Translator: Cinder Translations
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When the attack first began, the orcs quickly realized something was wrong.
The Black Worm's Nest was divided into two sections: the inner city, which had developed from the initial human settlement, was surrounded by strong city walls and extended all the way to the dock.
The outer city, on the other hand, housed many indigenous people who had come to settle. Due to trade, there was a constant flow of people coming and going.
But today, the place was eerily quiet. Had everyone gone to the inner city? As they got closer, they saw that the gates of the inner city were firmly shut. Those with sharp eyes noticed the soldiers stationed on the city walls, clearly on high alert.
Some suggested that Gunther cancel the attack, but Gunther, consumed by deep hatred and the enormous temptation of riches, rejected the idea. He insisted on proceeding with the original plan.
His command was carried out. The strong orcs swung their large clubs, carrying ladders to scale the walls, and charged towards the inner city.
Along the way, they triggered trap after trap, while the defending soldiers on the wall shot arrows at them.
It was clear that the humans had prepared. The sounds of crossbows whizzing and firearms firing filled the air.
The attackers suffered greatly and sustained significant casualties. Fortunately, they managed to get the ladders to the wall.
The Black Worm's Nest, being a new town, had low walls, and even the crude ladders made by the forest orcs were enough to get them over.
They rushed forward holding large wooden shields. Just as the prairie orcs were born riders, these forest orcs were born hunters, having been trained to climb and weave through dense forests from a young age. They were exceptionally agile.
However, the heavily armored human defenders on the walls stopped them.
From the orcs' perspective, the humans on the wall were indeed "armed to the teeth." They wore full suits of metal armor, helmets covering their entire heads, and their swords and knives gleamed so sharply they could reflect the light.
In contrast, most of the orcs only had wooden clubs and stone spears, and wore nothing more than animal furs.
Faced with humans who had an absolute advantage in equipment, the orcs who climbed the wall were merely walking to their deaths.
In addition to the sharp blades, the musketeers hidden behind the walls continued to take aim, firing deadly metal projectiles.
The battle was intense, and the sounds of fighting echoed through the dense forest outside the walls, causing flocks of birds to take flight.
The attackers were brave, but they made no progress.
They climbed the wall, then retreated. Again they climbed, and again they retreated. This repeated several times, only adding to their casualties.
Moreover, the humans were not as few as expected—this revelation shocked the orcs. Unfortunately, they only realized this after the battle had reached a stalemate.
"Gunther, we can't keep fighting. I suggest we retreat immediately!"
A disheveled orc leader, covered in blood and scabs, urgently found the young leader of the Blood Ox Tribe.
"Coward!" Gunther roared at him, his eyes never leaving the brutal scene on the walls.
"As long as we hold on a little longer, those humans on the wall will collapse, and we can slaughter them. The wealth they have accumulated here will be ours for the taking."
Gunther's eyes were bloodshot, and spittle flew from his mouth as he spoke, his frenzied expression making it seem like he had already descended into some sort of delirium.
The orc leader named Grosso furrowed his brow, fighting the urge to curse out loud.
He simply said, "Your plan isn't working! If Black Worm's Nest only had a few dozen defenders as you expected, that would be one thing. But there are nearly two hundred people on the walls. The humans haven't fallen for your tricks—they've set traps and are waiting for us to walk right into them."
"Shut your filthy mouth!"
Gunther exploded in anger. He suddenly grabbed Grosso by the front of his tunic and with a violent motion, tossed him into the air. Grosso spun several times before crashing to the ground.
"Roar!" The orcs who had followed Grosso immediately lunged at Gunther, weapons raised.
"Stop!" Grosso, struggling to his feet, sneered and said, "Well then, continue fighting here, brave Gunther." He then ordered his subordinates, "Gather our people, we are leaving this cursed place."
"You destroy the morale of the troops!" Gunther drew his sword—one of the few metal weapons in their group—and vowed to kill Grosso.
Just as they were about to clash, the commotion behind them stopped them in their tracks. In shock, the orcs saw numerous figures emerging from the dense forest.
"Haha! Familiar faces!" A tall orc carrying a large axe stepped to the front.
"Gromta? What are you doing here?" Gunther asked, puzzled. "Are you joining the hunt as well?"
"Of course!" the newcomer said, licking his lips as his eyes gleamed with excitement while sizing up Gunther. "And the prey I want is right here."
"Hmph!" Gunther grunted, a bit annoyed. "I have no objections to your joining, but the spoils of war must be distributed according to my arrangements since this hunt was my idea."
"Oh?" Gromta's expression twisted into a smirk.
"Idiot!" Grosso suddenly shouted, realizing what was happening. "He wants to hunt us!" He deeply regretted ever partnering with such a person.
Gromta laughed heartily, swinging his axe as his orcs swarmed in from behind.
"How dare you!" Gunther nearly exploded with rage, but now, mixed with his fury was fear.
His men were still gathered below the walls, unable to come to his aid, while Gromta's forces surrounded them tightly, viciously attacking.
Gunther swung his sword in anger, shouting to drive away the fear rising within him.
After a brutal battle, both Gunther and Grosso were captured alive.
Upon hearing that things had gone wrong on the back end, the orc attackers—who had been worn out and demoralized by the lack of progress—collapsed almost instantly.
Just then, the city gates opened, and humans rushed out, encircling the orcs who had appeared from the forest. The ones who could not escape became prisoners.
"Lord Stanford," Gromta said cheerfully as he dragged the half-dead Gunther in front of Stanford. "This is a gift I bring to you."
The once-spirited young leader of the Blood Cow Tribe was now barely alive, his eyes swollen shut. Stanford took one look and ordered him to be taken away.
"You're too slow!" Stanford said with dissatisfaction. "Had you been any later, I would have handled this myself. You don't think my men couldn't have dealt with them on their own, do you?"
Feeling the stern tone of Stanford, Gromta kneeled respectfully. "I apologize, my lord. As you know, we had to keep our distance to avoid detection."
Before the battle began, Stanford had ordered the orcs living in the outer city of Black Worm's Nest to stay away. However, if they wanted to return sooner, they would need to prove their loyalty through actions.
Gromta was the highest-ranking of these orcs.
Stanford didn't believe his reasons, suspecting that Gromta had only been watching and joined the winning side.
"There's another small gift," Gromta said, as though trying to appease Stanford's dissatisfaction. He gestured, and another bound figure was brought forward.
"Ah, my dear friend," Stanford said with a slight regret as he looked at the bound figure, "How did you end up with Gunther?"
The prisoner was Broghal, his face full of embarrassment and bitterness. "How did you know Gunther's true goal?"
"Dear Broghal, you didn't think you were the only one willing to be my friend in this forest, did you?"
"And me!" Gromta added with a grin.
Broghal looked dejected and said nothing.
Stanford paid him no more attention and turned his gaze to the depths of the forest.
What should be done next? According to the plans from Alden Town, some things needed to be moved forward.
As the most powerful indigenous force here, the Blood Cow Tribe had to be subdued, and Gunther's reckless attack had provided a perfect excuse.
Though Stanford had a good relationship with the tribe leader, Asoye, personal feelings would have to be put aside for now.
(End of the Chapter)
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