Chapter 43: The Black Dog (2)

Cory was left bewildered, but Graham, realizing it was a joke, let out a soft chuckle.

“I went too far.”

“Yeah. So, can I ask you a question too?”

“Sure.”

“Why are you serving as a common soldier?”

“Hmm…”

Yuri had a general idea.

Graham was a knight who acted on principle. He didn’t bow to power or commit injustices.

He had probably received an unacceptable order and refused to follow it—or something along those lines.

Graham lowered his gaze.

“It wasn’t anything special. I just stopped something I believed was wrong.”

Yuri wanted to know more.

“And what was that?”

“I can’t say.”

“Between us? There’s nothing you can’t say.”

“…”

“You can’t?”

“No.”

“Alright. Then how about this—who issued the order that made you serve as a common soldier?”

“That too…”

“Sir Graham.”

Yuri patted Cory on the back, giving him a signal.

“Our Cory…?”

Nervously, Cory jumped to Graham’s defense.

“Your Highness! Sir Graham only came to ask me about the orcs…”

“Don’t worry. Anyway, if I want to know who handed down that punishment, I can find out with a bit of effort.”

Even if he didn’t know all the details, Yuri could easily figure out who had issued the order.

Graham smiled bitterly.

“It’s fine. I’ll tell you.”

He looked up at the sky and said,

“Princess Yekaterina.”

Yuri thought,

‘Why is she showing up again here?’

***

When they reached the hilly area, the stench of the orcs began to permeate the air.

And it wasn’t a metaphor. Along the path of the allied army, there were human corpses ripped open and impaled on stakes.

Some were in pieces, with spilled entrails crawling with maggots.

Ragnar burst into laughter.

“How amusing. Is this their way of welcoming us?”

Yuri moved ahead.

“Your Majesty, I’ll go incinerate them.”

“Do it.”

Yuri led the knights to burn the corpses they found. As he watched the bodies burn, he stroked his horse’s mane.

“Orcs let the bodies rot after eating them.”

“Why?”

“Maybe it’s like humans decorating with animal skins.”

It was part of orc culture. That’s just how they did things. Though abhorrent to humans, for them, it was a source of pride.

As they neared the orc encampment, the terrain became more barren. The ground was cracked, and the plants were withered.

“Feels like a desert.”

“Why is it like this?”

“They say orc feces poison the soil.”

“Ugh, gross…”

The knight squad chatted as they set the corpses on fire. The stench of burning flesh intensified.

They moved on until they reached a spot with even more bodies piled up. A steep wall surrounded the heap, and the path they had to take led through a narrow gorge flanked by cliffs.

Yuri came to a sudden stop.

“Hold.”

“Pardon?”

“Stop!”

He called out to two knights who had advanced carelessly.

“Dyke! Guinness!”

“Yes?”

“Get back!”

“Understood…”

At that moment, an arrow flew toward them. Both instinctively raised their swords, but it came too fast to properly defend against.

An arrow struck Guinness in the arm.

“Damn it!”

The two quickly retreated, and Yuri ordered the entire squad to fall back.

From atop the cliff, orcs stared down at them with bows ready.

“Are you alright, Guinness?”

“Y-yes…”

“Losing focus on the battlefield?”

“I’m sorry.”

Guinness lowered his head, ashamed. No need to scold him further—he was already beating himself up inside.

“Don’t make me worry again.”

With a cold tone, Yuri left those warm words. Guinness bowed his head even lower.

“I’m really sorry…”

“Simon, Dyke.”

“Yes.”

“Take care of him.”

“Understood.”

Since the previous night raid, the three young knights had supported one another. Yuri rose slightly in his saddle and scanned the cliff.

“This isn’t good.”

The route was vulnerable. They could be attacked from above at any moment. Fortunately, the cliff wasn’t broad, so there likely weren’t many orcs up there.

“A gorge…”

He’d experienced a similar battle in his past life. The mercenaries had simply climbed the cliffs to eliminate the enemy.

Yuri’s squad, always tasked with the most dangerous missions, had done just that.

Yuri returned to base and reported to Ragnar.

“What do you suggest?”

“We’ll climb and clear them out.”

“You think you can do it?”

“Yes.”

Naturally, Yuri, who had already studied the terrain, would take on that mission.

The allied army halted at a safe distance and launched arrows upward. The orcs occupying the area scattered.

Yuri shed some gear and stood before the cliff with his squad.

“Follow me!”

“Yes, sir!”

Once again, Yuri led from the front.

He activated his Manasword and began scaling the cliff. The rock was solid, making the climb easier. Yuri ascended without hesitation.

“Be careful!”

A sudden shout came from below. A massive boulder was falling from above. The allied army fired more arrows.

Between the falling rocks and the hail of arrows, Yuri clung tightly to the wall.

The boulder passed dangerously close to him. Without delay, he resumed climbing. He was nearly at the top.

When his fingers touched the cliff’s edge, he paused briefly and reached for Guilty, strapped to his back.

An orc face suddenly appeared. As if waiting for it, Yuri swung Guilty.

The orc’s head flew off and rolled away. Blood splattered all over him.

“Pfft.”

Spitting out blood and saliva, he lunged forward. As he stood atop the cliff, he realized there were more orcs than expected.

Their shields were bristling with arrows like porcupines.

When they spotted Yuri, they snarled fiercely.

“Come at me, bastards.”

The orcs dropped their shields and readied their weapons. Yuri raised Guilty and pointed it at them.

“What are you waiting for?”

He glanced down.

“Damn it…”

The knight unit was still below. They hadn’t climbed as quickly as expected.

He’d have to wait a while if he wanted to hold out for them. He needed to buy time.

As he thought that he should add climbing to their training regimen, Yuri charged forward.

“Briol!”

“Akurakkai! Akumetum!”

Several orcs charged at once. With each battle, Yuri’s senses sharpened. He sensed the blades flying toward him.

He sidestepped and swung Guilty.

The mana from his Soul and Heart Slash writhed like a living thing.

The slashing energy tore through not just the orc’s leather armor, but its tough skin as well.

“Graaah!”

The orcs’ attention shifted to Yuri, who had dodged to the side.

Yuri moved further forward. From there, he could see the entire battlefield clearly, as if observing from above. He knew exactly how to move to avoid being surrounded.

He cut the legs out from under an orc turning toward him. The creature lost its balance and its axe missed, embedding in the ground. Yuri went to finish it off, but other orcs rushed him.

He retreated without hesitation. The fallen orc was trampled by its own comrades and died.

Yuri shouted toward the cliff.

“Are you guys coming up or not?!”

Even stalling had its limits. Noticing Yuri was deliberately dragging the fight, some orcs began turning back toward the cliff.

“We’re coming!”

Just then, two people arrived—Laurent and Jared.

As soon as they reached the top, they were greeted by orcs and unsheathed their swords immediately.

The clash of steel echoed through the air. One by one, more knights reached the top, and melee combat broke out.

“The terrain is tight! Use the geography!”

Orcs couldn’t be beaten by brute force alone. Knights who traded blows with them were often pushed back.

Yuri stepped in to assist one in trouble.

“Careful.”

“Thank you!”

“This is how it’s done.”

An enraged orc lunged at Yuri. It looked like Yuri would take the hit, but he deflected the blow.

Off-balance from its own momentum, the orc teetered near the cliff edge. Yuri kicked it hard in the back.

The orc’s scream echoed as it fell—ending with a Thud.

“Orcs use wide movements. Exploit the openings!”

“Y-yes!”

Yuri looked up. Briol was traditionally a kingdom of knights.

Their knight order had immense combat power.

Now that they’d adapted to the orcs, they began to take the upper hand. One after another, they threw the orcs off the cliff.

When the battle ended, Yuri signaled to continue forward.

Ragnar approved with a smile.

“It’s not over yet. Weapons ready!”

“Yes, sir!”

No time to rest. Yuri led the knights forward.

The orcs at the top had no time to react to the sudden assault.

Thanks to Briol’s squad advancing, the allied army could move faster.

Yuri reached the cliff’s edge with no path left to climb. He had fully taken the high ground.

“Phew…”

With his view now clear, he could see the orc fortress in the distance. It was Kurui Fortress—their next target.

They were ready: between the palisades stood sharp logs in a dense formation.

“It’s huge. Almost the size of the allied army.”

“What do you think? Can you take on that many orcs?”

“I’m not fighting alone, am I?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Briol’s knights tied ropes to the rocks and rappelled down. Once below, the soldiers stared in awe.

Just then, troops from the Holy Kingdom passed nearby.

“Aren’t you racking up a few too many merits?”

Sybilla approached and spoke to him.

“Any injured knights? I can send a priest.”

“Hmm…”

Yuri looked back. There were no fatalities, but a few knights were limping.

“All right. Thanks.”

Even though he had Hernand and Jermaine, strengthening ties with the Holy Kingdom’s priests was a good idea. They were valuable assets.

Once clear of the gorge, the allied army began setting up camp.

“See you later.”

“Good work.”

Yuri returned to Briol’s soldier area, where tents were already being set up. The sun was setting.

He entered his tent, already erected.

A messenger followed him and delivered a report.

“There will be a commanders’ meeting tonight. The location is the supreme commander’s tent.”

“Understood. And when the priest from the Holy Kingdom arrives, make sure the wounded receive treatment and that he is properly attended to.”

“Yes, sir. Would you like us to bring your meal here?”

“No need. I’ll go myself.”

“Understood.”

Yuri sat on the edge of his cot.

Tomorrow, the real fighting would begin. He stroked the hilt of Guilty, resting beside him.

“Hmm…”

The light from the lamp inside the tent flickered slightly.

“That’s odd.”

Yuri murmured. Then, the lamp flickered once more, and the shadows around him quivered along with it.

“Why are you here again?”

Yuri looked up. The one who had appeared without warning was Asana. She leaned against the edge of the table and looked at him.

“I was tracking the Outsider.”

“And?”

“He’s over there.”

Asana pointed toward a wall—the direction of the orc army.

“The Outsider is an orc?”

“He’s not an orc, but he’s with them.”

“He’s cooperating with the orcs?”

“It’s the opposite.”

Asana replied calmly.

“He’s a prisoner.”

“A prisoner?”

Yuri frowned in confusion. Unless Okua was involved, it was unthinkable that someone of the Outsider’s caliber—one of the Ten Greats—could end up a prisoner.

“He must have some objective.”

“What could he be after?”

“It seems he tried to infiltrate, but with the arrival of the allied army, security has tightened. Even so, he might try again. What should we do?”

“Wait.”

Yuri shook his head.

“Let him be. I’ll go and ask him myself.”

“He appears to be pretending to be a prisoner for some reason. If his plans get ruined because of the army, he might get angry. Be careful.”

“There’s no other way…”

Yuri scratched the back of his head. Dealing with someone of the Ten Greats always came with risks.

“After all, what the Outsider wants is Okua.”

It seemed evident that his capture was also part of that goal. So, if he cooperated from within the allied army, it might be helpful.

The enemy of your enemy is your ally.

“Just in case, when the battle begins tomorrow, go in and confirm whether it’s really the Outsider.”

Asana didn’t respond, only stared at him.

“What is it?”

“I’d prefer to protect the prince.”

“I didn’t hire you as a bodyguard. I can take care of myself.”

Asana blinked, then nodded.

“Understood.”

“Good.”

Yuri stood up.

“Since you’re here, want something to eat? The camp cooks make good food.”

“I’m fine.”

“Today’s menu is…”

But by the time he strapped Guilty to his waist and looked up again, Asana was gone. Yuri glanced around the tent and let out a small laugh.

“Incredible.”

Then he stepped outside.

The moon had already risen into the sky.

In the distance, food was being distributed. Yuri headed that way.

“Huh?”

He stopped.

Someone was standing in front of him.

Yuri looked up.

“You are…?”

He couldn’t comprehend it.

“What… are you?”

An entirely black orc stood before him.