The Battle of Ravenwood Town (End)

Dorodamenro retreated while fighting, and although he sustained several injuries and had to forcefully activate his Magic Marks several times, his combat results were still impressive. By the time Dorodamenro fell back to the Ravenwood Town soldiers, he had killed at least dozens of enemies.

Dorodamenro stopped trying to kill Lase and instead began to contend with the remaining enemies, but the situation was growing increasingly unfavorable for Ravenwood Town. They could no longer retreat; behind them was the entrance to the hall leading to the basement.

Lase also disengaged from his prolonged fight with Dorodamenro, letting his subordinates keep Dorodamenro occupied. Lase himself began targeting the ordinary soldiers, who were no match for him. Although the belief in protecting their families sustained the Ravenwood Town guards, their morale was on the verge of collapse under Lase's relentless assault.

Dorodamenro knew this couldn't continue. If no changes were made, Ravenwood Town would be destroyed before the Shadow Garrison's reinforcements arrived. Lase would show no mercy in his pursuit of his target, and the fate of the townspeople in the basement was predictable.

Dorodamenro had to activate his Magic Mark again, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Dorodamenro's speed suddenly increased, and he quickly broke through the encirclement, heading straight for Lase. He had decided to kill Lase at any cost.

Elves possessed innate magical abilities, but Dorodamenro was not a mage. He could only rely on the secret Magic Marks of a Sword Dancer to empower his body. Dorodamenro's magic was limited and had been depleted in previous battles; he was now burning his life force to activate the Magic Marks.

At that moment, Lase was bringing his greatsword down towards a soldier's shoulder. If it weren't for the armor momentarily blocking the blow, the immense force would have nearly cleaved the soldier in two.

As Lase was withdrawing his sword, Dorodamenro thrust his own sword into Lase's upper arm. Simultaneously, he pushed off, flipping into the air behind Lase. He brought both swords down with force, plunging them directly into Lase's back, leaving only the hilts. The sword tips pierced through Lase's chest.

Lase roared, spitting blood, and his knees buckled as he collapsed. He braced himself on the ground, blood gushing from his mouth. Dorodamenro drew his swords for another strike, but suddenly felt a premonition. He quickly turned, crossing his swords in front of him, only to be sent flying by a shockwave.

The hunchbacked Orc mage, along with several soldiers, ran over. He quickly reached Lase's side.

"My lord, Shadow Garrison reinforcements have arrived! The soldiers are doing their best to hold them off. I've already searched that Priest's mind; the girl is no longer in town. She left with the merchant caravan that departed a few days ago, heading for Sinterland. I'll heal your wounds now!"

Lase raised his hand to stop the hunchbacked mage.

"Don't waste your mana, Guldan. I'm finished. You quickly take the soldiers and pursue that caravan. You must capture her; it's our tribe's only chance for prosperity. You must capture her!"

Lase said, gripping Guldan's arm forcefully, then spitting out another large mouthful of blood. Dorodamenro, who had been sent flying, was struggling to get up. He overheard their conversation and realized they knew Daisy's whereabouts. He quickly picked up his swords and ran over, intending to kill Guldan.

"Give me a Blood Burn Technique, and I'll hold him off. You guys hurry!"

Guldan roared. He could only slash his palm, scattering his blood onto Lase to cast the spell. With the enhancement of the Blood Burn Technique, Lase's muscles rapidly swelled as if in a last burst of life. His eyes turned bloodshot red, and he let out a deafening roar as he charged at Dorodamenro. Guldan, along with the alien soldiers beside him, fled the church.

Dorodamenro activated his Magic Mark, intending to speed past Lase and pursue Guldan. However, Lase, empowered by the Blood Burn Technique, could match Dorodamenro's speed. He stepped forward, blocking Dorodamenro, and then punched him with all his might. Dorodamenro raised his sword to block, but the blade cut directly into Lase's fist, embedding itself in the bone. Lase, however, seemed not to feel any pain and continued his punch without slowing, sending Dorodamenro flying. The embedded blade grazed Dorodamenro's chest, drawing blood.

Several Ravenwood Town guards charged forward, their spears piercing deeply into Lase's body. But Lase ignored the attacks, reaching out to grab two soldiers and slam them together.

At that moment, shouts and the clash of steel suddenly erupted from outside. Over a dozen alien races ran in in disarray, pursued closely by Laxarus and his group.

Seeing the berserk Lase, Laxarus didn't hesitate. He raised his sword and plunged it into Lase's spine. With his spine damaged and unable to move, Dorodamenro seized the opportunity, leaping up and thrusting both swords into Lase's eyes. The massive Orc's corpse slowly toppled to the ground. Dorodamenro's knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground. His sky-blue hair now seemed faintly gray.

Laxarus quickly knelt beside Dorodamenro, supporting him as he began to fall.

"I'm sorry, I'm late. I failed to see through such a crude scheme; it's my fault! I'll have someone tend to your wounds immediately!"

"There's no need, Laxarus. My injuries aren't that severe; it's just that I've continuously activated my Magic Marks, and my life force is depleted. This is my fate, Laxarus. It's not your fault. Because of my selfishness, Ravenwood Town has suffered so much damage. It's all my fault. As the Bishop of Ravenwood Town, I failed to protect the town." As he spoke, Dorodamenro's eyes gradually lost their focus, and he ceased to breathe.

"Teacher!" Laxarus cried out, embracing Dorodamenro's corpse.

"It's alright, Teacher. You've protected this town for forty years. Without you, this town wouldn't have developed to this point. Without your guidance and recommendation, I wouldn't have become a Knight, let alone been promoted to Knight Commander. Rest in peace. I will make this town better again in your stead!" Laxarus said, holding Dorodamenro's body and making a silent vow.

"Kill all the scum in the town. Argus, you immediately take your men and pursue the fleeing enemies. Let none escape!" Laxarus roared at his adjutant.

The battle concluded. The townspeople emerged from the church's basement. The men, with the help of the Shadow Garrison soldiers, carried the bodies and repaired the damaged houses. The women tended to the wounded and prepared food.

Laxarus, along with the Shadow Garrison Knights and the remaining Ravenwood Town guards, stood in an open area outside the town. Some townspeople and Shadow Garrison soldiers were digging graves; this would be the burial site for the fallen soldiers. They had found Warren's body on the city walls. Looking at his colleague, who had been ostracized for being too upright, Laxarus remained silent for a long time.

Dorodamenro, Warren, and the other fallen soldiers were buried here. A stone monument inscribed with all their names was erected, bearing the words: "To all the brave warriors who died defending their homes and loved ones!" Warren's armor was buried with him, while Dorodamenro's swords were collected by Laxarus, who knew someone would come for them.

In this battle, the allied forces of the alien races left behind 789 bodies, including their commanders. Nearly a hundred of them had fallen to Dorodamenro. The Ravenwood Town guards and the mercenary contingent suffered heavy casualties as well. The Ravenwood Town guard's structure had been decimated, with only 48 surviving soldiers, fewer than ten of whom were unharmed.