
"They're coming!"
In the distance, an unfamiliar army gradually appeared on the horizon.
Orcs!
"So many of them—it's an entire army!" Langfero was both shocked and puzzled. "How did they get past the northern mountain range?"
"I suspect there are mountain passes in the Rocky Mountains that the orcs found," Boyle responded with a shiver.
"Now that I think about it, the existence of these paths makes Watcher Fortress look like a joke. We were always under the threat of the orcs. Luckily... we're their allies."
"Allies?" Langfero said bitterly. "Before their main army arrived, smaller groups of orcs had already been raiding northern villages for some time."
The orc army drew nearer, and Langfero and Boyle identified the orc figures.
They resembled humans but were taller, more muscular, with fierce expressions.
In the sunlight, fine fur covered their exposed skin.
The two knights urged their horses forward, awkwardly performing a knightly salute.
The orc leader, towering even among his kin, returned the gesture and gruffly said, "Humans, we have come for the friendship with Duke Bradley."
Langfero found this somewhat ironic, his mouth twitching.
Boyle introduced himself and then asked the orc leader's name.
"Calem!" the orc leader answered.
"Welcome, but there has been a slight change in plans. My lord wishes for you to stay here and not proceed toward Watcher Fortress for now."
Calem's eyes widened. "Our people are fighting bloodily. I cannot remain here!"
"But..." Langfero explained, "Princess Catherine herself has led an army to 'assist' us!"
"Ah? That Princess Catherine? I've heard of her. Does the duke want us to eliminate this army halfway?"
"Better than letting them join the Watcher legions," Langfero replied. "However, the duke requests that you do not harm her and ensure she is unharmed."
Calem laughed heartily. "You're rebelling and still concerned about this? I promise not to harm her, but if she chooses to end her own life, that's not my responsibility."
Boyle smiled awkwardly. The real reason was that the Bradley family hoped to have a royal bloodline descendant.
He quickly changed the subject. "Leader Calem, you are bold to come personally without sending scouts ahead."
Calem sneered. "My warriors have already memorized every rock and tree here."
Boyle had no response.
Indeed, under their lord's tolerance, the orc raiding parties had long been active in northern Neron.
TLN: I don't understand these idiots, if you use a borrowed blade to achieve your goals, eventually that blade can be turned against you.
(End of the Chapter)
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