Orc Hero Story: Discovery Chronicles - Chapter 78.2

Bash was focused on the monstrous creature that had appeared before him. It was a creature unlike anything he had seen before, and it was incredibly massive. To be honest, he had no idea how to effectively fight it.

Surprisingly, facing an opponent for the first time, Bash became a bit more cautious. He didn’t fight cowardly but took half a step back, adopting a slightly more defensive stance. Most people might wonder, “What’s he doing?” if they saw him, but those who had witnessed Bash’s battles up close or had fought against him and survived would understand.

Bash was known for his ruthlessly effective attacks against other races. He predicted weapon movements, armor usage, tactics, and his opponent’s movements based on their race, then launched relentless attacks without hesitation. Within this assault, he discerned the habits and trends of his opponent and used that knowledge to deliver a decisive blow. Bash himself didn’t consciously think about this process, but his numerous battles against formidable opponents had shaped him into this combat style.

Therefore, facing a colossal monster he had never seen before, Bash was somewhat indecisive. To onlookers, it might seem like he was keeping the monster at bay with his relentless attack, but…

Suddenly, the monster’s arm moved unnaturally. Bash reacted but couldn’t see the monster’s next move. A massive hand emerged from the side and hurled Bash through the air. He was thrown like a ping pong ball and crashed into a building.

“Mister!”

Zell ran to him in a panic, but it was impossible for Bash to die from something like this. At the moment of impact, he redirected the force, propelling himself backward. He could call it a simple trick, but for a member of the orc race, especially someone as robust as Bash, it was more than sufficient.

“Ugh…”

He pushed aside the debris and got up, emerging from the ruined building. He realized there was no pursuit and took a moment to catch his breath.

“…This is the first time I’ve seen a demonic beast like this, and you’re giving it your all, Mister. It’s incredible.”

“Yeah, tell me about it. I have no idea how to attack…”

“Oh no, if even you don’t know what to do, that means we’re lost!”

Bash nodded, observing the demonic beast as it continued to fight against the Human forces. The Human tactics were meticulous. They divided into right and left wings: if the enemy attacked the right wing, they would retreat and defend while the left wing went on the offensive. Once the enemy’s attention was drawn to the left wing’s attack, the roles would reverse. However, it didn’t seem to be working very well.

The right wing had entered the position where Bash had been before, halting the monster’s advance. The monster continually targeted only the right wing. Although the left wing attacked desperately, it didn’t seem to inflict much damage, and the monster showed no signs of turning around.

The beastmen squad acted like guerrillas, launching sporadic attacks, but it didn’t seem to be very effective. It was hard to say they were coordinating well with the Humans.

The monster was cunning despite its appearance. It had reasoning. Typical tactics used against ordinary demonic beasts wouldn’t work.

“Sir Bash, are you alright?!”

A woman knight ran toward Bash. Well, to call her a knight, her gear seemed a bit lacking. Her helmet looked like she just picked it up from some place, accompanied a breastplate she wore that seemed more like a last-minute decision. Neither seemed fitting for a knight, more like something an infantry soldier would wear.

Bash knew she was a knight.

“Is that you, Judith? Well, this shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Really? Great. I’m a messenger. Commander Hugo sent a message that if you’re willing to fight alongside us, you can join under his command.”

“Haaahhh~~~!?”

Zell exploded in anger.

“There’s no way Mister falls under a Human’s command! He’s the ‘Orc Hero’! The Dragon Slayer Hero! With someone like him, he doesn’t need to borrow Human power to defeat a monster like that. Besides, even if he joined under Human command, he wouldn’t be able to use his full strength. Do you really think Mister can execute the intricate Human strategies?”

It might have sounded harsh, but Bash agreed. Human strategies were intricate and delicate, not something that could be handled roughly and directly as the Orcs would. Bash, who had experience fighting Humans, understood it better than anyone else.

“For someone who claims he can defeat it by yourself, it seems like you’re struggling with the attack.”

At that moment, another voice interjected.

“Who are you…?”

Looking closer, there was a gigantic woman. She stood over two meters tall, had muscles covering her entire body, and wore sturdy steel armor. She carried a massive war hammer in her hand and approached confidently. She was a knight with a physique that defied the image of a Human woman.

“‘Bloodspray’ Lily, huh?”

“It’s been a while since I heard that name! Since the peace negotiations, right? What a mess! To think they’d call me on a day a monster like this appears!”

“Does this thing appear often?”

“Hahaha! I’m not from around here, so I wouldn’t know! But, well, I guess it doesn’t appear often!”

“Bloodspray” Lily was a renowned knight among the orcs. Once, when the orcs were about to engage in peace negotiations, there was strong opposition from orc warriors. However, on that occasion, the female knight challenged to a duel one of the battalion leaders who had expressed the strongest opposition and defeated him. That was her moment of recognition. She proudly declared that women were not livestock but people like them. That’s “Bloodspray” Lily.

“We’re grateful that you’re protecting the Humans!”

“I’m not protecting the Humans. I’m just fighting because a demonic beast is approaching.”

“And if a beautiful woman comes onto the battlefield, the orcs tend to kidnap and eat her. So, I also came. To make sure they don’t devour that young lady over there,” Lily said as she looked at Judith.

“Miss Lily, Sir Bash is not such a rude orc!”

“Haha, he’s an orc among orcs, of course he’s eager to ravish you.”

“Nonsense, Sir Bash isn’t such a low orc, right?”

“If you told him you allow it, then he would do it right now.”

“Hey!”

“But by the order of the Orc King, non-consensual mating with another race is prohibited.”

“Oh, right… yeah. Yes, that’s right! See, see? Sir Bash is an honorable man! It’s a rarity among orcs to be able to follow the rules!”

Lily scoffed at her words.

“I get it. This guy is one of the orcs who thinks ahead, especially among them.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you know the story of how I defeated the orcs during the peace negotiations? At that time, with this guy here, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had faced me. Don’t you think? There was no way to avoid it. In a situation like that, where the strongest orc should step up, he didn’t show up until the end. Maybe because he wasn’t against the peace negotiations, but he stayed silent when the orcs were defeated by a Human woman in public… But thanks to that, the negotiations proceeded smoothly.”

The reason Bash didn’t fight Lily at that moment was simply due to the atmosphere. Lily was a Human and, in terms of appearances, didn’t quite fit Bash’s preferences. However, there were Orcs who did prefer women like her. The battalion leader who was defeated had long had his eye on Lily and had been boasting about how he would make that muscular woman his. Other Orcs, in a sense of “If you’re so interested, go ahead,” deferred to him, not expecting him to lose. That’s how it happened. It was not a result of desiring peace in any way.

By the way, Orcs readily accept the outcome of duels. Lily had cleanly fought the battalion leader and emerged victorious. It was natural for the winner to obtain what they desired. Others should not interfere in such matters.

“That’s why I respect you for it,” Lily said, then knelt, bowing her head.  “Orc Hero Bash, we can’t defeat that monster with our own forces. Please, join us and let us make use of your power.”

“Well… as Zell mentioned earlier, I don’t understand the strategies that come to Human minds.”

When Bash said that, Lily smiled.

“Don’t worry about that! Our Judith here understands them and will give you orders.”

“Eh? I-I’ll give orders?”

“Of course. Who else do we have?”

“But I don’t have much experience in actual combat…” In Judith’s mind, she remembered the moment when she had gone with Bash to confront a band of thieves. Through that battle, she had realized how inexperienced and lacking in strength she was. It had been a year since then. She had fought against bandits and stray orcs, but she wasn’t sure if she had gained enough confidence.

“Don’t worry. Everyone is like that at first. And now isn’t the time to say such things, is it?”

“Yes, if there’s no one more suitable, then it’s up to you.”

“I can heal minor wounds, so don’t worry about that.”

Lily’s words resonated with Bash, and Zell also added some encouraging words. Of course, Judith didn’t hesitate out of fear of getting hurt.

“Alright, I understand. I, the unworthy Judith, will become Sir Bash’s assistant and help in battle.”

“Alright then, I’m heading back to the main camp to report that the ‘Orc Hero’ has joined our ranks. A messenger will come later, so keep your eyes open until then. Give it your best out there, and don’t die!”

“To whom are you saying that?”

“Yes, that’s right!” said Lily, laughing, and then returned to the left flank.

“Well then, shall we?”

“Good luck, Mister!”

“Ah, g-good luck!”

Judith said to Bash as she turned around. Judith, despite her somewhat peculiar appearance, was a beautiful knight. It was a strange sensation, but not a bad one. With that in mind, Bash headed towards the monstrous creature attacking the Human right flank.

The battle had begun.

Frizcop: Following my one-chapter-per-week system, the next chapter will be released on Monday 20th.