Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: King of the Orcs (4)
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It was good just to compete.
With everything they had. Without holding back for each other's circumstances, simply fighting with all their might to seize victory.
That alone set the blood racing through his veins. He had lived his whole life wielding an axe on the battlefield, spilling blood.
Having broken the mightiest warriors among the orcs with his own hands, he was finally called the Emperor.
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"Now, who's next? Which mad fool will challenge me? Come on, anyone. I'll gladly stake this throne and face you!"
"Who would dare covet the Emperor's throne?"
"Our king. Please lead us to the bloody battlefield."
"...What, no more challengers?"
But that was the problem. Emperor Urdan. Even among orcs, a race that worshipped battle, he was far too strong.
So strong that no orc dared challenge him. And so he reigned as Emperor.
Not just orcs, but other races and nations were the same. His fame and prowess were already legendary.
On any battlefield, the moment he appeared, most enemies fled in terror.
"Th-the Emperor! The Emperor's here!!"
"Everyone, retreat! If you don't want to die, run!!"
"...Why aren't they fighting? This is a battlefield."
Suddenly, he realized it had been ages since he'd felt the thrill of battle on the field. Was he going to die like this?
Until his body grew old and frail with the passage of time, without a proper fight, just sitting idle?
The moment his thoughts reached that point, Emperor Urdan—braver than a lion—felt fear for the first time in his life.
This couldn't be the end.
Better to die fighting a worthy rival than live a life of boredom. That alone would be a fitting death.
Of course, no holding back. Clash with full power, without mercy for each other's plights.
"It's been so long since I had a real fight. Come on! Let's settle this once and for all today!!"
"You're a beast. Fine, as a fellow beast, I'll give you everything I've got!!"
"Yes, that's it! Come at me like that if you're the king of all beasts!!"
From that perspective, clashing with the Sea King over the Demonic Realm had been the most enjoyable. No need to hold back.
Allies, alliances—none of that mattered. A pure foe he could smash head-on with full force.
But even that didn't last. The Sea King had chosen to become a king rather than a warrior, for his kin.
He understood that choice. As a close friend, and leader of his own people first...
But understanding aside, he couldn't help being disappointed. He'd thought that man would be his end.
After that, he sank into powerlessness and ennui. Until he heard the Sea King had fallen to an Imperial warrior.
"That Sea King fell to an Imperial warrior?"
"That's what they say."
"What's the name of the warrior who defeated the Sea King?"
"Cain Blackguard. A name that's starting to make waves lately. Apparently a kingdom mainstay."
"Hm..."
The reason he still remembered that casually heard name was... a glimmer of hope.
His one true friend, the man he'd thought would end him. A warrior who had broken the Sea King head-on.
To satisfy that curiosity, he'd captured a prisoner—and the results exceeded expectations.
Cain Blackguard. He was strong. At least on par with the Sea King in his prime... maybe even stronger.
Pure strength or skill might fall short of the Sea King or himself. But there was something unknowable about him.
The final breath all life fears, the one that always comes. Death... yes, he embodied death itself.
"Listen up, warriors."
Setting death aside, objectively, Cain Blackguard was an outstanding warrior. The title of Master suited him.
One misstep, and Urdan himself might die in the fight. This wasn't humility—just plain truth.
Yet facing death, Urdan burned with fighting spirit. Even if this was his last battle, so be it.
"We're facing the strongest foe now. One slip, and we might lose. Anyone who wants to flee, do so."
"Ridiculous!"
"Better to die fighting."
"Just like we don't take prisoners—no orc here would bear the shame of capture!"
"Splendid. You are true warriors."
As leader, he'd fulfilled his duty to the end. But his followers chose to fight.
Now, only one thing remained.
Challenging that mighty foe.
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At Emperor Urdan's words, Morgana and the nobles judged a night raid was coming. It was only natural.
It sounded like an open declaration of ambush. But Cain firmly denied it.
They wouldn't ambush, at least. Not unless we attacked first. No real basis for the claim.
"Stay vigilant just in case, but don't waste energy unnecessarily. The real battle comes next."
"But if they do raid at night..."
"That won't happen."
He wasn't trusting Urdan's character or honor. Honor meant nothing on the battlefield anyway.
Instead, Cain trusted Urdan's pure, burning ambition. The man craved a frontal clash.
If he'd wanted advantageous terrain, he'd have struck when he lured and captured the prisoner.
But he hadn't raised his axe first. Their prior clash was only because swords were drawn first.
"What we must truly guard against is the morning attack tomorrow. The orcs will strike first."
"A frontal showdown... Yeah, that'd drive orcs wild."
"Of course, we won't go down easy. We've got beastkin and wyverns on our side."
But no wyvern rock drops from the sky. The forest hid them anyway.
One mistake could ensnare allies too. Best to mount riders for close combat.
Wyvern riders.
One of Cain's counters to the Alliance's ultimate force, the titans.
"The orcs are moving."
"As expected, at morning."
"Seems the general predicted right—they're going for a frontal assault."
The wyvern riders already proved their worth. Hovering above, they'd spotted enemy movement.
Though the forest limited it to just that—they couldn't glean more.
If it were plains, siege, or open terrain, they'd be far more valuable scouts.
In response, Cain maneuvered his army. Orc tactics were simple: frontal clash. Basic, but powerful.
Numbers favored the Imperials overwhelmingly, but quality was the issue. Their elites were good.
But no match for orcs near Expert beginner in physique and skill, one per warrior.
"Orc warriors in sight."
"Three divisions? Scale?"
"Center's massive. Probably split 10,000 and 5,000."
"I see."
Cain turned his head. That immense presence from the center. No doubt—the Emperor was there.
Cain silently gripped his dragon mount's reins. Understanding its master's will, the beast moved forward.
Confirming it, Urdan grinned joyfully and advanced. Soon, the two warriors faced off in the center.
"Sleep well last night? Personally, a bit disappointing. Hoped for a raid."
"Any reason for orcs, who see through darkness, to commit suicide?"
"Fair point. But true warriors settle it fair and square in broad daylight, no?"
"I don't know your 'warrior code.' But that honest attitude? I like it."
At least better than two-faced foes. Cain appreciated the brutal honesty.
And it stemmed from Urdan's sheer strength. Unlike past enemies.
No tricks or gimmicks—just pure, simple power. Closer to the Sea King, if compared.
Cain sighed and dismounted. The man was waiting. For him to get off his horse...
"All set?"
"Of course."
"Then let's begin!!!"
Urdan's roaring swing clashed with Cain's Nox. With that thunderous boom, battle commenced.