Praise the Orc! Chapter 120-121

Chapter 120 – Before the Storm  

Crockta's injuries weren't recovered yet so the troops of the Luklan Mountains set off first. Crockta's group was able to catch up quickly on the undead wyvern so they decided to delay their departure.

Crockta had a monster-like resilience. Wounds that would take others a long time to heal were recovered in seconds. Indeed, Crockta was an amazing warrior.

"Crockta is a very important figure," said Gorit, Caburak's father.

He was in change of the Luklan Mountains Alliance.

“He is one of the keys in this war. Kyulkyul!"

“What would the north be like if it weren't for him?"

Crockta hadn't ruined  Calmahart's plans just one or two times. Even the fate of the Luklan Mountains wouldn't have been assured without Crockta. They might've become slaves working for the Great Clan.

"Father."

“What is it?"

“Calmahart wasn't always mad. How long has it been since he got this madness?"

Calmahart was originally rough, but he wasn't crazy enough to slaughter the other species in order to unify the north and invade the continent. He followed the logic of power and respected the strongest of the warriors: those who had inherited the position of great chieftain by defeating the previous one.

He was cruel but also able to restrain himself. However, he became a maniac at some point and everything changed. Everything in the Great Clan was determined by the chieftain; therefore, the moment the chieftain changed, the Great Clan did as well.

“I don’t know very well, but I do remember the first time I felt like something was wrong. It was when he sent a messenger to join him."

“When was that?"

"I guess it was around two years ago."

"Umm…"

“The conditions were filled with nonsense so I couldn't accept. At that time, I felt like he wasn't normal. He seemed to be treating us as slaves."

Caburak nodded as his eyes deepened in understanding.  “I understand."

“Why?"

“Just curious. Kyulkyul!"

“This brat, right now you're someone who can't help much. Once the fight begins, be careful not to get involved too much."

“Kyulkyul, don't make a fuss, Father. I specialize in running away."

Gorit couldn't get rid of his concerned expression. Caburak touched his father's back as if he wasn't worried.

He looked around at the Luklan allied forces. The orc warriors were leading the charge while the dark elves and gnomes were mixing arrows, crossbows, and all sorts of tools. This was a benefit created by mixing the abilities of all three species. It was more advanced than a unit made up of orcs rushing with axes or of dark elves launching volleys of arrows.

However, he had an ominous feeling. If it was as he thought, these soldiers or crude weapons might not be necessary in the first place.

"No…"

He shook his head. The following battle would decide the future. Nameragon and Spinoa were both important cities that couldn't be left for the dark elves. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that all other cities could collapse as long as these two remained.

In addition, Spinoa had the world tree. Occupying Spinoa would never be easy as long as the world tree was present.

So Caburak wondered about the Great Clan's next move.

Head to Nameragon or Spinoa? If they headed to Nameragon, it would probably fall. Even if Spinoa's personnel went out to support them, they wouldn't be able to stop the madness of the great chieftain and the Great Clan. It would be difficult unless they moved the world tree.

However, the dark elves couldn't give up Nameragon, so the siege would be fierce. After breaking down Nameragon, their forces might be too weakened to take Spinoa.

Caburak thought that would be the best way. But…

“Where is the Great Clan heading? Is it still the same direction?”

“According to the most recent news…" Gorit scratched his head. "They seem to be heading to Spinoa, but it still isn't certain."

“……!” Caburak stopped. “Why?"

The Great Clan was leaving Nameragon alone and heading to Spinoa, which meant that their goal was the world tree. Their goal was neither the territory of the dark elves nor their submission, but the acquisition of the world tree.

“…No." 

Caburak closed his eyes. He prayed to the nameless god that his imagination was wrong.

***

“Those guys have turned to this place."

"Yes."

"Understood."

Zelkian nodded.

Jenado, an apostle of the world tree like Zelkian, bowed and withdrew.

Zelkian stood on top of the world tree. From the summit of the world tree, he could see the distant scenery. It was a beautiful scenery allowed only to apostles.

But the landscape no longer looked beautiful to Zelkian. The cities of dark elves, as well as his children, had all been devastated. There seemed to be no life in the distant cities. Nurido, Emeranian, and Yekator, places he occasionally visited, were now  reduced to rubble and piles of dead bodies.

Everyone had died and perished.

Zelkian felt a burning pain in his chest.

"Kuock…"

There was a deep pain. The world tree was mourning. Its painful emotions were transferred to its apostle, causing Zelkian to suffer. He knelt on one knee and waited for the world tree to calm down. The joys and sorrows of a great being like the world tree would make mortals suffer just by sharing that pleasure.

Zelkian, who groaned in pain for a while, finally caught his breath. The world tree became calm. Zelkian kicked the huge branch that he was standing on.

“Hey, relax. I am also in pain."

A branch of the world tree rose and hit Zelkian's legs. The two fought for a while.

“Anyway, I'm not joking."

Zelkian's gaze moved. 

There were things filling up the plain near Spinoa.

Orcs. It was a really large army. Even if he joined the forces of Spinoa and Nameragon, it seemed to be several times their number.

Furthermore, the orcs were familiar with fighting. While the dark elves locked their gates and enjoyed their own peace, the great chieftain continued fighting and subduing orcs. Fighting was part of their species' culture. It was different from the dark elves' experience with war.

And the great chieftain.

Zelkian borrowed the power of the world tree to capture his appearance. He was much larger than the other orcs, an oppressive appearance. A menacing presence.

“……!”

His chest burned again. Zelkian closed his eyes and took deep breaths. The world tree shook. Calmahart's sedan was being supported by only dark elves. Although there were many slaves, he made only a small number carry his sedan. It was a scene where he was enjoying his power. The orc soldiers following Calmahart periodically wielded the whip and urged the dark elves on.

The world tree was furious. It also became Zelkian's anger. He opened his eyes in order to carve the appearance of Calmahart inside him. The world tree could never forgive him. Zelkian confirmed his face.

And…

Their eyes met.

“……!”

He was aware of Zelkian. He gazed at Zelkian and smiled, his eyes a clear blood color.

A mark appeared on the great chieftain's forehead—a red, bizarrely twisted cross.At that moment, the world tree recognized it and flinched. The world tree shook for a short time. The dark elves inside the world tree screamed at the abrupt shaking.

Zelkian asked the world tree, "Just what is that?"

But the world tree didn't answer.

"He looks like an apostle. Who is he the apostle of?"

The world tree was silent. The answer that came from it was difficult to understand.

Zelkian shrugged. “Well, we will be fighting soon. Are you scared?"

The world tree slapped his head.

Zelkian grumbled, "You are very violent. Tree brat. Ah, stop!"

He tried to find the great chieftain again, but Calmahart was no longer visible. Where was that giant mass of muscle hiding? Zelkian touched his chin. The great chieftain was probably an apostle like him.

Who was the existence behind the great chieftain? As a result of the great chieftain's appearance, there was a high probability of fighting over the world tree. It wouldn't be easy to borrow the power of the world tree. The world tree had a dirty nature, but it wasn't a good fighter.

As he worried about the future battle, the world tree tapped his shoulder.

"What?"

The world tree pointed to the sky. Zelkian's gaze followed the direction that it was pointing. Something was coming. Zelkian laughed as he saw it.

“What the, those people? What are they riding?"

Crockta, Tiyo, and Anor were rushing through the sky and heading towards Spinoa on the undead wyvern, Boro. Crockta had bandages on his body but he seemed fine. Zelkian had been worried after his battle with Calmahart, but Crockta still seemed capable of fighting.

His mind felt reassured at the sight of them approaching. Crockta was a warrior who had already shaken the north several times. He had rescued several cities from the Great Clan. Now that the final battle was approaching, they couldn't be left out. Zelkian laughed.

Dark elves had gathered from all over and reinforcements came from the Luklan Mountains. As long as the world tree existed, the dark elves were one. The Great Clan or the great chieftain didn't matter.

Zelkian opened his arms. He appeared to be embracing the landscape of Spinoa. Beyond it was the Great Clan.

“Yes, let’s end the great chieftain."

The world tree trembled in response.

***

The orcs gathered in front of Spinoa. It seemed like the Great Clan decided that the decisive battle would be at Spinoa instead of Nameragon.

As a result, the dark elves guarding Nameragon joined Spinoa. Spinoa prepared all of its strength. The walls were reinforced to become much higher and tens of thousands of arrows were prepared. Jamero's magic strengthened the defenses around Spinoa.

“Amazing.”

Crockta watched the scene from the walls. It was the largest battle he ever experienced in Elder Lord.

"The number of orcs is terrible dot…"

Tiyo watched from beside him on the wall and muttered in a stricken voice.

“Too bad dot. If this were Quantes, I could've wiped them all out with the magic engineering cannons…"

“Instead you have General."

"That's right dot. This will deal harsh damage to the orcs. Huhut."

“A tragedy.”

Crockta turned his head away from Tiyo after the joke. Tiyo wasn't the only one waiting for the fight. Driden's scimitars were moving through the air. Like a painter imagining a composition before drawing it, he was imagining his own trajectories. He felt Crockta's gaze and glanced over.

Radet, who led the army from Nameragon, and Jamero also appeared. The troops from the Luklan Mountains were deployed throughout the city in preparation for the battle.

And…

Crockta looked back.

The pillar of the world, the world tree was standing in the center of Spinoa and overlooking everything. Standing on top of it was Zelkian. He waved his hand. Crockta waved back.

“Crockta. Are you ready dot?" Tiyo asked.

Crockta followed Tiyo's gaze. The large army of orcs in front of Spinoa was slowly advancing forward. Leading them was the oversized great chieftain, the monster called Calmahart. He walked towards Spinoa. The large army advanced along with him. The orcs that covered the plains marched towards Spinoa.

Crockta held Ogre Slayer in his hands.

“I was born ready.”

"What dot? Then I was ready from my mother's womb dot."

Crockta and Tiyo started laughing.

Tiyo laughed aloud as he said, “Crockta, I'm glad I met you dot. I got to experience such a great adventure.”

“Why are you already amazed? This is just the beginning."

"Hoh. Really dot?"

Crockta smiled.

“After the war, there will be more grand adventures waiting. Don’t spread it around."

"Kahahat, how fun!"

Tiyo raised General.

The Great Northern War, which began with the call of the mad chieftain Calmahart, was now heading towards the end.

Praise the Orc: 

Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.

Chapter 121 – Secondary Round (1)

The battle began with the appearance of siege weapons.

"That…!"

It was the weight displacement catapults using the principles of levers, the trebuchets. The dark elves were shaken by the appearance of the siege weapons. The chieftain, who normally would've run directly at the gate, was staring at it with his arms folded.

“Counter measures!”

“Unfold the shields!"

“Use the magic!"

“We can't allow it to hit!"

Opinions differed. Several orc soldiers were loading tremendous rocks onto the trebuchets. Once the bar holding down the launcher was removed, the weight caused the levers to rotate and the rock to be thrown. Dozens of these weapons were lined up on the plain, all ready to immediately fire towards the walls.

Crockta looked at the troops. There weren't any countermeasures for the siege weapons. In addition, they were out of reach of the arrows. If this was the case, the walls would be one-sidedly hit.

"Orcs are moderately smart dot."

Tiyo muttered to himself.

The rocks flew and the dark elves bent down.

Kwaaaang!

Kwaang!

Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

There was the sound of the impact as the walls shook violently. The dark elves couldn't balance themselves and sat down. Crockta leaned over and stared at a distant place.

Calmahart, the great chieftain, was laughing. Then he raised a hand.

The orcs once again rolled rocks and loaded them on the trebuchets. Thanks to the unique strength of the orcs, the huge rocks were lifted and continued to fly, like an exaggerated war scene from a medieval movie.

Kwaaaang!

Crocka endured the shock and glared at Calmahart. His eyes passed by Calmahart towards the shaman standing behind him. The shaman was the cause of all of this. At the moment, he seemed to meet the shaman's eyes. However, the rocks hit the wall and shook his balance again. Crockta grabbed onto the wall.

"Ballista!"

The dark elves hurriedly loaded a large crossbow. They put a big arrow as large as a spear into it and lit it on fire. The fire arrows were aimed at a trebuchet. Dozens of fire arrows and rocks crossed in the air.

The gate shook and several trebuchets were burned. Nevertheless, the rocks continued to fly.

"Kuheeok!"

A rock was aimed at the railing on the wall. The whole area was overwhelmed and the dark elves standing there died instantly. As the dust from the rocks continued to rise, the morale of the dark elves fell.

Crockta peered through the dust that blurred his vision. The orcs had started their march.

“Attack!"

“The enemy is advancing!”

“Fire!”

The commanders called out. The dark elves pulled back their bows in unison but were unable to maintain their positions, due to the subsequent bombardment. The orcs were repeatedly aiming at the wall railings.

Hwiiiing!

"Cough!"

One rock flew next to Crockta. The dark elf who couldn't avoid it had his head burst appear, then the rock continued and slammed into the interior of the city. A building collapsed.

“Dammit.” Crockta bit his lip. He hadn't imagined this. The orcs, who Crockta believed would rush indiscriminately, were attacking Spinoa in a calm manner.

“Why didn't they do this until now?"

Crockta smiled as he saw orcs rushing while carrying huge ladders. It felt like the genre of the game had suddenly changed. But no matter what the scene was, he had one job.

He picked up Ogre Slayer. Between the successive shocks and arrows, the sound of the ladders couldn't be heard properly. The commanders shouted until their voices were hoarse but were buried by the other loud sounds.

The orcs started climbing one by one. Crockta looked down the wall. Many orcs were stuck like ants. Their mad eyes were only filled with the obsession of completely breaking down the city. There were no signs of fear.

The chieftain's madness was contagious. However, the dark elves weren't quiet. They poured boiling water, oil, and logs down the ladders, knocking down the orcs. They were all brutal weapons prepared in advance. Orcs were unable to climb the walls and fell in terrible ways.

“Vicious bastards.”

The orcs stepped on the bodies of their companions and used them as a ladder. Crockta wielded Ogre Slayer at those climbing the walls. The orc near the railings had his neck cut and fell to the ground. Several orcs underneath were caught up and also fell.

Crockta grabbed the ladder.

"Huaaat!"

Then he pushed with all his strength. His tattoos burned hot and the tendons on his neck pulsed.

"Kuaaah!"

The ladder started tilting. The orcs hanging on the ladder fell off and the ladder went in the opposite direction.

“Those who have forgotten their honor──────!"

Crockta's battle cry covered all noise on the battlefield. His roar rang in the orcs' ears.

“I will kill you directly──────!"

The Orcheim warriors raised their weapons following Crockta's cry.

“Bul'tarrrr!"

Crockta wielded his weapon. The body of the orc on the railing was chopped in half and flew through the air. Blood spilled from his head and fell on the head of the orcs. Then he kicked an orc grabbing the handrail. 

The greatsword was swung and another ladder was broken. A stone from a trebuchet headed towards Crockta, who didn't avoid it. Rather, he wielded the greatsword. Ogre Slayer smashed against it. The huge rock shattered in the air and fell on top of the orcs. Some were hit on the head by the debris.

His sword was aimed at the orcs. His sword was aimed at the rocks.

The morale of the dark elves on Crockta's area of the wall rose.

"Kill the invaders!" In the east, Caska was commanding the archers. She used her distinctive manner of talking while continuously flying arrows. "Kill those bastards who want to trample on our home!"

Arrows flew over the heads of the orcs. They had to blow with weapons or die. The death cries of the orcs resounded. Crockta killed the orcs trying to climb onto the walls and looked around.

The orcs were still advancing.

“It will be a long day."

He could see Tiyo playing in the distance. Using the characteristics of General's high-speed shooting, he swept at the orcs approaching the walls. Each time the colorful energy swept over the ladders, a great number of orcs fell.

It was a tremendous play, but Crockta felt a strange flow in the atmosphere. His skill Introduction to Magic and Heart and Soul Penetration were activated, and he started to feel the flow of magic power. Then Tiyo pointed at something.

"That…"

Crockta hurriedly looked around the battlefield. In the back of the army, the orc shamans were gathering together. There were five of them and energy was rising from their bodies. The magic power was swirling in the sky like a whirlwind. Magic power rushed up to the clouds in the air. It became a huge sphere.

It looked like the sun. The blinding light coming from it disturbed his eyesight.

Meteor!

It wasn't a real meteorite, but one that fell down like a giant meteor. The blazing magic power started to slowly approach the wall. Manifestation magic.

The dark elves were confused and stopped attacking. Even Crockta also didn't know what to do. This would cause tremendous damage and the walls would completely collapse.

At that moment, a magic power barrier was unfolded. It was a translucent net in the sky. It infinitely expanded. A new net was weaved and then another new one. It doubled and quadrupled until a huge wall covered the entire sky above Spinoa.

A magnificent voice cried out, “The net of heaven might look thin, but it will never miss anything."

The magician of Nameragon, Jamero. He raised his staff and shouted.

“None of you will ever see the world tree or Spinoa!"

A blue light emerged from his staff. At the same time, the barrier of magic power spread in the sky started to vibrate. It glowed as the meteor fell on it. The two magic powers clashed.

A loud sound emerged.

“……!”

Crockta frowned at the tremendous light. The terrible explosive sound seemed to shatter the whole area. Flames exploded and light scattered. He became deaf and confused. It was like he was witnessing the end of the world.

The two magic powers kept bumping back and forth against each other. But Jamero's magic net kept expanding and pushing back the meteor. The heat gradually faded. The magic power of the shamans broke in a flash of white.

The meteor turned into white ash in the air. It was destroyed. It was Jamero's victory. But he had consumed a lot of power and had to sit down. The dark elves cheered. As morale rose again, their arrows flew through the air. Orcs fell down.

The march of the orcs started to stall. There were orcs on the walls, but they failed to enter due to the dark elves' desperate resistance and died. They poured oil on the orcs and burned the ladders. Dark smoke rose.

However, Crockta couldn't feel relieved. Crockta felt a huge presence and looked up. He was coming.

Ogre Slayer was raised. A huge shadow covered him. It looked like a rock from the trebuchet, but Crockta knew it was actually an orc.

Kwaang!

The huge orc landed on the wall. He got up. His appearance looked like a giant mountain on the wall. Crockta stepped back and all the dark elves escaped from the area at once. The mad great chieftain, Calmahart. The region of wall where they were standing contained only Crockta and Calmahart.

"I said I would see you again, Crockta." 

The red eyes glared at Crockta.

Crockta grinned as he replied, "Likewise. You look handsome, Calmahart."

There was a scar on his face due to the wound caused by Crockta. Calmahart looked down at him and laughed. It was uglier than before.

"You only bite with your mouth. Kuhuhu."

Crockta and Calmahart raised their weapons. Suddenly, Crockta looked around.

"Where is your nanny?"

"What do you mean?”

“The shaman who tells you what to do, just like a nanny looking after a kid."

Calmahart's face stiffened.  Crockta smiled and provoked Calmahart again, “Back then, you looked like a well-behaved kid as you backed away with your nanny. Now you're allowed to charge in here?"

Flames surged in Calmahart's eyes.

“Shut up──────!"

He swung his double edged axe. Crockta avoided it. The bottom of the wall collapsed. Crockta gripped Ogre Slayer tightly.

Things didn't look good. Orcs were climbing up the walls. With the emergence of Calmahart, the walls became useless. No one could stop the ladders around him so a few orcs started to climb the walls. The orcs ran to the other side and attacked the dark elves. The dark elves resisted, but they were no match against the orcs in close combat. The dark elves were starting to collapse. Their bodies fell down the walls. The orcs cheered.

“……!”

Crockta's body trembled. He wanted to help them but the great chieftain was blocking him.

“Where are you looking?" Calmahart headed towards Crockta with an emotionless face. Crockta stepped back.

Calmahart spat out in a rough voice, “Keep talking.”

A red haze appeared around his body. It was different from their confrontation in Juora. There was a fierce aura as always, but his eyes were calm. He was stronger and cooler. If so, the provocation was useless.

"I apologize," Crockta replied politely.

Derision appeared on Calmahart's face. “Kuhuhu, already frightened…"

Crockta interrupted his words. “That guy, he wasn't your nanny, but your mother. Is your mother healthy? Are you still depressed?"

Calmahart's face changed.

“This trash─────!"

Praise the Orc: 

Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.

Chapter end