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Chapter 470: The Orcs' "Trump Card"
The Red-Eyed Orcs before him alone clearly couldn't pose such a significant threat to Matthew.
Even if there were a legendary-level presence among them, it would be the same.
In just a few months, with Yaya's growth and Matthew's meticulous preparations, there would no longer be a repeat of Ironhide Grig's rampage.
However, the power of destiny rarely lied.
At least, not before encountering a divine-level being.
This meant that the orcs' actions this time hid something capable of threatening Matthew and Bay Territory.
"Who would've thought... Searching high and low, only to find it effortlessly..."
With his thoughts racing, Matthew didn't wait any longer and decisively chose the next option.
As soon as Matthew made his choice, the orcs' assault became noticeably more intense.
He could clearly see the number of ordinary orcs decreasing, while the proportion of elite orcs increased.
High-tier orcs, however, seemed to sense some danger and refrained from blindly climbing the walls as before, only to be surrounded and killed.
The pressure on the walls began to steadily increase.
Still, Matthew could sense that this was just preliminary probing; the true decisive force was yet to come.
More and more orc soldiers fell.
Bay Territory's soldiers also began to suffer casualties.
Though Matthew felt a pang of regret, he wasn't naive enough to believe he could protect every soldier.
As soldiers of Bay Territory, they needed to become protectors of others, not overly sheltered hothouse flowers.
Besides, most injuries were non-fatal, and deaths were minimal.
With enchanted armor, healing potions, and the goddesses' clerics providing treatment, the casualties were minimized.
Matthew waited silently for the enemy behind the scenes to expose their flaws.
The fierce battle raged from morning till evening.
The walls and the ground below were strewn with corpses and rivers of blood.
The orcs charged at the walls madly for food and plundered wealth.
Bay Territory's soldiers fought valiantly for their territory and merit.
The orc army retreated in failure, while cheers erupted from the walls, leaving the withdrawing orcs humiliated.
Ordering the reserves to clean the battlefield, Angela reported the day's results to Matthew with the battle report in hand:
"42 dead, 871 injured, 65 disabled, 73 seriously wounded. The rest can recover combat readiness."
"We killed 8,632 orcs, all recorded. In total, we've killed 14,200 orcs so far, leaving 38,900."
All orcs were killed without friendly fire.
The staggering 1:40 kill-to-death ratio left Matthew quite satisfied.
Looking at the slightly fatigued Angela, Matthew gently said:
"Go get some proper rest. Tomorrow, we'll need you to oversee everything. Trust in the people you've assigned tasks to."
Angela pressed her lips together slightly, relaxing a bit.
However, she patrolled the walls twice and inspected the pass before finally resting.
Stroking the slumbering Yaya, Matthew gazed at the orc camp in the distance and murmured softly:
"In just one day, the Red-Eyed Orcs have lost most of their elites. If you've got a trump card, reveal it now."
"Otherwise, you'll just end up dying with it."
Though Matthew said he was waiting, he wasn't idle.
Turning, he looked at several cloaked figures beside Beelzebub and said in a calm tone:
"I have a challenging task for you. If you accept, it will earn you enough merit to shed your previous identities."
"Of course, the previous punishments still stand, but you might gain a sliver of freedom."
At Matthew's words, the three cloaked figures trembled slightly, seemingly contemplating.
The shortest of them stepped forward first, kneeling respectfully and saying:
"I accept the task."
Despite its difficulty, at worst, it meant death.
Seeing her accept, the other two hesitated no longer, stepping forward and echoing:
"I accept..."
Matthew smiled, handing them three storage items, and said confidently:
"Your future is in your hands. Don't disappoint me!"
Though his tone was gentle, the words weighed heavily on their ears.
Watching them leave, Matthew turned to Beelzebub, who was brimming with fighting spirit, and said:
"Don't worry. The orcs will reveal their trump card soon enough!"
June 21st.
Scarlet Pass.
Found on Book Bar with no errors!
Light rain.
A rare cool summer breeze blew gently.
It felt like a soft hand, soothing the parched, withered land with care.
Droplets of rain fell gently, moistening the ground.
Seeds that had long awaited germinated overnight, striving to grow.
A faint green tint gave a sliver of vitality to the barren earth.
However, further north near the pass, the land remained desolate, as though the earth itself was starved.
Taking a satisfying bite of her chicken leg, Yaya chewed diligently, eyeing the orc camp in the distance and muttering eagerly:
"Hurry up. I want to finish this and go back to sleep."
Entering her juvenile phase, Yaya was in a growth spurt marked by excessive sleep.
Fortunately, unlike other true dragons, Yaya worked hard to control her drowsiness, striving to sleep when she wanted and stay awake otherwise.
This was a result of Matthew and Yaya's research, concluding that simply increasing her lifespan wouldn't bring decisive power growth.
As Matthew observed the Red-Eyed Orcs setting up formations, he prepared to test their resolve, but soon sensed something amiss.
The orcs weren't attacking immediately; instead, they clustered together in groups.
At their center, dozens of shaman-cloaked orcs loudly chanted incantations.
"A sacrificial ritual?"
Matthew's eyes widened as he stared at the distant orcs, hesitating briefly.
Sensing the growing aura of danger, he issued the command without hesitation:
"Trebuchets, fire!"
The ritual had to be destroyed!
Even though the magical tides hadn't yet manifested and the outer defenses of the world remained stable, most deities couldn't project much power.
Yet Matthew, knowing how terrifying they were, was unwilling to take any risks.
Meanwhile, thoughts raced through his mind.
Were the orcs insane?
Or was the mastermind behind them deranged?
Or perhaps, the true goal of their assault on Scarlet Pass was to complete such a grand and costly ritual?
Complex thoughts swirled, plunging Matthew into deep contemplation.
After issuing his order, the heavy trebuchets stationed on the flanks of the walls began to operate.
Massive stones hurtled toward the distant sacrificial ritual!