Chapter 40

that swing went straight for the orc’s head. The orc tried to defend with his club, but my sword was faster, and his head splattered into blood and gore. I wielded my great sword over my shoulder as I fixed my posture.

As I did, an orc entered deep into my range, challenging a melee. In response, I let my sword descend with great power.

At the sword’s descent, the orc’s skull split, but before I could cut the orc all the way through, I stopped.

It’s because another orc was attacking me from behind.

The orc extended his spear, and it whizzed right past my shoulders.

I was vexed at having to deal with the fear of being attacked from behind, but I only gritted my teeth as I focused on the fight at hand.

Suddenly, a short sword was thrown, drawing a parabola before piercing my feet.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!!!

As I quickly retreated, I hid my body within the thickets, and crawled about. Like that I desperately ran from the orcs.

I then followed the goblin’s trail of smell. It was dark by the time I reached them.

“Chief…” Gi Ji drooped his head powerlessly.

Seeing that along with Gi Go who was silently staring at me, made me seethe in anger.

Why!? Why am I so weak!?

Why is there such a huge gap in strength!?

Am I going to lose!?

Am I going to be defeated!?

At this rate, the village will be annihilated.

A place like this… In a place like this!

As I gripped Iron Second, I remembered the sword’s weight.

There’s no time!

In that case…

In that case!

“Gi Go, Gi Ji”

As I quietly closed my eyes, I sighed deeply.

I need to win while minimizing the casualties…

Yes, it was because I thought of such things that we were pushed by the orcs. It was because of that that I had to run away with my tail in between my legs.

As I thought that to myself, I began to speak. And I asked.

“Are you prepared to follow me?”

I don’t know if the goblins felt something amiss, but they glanced at each other.

“At this rate, the village will be annihilated,” I continued.

The goblins remained quiet as they listened to my words.

“This is no longer a fight that can be fought without sacrifices,” I declared.

I am the king. Therefore, I must order them…

To put their lives down to protect that which must be protected.

“If the king commands it, then…” Gi Ji looked at me straight in the eyes.

Yes. That is exactly it. I am ordering you all to die.

To all of you, who shared a meal with me, who hunted with me… To all of you who lived with me…

I am ordering you all to die.

“My life already belongs to the king,” Gi Go said as he bowed his head.

I don’t know how to describe this feeling.

But unless I give this order, the village will fall. My dreams will be crushed. And all the blood that have been spilled will all go to waste!

But, yes… In the end… I am ordering you all to die for me–––

“…From here on, we will be attacking the orcs. This time, you are to stop them in their tracks. And you shall not stop until the orc king is dead.”

“As you will!”

“As you command!”

As I stood, Gi Go and Gi Ji commanded the goblins.

I haven’t the time to waver.

The moment I hesitate, the village will fall into ruins.

“Onwards!”

With the Iron Second on my shoulder, I made way for the Orc King.

Orc Total Number: 85

Heavy Armored (Sword, Shield, Armor): 16

Clubs: 43

Long Spears: 19

Short Spear: 8