Chapter 120 - Episode 119: Waiting for the Return ④
"Well then, we're heading out. We'll leave the rest to you lot, so handle things calmly."
"Yes, please leave it to us."
At Radley's words, a young territorial army soldier, who still retained a hint of childishness, nodded.
There were six soldiers, mostly young men, remaining in the capital city of Noeina to handle the defense. To them, Edgar, who served as the coordinator for the farmers, and volunteers from among the male residents would be added.
"Dmitri-san, Philip, I'm counting on you too."
"Yeah, it's for the sake of protecting the city where my own trading company is based. I'll fight my hardest."
"Even merchants will fight if it means protecting their profits, after all."
Dmitri, the chairman of the construction industry trade association and a powerful figure in the city, and Philip, the appointed merchant, spoke and laughed. They had gladly offered their cooperation to protect the Arqvist territory, which served as their base of operations. Many residents had also joined the defense in response to that call.
"Leave the evacuation of women and children in case of emergency to us."
"I can fight a little with magic tools, so I will protect everyone."
"Yes, thank you. Mai-san, Daphne-san."
Bart replied to the words of Mai, who managed the Arqvist Territory Women's Association, and Daphne, who possessed knowledge regarding offensive magic tools.
"We will help Mai-san as well... Please, come back safely."
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Don't worry."
"Bart-san, please be careful as well."
"Yeah, I'll definitely come back and hold you tight."
Gina and Michelle spoke while standing beside Mai. Radley and Bart answered powerfully to their worried wives.
The other soldiers participating in the orc hunt were also receiving words of encouragement from their respective families and friends.
"...Everyone, I believe this will by no means be an easy fight, but please protect this territory. And please, stay safe."
Clara spoke, representing the group gathered to see off the orc subjugation force. For the execution of the strategy devised by Radley and Bart and for the defense of the capital, she had personally reached out and secured cooperation from various parties.
Anna and the maids were not here. This was because they were preparing to evacuate the residents to the Baronet's mansion—the sturdiest building in the territory—in case the orcs invaded the urban area.
"Leave it to us."
"We will definitely wipe out the threat of the orcs."
Along with the words of Radley and Bart, the others nodded, and the orc subjugation force, totaling over thirty people, departed from the capital city of Noeina.
.....
"There is no sign of orcs ahead on the forest road. No sign in the nearby forest either."
"Understood, good work."
Radley replied to the report from Bart, who had returned from scouting.
"...Alright, let's go then, Henrik."
"Understood."
At Radley's instruction, Henrik moved the horse-drawn wagon he was riding. Radley positioned his horse to the left of the wagon to protect it.
Loaded on the wagon was a large amount of bait—potatoes, dried meat, and one live pig.
Henrik, who possessed the finest skills as a driver in the Arqvist territory, was tasked with the rapid transport of the bait, utilizing those skills. Skillfully manipulating the horse, he quickly moved the wagon to a position sufficiently far from the subjugation force and removed the horse's harness.
Having confirmed this, Radley approached the side of the wagon and used his sword to make a light cut in the body of the pig tied to the bed while still alive. The pig struggled slightly from the sudden pain, but since its mouth had been tied beforehand, no squeals rose.
Furthermore, Radley used the tip of his sword to press a button on a magic tool attached to the wagon to activate it. Immediately, the magic tool, which looked as if it had blades attached in a cross, began to spin.
"Alright, let's return quickly."
"Understood."
Radley galloped his horse away from the wagon. Following diagonally behind him was Henrik, who skillfully rode a bare horse without a saddle.
The two hurried back along the forest road and dove into the forest where the other members of the subjugation force were hiding.
"It went well."
"Good work... Henrik, stay in the rear."
To Radley, who spoke in a low voice, Bart replied while also keeping his voice down.
"Now we just wait... Rick, get ready to snipe with the ballista. The rest of you, keep guarding the surroundings as you are."
""Roger.""
What Radley had activated when leaving the wagon was a simple magic tool that merely created wind by spinning the cross-shaped blades.
While the wealthy sometimes used them to cool down during the summer—they were also used in monster hunts to lure targets by blowing the scent of animal blood and such.
Judging by the traces near the wagon abandoned by the transport team, the orcs should be in the forest to the west of the forest road. Therefore, they would blow the scent of the pig's blood toward the west.
There was a possibility that the orcs had crossed the forest road and moved to the east, but for now, they had to bet on the higher probability.
Radley and the subjugation force held their breath and waited intently.
Less than an hour later, as intended, rustling sounds could be heard from the west side of the forest road.
Emerging through the trees were—three orcs.
As the orcs approached the wagon, they beat the struggling pig to death. They then tore the pig apart, shared it, and began to devour it. Furthermore, they reached out and gnawed on the potatoes and dried meat.
One of the orcs was only about the size of an average human. It was likely a child. On the other hand, the other two were adults exceeding 2 meters, with one in particular boasting a massive frame nearly 3 meters tall. Likely, the larger one was the male and the smaller one was the female mate.
It seemed they were acting as a family of three. Since orcs basically do not flock together except for mates and parents, this had been expected.
The orcs devoured the bait loaded on the wagon in the middle of the forest road. Having stepped off the road that curved south, the subjugation force hidden in the forest intently watched for an opportunity to attack.
Serving as the gunner for the single ballista was Rick, the best sniper in the territorial army. He aimed the tip of the ballista at the orcs, setting his sight so he could fire at any moment if Radley tapped his shoulder as a signal.
The others also held their breath, waiting for the order to attack.
And then, at that moment. The largest orc, presumably the father, twitched its nose and, as if noticing something, looked south—toward the subjugation force.
"!"
In the next instant, Rick reflexively pulled the trigger of the ballista. The sharp sound of the string cutting through the air echoed, and a thick arrow flew straight, piercing one of the orcs.
The arrow hit the female orc, presumably the mother. Having taken the arrow right in the center of her chest, the orc collapsed without even having time to let out a cry.
By then, the child orc had also noticed and stood up, while the largest orc had already started running toward the subjugation force with a club in hand.
"BUGOOOOOO!"
Whether because its meal was interrupted or because it noticed its mate had fallen behind, the orc charged in, letting out a rage-filled roar.
"Sorry, I did it myself!"
"Fine!"
Radley answered Rick, who gave a short report saying, "I fired the ballista on my own judgment while I could still take one down," and leaped from the forest with a spear in hand. Bart followed behind him.
"I'll draw the big one's attention!"
"Taking that on alone is reckless!"
"We've got no choice!"
It was an orc boasting such a massive frame. If faced head-on, not only the helping slaves, but even the territorial army soldiers would be in danger. If there was anyone who could distract it without dying, it was Radley, who was physically robust and rich in combat experience.
Radley ran along the forest road with his spear. The distance to the approaching orc closed in a matter of moments—and at the moment the orc swung its club, he leaped aside.
Radley stopped his body by slamming into a tree beside the forest road. The orc, unable to react fully to Radley's movement, swung its club down toward the empty ground.
In the corner of his vision, he saw Bart, who had closed the distance with the child orc, similarly using a feint to leap into the forest to the side.
With the two of them retreating into the forest, only two orcs remained on the forest road.
"Fire!"
A voice echoed from the rear. Dant, leading the crossbow unit of territorial soldiers and slaves, had ordered them to form a line and fire their crossbows.
On the clear forest road, they only had to aim at the large prey directly in front of them. Even with amateur slaves mixed in, they were unlikely to miss such a target.
The crossbow unit of over twenty people released their arrows simultaneously, and they flew toward the two orcs.