Second Orc War (21)

Across the lands of Hot Spring Province, warhorses galloped over mist blanketing the ground. The fierce wind kicked up by their charge scattered the fog.

In the scalding hot springs, crimson water bubbled constantly, Orc corpses bobbing and sinking within.

"Turn!"

The knight-general shouted. The warhorses split to either side, then turned their heads after a dozen breaths and formed more than ten ranks. Resolute soldiers raised their swords and watched the Orc Army pursuing them.

Once the Orcs reached the designated position, the knight gave another order.

"Charge!"

"Kill them!"

From another direction, the human army charged into the Orcs. The racing warhorses carried a terrifying momentum. As the Orc Army was scattered and tried to regroup to drag the human soldiers from their mounts, many Orcs accidentally trampled into the scalding hot springs.

"Ah!!!!"

These boiling springs, maintained by the Empire's mages for months, could be called the war machines that had killed the most Orcs and humans on this land.

"Scatter them! Don't let them gather!"

The human cavalry had always been outnumbered by the Orcs. They could only keep using their mobility to reap Orc lives. This land of Hot Spring Province, transformed into a nation of war, was the key to this war against the Orcs.

The Empire's emperor, Volvo Columbus, had ultimately failed to fulfill his wish of keeping the Orcs beyond the Empire's borders.

That had been impossible from the start. When the overwhelming Orc Army poured southward, no fortress had the ability to keep them entirely outside.

Fortunately, the emperor did not need to bear that responsibility. He had long since left the Northlands and been crowned in the Empire.

Grand Duke Russell and the nobles of Hot Spring Province did not dare blame Grand Duke Russell. He was the greatest contributor