Chapter 80: Cutting off human water sources? The Orc Prince

The next morning.

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

The low and stifling sound of horns came from the distant horizon.

The orc army of eight thousand led by Kaximo finally arrived at the city walls.

The black orc phalanx, like a moving dark cloud, slowly approached the temporary castle.

Various strange-looking orcs, holding simple yet lethal weapons, let out bursts of unintelligible roars and howls.

That thick aura of blood and brutality made people feel palpitations even from far away.

On the walls of the castle, Roko, clad in heavy armor with his hand on the hilt of his sword, watched the approaching orc army with a cold expression.

Beside him, Fura, Hart, and the two Barons and three Pioneer Nobles were also solemn.

"They're here."

Roko said in a low voice.

"Pass the order, all units, to your positions!"

"Archers, prepare!"

"Bed crossbows, prepare!"

"Without my order, no one is to attack without authorization!"

Orders were quickly passed to every corner of the castle through messengers.

The soldiers on the walls gripped their weapons tightly, watching the approaching enemy nervously.

The orc army stopped about a mile away from the castle.

Kaximo rode on a ferocious giant lizard mount and rode out from the crowd.

His eyes, flashing with cruel light, sized up this temporary castle, which looked somewhat simple but also carried a sense of sturdiness.

"Humph, a bunch of human cowards hiding in a turtle shell."

Kaximo let out a disdainful cold snort.

"Little ones!"

He raised the poison-patterned long spear in his hand abruptly and roared loudly.

"Flatten this castle for me!"

"Kill all the humans inside!"

"Attack!"

Kaximo pointed his spear.

"Woo! Woo!"

The desolate sound of orc horns rang out again.

Three thousand orc soldiers launched a charge toward the temporary castle.

Among them, one thousand were Poison Lizard warriors of Kaximo's own race.

They were agile, swift in action, holding short spears and curved blades coated with poison, and letting out strange "hissing" sounds.

The other two thousand were miscellaneous troops drawn from other tribes.

Although their equipment and discipline were far inferior to the Poison Lizard warriors, their ferocious spirit of not fearing death was not diminished in the slightest.

"Fire arrows!"

When the orc vanguard entered the castle's archery range.

Roko decisively issued the attack order.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

A dense rain of arrows poured down from the city walls.

The orc soldiers at the front fell in droves.

The shrill screams and the sound of arrows piercing the air intertwined.

But these casualties could not stop the orcs' advance.

The subsequent orc soldiers stepped over the corpses of their companions and continued to roar as they charged forward.

Soon, they rushed to the moat of the castle.

This moat was dug temporarily and was not wide, and the water was not deep.

But it was enough to delay the orcs' attack on the city.

Some impatient orcs jumped directly into the moat, trying to swim across.

But they were met with rolling stones and battering logs that had been prepared long ago.

"Smash!"

With a roar from Baron Yujin.

The soldiers on the walls struggled to throw heavy stones and thick round logs at the orcs in the moat.

"Splash! Splash!"

Water splashed everywhere, and screams were continuous.

Many orcs were smashed until their heads were broken and bleeding, sinking to the bottom of the river.

But more orcs used simple wooden boards and the corpses of their companions to begin building temporary floating bridges.

At the same time, the bed crossbows on both sides of the castle also let out deafening roars.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Giant crossbow arrows, thicker than an arm, carried a shrill whistle that tore through the air and shot fiercely into the dense formation of orcs.

Each crossbow arrow could easily pierce through the bodies of several orcs, bringing up sprays of blood.

Its terrifying power made even the orcs, who did not fear death, feel a chill in their hearts.

From the very beginning, the battle entered a white-hot stage.

Above and below the city walls, the sound of shouting and killing shook the sky.

Blood stained the earth red.

Roko's face was as calm as water, calmly commanding the defense of the walls.

His gaze swept across the battlefield from time to time, observing the orcs' offensive and the casualties on his own side.

Although his side occupied the advantage of terrain, the number and ferocity of the orcs also exceeded his expectations.

Especially those Poison Lizard warriors, who were not only agile but also seemed to have a certain resistance to arrows.

Many arrows shot at their tough skin, only sparking and failing to cause fatal damage.

They were like agile geckos, clinging to the edge of the city walls, trying to find a breakthrough.

"Hart!"

Roko shouted in a deep voice.

"Lead the reserve force of the Storm Knights to clear out those Poison Lizards climbing the walls!"

"Yes, Young Master!"

Hart drew the knight's longsword from his waist and led two hundred knight reservists to join the battle on the walls.

These knight reservists, although not yet true Storm Knights, were far superior to ordinary soldiers in strength.

They formed small combat teams and engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with those Poison Lizard warriors trying to climb the walls.

Swords flashed, and blood splattered constantly.

The battle was exceptionally tragic.

Human soldiers were brave, but in terms of individual strength, they were still inferior to those brutal orcs.

Soldiers kept screaming and falling, torn to pieces by the orcs' sharp claws and teeth.

But they did not retreat.

Because behind them were their homes and their loved ones.

They had nowhere to retreat!

The war lasted for a whole day.

From dawn to dusk.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the entire battlefield in a tragic blood color.

Below the walls of the temporary castle, it was already piled with orc corpses, and blood gathered into small streams, flowing on the ground.

The air was filled with a thick smell of blood and burnt stench, which was nauseating.

On the city walls, the human defenders also paid a heavy price.

Everywhere were the groans of the wounded and the cold corpses of the fallen soldiers.

Roko's face was also stained with blood, some from the enemy, some from himself.

The knight's longsword in his hand had already rolled its edge.

"Master, the orcs... the orcs have retreated!"

A soldier suddenly shouted with joy.

Roko looked up.

Sure enough, those orcs were slowly retreating at this moment, leaving behind a ground full of corpses and mess.

Kaximo's ferocious figure looked particularly glaring at the rear of the orc formation.

He seemed very dissatisfied with the results of the day.

"Count the casualties."

Roko's voice carried a hint of exhaustion.

Soon, the casualty figures were reported.

In today's battle, the human defenders lost over fifteen hundred men, and nearly a thousand were seriously wounded.

As for the orcs, according to preliminary estimates, the loss was at least two thousand.

This was a tragic number.

But, they had held on after all.

"Did we win?"

A young Pioneer Knight asked with a trembling voice.

His face was still stained with undried tears, clearly frightened by the tragic battle of the day.

Roko shook his head.

"No, this is just the beginning."

His gaze looked toward the direction where the orcs retreated, his eyes grave.

"The real hard battle is still to come."

Night.

Inside the orc camp, bonfires were burning brightly.

Kaximo sat in the main tent, his face so gloomy that water could drip from it.

Today's battle, the troops under his command suffered heavy losses, yet they couldn't even touch the walls of the castle.

This made him feel incomparably angry and aggrieved.

"A bunch of trash!"

He kicked over the table in front of him, and the roast meat and wine scattered all over the floor.

"Couldn't even take down a small earth castle!"

"What use do I have for you!"

Several personal guards outside the tent trembled with fear, not daring to make a sound.

"Chieftain, calm your anger."

A Poison Lizard elder who looked somewhat gaunt spoke cautiously.

"The tenacity of the human defenders today indeed exceeded our expectations."

"Moreover, although the castle is simple, the defensive works are quite perfect, especially those bed crossbows, which posed no small threat to our army."

"Humph!"

Kaximo snorted coldly, but the anger in his heart did not diminish in the slightest.

"This chieftain doesn't care about these!"

"Tomorrow, you must find a way to break through that castle for me!"

"Otherwise, if His Highness the Prince blames us, none of us can afford it!"

A hint of imperceptible glint flashed in the elder's eyes.

"Chieftain, this subordinate has a plan, perhaps it can be tried."

"Oh?"

Kaximo arched his brows.

"Let's hear it."

The elder leaned into Kaximo's ear and whispered a few words.

Kaximo's face gradually turned from gloomy to clear, and finally revealed a ferocious smile.

"Good! Good plan!"

He patted the elder on the shoulder and praised.

"Just do as you say!"

"This chieftain wants to see how those humans will fight us!"

At the same time, inside the human temporary castle, the atmosphere was equally grave.

Although they had repelled the orcs' attack today, the heavy casualties on their own side also made everyone feel heavy-hearted.

Inside the council hall, Roko was discussing tomorrow's defense with several nobles.

"Today's battle, although our army suffered no small losses, also let the orcs see our determination."

Roko said in a deep voice.

"Tomorrow, they will certainly launch a more violent attack."

"We must make more sufficient preparations."

Baron Yujin nodded, his face showing a hint of exhaustion.

"Master Roko's words are very true."

"However, our army's troop losses are severe, especially those experienced veterans, who suffered heavy casualties."

"If the orcs attack as violently tomorrow as they did today, I fear it will be very difficult for us to hold on."

His words also pointed out the worries of everyone present.

Baron Feilin coughed a few times and took over the conversation.

"Moreover, our army's consumption of arrows and city defense equipment is also huge."

"If they cannot be replenished in time, I fear it will be difficult to support for too long."

Roko's brow also furrowed tightly.

He had naturally considered these problems.

But for now, they didn't have many choices.

Just as everyone was at their wit's end.

A scout responsible for night patrol suddenly ran in with a panicked expression.

"Master! Not good!"

"There's a problem with the river near the castle!"

"What?!"

Roko was startled and stood up abruptly.

"What happened?!"

"The river water has changed color!" The scout's voice carried a hint of fear.

"And it's emitting a fishy, foul smell!"

"Many brothers on patrol felt dizzy and nauseated just by getting close to the river!"

"What?!"

The faces of everyone in the council hall changed drastically at the same time.

They all knew very well what this meant.

The orcs had poisoned the river!

"Damn beasts!"

Baron Yujin slammed the table and roared.

"They actually used such despicable and shameless means!"

Roko's face also turned iron-blue instantly.

Water sources were the lifeline of an army.

Once the water source was polluted, it would be a disastrous blow to the entire army.

"Pass the order immediately!"

Roko's voice was extremely cold.

"No one is allowed to drink the river water!"

"Those who violate the order will be executed!"

"At the same time, send people to strictly blockade all areas near the river!"

"Hart! Fura!"

"Follow me!"

He grabbed the longsword on the table and strode out.

He wanted to see for himself what was going on with the polluted river.

When Roko brought Fura and Hart to the riverside near the castle.

A thick, fishy, foul smell rushed toward them.

The originally clear river water had now turned into a nauseating dark green.

On the water surface, there were even some unknown bubbles and dead fish floating.

"It's actually the inherent toxin of the Poison Lizards."

Roko's face looked extremely ugly.

He recognized this toxin.

This was a highly toxic substance unique to the Poison Lizard race, which could not only pollute water sources but also spread through the air, causing great harm to the human body.

"Young Master, we're in trouble now."

Hart's expression also became exceptionally grave.

"The drinking water we carry is not much, and it can only support us for two or three days at most."

"If we can't find a new water source as soon as possible, I fear..."

Fura stood silently beside Roko, her silver-gray ears standing alertly, feeling the dangerous aura permeating the air around them.

Roko's gaze swept across the dark green river surface, his thoughts turning rapidly.

The Poison Lizards' move was indeed ruthless and poisonous.

He clearly calculated that the human army could not leave the water source for a long time.

Rather than saying his goal was to poison the human soldiers to death, it was better to say he wanted to cut off the human army's water supply in this way.

To make the human army collapse without a fight.

"Pass the order."

Roko took a deep breath, trying to keep himself calm.

"Collect all our water storage containers and strictly control water usage."

"At the same time, immediately organize manpower to dig wells inside the castle."

"In addition, dispatch an elite team to seek reinforcements from the rear and report the situation here to Duke Auston as quickly as possible."

"Request the Duke to transport clean drinking water to us as soon as possible."

Things having reached this point, they could only take these emergency measures first.

Night grew deeper and deeper.

The atmosphere inside the castle became more and more stifling.

Panic over water shortages spread rapidly among the large number of soldiers.

Many soldiers, unable to bear the thirst, began to show signs of restlessness.

Even those determined knights mostly showed expressions of worry at this moment.

After all, water was the source of life.

Lacking food, they could hold on for a while, but lacking water wouldn't work.

Roko stood on the city walls, looking at the flickering firelight of the orc camp in the distance, his brow furrowed tightly.

The orcs must be waiting for them to collapse due to water shortage.

This night was destined to be sleepless.

Just as Roko and several nobles were discussing in the command tent whether they should risk a breakout or find a way to persist.

Suddenly.

"Boom!"

A deafening thunderclap exploded in the night sky.

Immediately after.

"Clatter!"

Bean-sized raindrops suddenly fell from the sky.

At first, it was just a light drizzle.

But soon, the rain became heavier and heavier, turning into a torrential downpour.

The wind howled, and thunder and lightning flashed.

As if the entire sky were roaring in anger for this land shrouded in blood and death.

Everyone in the command tent was stunned for a moment, and then their faces revealed expressions of unbelievable ecstasy.

"It's raining!"

"It's raining!"

"Hahaha! Heaven is not letting us die!"

Baron Yujin was the first to rush out of the tent, laughing toward the sky.

Letting the cold rainwater wash over his face covered in blood and filth.

Other nobles also ran out of the tent one after another, feeling this sudden sweet rain.

A hint of a long-lost smile finally appeared on Roko's face.

This timely rain was undoubtedly a timely help, solving their urgent need.

Although the rainwater could not completely solve their drinking water problem, at least it could temporarily alleviate the crisis of water shortage.

Moreover, this torrential rain was probably not good news for the orcs either.

Their camps were mostly built in low-lying areas, and such heavy rain would likely make them miserable.

"Pass the order!"

Roko's voice regained its composure and confidence.

"Organize manpower to collect rainwater!"

"Use every container that can be used!"

"In addition, strengthen vigilance to prevent the orcs from taking advantage of the chaos to launch a sneak attack!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers cheered and took the order and left.

The next morning.

The torrential rain had stopped, but the sky remained overcast.

The air was filled with the freshness after the rain and the fragrance of soil.

The soldiers on Roko's side, after being nourished by the rain overnight, were in a much better mental state.

The rainwater they collected using various containers, although not enough to fully satisfy everyone's needs, was enough to support them for a period of time.

Looking at the orc side, they appeared somewhat miserable.

Their camp had become muddy after a night of torrential rain.

Many simple tents had been blown down by the strong wind.

The orc soldiers were all soaked to the skin, and their morale was low.

Kaximo was so angry that he jumped with rage.

His carefully planned poison water scheme had been broken by a sudden torrential rain.

This made him feel incomparably aggrieved and angry.

What made him even more annoyed was that just now, the person sent by His Highness the Prince had brought a severe reprimand.

Accusing him of incompetence, failing to break through the human defensive line for a long time, and delaying the entire army's plan.

This dealt a huge blow to Kaximo's self-esteem.

"Trash, all trash!"

"Facing a mere few thousand human miscellaneous troops, yet unable to break through the human defense for a long time!"

He cursed at the orc leaders under his command.

Those orc leaders trembled with fear, not daring to refute.

"Today!"

A crazy light flashed in Kaximo's eyes.

"This chieftain wants to break through that castle at all costs!"

"All tribes must bring out their most elite warriors!"

"Whoever dares to retreat will be executed!"

"The first to climb the city walls will be rewarded with gold and silver, promoted three ranks, and ten human beauties!"

"This chieftain means what he says!"

Under heavy rewards, there must be brave men.

Those miscellaneous orcs, who were originally low in morale, felt greedy flames reignite in their eyes upon hearing such generous rewards.

They began to reassemble their troops, preparing to launch a new round of fierce attacks.

And this time, their offensive was even crazier and more reckless of casualties than yesterday.

"Kill!"

Thousands of orc soldiers, as if crazy, launched a charge toward the temporary castle.

They no longer cared about the rain of arrows and rolling stones from the city walls, only wanting to rush onto the walls and seize the tempting rewards.

The human defenders' defensive line soon came under tremendous pressure.

Orc soldiers kept using simple siege ladders and the corpses of their companions to climb the city walls.

On the city walls, a tragic hand-to-hand battle broke out instantly.

Shouts of killing, screams, and the sound of weapons colliding rang out.

"Hold on! Hold on for me!"

Baron Yujin brandished the giant axe in his hand, hacking and killing the orcs rushing onto the walls, letting out bursts of roars.

He had already been wounded in many places, but he still did not fear death.

Baron Feilin also drew the longbow in his hand, his arrows never missing, each arrow accurately piercing the throat or eye socket of an orc.

But the number of orcs was simply too many.

They surged onto the walls wave after wave, endlessly.

The human defenders' defensive line began to loosen.

Many sections were even broken through by the orcs.

"Hart!"

A hint of determination flashed in Roko's eyes.

"Lead the Storm Knights and all knight reservists to charge out of the city with me!"

"We'll fight them to the death!"

"Young Master!"

Hart was shocked upon hearing this.

"That must not be! There are numerous orcs outside the city; charging out with our small number of people is no different from throwing an egg against a rock!"

"Charging out of the city now might still give us a glimmer of hope!"

Roko's voice was resolute.

"If we wait until the city walls fall, we will all have no place to be buried!"

"Fura, protect Martina well!"

He did not give Hart another chance to persuade him, drew his longsword, and was the first to rush down the city walls.

"Storm Knights! Charge with me!"

One hundred Storm Knights, clad in heavy armor and riding magnificent Storm Colts, followed closely behind.

They rushed out from the side gate of the castle and slammed into the chaotic orc formation outside the city.

The powerful impact of the Storm Colts instantly knocked dozens of orc soldiers in front of them, causing them to fall and break their bones. The sharp swords in the hands of the Storm Knights were harvesting the lives of the orcs frantically.

The two hundred knight reservists who followed closely also joined the war with shouts.

The appearance of this fresh force disrupted the orc formation that had originally rushed to the foot of the city.

The defenders on the city walls also took the opportunity to launch a counterattack, driving those orcs who had already climbed the walls back down.

Roko took the lead, the knight's longsword in his hand waving rapidly.

The 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】 was operated to the extreme, and scorching Battle Qi rose around him.

Every sword strike could take away the lives of several orcs.

But the number of orcs was simply too many.

They did not fear death, and they followed one after another.

Even if the Storm Knights were elite, they gradually fell into a bitter battle.

Knights kept being dragged off their warhorses by orcs and drowned in the sea of orcs.

Roko also felt unprecedented pressure.

His armor was damaged in many places, and several deep wounds appeared on his arms and legs.

Blood stained his battle robe red.

But he still persisted.

He could not fall; once he fell, the morale of the entire army would collapse completely.

The battle lasted for another day.

When night fell again.

The entire battlefield had turned into a hell on earth.

Corpses were strewn everywhere, and blood flowed like a river.

The number of troops on Roko's side had plummeted to less than three thousand.

Moreover, among these three thousand people, the vast majority were wounded.

The Storm Knights also lost nearly thirty riders.

The knight reservists suffered even heavier casualties, with less than one hundred remaining.

As for the orcs, although they also paid a heavy price, they still had a force of nearly four thousand.

"Time to retreat..."

,

Roko's voice was hoarse and weak.

They had done their best.

If they continued to fight, they would only be wiped out.

Moreover, the time they had delayed should be enough.

"Hart, organize the troops to retreat slowly."

"Remember to take everyone in Vanguard Valley with you."

"As for the supplies in Vanguard Valley... destroy whatever you can't take!"

"Cannot leave them to those orcs."

Although Roko felt some reluctance toward Vanguard Valley, which he had built with his own hands.

But now, it seemed there was no other better way.

"Yes, Young Master."

Hart's voice also carried thick exhaustion and sadness.

He supported the swaying Roko and commanded the remaining troops to begin covering each other and retreating slowly toward the rear. **CHAPTER 81**