Ambushing the Orcs

The dense forest stretched deep, with sunlight filtering through the thick branches and casting dappled shadows across the ground.

Lester hid motionless beside a thicket, occasionally shifting his eyes to survey the road not far away.

The road was flat and straight, cutting through the forest and leading all the way to the distant east.

He was not alone in his watch. More than fifty others were lying in ambush on both sides of the road.

Every one of them was skilled in martial arts and proficient in various combat techniques. They were elite warriors of the Royal Capital Knights.

The surroundings were peaceful. Birdsong rang out from time to time as the hours slowly passed—one hour, then two...

A faint clopping suddenly came from the distance, growing clearer by the moment.

Someone was galloping this way.

Lester gripped the limbs of his crossbow tightly. His palms were covered in sweat, and his heartbeat began to quicken.

A flock of birds took flight. Within his field of vision, two knights suddenly rounded the bend at the far end of the road.

The "bait" had returned!

The riders desperately tugged at their reins, gasping for breath. Clearly, someone was pursuing them.

An arrow was still lodged in one rider's shoulder. Blood had soaked the surrounding area crimson, making the sight horrifying to behold.

The other rider freed one hand and repeatedly changed various gestures in midair.

"Thirty... cavalry... light armor..."

Lester muttered as he deciphered the information they were conveying.

Most of the tension in his heart faded.

They had the advantage in numbers.

The two knights did not stop. They rode westward along the road, and their figures were soon swallowed by the dense forest.

Another ten minutes or so passed before a much denser rumble of hoofbeats reached their