Chapter 27
Chapter 27: Saintess’s Illness and Black River Territory Battle Situation
With the players now committed and Sivey eager to move on from Dawn Town, urgency gripped the situation in Black River Town where he was needed to intervene. The exact number of Orc troops remained unknown, but historical encounters suggested at least five thousand units.
Every soldier under Sivey’s command was meticulously trained and valued. He hesitated to risk their lives recklessly determining the enemy’s strength. However, the players were different. Despite their weakness, their ability to resurrect made them ideal scouts and expendable assets.
Originally belonging to the players, Dawn Town became a pawn in Sivey’s strategy, exploiting an information gap to enlist their unwitting assistance. This maneuver not only served to suppress the protagonist’s group but also fulfilled a system quest, a tactic that reaped direct gains.
While the players’ main storyline focused on developing Dawn Town’s second stage, Sivey’s actions didn’t trigger system prompts as they were irrelevant to the main plot. Outside Dawn Town, Sivey efficiently organized his army while the players, led by representatives, stood ready at the rear.
“Spread the word! We’re heading for Black River Town. Move out on the double!”
The clamor of armor, footsteps, and horse hooves filled the air as the hastily assembled army departed, leaving behind anxious demi-humans who watched the departure with fearful eyes.
Meanwhile, in a newly constructed wooden house in Dawn Town, the enchanting Demi Human Saintess Zoe stared blankly at the retreating army.
The Heroic Spirits, intended as cannon fodder for her people and Dawn Town, troubled her deeply. Despite their ability to resurrect, the trauma of dying and the subsequent loss of strength haunted her thoughts.
She couldn’t shake the memory of Sivey—the powerful, cold, and cruel man.
His slender fingers lifting her chin, his fierce gaze akin to a hungry wolf.
“He’s so fierce, so terrifying… Why do I feel this strange sensation?” Zoe murmured to herself, her confusion evident. Clutching her large tail, her flushed face betrayed her racing heart.
The oppressive aura and callous words left her feeling strangely numb, a sensation she had never experienced before.
“I must be unwell…” Zoe muttered helplessly to herself.
…
After an afternoon of swift marching, Sivey successfully led his army and the players to Black River Town. Along the way, they passed many villages ravaged by Orc soldiers, though there was no sign of the Orcs themselves.
Sivey’s primary concern was gathering intelligence from Baron Talrand without endangering his troops by hasty actions.
In the main hall of Black River Castle, dusty from their journey, Sivey and his group were greeted with exaggerated enthusiasm by Baron Talrand. Talrand, surrounded by stewards and knights, approached Sivey with surprise and extended his hand with a singer’s tone:
“By the gods, look who’s here! It’s our savior, Count Sivey of Eagle Territory!”
Expressionless, Sivey acknowledged with a noncommittal noise, handing the reins of his horse to Talrand without a word. He then walked to the conference table, taking his seat at its head.
Talrand’s face briefly darkened at Sivey’s demeanor, but he quickly regained his smile. His steward, Doug, took the reins from him.
“Baron Talrand, time is of the essence. Please brief me immediately on the Orcs’ movements,” Sivey interjected, tapping the table to halt Talrand’s flattery. Talrand nodded obsequiously. “Yes, of course, the matter at hand is paramount.” He gestured to his knights.
One knight approached the table, his back to Talrand, and presented a map of Black River Territory. With solemnity, he reported, “Three days ago, Orc forces captured Ironwood Town on the border, advancing along Blackwater River towards Black River Castle. Rus Town nearby fell, and many villages along the river were destroyed.”
“The Orc army numbers approximately six thousand, with an additional fifty in a highly mobile wolf cavalry. Despite militia counterattacks, all have failed,” he continued. “The Orcs are likely the wolf cavalry, harassing and disrupting supply lines.”
“These are the current intelligence reports,” the knight concluded, awaiting Sivey’s instructions.
Though Sivey found Talrand’s guard vaguely familiar, he focused on the map. The Orcs aimed to reach Black River Castle, attacking strategically important towns along the way while the wolf cavalry pillaged surrounding villages.
Despite Dawn Town’s route not aligning with the Orcs’ main attack, the destruction near Black River Town suggested their meticulous planning. Even without breaching Black River Town’s walls, they effectively besieged it.
Talrand’s strategic insight, evident from his position as Baron, allowed him to grasp the Orcs’ tactics to some extent. However, lacking viable solutions, he turned to Sivey for assistance. The militia’s futile efforts against the wolf cavalry underscored their desperate need for help.
“Are there any villages near Black River Town still intact?” Sivey queried, prompting the knight to point out Wild-Heart Village, Renegade Village, and Ironstone Village on the map.
After a moment’s consideration, Sivey focused on Ironstone Village near Blackwater River. Despite its distance, it could transport more supplies, making it a likely target for the Orcs’ main force.
Sivey deduced the Orcs would converge near Ironstone Village, cross Blackwater River, and advance towards Wild-Heart and Renegade Villages, possibly culminating at Black River Castle unopposed.
His plan solidified: set an ambush near Ironstone Village to intercept the Orcs, seizing victory in one decisive strike.
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