Chapter 267:
It was a great victory.
The defeat of the retreating army of the Kingdom of Erzsebet was a significant event that would be recorded in the continent's history books.
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
"Chwik! Victory! Victory!"
"Hooray! Hooray!"
Those who participated in the battle, whether human or Orc, all joined together in a fierce roar, reveling in their victory.
Never in their wildest dreams did they think they could defeat the mighty army of the Kingdom of Erzsebet.
For those who have only known a history of defeat, today's victory was a momentous event to be commemorated for generations.
Meanwhile, surprisingly, the damage to the Erzsebet Kingdom's army was not as extensive as expected.
This was due to the early escape of Bathory and the Royal Guard, which caused a demoralized Erzebetian troops to surrender very quickly.Otto did not harm the forces of the Erzsebet Kingdom.
"I will personally enforce military law on anyone who attacks those who have surrendered."
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Otto issued a stern command to thoroughly protect the surrendered Erzsebet Kingdom's army.
Any unnecessary massacre would only serve to provoke the people of the Erzsebet Kingdom.
They were also victims.
It was simply a matter of keeping them securely imprisoned as prisoners of war until the war was completely over.
There was no reason to accumulate karma for the sake of a momentary outburst.
"Thank you all for your hard work. You fought remarkably well."
Otto gathered the commanders of the minor kingdoms that were part of the anti-Erzsebet alliance, and praised them.
"I look forward to your continued support."
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Moving forward, Otto was set to play a significant role as the leader of the anti-Erzsebet alliance, consisting not only of the Orcs from the Uruk Plains but also of the minor kingdoms.
As the saying goes, a wealthy person can last for three years in decline, the Erzsebet Kingdom would not simply collapse at this time.
While the incident would lead to territorial losses and the capture of several strategic strongholds, it was not the case that a great power could crumble overnight.
Bathory, who fell in a one-on-one duel with Bagram, was also expected to return as the Corrupted Queen.
“Clear the battlefield and begin reorganizing.”
Otto turned to look at Bagram.
"It's not time to rest yet."
“Chwiik?”
“The Raging Wolf Clan let's strike them immediately.”
"……!"
"Now is the perfect time."
Otto wasted no time.
“Controlling the Uruk Plains is more important than anything else. This is our chance to do it. Let's ride the momentum, sweep them away, and finish this quickly."
To confront Bathory, who had resurrected as the corrupted queen, stabilizing their forces was the top priority.
With everyone needing to give their all in battle, any discord within the ranks would be detrimental.
They needed to fully secure the Uruk Plains as quickly as possible and establish an Orc kingdom to unite their forces.
To achieve this, defeating the Raging Wolf tribe was essential, and now was the right moment.
Now, with the Raging Wolf Clan's army thoroughly demoralized and motionless, it was a perfect opportunity.
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After reorganizing, the Lota Kingdom army and the Thunderhoof Clan advanced with momentum, marching into the area where the Raging Wolf Clan army was stationed.
“C… Chwiiieeeekkk!!!"
Bekyum, realizing what was happening too late, was greatly shocked upon receiving reports that the combined forces of the Lota Kingdom and the Thunderhoof Clan were closing in from all directions.
It was reported that the Erzsebet Kingdom's army, which was supposed to come, was annihilated while retreating to their Kingdom, and King Bathory along with the royal guard knights were missing.
For the Raging Wolf Clan, which had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Erzsebet Kingdom's army while minimizing troop losses, this was like being struck by lightning.
Dealing with just the Thunderhoof Clan was already difficult enough, but now they had to face the Lota Kingdom's army as well.
Moreover, without their Horn flute, their chances of winning were tenuous at best.
If a large-scale war broke out, no matter how formidable the Raging Wolf Clan was, they would undoubtedly be wiped out in an instant.
“Chwiek! Mobilize our troops! Chiiieeek!"
In a very wise move, Bekyum decided to avoid all-out war.
He understood all too well that engaging in a full-scale battle under such unfavorable conditions would be a suicidal endeavor.
"Chwiek! Move to the Blood Ridge! Chwiek!"
"Chwik! Yes! Chief! Chwik!"
The Blood Ridge is the foremost strategic stronghold within the territory of the Raging Wolf Clan.
The terrain featured rolling hills, and the ridge's summit was optimized for repelling attacking enemies, making it a tactically challenging area to cross.
Throughout history, the Raging Wolf Clan has been known to survive and thrive on the Blood Ridge in times of crisis.
For the Angry Wolf Tribe, Blood Ridge is a stalwart crutch, like a bowl of gukbap.¹
If it’s that place, it was possible to hold out for a few months until the Kingdom of Erzsebet finished reorganizing and sent reinforcements again.
Moreover, since it was winter and a lot of snow was falling, it was also a suitable season for holding out.
"Move quickly! Chwiek! To the Blood Ridge! All warriors of the tribes, hurry to the Blood Ridge! Chwiek!"
"Chwiek! Yes! Chieftain! Chwiek!"
Thus, the Raging Wolf tribe headed toward the Blood Ridge, the last bastion of their Clan.
But….
“……!”
Arriving at the Blood Ridge with his army, Bekyum was so astonished that he doubted his own eyes.
In the distance, the flag of the Thunderhoof Clan was waving atop the ridge.
Additionally, the flag fluttering next to it belonged to the Kingdom of Lota.
This meant that the allied forces of the Kingdom of Lota and the Thunderhoof Clan had already crossed into Raging Wolf Clan territory and occupied the Blood Ridge first.
“C-Chwiek? At what time? C-Chwiek?”
Bekyum kept blinking, confirming and reconfirming whether what he saw was indeed real.
Bekyum couldn't fathom how such a large force could have taken position at the Blood Ridge before them, it was beyond his comprehension.
And that was common sense.
"Ch… Chieftain! Chwiek! We must retreat immediately! Chwiek!"
At that moment, the lieutenant shouted urgently at Bekyum.
Ppillili chwiiekchwiieek Ppillilili~
Ppillili chweeeiikchweeiik Ppillilili~
In the distance, the sound of Horn flute began to echo from the ridge.
“Ch…. Chwieeeek!!!!"
Bekyum was horrified upon hearing the sound of the horn echoing from the ridge, specifically the melody it played.
He'd heard reports that someone could play the melody that controlled the Uruk wolves, but he was skeptical it was genuine at first.
Regardless of it.
Ppillili chwiikchwiieeek Ppillilili~
Ppillili chwiieeekchwiik Ppillilili~
Alas, the sound of the horn continued to resonate, stretching farther and farther away.
The result.
“A-wooooooo!!"
“Grrrrr! Grrrr!"
“A-ooo! Grrrrr!"
Thousands of Uruk Wolves within the Raging Wolf Clan's ranks went wild, growling at their masters who held their leashes.
The wolves, which usually displayed immense loyalty, had transformed into crazed beasts, turning on their masters.
"Ch… Chwiek! Stop them quickly! Chwiek! We must stop the horn from being blown! Chwiek!"
Realizing the situation unfolding, Bekyum shouted urgently.
Though he didn't know who it was exactly, it was clear that if they allowed the horn to be blown, chaos was about to ensue.
If the completely uncontrollable Uruk Wolves went berserk within the Raging Wolf encampment, it was going to be a total disaster.
"Chwiek! Quick, the horn! Chieek! Hurry!"
However, the Raging Wolf Clan had no way to stop the horn being blown from the ridge.
Even Bekyum knew it was impossible, though he still shouted in desperation.
He could only shout in terror because he knew all too well what would happen next.
And Bekyum's predictions came to pass with eerie precision, unfolding exactly as he feared.
"Grroooar!"
“A-wooooo!!!"
“Snarl! Snaaarrl!” Responding to the horn, the Uruk Wolves began to go beyond just rampaging, they began to attack the clan's warriors.
“Ch…. Chiiieeeeek!!"
"Chwiiiiieeeeek!"
The panicked warriors tried desperately to restrain the Uruk Wolves, but it was futile.
“Grrrrrrrr!!!”
“A-woooo!!!”
The Uruk Wolves, driven mad by the sound of the horn, rampaged uncontrollably like rabid dogs, foaming at the mouth.
As a result, the Raging Wolf Clan was engulfed in chaos in an instant.
As if retreating wasn't bad enough, they were now being torn apart by crazed Uruk Wolves rampaging within their own camp…
However, that was only the beginning.
*THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!*
In the distance, the cavalry of the Thunderhoof Clan, orc riders on wild boars, charged forward at a terrifying speed.
As expected, leading the cavalry was Bagram, riding the legendary mythical beast Chawchaw.
“CHWIIIIIKKKK!!! Raging Wolf Clan! I, Bagram, have come! CHWIIIIIKKKK!!!!"
At the same time, the warriors of the Thunderhoof Clan and the forces of the Kingdom of Lota charged down the ridge, descending upon the Raging Wolf Clan.
"Ch-Chwieek! Defense! Form a defensive formation! Chwieek!"
Though Bekyum barked the command, the Raging Wolf Clan was no longer in a state to follow orders.
Thanks to the rampaging Uruk Wolves, it was nearly impossible to even prepare themselves for battle.
And the price they paid was steep.
*BAAAAAM!!*
Bagram rammed Chawchaw into the front line of the Raging Wolf Clan.
“Chwiiieek!”
“Chiiiieeeeeek!”
With that one collision, hundreds of warriors from the front lines of the Raging Wolf Clan were sent flying into the distance.
Chawchaw's charge was so powerful that the shockwave alone was enough to send hundreds of warriors flying.
It wasn't just that.
*Crackle!* *Bzzzzzttt!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*
From the point of the initial impact, thousands of bolts of lightning spread out, engulfing the ranks of the Raging Wolf Clan.
The overwhelming power of Bagram, who had activated his berserk state to defeat Bathory, was truly worthy of being called the absolute ruler of the Uruk Plains.
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While Otto was assisting Bagram in subduing the Raging Wolf Clan.
*Flicker* *Sizzle*
*BGM*
A candle spontaneously lit on an altar in the basement of the Royal Palace in the Kingdom of Erzsebet.
One by one, the candles ignited on their own, soon illuminating the once pitch-dark underground tomb.
And…….
*Cr…eak*
The corpse of Bathory, which had been lying motionless before the altar, began to twitch and soon stood up on its own two feet.
Bathory's revived corpse then moved its arms, reattaching the split head and chest, and began stitching itself back together.
A few minutes later…
"…I will surely take my revenge."
Stitched together, Bathory expressed her blood-curdling resentment, igniting her will for revenge.
Bathory's skin was pale as a sheet and devoid of blood.
Furthermore, the scars crudely stitched from her head to her chest were grotesque and horrifying.
But the resurrected Corrupted Queen didn't mind her appearance at all.
*Shuffle*
*Creak* *Creak*
Bathory moved her frozen joints, approaching the altar to draw the sword that was embedded there.
*Flash!*
The green blade emitted a bright light.
*Flicker* *Fwooosh!*
The torches and candles placed throughout the massive underground tomb flared up with green flames.
"Awa…. ken…"
Bathory commanded.
“O holy seats of Erzsebet….’”
At that moment, hundreds of sarcophagi in the massive underground tomb simultaneously creaked open, revealing knights emanating breath of death.
They were knights who had served in the Kingdom of Erzsebet, heroes who had achieved remarkable feats of honor.
In other words, the underground tomb where Bathory was reborn as the Corrupted Queen served as a national cemetery for the guardians of the Kingdom of Erzsebet, where the spirits of its heroes lay in slumber.
“Bagram… Otto de Scuderia….”
The Corrupted Queen Bathory hissed forth a rotten stream of deadly breath, unleashing her seething grudge.
Behind her, the knights, also exuding the breath of death, lined up in formation, standing at attention.
Their eyes spewed green ghostly fire.
** ** **
TL/N:
1. Gukbap – Gukbap is a Korean dish made by putting cooked rice into hot soup or boiling rice in soup.
This sentence uses a metaphor to describe “Blood Ridge” as something very reliable and comforting for the “Angry Wolf Tribe,” similar to how a hearty bowl of soup can be comforting and sustaining.