🎄 Christmas Special! 🎄
To celebrate Christmas, enjoy 30% off monthly subscriptions from December 25th to 31st 🎁✨
The adjusted price is available on the Patreon page.
Chapter 466: The Orc Assault
"Another supply convoy was ambushed? Forty percent of the goods were lost?"
"Why don't they just die? The supplies are far more important than they are!"
"Can't we eliminate those humans?"
"They are very strong and extremely cunning."
"If we let them continue these attacks, they'll only grow bolder!"
"The solution is simple—send more soldiers to escort the supplies!"
"The Scarlet Fortress is already rallying reinforcements. We must speed things up!"
"We have at most three days left!"
"..."
The orc commanders were in chaos, their arguments filling the tent with noise.
None could convince the others. Their eyes were bloodshot, and they were on the verge of physical confrontation.
Compared to the irate commanders, the two towering orcs sitting at the center of the tent were much calmer.
They exuded a powerful aura, occasionally exchanging glances, seemingly indifferent to the commanders' bickering.
If Matthew were here, he would instantly recognize these two massive orcs.
The Red-Eye Orc Chieftain and the Bloodmoon Orc Chieftain!
Both destined to step into the legendary ranks, they were currently Level 20 transcendent warriors.
Even Matthew had no idea these two figures were commanding the orc army.
If he had known, he would've been far more cautious!
Every orc chieftain commanded hundreds of thousands, even millions of orcs.
Their presence here signified either immense profit or overwhelming danger.
At the tent's head, two orc shamans engaged in a quiet conversation.
One of them was the shaman who had been guarding the warehouse a few days prior.
He appeared unaffected by recent events and discussed topics unrelated to Bay Territory.
"Their appetite grows larger by the day!"
"Heh, they just want to use us as cannon fodder."
"If not for the upheaval in the central highlands, we wouldn't be under their thumb…"
"Most of the supplies have already been transported. This is a rare opportunity—the power of the Crimson Moon is at its weakest. We must eliminate these threats."
"Exactly. And let those overly ambitious new tribes see the consequences of siding with the tiger."
"Once we receive the final payment, we'll leave immediately."
"Agreed. With those fools in the west providing a distraction, we can avoid the wrath of the Netheril Empire's retaliation..."
"Humans are developing far too quickly, while we are already…"
"No matter. The tallest tree in the forest is always felled by the wind. In the coming era of great turmoil, they will inevitably face opposition!"
"This might be our last chance..."
"..."
Several dozen kilometers away.
Matthew hummed a little tune as he cheerfully calculated his Fate Power gains.
"3,000 adventurers, 6 action teams, killing 2,000 orcs daily."
"That's 1 million Fate Power per day—5 million after five days."
"I still need 15 million Fate Power to perfect the fourth enhancement surgery..."
"Another ten or so days, and it'll be done..."
The strategy of attacking supply convoys.
It minimized casualties while weakening the orc forces.
With more intelligence and data, Matthew quickly realized something.
The orcs' ability to attack the Scarlet Fortress hinged on how many supplies they could transport.
Despite the vast expanse of the Wild Highlands and its millions of orcs,
the orcs relied on logistics.
Orcs couldn't be entirely wiped out!
However, Matthew was intrigued by the orcs' supplies.
True to their bandit nature, orcs never undertook unprofitable ventures.
Yet now, they were recklessly throwing themselves into the Scarlet Fortress, as if courting death—a highly unusual and suspicious behavior.
Reflecting on the trolls' and orcs' recent assaults, Matthew's dark eyes gleamed with insight.
"If these orcs are also being manipulated by a hidden mastermind..."
"Their purpose must be to force a confrontation with the Netheril Empire, draining its resources and holding it back..."
Recalling the heavy losses the Netheril Empire was about to suffer, Matthew began to piece together the bigger picture.
The fall of the Netheril Empire bore striking similarities to the demise of the kingdom he had once built.
As Matthew examined those events from a fresh perspective, connecting them to his memories,
he noticed that while many actions were driven by profit, some reeked of "madness" and "extremism."
To command so many orcs to their deaths, complete "control" wasn't feasible.
No spell was that powerful, and no one possessed such expansive reach.
Matthew's logic was simple: if the enemy had such overwhelming strength, they would have already steamrolled him, Bay Territory, and even the Netheril Empire.
Since that hadn't happened, the orcs must be part of a transaction.
Orcs were famously impoverished—they lacked almost everything.
But the only thing capable of making them willingly march to their deaths was food!
Sustenance!
For orcs, food was the foundation of existence!
These orcs had inadvertently revealed much to Matthew, providing him with new surprises.
He had gained valuable insights from this endeavor.
With a clearer understanding of the "orc assault on the Scarlet Fortress," Matthew continued implementing his plans.
"It's simple: if these orcs are hell-bent on dying, why not have them contribute more to my cause?"
"Their target is the Scarlet Fortress. Until it's completely destroyed, Bay Territory should remain safe..."
"With enough Fate Power, we can accelerate Bay Territory's growth and strength."
"Adding just one or two Modified Warriors a month is far too slow!"
As this thought surfaced, an ominous premonition jolted Matthew back to focus.
Smiling slightly, he stroked his chin, pondering aloud:
"It seems nothing can withstand being mentioned!"
Whoosh!
A howling wind swept across the desolate ground, kicking up a haze of yellow dust.
Chris rubbed his eyes and peered into the dust storm, spotting dense figures approaching. He instinctively hushed his movements and murmured softly:
"They're here. Let's withdraw first."
His team members nodded quickly, carefully scanning the surroundings as they began their retreat along a predetermined route.
"The orcs are attacking—40,000 strong."
Chris's report earned him a reward of 50 gold coins and commendation points.
Meanwhile, the news of the orc army's assault spread swiftly, alerting nearby adventurers and Bay Territory's forces at the Scarlet Pass.
As Matthew reviewed his Fate Power choices, he smiled at Angela, who delivered the news:
"I won't act until their spellcasters make a move. The rest is up to you."
Understanding the hidden meaning, Angela nodded silently, her confidence unwavering as she replied:
"We will claim victory!"
Watching her retreating figure, Matthew silently encouraged her:
"Grow stronger."