Orc Hero Story: Discovery Chronicles

Fairies are often underestimated and considered a foolish race, which was sometimes true given their behavior. However, Zell, the “Beloved by the Wind”, was not just any warrior. Among fairies, very few could hear the voices of the wind spirits. Moreover, Zell, who survived intense battles under Bash’s command, was an exceptionally skilled warrior. Her legends and myriad epithets might be peculiar, but they endured to signify that she fought and survived for a long time.

So, Caspar decided to use the ice magic “Ice Spiral”. He expelled a stream of cold air from his mouth, driving the fairy away. Fairies were weak against the cold. She wouldn’t die from this, but her movements would surely be slowed.

Now, Bash, your trusted fairy is gone. How will you avoid this? I never intended to seek revenge on you, but if I have no other choice, my vengeance will be complete.

“Fire!”

A voice like that came from the left rear. A chilling sensation ran down his spine, but it was too late. Something struck his back, and a searing pain coursed through his entire body.

“Krryoooooooooh!”

The cry he expelled was a strange sound, something unrecognizable like his own. When Caspar turned, he saw the frightened soldiers and a colossal ballista. The ballista’s arrows were attached to thick chains. He recognized it; it was the weapon that the human high command had prepared when he spoke of bringing a dragon, a measure against the dragon threat, later stored in the capital after Bone’s death.

He extended his arm and pulled out the arrow. It was an impossible action for a dragon but feasible in this form. The arrow had a barb and tore through his flesh, drawing blood, but it wasn’t significant. In the midst of this, anger and a destructive impulse arose. He reached a conclusion.

Why was there a ballista here? That ballista should be in the capital as a defense against the dragon in the royal castle. So why was it here?

What, do they think of aiming something like that at my son!?

There was a dragon present in this land. The offspring of a Human and a dragon, placed as an egg and quickly gained the use of Newt, growing as a half-human, half-dragon. It wasn’t a threat to humans. He intended to live peacefully in the forest. He had planned to teach his son to live as both a dragon and a human. He had even informed Chancellor Crusader and General Brian about it. Did they trust nothing, absolutely nothing in Sage Caspar? Weren’t they friends? Shouldn’t they celebrate a friend’s departure?

¡Brian! Among those commanding the ballista squads, there was a familiar face. The moment Caspar saw him, his mind filled with a shadow of hatred.

“This is bad, retreat, re…”

‘Comet Onager!’

Numerous fiery rocks shot out from Caspar’s arm. They scattered in the air and rained down on the ballista formation, destroying more than half of them and massacring most of the surrounding soldiers.

The center of impact was General Brian. His fate was uncertain. Being a tough man, he might still be alive among the rubble.

However, there was no intention to deliver the final blow. Instead, another man came to mind: Chancellor Crusader. It was more likely that he would betray a friend on a journey and consider such actions. The man who seemed kind, displayed stubbornness in conversations, surprisingly understood, and gave an impression of being rational on the surface. But inside, his thoughts were dark and sordid. Surely, it was he who could have placed these ballistae here or ordered them to be made.

Brian had notable judgment, but he wasn’t as cunning. He probably saw it as an emergency and brought them here from the armory because they seemed usable.

Crusader! Caspar directed his gaze toward the castle. Driven by emotion, he intended to head towards Crusader, who would probably be there. However, he felt another sharp pain in his leg, this time the tendon of his calf was cut.

“Graaaahaaaahoooooh!”

“Your opponent is me!” a roar that almost commanded him to look in that direction was heard. This made Caspar recompose instantly. Right, there was no time to face someone who wasn’t here right now. Something was wrong. Why would such thoughts arise? Was it because of this body? But this wasn’t the time to reflect on such things.

His role was to distract. He must have fulfilled it enough by now. If he didn’t withdraw from here… but…

That roar, that war cry stopped Caspar’s movements.

It couldn’t be ignored. Emotions were running wild. That roar came from the one who brought death to his beloved wife. So, at least that orc must be defeated, even if it made no sense.

‘Heat Line!’

He turned towards Bash and released his magic. However, it bent again. Somehow, the fairy had returned, causing a disruption once more. Should he make her fly again with ice magic and target Bash?

“Now, fire!”

With a slight delay, a shrill voice echoed. Lightning flashed, causing Caspar’s right arm to numb and momentarily paralyze. A group of elves, led by the “Elf Little Mage” Nemesia, pointed their staffs at Caspar.

Why did it work now? The lightning that had slipped through his skin a moment ago… The chain. The chain connected to the ballista arrow from before served as a direct conduit for the electric discharge into Caspar’s body. He tried to pull out the arrow, but the electric shock made his hand movements unstable.

This is bad, isn’t it…? Humans, beastmen, and elves had synchronized their attacks. Before he realized it, Caspar was completely surrounded. He had completely lost the chance to escape. Now, breaking through was going to be difficult. No, it’s not over yet.

There was still hope. Bash. Only Bash. If he could bring down that orc, he could turn this into a war of attrition. The elves’ magic had some effect, causing a slight numbness, but aside from Bash, there was no one here who could inflict a mortal wound on Caspar.

Near Bash, a blonde knight was shouting something. “Come back… wait… give me some time,” her words were audible. Oh, and he thought the orc attacked quite opportunistically. Was that knight giving orders for the other forces to coordinate their attacks?

…No, Bash was not retreating. He advanced steadily toward Caspar. Was he determined? Indeed, the Orc Hero would not cower before an enemy.

In that case, he would fight without fear. Bash raised his sword, and Caspar clenched his fist. Both exerted all their strength to strike the other…

“Pull back!”

Caspar stumbled as dwarves, and not only them but also humans and beastmen, were seen pulling a thick chain like a rope. He tried to resist, but with the tendon cut, he couldn’t. Caspar fell sideways, propping himself up with his elbow…

But Bash did not miss that opportunity.

A sword cleaved into Caspar’s neck.