Chapters Chapter 14. Monster Subjugation (2) (1/2)

The troops immediately started talking amongst each other upon hearing the report.

“20 Orcs!”

“We are lacking in numbers!”

“20 of them.”

It was a natural response.

It would have been a different story if Orcs were weak monsters like they were in games or fantasy novels, but in Pangaea, Orcs were strong enough to take on at least four or five a.d.u.l.t males.

And there were 20 of them. 50 soldiers were not enough to fight them.

“Quiet, quiet!”

Commander James also seemed to be taken aback, but he tried to maintain his composure as a commander and worked to calm his troops.

He carefully addressed Kang Chul-In.

“Milord, there are too many Orcs. I think we should retreat and bring more troops.”

“No.”

Kang Chul-In cut James off firmly.

“Are you telling me to turn my back because of a group of Orcs?”

“But-but, milord… with our numbers.”

“I know.”

Kang Chul-In said.

“It would be a stretch. No, it is a stretch. Logically speaking, to take on those Orcs, you would need at least a hundred soldiers.”

“Yes, milord. For your safety as well”

“But that is something an incompetent leader does.”

“As a commander, your judgment is correct. In order to fight those Orcs, you would need to prepare for complete annihilation. A competent commander also knows when to retreat. However!”

Kang Chul-In had no intention of backing down.

“We can win. There is plenty of chances for success. If you can follow my lead, then we can take down all those Orcs without a single casualty.”

“H-how!?”

“I will show you.”

At that moment, with Kang Chul-In at the center, an intangible aura covered James and the troops.

This is enough to take on the Orcs.

The aura that Kang Chul-In created was the skill that all Conquest Lords had: the “Morale Stimulator”. Although he was only Level 1 so the skill’s duration was only 10 minutes, it was enough against the Orcs.

“Everyone, listen!”

Kang Chul-In roared.

“Those monsters over there are trying to take our people and our assets!”

The troops shivered at his charismatic, loud voice.

“I know you are afraid. However, if we retreat here, now, all those people will die. We will also lose all of our farmland and animals. Therefore, I, Kang Chul-In, will not back down. I will kill those Orcs, and I will protect our people as well as our assets!”

Hearing that, the thoughts of retreat disappeared completely from the soldiers’ minds. The saying “Lead by Example” existed for a reason.

“Let’s go! We will defeat those Orcs together!”

Kang Chul-In decided to add an incentive around this point.

“I will reward any soldier who performs exceptionally in killing these Orcs!”

The soldiers became restless upon hearing this.

“If you follow my orders, I promise that no lives will be sacrificed! Trust me! Trust in me and do not doubt our victory!”

And with these words, the faces of the soldiers began to fill with decisiveness.

It was as expected.

They were originally extremely disciplined and eager, so Kang Chul-In’s “Morale Stimulator”, promise of a reward, and assurance of victory were all extremely effective. He had exaggerated, but human history was written on exaggeration.

“I will lead the way!”

Kang Chul-In drew his Blood Sword and roared.

“All troops! Attack!”

With those words, the white horse that Kang Chul-In was riding started running at full speed. Laputa’s Royal Guards, with high morale, followed behind fiercely.

“Oh, my back is going to break like this. Oh, my back.”

Rustler, a farmer who was taking a break from the farming to soothe his aching back, furrowed his brow when he saw a dust storm forming far away.

“What is that?”

Rustler squinted.

With all the dust, it probably was the dust storm that would usually form around this time. When the storm came, he would cough for a while due to the dust covering him, so he was going to leave the work for later and rest in his hut.

“Huh? T-that…!”

Rustler, who had been looking at the dust storm for a while, stuttered in surprise.

No, he wasn’t surprised but horrified.

“Orcs!”

Despair filled his face.

It was understandable.

If it were a goblin or other small monster, he would try to protect himself with his farming tools, but Orcs were a different story. One Orc alone meant destruction amongst the farmers, and they were coming in a group.

“Run!”