[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-574":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Ember Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1162783,1504,"Chapter 574: The Fortress","ember-dragon-chapter-574",574,"\u003Cp>Chapter 574: The Fortress\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toru’s hands went numb from the impact. His long-handled hammer dented, nearly slipping from his grasp, while his opponent stood motionless, perfectly at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What tremendous strength!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seasoned dwarf commander’s expression darkened. Something felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just delivered his full-powered strike—with a heavy weapon like a warhammer—yet the orc had blocked it effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That could only mean one thing: this orc’s strength far surpassed his own—he was outmatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regret crept in. His reckless, rage-fueled tactics had been a mistake. He tried to slide his hammer down to smash the orc’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hammerhead scraped violently against the axe shaft, sparks flying at the clash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monk simply grinned, yellowed tusks showing as the black cloth over his face tore, revealing a hollow eye socket that flashed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an Eye of Gruumsh, Monk’s blind eye held strange powers—he saw what others could not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf saw the red flash and froze. A deep, soul-piercing fear took hold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, visions of dwarf corpses and blood-soaked Avenderdan flooded in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That moment of distraction was all Monk needed. He yanked back his axe—Toru stumbled forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Toru snapped back to reality, Monk’s axe swept down in a crimson arc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood-streaked steel, howling like a storm, slashed toward his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shing—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood gushed like a fountain. Toru’s headless body dropped to its knees, then toppled forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face, still frozen in confusion and terror, dangled from Monk’s grip by the braided hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nodding in satisfaction, Monk ignored the blood. \"This dwarf... barely worthy of a sacrifice to Father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guardian of the \"Orc Tombstone\" was dead. A hero who once slew a fire giant, killed without resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarves on the wall, stunned by their hero’s death, howled in grief and fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Toru is dead!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Surround that damn orc! Retrieve Toru’s head!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That Gruumsh-blooded bastard defiled our comrade! Kill him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s alone! We’ll avenge Toru even if it costs our lives!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rallying to Toru’s fallen head, the remaining dwarves surrounded Monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faces flushed with rage, they longed to tear him apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Help Lord Monk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The dwarves are swarming him! Orcs, annihilate them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orc warriors prepared to charge, but Monk raised a hand. Blood-covered and grinning, he stopped them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. Stay back. I want to savor this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha! You hate me? I love that look—furious, helpless!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Playing with Toru’s head, he moved the jaw as if making it talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s this dwarf’s name again? Oh right, Toru.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarves, look! Toru’s talking—he says: ’You cowards! None of you dares avenge me!’ Hahahaha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vile mockery broke the dwarves’ composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Smash that orc bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of dwarves raised hammers and shields, charging Monk in a tight ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monk dropped the head, gripped his twin-bladed axe, and shouted excitedly: \"Good! Come at me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shing—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun, forming a storm of blades. The dwarves were pulled into the whirlwind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Metal screamed, armor shattered, flesh tore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screams turned to sobs. Blood splashed in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In mere breaths, every attacking dwarf was dead. None remained standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half-bodies, severed limbs, spilled organs—blood ran like rivers across the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing atop the mound of corpses, Monk raised Toru’s head and looked out over the conquered battlements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My kin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead lies Avenderdan, the dwarves’ royal city!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep pushing! Father Gruumsh watches! We’ll sacrifice heads and blood to him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Devotion filled Monk’s one eye. He lifted the head skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pop!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head burst, forming a red mist that shaped an eye in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Gruumsh’s sign—the One-Eyed God had accepted the offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For Father Gruumsh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Blood shall soak the earth! Orcs will rule the world!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roars erupted. Orcs raised bloody weapons, howling in ecstasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corpses blanketed the wall called \"Orc Tombstone.\" Thousands more lay in the River of Bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the orcs had taken the wall. They were victorious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the sixth time in millennia, the barrier had fallen. This time, no elves or god-blooded foes stood in their way—only dwarves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mountain goats leapt across cliffs, carrying dwarf knights to Avenderdan’s wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dismounting swiftly, the knight knelt before King Edd, armored and hammer-wielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, the orcs have breached the outer wall. They’re regrouping to attack Avenderdan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edd nodded and sighed. \"Bjorn, you were right. The outer wall has fallen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And faster than any past orc wave. Not even Toru could stop them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bjorn stepped forward, shaking his head with a bitter smile. \"Your Majesty, I wish I had been wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batu Skullcrusher has unified over 160 orc clans from the Ugo Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They don’t just want our kingdom—they aim to conquer all Faenso.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edd frowned. \"Will the gods not intervene?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bjorn lowered his head. \"I’ve sent Master Eugene to Heaven’s Peak to seek help from Moradin and the gods of justice. But the world is sealed—divine aid is limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve heard that Gruumsh used foul magic to blind Father’s gaze and block Heaven’s Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist veils the Ugo Plains. The Redfang Tribe gathered too quickly for scouts to detect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This battle-worn, 400-year-old minister sounded weary. His voice rasped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, I believe the orcs want a swift victory—before the world can react.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long must we hold Avenderdan... before Father aids us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seven days. If Master Eugene succeeds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the orcs’ distant howls, King Edd’s voice stayed resolute. \"The Highland Kingdom’s legacy, the glory of our people, will not fall by my hand. Even in a hopeless war, I’ll make the orcs pay in blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped the hammer—symbol of royal power and Moradin’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarven scouts on griffons soared above, felling vultures and giant eagles to spy on the orcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orc shamans raised staves, chanting spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With rumbling, stone paths extended from the Road of Glory, letting beasts cross: plains drakes, fang beasts, and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More orcs, goblins, ogres, and hill giants surged into the valley before Avenderdan—like a raging river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within hours, the orc horde was assembled. Tens of thousands surged toward the fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the walls, King Edd and elite dwarves stood ready, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From murder holes, cliffs, and tunnels, dwarves glared with hate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All 15,000 combat-ready dwarves were present, defending their home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground quaked. Thundering echoed as a mottled flood filled the valley floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, vultures and eagles circled, dodging arrow fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batu sat on his bone throne, axe raised, eyes gleaming. \"That’s Avenderdan. Perfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood, voice rising to echo through the mountains: \"My kin, crush the dwarves! Take their fortress! Only then will we please Father Gruumsh! This city is the start of our conquest!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slaughter the dwarves! Take the fortress!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For Father Gruumsh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The orc race will rule the world!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frenzied howls shook the peaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Children of Gruumsh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kill without restraint! Use your mighty bodies to tear through all who stand in our way!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sever dwarven heads! Stab elf hearts! Hack human arms!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shamans waved bone staves. Blood mist spread, driving orcs into a frenzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They swarmed the clearing, storming the towering fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring down at them, King Edd gave the command: \"Archers—loose!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thousands of dwarves fired arrows skyward. A rain of death pierced the orc vanguard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But giants and half-giants raised shields, advancing steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atop the wall, dwarf-forged steel ballistae took aim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning winches, the dwarves shouted, \"That giant! Kill it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thwip—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrows two meters long flew, skewering shields—and giants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly every dwarf was a skilled artisan. Avenderdan housed their greatest masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ingenious machines and constructions—dwarves’ greatest weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Blackstone Mountain, dwarves released massive round stones down tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rumble—rumble—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orcs realized too late—the rocks were upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn! The dwarves released boulders!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Run! Don’t get crushed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boulders smashed dozens—crushing orcs, goblins, and ogres into paste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Watch the skies!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From tall towers, catapults designed by Master Trant launched flaming iron balls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Down! Get down!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s dwarven artillery!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiery orbs arced gracefully, striking the orc ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red-hot iron smashed into the crowd, exploding on impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire and shrapnel killed hundreds—leaving only charred remains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the main wall, ancient defensive arrays activated, forming magical barriers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orc arrows and javelins bounced harmlessly away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire burned before the gates. Stones rolled. Barrels of flame and liquor exploded midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarven contraptions—grim reapers of war—dealt death in droves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orcs faced not just 15,000 warriors—but millennia of dwarven ingenuity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even with all defenses, they’d only slain ten thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batu’s army was 200,000 strong.\u003C\u002Fp>",1379,"2026-06-03T12:47:18.890Z","2026-06-03T12:47:22.748Z",1,"novelbin.me","473d499e78c63ff357c67fe810ef3a92f13361b4c538937b91a8a615c0e82216","ember-dragon-chapter-575","ember-dragon-chapter-573",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]