Second Orc War (IV)

Hot Spring Fortress.

Grand Duke Russell was the only one of the Empire's four grand dukes to come to the war against the Northern Orcs, and he had only recently taken office at Hot Spring Fortress.

Yet because of his arrival, both Elector Volvo at the time and Hilde, the current substitute commander, had lost actual command over Hot Spring Fortress due to the grand duke's presence.

The grand duke shared the Empire with the emperor. The authority a grand duke was entitled to within the Empire was far more than a mere title.

But this grand duke had not been prepared to face the entirety of the strongest group within the Northern Orcs' great family.

The Orcs' six great royal courts had suddenly all appeared north of Hot Spring Fortress, while he had only this single defensive fortress in all of Hot Spring Province.

Once they crossed this place, they would be able to charge straight through. Not a single rock in Hot Spring Province stood taller than a short catman, and behind Hot Spring Province, among the Empire's six provinces, there was not a single stretch of land with terrain capable of stopping the Orcs' advance.

It could be said that the Orcs had found the most suitable location.

Hot Spring Fortress was humanity's only defense to rely upon. Beyond that, there would only be a brutal clash of blood and flesh.

"If this place falls, the Empire will suffer unimaginable losses, and I will become the loser of this war."

Gallen Russell knelt on the ground. Behind him, Anselmo the Demigod consoled him.

"This is not your fault. Even now, the emperor and Hilde are still the overall commanders of the Northlands."

Even he, a Demigod, was not confident he could help Grand Duke Russell hold Hot