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Lair

Chapter 019 - Staying Alive

By Skalsar

>You really messed up badly.

Rego was talking to a [Soldier – Commander] who was looking at the orcs that surrounded [Mafay Village]. Not that it was personally the fault of the man, but as a commander, he should have stopped this from happening.

>I don't know what to say, chief Rego. This is terrible.

We still don't know how the orcs were able to find the [Scouts].

Not to mention the two [Vanguards] that ran away from the battlefield.

>Nobody is blaming you. I was at fault for acting to rashly.The commander and Rego looked to the man who talked just now.

It was the [Local Lord].

Because his daughter Lily was kidnapped, he sought to destroy the orcs that entered his territory, believing it was them who took her.

>No, mylord. It's a good choice to destroy such a threat as soon as possible.

>Please call me by my name already, Rego.

We know eachother for years. Even before you retired to become a settler.

>Uhm, yes.. sure, Odas.It was weird for Rego, but if the lord asks him, he will do it.

As a [Village Chief] it should be alright.

Even through the nobles don't like it if non-nobles call a noble by his name in public.

>What will we do now?

If the lord commanded, he was ready to strike at the orcs any time.

Even if it meant dying.

>We have to survive for one more day.

Reinforcements are on the way.

With that said, Odas left.

[Mafay Village] was surrounded by a weak wall made from wood.

It won't hold out for long if the orcs attacked it.

The [Soldiers] and [Adventurers] are able to defend for now, but that might change any time.

And there is still the kidnapping.

But the orcs aren't even trying to use the kidnapped girl as a hostage.

Maybe they really didn't do it?

But that won't change the situation.

One might wonder why the reinforcements take that much time, or why the village isn't evacuated using the skill to travel between [Villages] and [Cities] called [Field Walk]. But for some reason or another, it isn't working if a [Village] or [City] is under siege.

Like an [Explorer] can't use [Dungeon Walk] if a monster is near.

They were simply to slow to react.

>Attack!

Someone was shouting.

The orcs were at it again, but the [Soldiers] already noticed the movements.

A good dozen orcs were rushing through the forest with an improvised ram.

With full force, they crashed into the wooden wall and broke both, the wall and the ram.

[Soldiers] attacked the orcs with spears.

It isn't a good choice to fight orcs in close combat, so spears are the best choice.

But the orcs were already running away.

>That's really bad.The commander looked worried.

>[Runners]!>Tell the officers to abandon the wall!

With that said, the boys ran to the [Soldier – Officers] that led the defending squads.

The [Runner] was an agile class with high stamina, used to deliver messages on the battlefield.

And they have a skill called [Blur] which makes it hard to see them running in a battle.

But after getting away from the wall, nothing happened.

>Maybe we were wrong?

But the commander shook his head.

>No. I'm sure now.

Their leader must be a strong [Orc Shaman].

If they can force us to heavily guard one spot, they will use magic to destroy that point.

>The breaking moral from that would destroy us. Stay vigilant.

But because of the abandoned wall, the village was now penned up too.

Enough for the orc leader to show himself at least.

A big figure appeared from the forest, where the wall was already broken.

His staff was glowing blue and thirty [Orc Warriors] were guarding him.

When he struck the earth with his staff, a ball of blue light shot to the sky.

A shockwave exploded in the air.

Clouds turned black, thunder howled.

If someone was to think 'Well, it's just rain.', they should think again.

[Mafay Village] was surrounded by Orcs. A strong race which could rip a weak [Villager] apart with his hands. [Field Walk] wasn't working. The farmlands were outside the village and had to be abandoned.

Now on top of that, the sight from the [Watchtower] in the middle of said village was taken because of the rain and if lightning were to hit, panic would break out.

This situation was the worst.

>It's a [Stormcaller] ..Rego knew about them from his days as an [Adventurer].

It was the evolved form of a [Orc Shaman]. Ranking the same as an [Adventurer] at that.

Speaking about rankings, humans have their classes, monsters have evolutions.

Being a second evolution of orcs, the [Stormcaller] could take on an [Elite Knight] alone.

>We have to leave.

>What?!The commander didn't get it yet.

>Abandon everything!

Take nothing!

With Regos shout everyone around was shocked.

Rego himself equiped his old armor and weapon now.

>I will buy you time.

Run south! The reinforcements will come from there.

>Wait, what do you mean with "buy time"? Are you crazy?!

The leader has thirty orcs with him but the clan should have over a hundred warriors!

Rego didn't even listen.

Just like that he ran down the towers stairs.

>[Soldiers]! Take everyone south, to safety!

In the name of the [Village Chief]!His voice echoed through the village.

It was a skill acquired by a leader. [Shout].

The [Soldiers] didn't understand the situation, but still acted.

Right now, they were sitting ducks.

They had to break through.

When Rego reached the forest, he threw an dagger to take down an orc.

It was the power of a level 57 [Adventurer].

The orcs were mostly level 25, maybe 30.

At least that was what Rego was hoping for.

If so. He might be able to slay a quarter of the clan before dying.

The problem was the [Stormcaller].

Lightning was raining down on the battlefield.

When there was a small opening on a warrior, he had to back away because of the magic attacks.

Sure, the orc wouldn't risk hitting his own. But that meant Rego had to stay near the [Orc Warriors].

One on one was alright, but they came in bundles of three.

>Let the light of the goddess Ignis shine on you! [Heal]!

Light hit Rego and some of his wounds were gone.

But that was bad in his own way.

It meant just one thing..

>Stupid boy..

Rego was angry at himself for not having noticed that Lant followed him.

Now both of them would die.

But because of the [Novice Cleric], he might be able to take some more orcs with him.

>Stay behind me run away if the [Stormcaller] channels mana!

Lant nodded.

Any mistake would mean instant death.

>WUAAAAAH!

An aura of clarity entered Lants mind.

It was Regos skill [Battlecry], which increased vigilance for a short time.

Sadly, the [Orc Warlord] that entered the fight just now, could do that too.

And his additional [War Cry] was a skill that increased strength and weakened the enemy.

Rego was staring at him in disbelieve.

This was really bad. A warlord and an evolved shaman.

With a loud *BANG*, the axe hit the ground and stones were send flying.

Rego was able to dodge it. But the [Stormcaller] used magic again.

Lightning surrounded the [Orc Warlord]. It was a defence magic that struck lightning if hit with metal.

>Your mace!Rego threw Lant his sword and caught the mace.

The mace was isolated with thick leather on the hilt, to provide better grip.

It would at least weaken the lightning.

A powerfull strike hit the [Orc Warlords] stomach, thunder growled.

Rego was thrown back, but was standing.

>Great Ignis, may your blessing heal the sick! [Prayer of Life]!

It was weaker than [Heal], but provided regeneration over time.

But Rego was even more worried about that.

Lants magic power would be gone in one or two more skills.

The warlord was grinning.

>Shit.

Rego saw his mistake, but wasn't fast enough to react.

Behind him, an orc hit two red stones against eachother.

The explosion threw Rego again.

It was called [Elemental Stone – Fire].

While it can create small flames if hit with a normal stone, it creates a strong explosion if hit with another [Elemental Stone – Fire].

Just like that, the orc behind Rego had used them to commit suicide.

Trying to take Rego with him.

Lant stepped in to strike the warlord with the sword.

But a level 4 [Novice Cleric] couldn't possible damage a warlord.

With his backhand, he hit Lant hard enough to make him fly to the side.

Gripping his axe, grinning, the warlord stopped his movement and looked back.

The rain was gone.

The thunder was gone.

The [Stormcaller] was gone.

The [Orc Warriors] were gone.

No, they were still there.

Lying on the ground, with green puddles around them.

Orcblood.

A woman was in the middle of it all.

Long, red hair and blue armor that blocked most of her feminine features.

Her eyes were glowing in a strong purple. Maybe some kind of skill.

Lant was taken in by the view.

A second later, the warlord was slain.

Rego had to take a deep breath and started laughing weakly.

They were saved.