Chapter 130

Chapter 130 - Omen (4)

Dead or dying Lamias and Orcs littered the battlefield.

"Guuuuh."

An Orc whose legs were cut off from the thighs struggled to crawl and escape. A mercenary holding a spear followed behind it.

The Orc knew death was approaching as footsteps neared from behind, but it did not beg for its life.

Not necessarily because it was brave. Because the concepts of surrender or mercy were extremely unfamiliar.

This Orc had previously sliced open a living human's belly, buried its face inside, and devoured the intestines. It raised its head when the heartbeat touching its forehead buried in the stomach weakened.

"Cough... G-God..."

A human despairing at the sight of their own intestines being chewed thoroughly inside a hideous snout. The Orc savored the nuttiness and chewiness, sprinkling that expression and scream like seasoning.

Could such a being even conceive the idea of begging the enemy for surrender or mercy?

It neither surrendered nor accepted surrender, in a different sense than a Death Knight. It merely ran away until the end whether it worked or not, only to get stabbed in the back.

"Die cleanly."

With a short shout, the spear thrust by the mercenary pierced the Orc's back.

The mercenary, collecting his weapon from the deceased corpse, looked at a Lamia slightly further away.

"Wait... We have orders to finish off Lamias strictly in pairs of two."

A nearby comrade approached holding a shield.

Its snake body, incapable of moving due to severe injuries, stretched out long. The Lamia struggled to erect only its upper body using both arms.

A forked tongue flicked menacingly in and out of the bleeding lips. The beautiful female face glared at the warriors coming to claim its life.

Although it possessed the upper body of a human, its intelligence was low and it could not speak. The snake-like hissing noise was drowned out by a louder sound.

Charrrrrrrr!

A honey-colored rod attached to the end of the Lamia's tail vibrated, producing a loud noise. Given its size, it was far louder than a rattlesnake.

Charrrrrrr... Thump!

The moment the spear pierced its neck, the rattling sound ceased as well.

"Will we make some money if we sell that tail?"

"I am not sure... This is my first time seeing a Lamia too... Wouldn't the Smoothies know better?"

Smoothie was the nickname Eugene's human mercenaries used for the Dark Elves.

"Smoothies? Don't tell me you mean us?"

"Unlike bastards like us, you have clean skin... Not a single pimple or spot."

"Hmph!"

Although they made an excuse saying it was praise for beautiful skin, the Dark Elves also knew well there was an underlying meaning.

Normally it would have resulted in swords being drawn, but overlooking it with a snort was likely because camaraderie had formed. It was a truly astonishing change.

"Hey human... It's not over yet."

A tribal warrior stopped the mercenaries walking past the dead Lamia.

"What do you mean? We definitely cut off its breath."

Looking at them with a pathetic expression, the Dark Elf dismounted his horse.

"Do not be bewitched by its appearance... Even if it wears the upper body of a human female, a snake is a snake... I am saying it is a monster that lays eggs."

"It lays eggs, so what? Ah!"

Passing the mercenary who suddenly realized something, the Dark Elf placed the tip of his sword against the snake body.

"One, two, three, four, five..."

R-r-rip.

While moving the sword counting the patterns repeating according to a certain rule, at a certain moment.

Thrust!

He plunged his sword and carved out a chunk of flesh. Then, white eggs larger than a person's fist poured out from inside.

"My goodness!"

"W-will all of these hatch?"

The tribal warrior shook his head at the mercenaries watching with surprised faces.

"Not all of them... Even if they are fertilized eggs, maybe 30 or 40 percent? Healthy eggs continue to grow even inside the dead mother's body and eventually hatch... They grow by eating the mother's corpse like that."

Squash!

The tribal warrior trampled and crushed the eggs. Large yolks and whites mixed together and flowed down.

"Tuscany."

The horse that ran over at the tribal warrior's call happily licked them up. Every time the tongue moved greedily, raw eggs disappeared gulp by gulp.

"Could you teach me the trick again?"

"Tsk! You can't understand it just seeing it once? This is why humans are... Look closely... If you follow this pattern, there will be two triangle markings attached together."

Despite clicking his tongue, the tribal warrior explained the location of the eggs and how to slit the skin in detail.

Watching that sight warmly, Eugene approached the surviving Desert Orcs. They were all tied up by the tribal warriors while bearing minor and major wounds.

It was not a crude method of wrapping ropes around their entire arms and torsos. It was an intricate binding technique restricting both hands and feet separately.

It was a detail revealing both the Blackhand mercenary group's infamy and competence as an arrangement making torture easy.

As Eugene approached, the tribal warriors waiting behind the Orcs drew their daggers.

"It will be best if you spit out answers immediately as asked."

"Abandon the thought of acting stubbornly... If you do, we will pile up twenty layers of skin peeled from the soles of your feet."

They were Dark Elves inheriting the blood of nomadic tribes before being an assassination guild and mercenary group. Filleting thinly was one of their most confident domains.

The small Orcs of the Disemboweling tribe were terrified by that brutal threat.

"Grrrrr-!"

"Kuheung-!"

Conversely, the Desert Orcs responded with howls similar to a lion's roar.

"I do not listen to the words of weaklings like you."

Scone, the captain of the Desert Orcs, spoke.

"I don't think that's something to say while tied up tight, kneeling, and looking up."

"Greater numbers and better steel cannot cover up weakness."

Despite Eugene's mockery, Scone spoke confidently without feeling any humiliation.

"What aspect of us is weak?"

"It is a word too trivial to even mention."

Rex shrugged his shoulders towards Eugene, who showed interest in the sudden Zen dialogue.

"He means things like conscience or mercy... I know because I have caught a few bastards and tortured them before."

"Ah, so it was that."

Spit!

Scone, who was listening, spat at Eugene's face, but it was blocked by Homi's gloved hand.

"This bastard deserves to be beaten to death!"

Thud thud!

Immediately, the tribal warriors smashed Scone's face into the ground and administered a merciless beating.

"I will leave the interrogation to the experts... Tear out absolutely anything that could help in catching the Lamia Queen."

"Leave it to us."

Eugene began using the title Queen instead of Champion. Recognizing it as a powerful monster receiving an evil god's protection could instill anxiety in his subordinates.

There was always a reason why city leaders and nobles used alternative terms like Alpha or Mutant.

"Kuaaaargh!"

Behind the turning Eugene, screams began echoing.

* * *

"Uugh..."

"Do not force yourself to get up."

Valda was lying down in the cleanest spot on the battlefield. It was a strain caused by hurriedly utilizing powerful magic.

Elves possessed such outstanding durability that they would win even drinking bets with Dwarves. Therefore, the sensation of a hangover for an Elf was the exclusive property to those walking the path of magic.

While actively leading the battle maintaining an encirclement, Eugene discovered Valda falling from her horse.

"My heart almost stopped when you fell from your horse."

"That is an exaggeration."

Perhaps not feeling unpleasant, Valda smiled faintly despite her headache.

'She is more belligerent than I thought.'

She was normally elegant and gentle, but seeing her use magic during combat, she was extremely tough.

"It is truly fortunate she was chosen by forest magic... We would have to be anxious every single moment if she handled a destructive domain like lightning or fire."

"Perhaps the Emerald Forest would have burned down completely."

Eugene couldn't help but agree with what Marbas had said once.

Forest magic belonged to a system with the least pushback to the caster. Therefore, she might have formed a habit of using power beyond her limits.

"Still, that would have been cool in its own way... Lady Valda wielding lightning or fire."

"Eyyy! I shouldn't have said anything."

Marbas merely sighed at the sight of a young man hopelessly blinded by love.

Eugene took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat beads forming on Valda's forehead. Consistently closing her eyes, she enjoyed the delicate touch refined through herb gathering.

Twitch twitch.

The long elven ears reacted little by little. Because of the Orcs being interrogated in the back.

Eugene covered her ears with his ungloved hands.

"There is no need to go this far."

"Since you have keen hearing, you should only hear pleasant things."

Eugene had often touched her ears playfully whenever he had the chance before.

'Block the auricle that gathers sound as if wrapping it, then gently block the hole with the index finger.'

He knew well how to properly cover an Elf's ears.

"You are quite skilled."

Valda spoke coyly. Because it reminded her of Eugene, who normally attempted to touch her ears stealthily whenever an opportunity arose.

"An Elf's ear is a place others absolutely must not carelessly touch!"

"Am I included in those others too?"

"Ugh..."

Even after warning him several times, he retorted smoothly each time. It was a smooth-rolling tongue unbefitting a knight.

"Do not tense your ears and rest comfortably."

"Uht!"

Eugene whispered while massaging Valda's auricular muscles.

Just like the name implied, they were muscle tissues used to lift or pull the ears. They were well developed in rabbits or elephants, but degenerated in humans as they were unnecessary.

However, these muscles were developed in Elves so they could utilize their long ears well.

Knead knead.

Squeeze squeeze.

He stimulated the auricular muscles while concurrently massaging her scalp. Once he did, Valda's face, suffering a headache due to magic backlash, melted smoothly.

Breathe quietly.

Around the time the elf maiden's breath became peaceful like Sleeping Beauty.

"I-I will talk!"

"Please sto-oooop!"

Even the steadfast souls of the Orcs broke.

Just as any sturdy fortress wall chips away before the waves of time, no strong soul could withstand the endless onslaught of pain.

The small Orcs spilled information first, and it took quite some time to open the Desert Orcs' mouths.

"To think you peeled 13 layers... I'll acknowledge your sheer willpower."

The tribal warriors spoke with sincerity, not mockery, to Scone, who set a new record.

"Lord?"

Nod.

As Eugene's permission dropped, dull sounds of Orcs' heads falling echoed from everywhere.

* * *

The Lamia Queen was currently the center of the storm overturning Samur.

"Monsters and Sain-folk are boiling over in all directions right now, but this chaos will calm down soon."

"I take it you don't mean calming down in a good way."

"Of course... Since it means the wilderness will be unified under the will of a single monster... Once there are no more races to prey upon or enslave, it is obvious they will target human civilization."

The reason the Lamia Queen wasn't attacking cities immediately was because of the high walls and defensive forces.

Since races living individually or in tribal units were scattered throughout the wasteland, there was no need to deliberately target difficult enemies.

But how long would that truly last? Aside from the damage to trade, that was the reason the city side was trying to subjugate it desperately.

Puh-heung!

Warhorses, including Might, snorted powerfully. Despite moving continuously since leaving the city, save for occasional rests, everyone was overflowing with energy.

"Was it that delicious?"

It was thanks to eating highly nutritious food. Having slurped down four Lamia eggs, Might's coat overflowed with luster.

When he stroked his neck, the owner accepted the touch while crying pleasantly. This warhorse, which had shared the journey continuously since leaving Kingdom's End, was Eugene's treasure.

Since he used an oddly shaped weapon called a large flail, regulating distance was more important than for any other knight. Might, having shared numerous battles with him, cleverly maintained the optimal distance.

"Right!"

"Purrrk!"

Might gauged the iron rod extended above its head and the bundle of maces attached to its end every given moment.

It maintained the optimal distance where they could strike, yet the enemy's weapons could not reach them. That was a cleverness other horses could not follow, and a synchronization forged through experience.

While Eugene would be strong riding any horse, he could execute 100% of his combat capability only when riding on Might's back.

"They say there aren't many troops stationed at the stronghold where the Lamia Queen currently resides."

Rex reported the information acquired through interrogation. Because it compared the testimonies of Orcs tortured separately, the possibility of it being a lie was slim.

"She is actively expanding her territory to build up maximum forces during the summer."

"While the Queen herself is special, the ordinary Lamias below her are different... They must produce results while their bodies move well."

While some monsters like Goblins and Orcs go wild year-round, many monsters are severely affected by temperature.

Adaptability to the environment. That was one of the reasons humans could compete in a world populated by powerful monsters and Sain-folk.

"Furthermore, judging by Scone's words who personally fought the Lamia Queen, it seems she is currently carrying eggs."

"The Lamias we killed earlier mostly wore the same, so I suppose it is nearing spawning season?"

"Because snakes normally lay eggs in the summer... Regardless, her body should have become sluggish."

"So that was the reason Scone survived despite fighting the Queen."

The Desert Orcs, whom comparing to ordinary Orcs or Gnolls was an insult. Their captain, Scone, was a strong warrior that even decent knights would struggle against.

However, he couldn't compare to a Lamia inherently stronger at its base, let alone a champion receiving the blessing of an evil god.

If the Lamia Queen had a light body capable of exerting full power, he would already be dead.

"Did you say it has been over a week since Scone fled?"

Eugene watched the dispatch rider rushing to report to Tripol City.

"Yes... By the time we fight her, the eggs inside her womb will have grown even larger."

"In other words, it means it wouldn't be strange for her to lay eggs at any moment."

She had few subordinates around her, and she herself had a heavy body. If they were to fight, there would be no more optimal timing than right now.

That was the reason Eugene resolved to strike the stronghold immediately without waiting for additional reinforcements.

* * *

The two villages situated on the march route had turned into ruins. He couldn't see a single resident, leaving him unsure if they had fled or been eaten.

Furthermore, there were no common wild beasts or monsters either. Exactly as if a storm that solely sweeps away living creatures had passed through.

The traces carved where sand or soft dirt lay. Only the marks of long bodies slithering remained, evoking ominous speculations.

"It is there."

The third village that became visible. That was the Lamia Queen's new stronghold the Orcs mentioned.

This place, formerly a hub of Samur's trade network, was a place swarming with merchants and mercenaries from foreign nations. The colorful garments used to look like swaying flowers when viewed from afar.

However, right now, only long brown torsos and white skin attached above them... merely two colors wriggled about.

"It is a relief the numbers are few... Who knows how terrifying it would have been if they were numerous."

His subordinates frowned.

"It will genuinely become like that next year... Because large and small snake torsos will be slithering around everywhere you look... We must burn and crush them entirely today."

"..."

At Eugene's words, the subordinates nodded and grasped their weapons.

The two Lamias at the furthest perimeter noticed the presence of intruders.

The two, who were embracing with their bodies twisted together like pretzels, released their union.

Hiiiiisssss-!

Hsssss-!

Their hands sprouting sharp claws remained clasped. Their identical faces and lips, resembling twin sisters, simultaneously broadcast a warning sound.

Then, the Lamias wandering around or lying down simultaneously turned their heads this way.

Doors of houses opened everywhere, and new Lamias crawled out. It was a repulsive sight, like venomous snakes slithering out of multiple snake dens.

Clatter.

Human skulls and ribs lying on their path were shoved aside as the long snake bodies passed.

Charrrrrrrrrrk!

Before long, the Lamias simultaneously shook the rattles on their tails.

The large rattles didn't just shake haphazardly. They formed harmonies with different intensities and tempos, completing a singular musical piece.

Although it was crude, consisting solely of percussion instruments, it was by no means sloppy.

A military band and marching song refined over thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of years. The resonance contained the will declaring war against Eugene's army.

Except for the different form, it was no different from a human army beating drums prior to a battle.

At that moment, an even larger figure slowly revealed itself behind the Lamias.

Finally, the battle between two armies risking the fate of the Samur wilderness was about to begin right here.