Chapter 23

Night update! ('ω')!

A bit of a challenging battle scene.

I hope you enjoy it.

"──Battle preparation"

At my whispered voice, everyone stops in their tracks.

Fortunately, they haven't noticed us yet.

Relaxing near the stairs is a muscular, humanoid monster.

"It's an Ork!..."

At the sight of it, Silk radiates hostility and murderous intent.

Silk is usually calm, but when it comes to Orks, it's understandable.

Orks are humanoid monsters created by the barbaric god Baroque, with faces resembling beasts. To put it bluntly, they are the enemies of humanity.

They act on violence and instinct, believing that all intelligent beings other than themselves (whether Orks are intelligent is a debate for another time) should be killed or dominated, viewing them all as tools for breeding or food.

For some reason, they show a particular obsession with the elf race. Records show that when the ancient elven kingdom of Sandryon was attacked and destroyed by the Orks, many elves suffered a terrible fate.

In other words, for the elf race, Orks are beings that should be hated on a racial level.

It's not an exaggeration to say it's a curse etched in their blood.

"Stay calm, Silk."

"I understand. We must eliminate them thoroughly. Not a single one will escape...!"

While restraining Silk, whose eyes had changed completely, I turn to Rain and Marina.

"Have you ever fought Orks before?"

"No."

"Me neither."

Nodding at their responses, I start to formulate a strategy.

"There are four of them. Judging by their equipment, they are probably low-ranking warriors. They are C-rank monsters, but they can be troublesome in numbers. Don't underestimate them; they are skilled fighters."

Orks are a militaristic race with a strict military hierarchy.

Their rank is determined by their strength, and their equipment reflects this.

The ones in our sight are almost naked, armed only with crude spears.

This means they are the lowest rank.

However, their developed muscles and innate combat instincts make them a significant threat even unarmed.

We need to be cautious.

"First, we'll launch a preemptive attack with magic and bows. When we get to mid-range, I'll support with debuff spells, so Marina, you handle close combat. Silk, provide cover fire with your bow."

"Me?"

"I need a big hit first. Ideally, we should reduce their numbers."

After giving these instructions, I start casting enhancement spells.

There is one more advantage on our side, though it's a rather unpleasant one: our group has more female members.

If I were captured, I'd be food, but Marina and the others would likely face sexual desires rather than hunger.

In other words, even if the battle starts, they won't come to kill.

This is an instinctive behavior; I've heard they won't change their stance even if their lives are in danger.

A sentient being that values life less than the three basic desires would be laughed at.

"Alright, let's go!"

At my signal, Rain's fourth-tier spell, Fireball, is launched from the tip of her staff.

It flies at high speed and explodes in the middle of the Orks, who were completely off guard, sending them flying.

...But they are tough. It didn't finish them off.

"Keep it up!"

I target two of the Orks that are getting up and activate a magic scroll.

It's my custom-made Rock Stream spell.

Various-sized rocks appear in the air and crush the Orks below.

One of them tried to escape, but Silk's arrow pierced its eye, causing it to hesitate and be swallowed by the rocks.

"Two left! Marina!"

"Got it!"

Two Orks charge at Marina.

I point at them and cast Paralyze and Slow.

With Marina's current strength, that's enough.

"Take this!"

Her bastard sword, glowing with a dark light, slashes through an Ork, cutting it in half.

"One down!"

She turns and delivers another blow to the remaining Ork, but it's a bit shallow.

But it's not a problem.

At that moment, three arrows pierce the Ork's right eye simultaneously.

"Nice shot, Silk!"

"Make sure it's dead!"

"Got it!"

Marina's seemingly excessive blow cleanly severs the Ork's head.

After confirming that the Orks are no longer moving, I exhale.

"Alright, mission complete."

Orks are worthless as materials, but they are recommended for extermination.

Their distinctive ears serve as proof of their defeat, so I collect them.

"Are you calmer now, Silk?"

"Y-Yes, I'm sorry... I just get agitated when I see Orks."

"It's in your nature as an elf. Don't worry about it."

At my words, Silk looks a bit puzzled.

"You don't say, 'Even though you're a dark elf...'"

"Skin color doesn't define a person. You are Silk."

"Mr. ..."

Dark elves are said to be descendants of the elves who lived in the south.

And they are also considered traitors to the elves.

The exact reason is unknown. Some say they sided with the dark forces in a war, or that they had a falling out with the northern white elves during a certain war... There are many theories, but the truth is unknown.

Yet, only the negative impression has spread.

It's unacceptable for such a gentle and caring girl to be looked down upon just because of her heritage.

Even if the rumors were true, it would be foolish to hold it against an individual now.

"At the very least, I... no, we consider you a part of our group. We don't care about your race. Besides, if we start with that, look at Rain. She's practically in love with magic tools like a dwarf."

"Hey... that's not nice! Magic tools are romantic!"

"I get it."

I nod emphatically, and Rain and Silk burst into laughter.

"Hey, you guys look like you're having fun! Include me too! ...Oh, by the way. The Ork had something strange."

Marina, who had been searching the Orks, shows us a piece of parchment.

"This is... a good find, Marina."

"Really?"

At my words, Marina tilts her head.

How was it? ('ω')?

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