Chapter 199: Battle

The slaughter of the previous night dealt a heavy blow to the Orc Army. Yet, the Orcs refused to abandon their ambition to crush Zhenbei City.

At the crack of dawn the next morning, the Orc Army, accompanied by their auxiliary contingent of slave-soldiers, commenced extensive wood-chopping operations along the northern shore of the White Water River. Clearly, their intent was constructing more substantial rafts, signifying their firm determination to attempt another river crossing.

Over the ensuing days, the two forces maintained a tense standoff across the White Water River barrier. The Orc Army produced rafts en masse. Ultimately, on a decisive morning, the Orc Army initiated its assault, launching their attack.

To Su Lun’s immense surprise, the Orcs opted for tactical dispersion. They divided their formidable host into several distinct tactical units, each targeting different river sections simultaneously. Zhenbei City’s defenders numbered just over two thousand. Should Su Lun replicate the Orc strategy and fragment his defenses, the dire prediction held: every unit except Su Lun’s direct command would inevitably face destruction at the hands of their numerically superior Orc adversaries.

Put bluntly, the Orcs deliberately exploited Zhenbei City’s manpower disadvantage. Each splintered Orc force retained numerical superiority over fragments Su Lun could feasibly detach. Furthermore, even if Su Lun aimed to decisively crush one such unit, the action would consume precious time. Simultaneously, the other Orc contingents leveraged that delay to secure their crossings unopposed, reassemble quickly, and consolidate their united strength on the southern bank.

Consequently, regardless of which Orc detachment Northguard Keep decided to engage first, the ultimate result remained inevitable: a significant portion of the Orc Army would inevitably breach the river obstacle.

Though intensely frustrating, Su Lun suppressed the impulse to confront the Orc build-up piecemeal. Instead, he marshaled his full force, drawing them into classical battle formation. He committed fully: this confrontation would escalate into the decisive clash. Victory would hinge purely upon exploiting Zhenbei City’s united martial prowess to achieve the Orc Army’s comprehensive, shattering defeat.

Observing the ongoing Orc river crossing activities, Su Lun summoned two soldiers from dedicated Scout teams. He dispatched them urgently with instructions: establish contact with the Centaurs. The phase demanding subtle maneuver had concluded; the hour demanding the culminating battle had officially arrived.

Equipped with abundant rafts, the Orcs accomplished their mass crossing stunningly fast. In under thirty minutes, the entire Orc Army was safely transferred onto the southern shore of White Water River.

Reports relayed by scouting patrols flowed continually back to command. Su Lun discarded the core remnant of a chilled Ice Scale Fruit and queried his subordinate Aydin: “Report update? Current tactical disposition?”

“…Specifically, what’s the precise position and progress vector of the Centaur auxiliary forces?”

Aydin responded promptly: “As anticipated, sir. The Centaur warriors successfully initiated their encirclement maneuver advancing through peripheral terrain towards the anticipated rear vector of the Orc massed position. Maximum allowable time to attain designated target coordinates: One Hour.”

Su Lun acknowledged with a curt nod.

“Excellent. Now, actionable intelligence concerning Orc deployments? Significant movement detected?

Aydin adopted a grim demeanor: “Minimal displacement detected, Commander. Current observation indicates mass reorganization into formal battle lines underway.”

A pause, then he added crucial detail: “Critically, Sir… the Orcs advanced carrying zero baggage-train encumbrances. Provisions appear limited exclusively to field ration packs.”

Completely devoid of logistical support? Only minimal dry rations? These tactical choices pointed unmistakably: Orc leadership intended this clash to consummate in total victory. Their aim – to engulf Zhenbei City irrevocably!

A cold, derisive flicker traced Su Lun’s lips. He turned resolutely towards Aydin and issued crisp orders: “Communicate immediately: Commander’s Directive – All Combat Units: Prepare For Engagement. Full Battle Stations.”

A gale-force wind screamed across the field.

Battle standards flapped and cracked violently like whips.

Somber, resonant blasts from war-horns carved from colossal bovine skulls reverberated ominously over the terrain.

Against the haunting backdrop of these horn signals, a colossal military juggernaut steadily advanced into view. The force stretched massively – an intimidating dark sea blanketing the earth, seeming endless at first glance. Ten thousand soldiers present impossible visual comprehension; the Orc Army reinforced by their subsidiary auxiliaries indisputably exceeded fifteen thousand strong.

Dominating the army’s central position stood an immense banner hoisted skyward, billowing aggressively in the wind. Its design appeared primitive: inscribed predominantly by distinct Orc glyphs. Disturbingly, the main pole shaft incorporated grotesque trophies – severed, desiccated skulls of enemy warlords from conquered tribes impaled upon projecting spikes as grim testament to Orc dominance.

This assembled Orc force represented their faction consolidated at its zenith. Having recently triumphed decisively over their bitter rivals the Centaurs, no comparable threat disturbed their undisputed mastery across these forbidding stretches of the Wilderness. Zhenbei City, perched securely within the Wilderness’s prime territory, represented an intolerable obstacle. Naturally, Orc leadership would never consent to alien occupation of their perceived birthright.

In their strategic paradigm, attributing Zhenbei City’s uniquely temperate environment to the arcane influence of the Harvest Altar remained utterly inconceivable information. Regardless, Su Lun harbored strong conviction: Even possessing that knowledge wouldn’t dilute Orc determination. The absolute geographic imperative remained unchallengeable: Within the desolate expanse of the Northern Wasteland, only this singular location offered sanctuary against the lethal encroachments of seasonal blizzards.

Generations of Orcs endured brutally punishing lives spanning centuries within this Wilderness realm. Their lineage included the Fireblade Clan specifically. They comprehended visceral agony accompanying winters past. Holding Zhenbei City offered priceless deliverance: shelter ensuring tribal elders, womenfolk, and weaklings survived the killing chill; concurrently guaranteeing abundant sustenance through otherwise barren seasons.

Hence, with Zhenbei City firmly within Su Lun’s defensive grip, peaceful coexistence dissolved into impossibility. Their collision course admitted only one termination clause: the unconditional, absolute decimation of one rival faction.

Separated by roughly two li, both colossal battle lines stood momentarily motionless. Strangely, silence cloaked the scene – no defiant challenges sounded across the intervening void. A silence pregnant with palpable fury embraced the massive throngs. Only the escalating tension, a nearly visible manifestation of gathered violent intent, slowly coalesced above the assembled warriors. The confrontation demanded resolution. Finality beckoned.

Roar!

Warriors of the Blades of Fire Clan! We defeated trolls and ogres, then beat the centaurs. I was proud of you. Now, we had to defeat these humans before us.

They occupied the best land in this wasteland. If we took it, we would not starve, and the elderly and weak in our tribe would not freeze to death in winter.

This land was a divine gift from the great Father God Gur’ash. Now, we would take it back!

Take it back by force!

Kill all the humans!

Boom! Boom! Boom! War drums made from kodo beast hide loudly sounded. The orc army and their vassal forces slowly began to advance.

Su Lun chose a battlefield which was a plain. The White Water River was on the left, and a swamp with lush water plants was on the right. That swamp was full of reeds taller than a person, and it could easily hide thousands of troops. However, Su Lun did not set any ambush there. Although the reed marshes were easy to hide in, a single fire could burn all who hid inside to death.

The battlefield’s width limited the number of orcs that could fight.

A tall orc in iron armor appeared on a high platform. Behind him was the banner of the orc army. Several very old orc shamans stood by his side.

Ancient and solemn orc language came from their mouths. Their voices were deep but very penetrating, and they could be clearly heard across the entire battlefield.

“War Chant: Berserk!”

A strange wave of energy swept through. The orcs’ eyes turned red, and their breathing became noticeably heavier.

As the orc army drew closer, Su Lun could clearly see the first row of orc warriors. They wore simple leather armor; some didn’t even have that, only a heart-protecting mirror to cover vital spots. Their weapons were varied: crude spiked clubs, maces, rusty axes, spears. Clearly, these orcs were not elite troops.

Mixed among them were many gnolls, bugbears, and hobgoblins. Clearly, this force was the cannon fodder of the orc legion. They wanted to use cannon fodder to drain the strength and morale of Zhenbei City’s army.

On the strategic map, Su Lun clearly saw that behind these orcs were the real main force of the orc army. Meanwhile, at the edge of the map, many yellow dots were rapidly performing flanking maneuvers. Those dots were the centaurs.

Over sixty ballistae were already loaded. As soon as those orc cannon fodder entered five hundred meters, they fired.

Twang! Twang! Twang!

A continuous series of bowstring sounds rang out. Sixty bolts, each two to three meters long, shot out instantly. The bolts carried great destructive force as they charged into the orc army. Wherever they passed, clouds of blood mist rose; each bolt pierced through at least five enemies.

The barbarians didn’t check the results. With the help of some auxiliary soldiers, they quickly reloaded the ballistae and fired again. Originally, it took at least four adult humans to draw a ballista’s bowstring, but now one barbarian could easily do it.

Sixty ballistae continuously shot bolts. Many orcs, bugbears, and gnolls were skewered like candied hawthorns and died in agony. However, death did not frighten them; instead, it made them angrier.

The ground shook. Though casualties were heavy, the orc army still pushed forward steadily. That overwhelming momentum felt oppressive even from hundreds of meters away.

Su Lun waved his hand. Heatherway and Carina beside him stepped forward and began to cast spells!

“Mass Haste!”

“Group Stone Skin!”

“Group Magic Weapon!”

Rays of spell radiance enhanced the warriors of Zhenbei City, making them stronger.

Su Lun raised his Purple Dragon Halberd. Under the sunlight, his figure appeared very tall. As the lord of Zhenbei City, he led its army through one victory after another. In the soldiers’ hearts, he was the god of war.

“Certain victory!” Su Lun roared.

The entire Zhenbei City army instantly became like a waking lion.

“Certain victory!”

The warriors of Zhenbei City raised their spears and shields, roaring the same cry.

A deep ox horn sounded. A surge of high morale spread from them.

After achieving many glorious victories, Su Lun could boost his troops’ morale even without doing anything. This time, he used the Boost Morale skill. Though it was only basic, its effect now seemed stronger than an advanced one.

The orc army endured the ballista volleys and finally reached two hundred meters. With a loud roar, many orc warriors charged straight at Zhenbei City’s defense line.

“Raise shields!”

“Ready spears!”

“Longbowmen! Volley!”

Swish! A shield wall as tall as a person was quickly set up, and gleaming spears were raised. Zhenbei City’s formation instantly became like a big hedgehog. Behind the spear formation, archers drew their bows and shot. A dark mass of countless arrows soared into the air and fell upon the orc army. Instantly, many orcs were hit by arrows.

Two hundred meters was not far. In just over ten seconds, the orc army braved the arrows and ballistae and charged forward, crashing hard into the shield wall. The wall shook but then stabilized.

The battle became extremely intense from the first contact. Su Lun took the Wind Dragon Banner from his storage space. To win this big battle, Su Lun brought out this magical artifact too.

Seeing more and more orc troops, Su Lun sneered, then channeled energy into the Wind Dragon Banner.

“Whirling Dragon Cyclone!”

Fierce wind elementals appeared above the battlefield. Several tornadoes, each a hundred meters tall, quickly formed on the battlefield. Inside the tornadoes, numerous wind blades spun. Any orcs, gnolls, and other monsters that got close were instantly cut to pieces by the blades.

Eight tornadoes appeared in the densest parts of the orc army. Wherever they passed, they swept away all orcs like autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves.