Chapter 363: How Could Orcs Possibly Appear?

Should we increase the number of personnel?

Li De was torn.

Their cavalry unit was not at full strength; most had remained with the main force.

Thus, the actual number of forward camp cavalry was only three hundred.

Sending out eighty men for night watch at night—equivalent to one-quarter on duty—was already substantial.

After all, a night on watch meant at least a full day of rest the next day, or combat effectiveness would drop sharply.

So, unless it was certain they had entered a dangerous zone where enemies could appear at any moment, there was no reason to increase personnel further.

But Gervas's cryptic words made him hesitate.

After all, whether from Gervas's speech and demeanor or the elite quality of his subordinates, it was clear Gervas was no ordinary man.

This was one of the main reasons he was willing to befriend him.

My lord, what's wrong?

His subordinate behind him noticed his movement and finally couldn't help asking.

Toca, order four additional squads to join tonight's night watch!

Increase personnel? My lord, we've only just reached Green River Valley—could there be an emergency?

Why so many questions? Just do as you're told!

"Yes, my lord!" The subordinate dared not ask further and swiftly went to carry out the order.

Lieutenant Li De shook his head, as if to reassure himself.

…

Deep night!

On a hillock several miles ahead of the valley, several towering figures gathered together.

Chief, the human cavalry just passed by!

Good. Move out now. The humans' next patrol will be in about half an hour—we must reach their camp and launch the ambush within that time!

Yes, Chief!

Soon, more towering figures emerged from the hillock, converging onto the road.

And indeed, they had precisely timed their movement—encountering no human cavalry along the way.

Quickly, a force of over a thousand reached the valley mouth.

Stay silent. Wait until we're close before striking. We've stealthily infiltrated the human rear for days—we must kill them all!

Hehe, Chief, I can't wait to twist off those two-legged sheep's heads!

I know you're eager! Yesterday we saw two human camps. Then, Bato, take a hundred men to the other camp and hold them off—don't let them reinforce. Any problem?

A hundred men? Of course not a problem. Even if I charged straight in and killed a few more, it wouldn't be an issue!

Bato, don't be careless! Kill a few near the camp edge to delay them—but don't go deep!

Understood, Chief. Rest assured!

Good! Then move out!

Immediately, over a thousand orcs crouched low and advanced toward the valley.

The grass inside the valley reached no higher than a human's calf.

For these orcs, whose average height was two and a half meters, it was even shorter.

Normally, if humans had built watchtowers and remained alert, they'd have had a good chance of spotting them.

But since they believed this was the rear, the forward camp treated it no differently than the outskirts of Black Dragon City.

So not only were there no watchtowers—even the walls had been reduced to ordinary fences.

Soon, the orcs drew within a mile, then split into two groups.

One continued toward the main camp; the other headed toward a nearby ravine.

As the groups separated, the orcs drew closer to the camp.

One thousand meters… eight hundred… six hundred…

Under normal circumstances, this ambush would have been highly successful.

But at that moment, a ten-man cavalry unit suddenly burst out of the forward camp.

As orcs who frequently fought humans, they instantly recognized them as human cavalry.

And yet, there was still no cover nearby.

This is impossible! The next patrol shouldn't arrive for another ten minutes!

The orc leader's face turned pale.

It was completely beyond his expectations.

But now, it was too late to turn back.

The orcs' massive forms were too conspicuous—the cavalry unit had barely exited the camp when they immediately sensed something wrong.

Who are you?

Bad! Orcs! There are orcs outside the camp!

Soon, the cavalry unit cried out in alarm.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Seeing they were exposed, the orcs wasted no time.

They hurled a volley of short spears.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Several front-line cavalrymen fell instantly, tumbling from their mounts.

But the commotion had already alerted the guards near the camp.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The urgent alarm bells rang incessantly.

Damn it! We've been spotted! Then no more hiding—Orc warriors, charge with me! Kill all these two-legged sheep!

Roar! Roar! Roar! Kill!

Amid the battle cries, the orcs began their charge.

"What's happening?" At the same time, Lieutenant Leide, who had just fallen asleep, was jolted awake.

Lieutenant Li De, who had just fallen asleep, was the first to wake.

Due to cavalry habits, he hadn't even removed his armor—he instantly rose and burst from his tent.

My lord, it's… it's orcs! Those damned orcs have appeared in the valley and launched a surprise attack! Luckily, our patrol just happened to spot them outside!

Orcs? They really came to attack?!

Li De's head throbbed.

He had been so certain that orcs wouldn't appear in Green River Valley.

And now, on the very first day, he'd been slapped in the face.

Worse, according to his subordinate, if the night watch squad hadn't happened to encounter them outside the camp, they wouldn't have known the enemy was at the very walls!

Thinking of this, Li De was both shocked and terrified.

Shocked that Gervas's intuition had come true.

Terrified that if he hadn't added extra squads and shortened patrol intervals, they'd never have detected the ambush.

Then, though the forward camp wouldn't be annihilated, casualties would be catastrophic.

My lord, what do we do now?

Damn it! We didn't even build a wall tonight—just a regular fence!

Quick! Order the men to prepare defenses! I'll notify Commander Lyne!

Hearing his subordinate's question, Li De snapped back to reality.

As he gave orders, he cursed as he rushed toward the rear of the camp.

Yet he was not dressed in leather armor like Lieutenant Leide.

Meanwhile, in the stone house behind, Commander Lyne had also woken.

But unlike Li De, he wasn't wearing leather armor.

And the sudden commotion left him bewildered.

What's happening?

Commander, it sounds like orcs are shouting outside the camp!

Lyen knew he would get nothing more from this subordinate. "Hurry! Gather the men immediately—we're heading to the palisade for support. The beasts must not breach the camp!"

Commander, I don't know either—but the shouts and roars are unmistakable!

【93】 Lyne knew he wouldn't get answers from this subordinate.

【94】 Quick! Gather men! Follow me to reinforce the fence—no matter what, we must stop the orcs from breaking into the camp!

【95】 Yes, my lord!