Chapter 388: Why Does He Always Like to Attack at Midnight!

Damn, how are there so many orcs?

I get it—these damn orcs deliberately hid their strength earlier to keep us from fleeing, and now that we're completely surrounded, they've unleashed all their remaining forces!

Despicable scum, these green-skinned bastards!

You just realized this now?

Watching the nobles rage, Gervas smiled silently—these guys were a bit slow on the uptake.

What do we do? What should we do now? Can we retreat?

It seems impossible now—the whole outside is filled with orcs; if we dare step out of camp, we'll be surrounded instantly!

The nobles paced in panic, wanting to run but knowing there was no way out.

With no other options, they finally turned to Gervas.

Lord Gervas, what should we do now?

Gentlemen, our only option now is to fight to the death! Either the orcs die, or we do!

Several nobles couldn't help but tremble.

Nobles value their lives above all!

Of course, once they realized there was no choice, they finally made up their minds.

Damn it, fine—I'm following Gervas. Since we're all going to die anyway, I, Mil, will fight these green-skinned beasts to the end!

That's right—I, Ian, will fight these green-skinned monsters too! Even if I die, I'll die with honor!

Yes! We'll fight them to the death! Other nobles chimed in.

Gervas nodded.

They were usually cowardly, but when push came to shove, they still had the courage to fight.

And this, too, was the way of survival for most minor nobles.

Gentlemen, don't lose heart—our efforts might still be enough to hold off the orcs!

Besides, such a massive commotion from the orcs might draw reinforcements soon! Gervas reassured them.

Mil and the others immediately looked at Gervas with gratitude. "Gervas, thank you so much—for comforting us when things are this dire!"

"Yes, Lord Gervas, you're the youngest among us, yet you're the most outstanding!"

"Honestly, we truly admire you—when we're this cornered, you're still so calm!"

"Heh! Just used to it."

Looking at those sincere eyes, Gervas felt a little embarrassed.

If these fools knew he'd already made preparations in advance, what would their reaction be?

Still, better not let them find out.

After that, the group wasted no time—they personally led their men into fierce resistance.

Gervas ordered the spearmen to advance, thrusting their lances through the gaps in the wooden wall.

In addition, twenty ballistae were activated—five placed beneath the wooden wall, fifteen hidden in the darkness of the camp, waiting.

"Roar! Charge! Kill all these two-legged sheep!"

At that moment, Babi Ke arrived at the camp's edge with his men; with a roar, the remaining seven hundred orcs joined the battle.

Look! Isn't that orc the same one from Green River Valley?

Hey, it really is him—I remember the bone ornaments around his neck!

This guy—never thought we'd run into him again. What a coward—why does he always like to attack at midnight?

At that moment, Mil and the others also spotted Babi Ke directing the charge and immediately recognized him.

Under normal circumstances, all beastmen looked nearly identical to humans.

The only reliable way to tell them apart was by their clothing and adornments.

"Roar!"

Babi Ke also noticed Mil and the others pointing at him.

He recognized those nobles and grinned wickedly at them in warning.

Despicable bastard! Don't get too cocky—we won't let you win so easily!

That's right! This damn green-skinned orc!

The nobles spat curses back at the orcs, teeth clenched.

As both sides burned with fury, the battle grew fierce.

……

Meanwhile, in a forest several miles away, a force of five thousand men lay hidden.

This was the Austen family's stealthy ambush unit.

"Young Master Adamas, what are we waiting for here? It's midnight already—can't we return to camp?"

"Commandant Daryl, I'm waiting for the orcs."

"Wait… wait for orcs? Young Master Adamas, how could there be orcs here? There's a checkpoint ahead—any orcs coming this way must pass through it first!"

"Exactly, Commandant Daryl—I'm waiting for the orcs to attack that checkpoint…"

"Uh…" Commandant Daryl was left speechless.

He didn't particularly like this young master.

He was too cowardly.

In his view, the next Hou Jue would need wisdom, bravery, decisiveness, and brilliance.

In short, not someone like Young Master Adamas.

Though he'd heard recently that Adamas had done well at sea, leading the family's navy to sweep the pirates along the Austen coast.

But who knew if the navy had just let him take the credit.

Besides, a few pirates were nothing compared to these land-based orcs.

Today, he'd been told his orders were to accompany the young master on a drill—to familiarize the troops and train them.

Naturally, he obeyed the Hou Jue's command.

He'd expected to take the young master out for a quick ride and return.

Instead, his young master had made the men crouch in these bushes for over four hours—it was already midnight.

Knowing a major battle was coming the next day or the day after, wasting soldiers' energy now was extremely unwise!

So he'd hinted several times, but the young master paid no mind.

Now, he'd even said something absurd: waiting for orcs.

Orcs aren't wild beasts—they don't just show up on command.

If they truly moved, it would be thousands upon thousands.

Such a commotion would surely stir the Northern Garrison.

Why would only the Austen family be moving, silently?

"Young Master Adamas, forgive me for speaking plainly—I believe a major battle with the orcs is certain tomorrow or the day after!"

"There will be no shortage of chances to fight them then."

"For now, let the soldiers rest properly—then they'll have the strength to kill more orcs!"

That was a bold thing to say.

Especially in a world so rigidly hierarchical.

Of course, this came not only from Daryl's lack of faith in the young master—he thought he was just wasting the soldiers' energy.

But also from his blunt nature.

Adamas knew Daryl's character—he was one of the few household retainers who never took sides.

Whether it was Er or himself, Daryl treated them fairly, obeying only his father's orders.

So Adamas didn't get angry—he prepared to explain: "Commandant Daryl, I know you don't believe me, but today I received…"

"Young Master Adamas, look over there—firelight! There's firelight over there!"

At that moment, a cry came from the branches above.

Adamas's face lit up; he quickly climbed up into the tree's upper branches.

The next moment, he clearly saw a large expanse of firelight to the northwest.

Faint shouts and battle cries drifted toward them.

That location was the Grey Stone Bridge Camp.

"They've come! The orcs really are here!"

Adamas smiled with delight.

The orcs' appearance meant Harry's intelligence was accurate.

So now, not only could he give his father a satisfactory report—he could also earn significant merit.