The City Wall was breached.

The Protagonist pondered what action to take.

The Protagonist had already defeated Omar.

He had eliminated the enemy’s commander.

The moment he plunged an Ice Arrow into his entire body-

He felt the surrounding Orcs stir.

They were probably the Warriors under Omar.

The tribe he led had lost its head.

No matter how strong the Orcs were, if the strongest Warrior in the tribe died, they couldn’t help but be shaken.

He also felt the tide of battle turning in their favor in the melee.

Thanks to Amelin.

She had also grown through the previous battles.

Just as the Protagonist grew stronger with each battle, she was also doing her part.

She was also active.

The Orcs who were grazed by the fire arrows burned to death in an unquenchable fire.

The flow of the battle was good.

But this was as far as it went.

It seemed right to retreat.

If Grak hadn’t received divine help, it would have been worth taking a risk.

He almost killed him earlier.

If Omar hadn’t thrown himself to block it, he would have been killed.

If he succeeded once, he can do it twice.

But he is receiving divine help.

His body doesn’t freeze.

Then it was a battle of stamina.

Stamina was what Orcs boasted about.

There was no way to win.

Above all, there was no time for that.

The situation was rapidly developing.

Charlotte swung the sword in her hand.

Grak also swung back.

The strength contest was Grak’s defeat.

Even for an Orc, Charlotte was a Knight who could wield mana.

The difference in strength wasn’t big.

Above all, Grak countered with an axe held in one hand.

It was far from enough to match Charlotte’s full-force two-handed swing.

Grak swayed slightly.

While he regained his posture, Charlotte withdrew her sword and struck.

A concise and swift thrust.

Even in an unstable stance, Grak parried with the axe in his hand.

At the same time, he attempted a counterattack with the axe in his other hand.

Charlotte’s face hardened as she distanced herself, dodging the axe blade.

“You’re strong for your age. It seems you’ve only been on the battlefield for less than ten years.”

“…Move aside.”

“I cannot grant that request.”

Charlotte adjusted her stance.

Although she had only been on the battlefield for about ten years, she had cut down all sorts of monsters during that time.

She had cut down Orcish chieftains in well over ten capital cities.

However, the previous exchange made her realize it wouldn’t be easy.

This Orc is different somehow.

Even she couldn’t tell what was different.

Charlotte turned her head.

“Go first.”

“What about Charlotte?”

“I’ll follow after I deal with this fellow.”

“If we go together…”

“There’s no time. More importantly, we need someone to clear the way. You must take on that role.”

“”

“There’s nothing to worry about with Sir Franz there. Above all…”

Charlotte’s demeanor changed.

It was as if the fur on her entire body was standing on end.

“I have never lost to an Orc.”

Grak was enraged.

It was because a mere human woman uttered words that seemed to completely disregard the brave warriors of the tribe.

“Arrogant.”

“Shut up and fight, you rotten orcs.”

“I am Grak.”

“Your name doesn’t matter.”

However, Charlotte was just as enraged.

The corpses around them were made by orcs.

They were all people who could have lived in peace.

They were people who should have formed families and had children.

But they were trampled.

It wasn’t a one-time thing.

She had seen countless villages trampled by orcs until now.

She had witnessed atrocities many times.

The faces and voices of those who died often echoed in her ears.

She also lost comrades.

All the people she started with died.

It was all the orcs’ fault.

She could not forgive the orcs.

A killing intent, no less than Grak’s fury, flared up.

Rael involuntarily stepped back.

“I will kill all orcs.”

Amelin looked.

“Rael.”

“…Let’s go.”

They broke through. The streets were a mess. Screams could be heard everywhere.

Most of those positioned at the back were reserve soldiers.

These were people prepared for any eventuality.

They were militia who had never even trained, let alone had any skill.

I propped up what was quickly collapsing and broke through with the soldiers.

This was possible thanks to the skilled soldiers on the city wall.

The Golem’s performance was outstanding.

When Orcs appeared, it would rush forward and swing its arms.

Its breakthrough power was comparable to that of a cavalry charge.

It seemed even better at breaking formations.

How long had I been running?

Just as I was gasping for air, I saw my castle’s city gate.

A guard was blocking the open city gate, protecting the archives.

They let people in while fending off the approaching Orcs.

Arrows were raining down from the city wall.

There were also those throwing stones. Each time a large crossbow on the city wall fired, two or three Orcs were impaled and died.

It was fierce.

Lord Rael!

We meet again.

I’m glad you’re safe. What happened to the others?

They’re coming. I arrived first because I cleared the way.

That’s a relief.

The Guard Captain’s breathing was ragged.

Blood was on the blade of the sword in his hand.

Can you help us?

With the Golem?

We must defend the City Gate until all the Soldiers return.

I’ll do it.

I apologize, Mage, for asking this of you when you are tired from battle.

He shook his head.

He still had a lot of stamina left.

All the Protagonist had done was cast Magic from behind.

He hadn’t used that much compared to last time.

It seemed to be because he didn’t have to deal with a Troll.

That creature had strong vitality and was a formidable opponent even for a Golem, so he had to urgently cast spells.

Even then, he only managed to catch it after firing dozens of Ice Arrows.

In contrast, the Chieftains were easy opponents.

He had already killed one of them.

If the Protagonist could take down about three more, they might win.

There were at most three or four Chieftains on the Western Faction City Wall.

Since there were four City Walls, even combined, there were about ten of them.

Every time the Golem swung its arm, four or five Orcs were sent flying.

At the very least, their internal organs ruptured, or they crashed into the Wall and broke every bone in their bodies.

It was like sweeping fallen leaves with a broom.

If they won this battle, the number of Orcs the Golem had defeated alone would likely exceed a hundred.

Sir Rael! That’s enough!

Just a little more!

He saw Charlotte running from afar.

Franz was behind her.

They looked terrible.

They were covered in splattered blood.

It seemed to speak of the intensity of the battle.

Rael!

What about Grak?

Couldn’t kill him.

Charlotte tightened her grip on the sword hilt.

If only more Orcs hadn’t swarmed in, I would have finished him…

Lady Charlotte. Let’s go inside and talk first.

Franz said, panting.

Charlotte nodded and stepped inside.

She looked around. It seemed everyone who was supposed to be in had been let in.

She called in the Golem and the Protagonist also took refuge in her Castle.

Close the City Gate!

Bar! Bring the bar!

Several Soldiers pushed the City Gate shut and put the heavy bar in place.

The City Gate shook slightly.

The City Gate of my Castle was made entirely of metal.

Even if a Troll were to pound on it, it seemed it would hold for a while.

She took a breath.

The atmosphere in my Castle was terrible.

The wounded were brought into any Building and laid down.

It was filled with groans from all over, and cheers could be heard from the City Wall.

My Castle’s City Wall was smaller, making it much easier to defend. If we lead this into a War of Attrition, winning isn’t impossible.

As long as the City Wall wasn’t pushed back by the enemies, it would be fine.

But the Orcs had brave Warriors.

They had to be killed.

“Follow me.”

Charlotte took a step.

“Where are we going?”

“To the Count.”

“The Count?”

“We need to assess the damage. We need to find out how many warriors emerged from the veteran soldier knights.”

“Is that important?”

“If we don’t have the strength to face the Chieftains, this battle is as good as lost. You’d best prepare yourself.”

This meant they would abandon the castle if necessary.

Franz’s face hardened.

“Sir Charlotte. Are you saying we’re going to leave the orcs alone?”

“That’s not what I mean. I simply mean I won’t engage in a battle we can’t win.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“Sir Franz. The situation is urgent. Please voice your concerns after hearing the situation from the Count.”

“…Very well.”

Franz reluctantly fell silent.

The party entered the Lord’s Castle.

There, the employees were gone, and soldiers were bustling about.

The Count was in his office.

Nobles were also present.

Benedict, the Mage, and Viscount Hobbs, as well as other vassals, were visible.

The number was insufficient.

Two people were missing.

“Has everyone who was supposed to come arrived?”

“It seems… so.”

Viscount Hobbs replied.

His voice was not good.

“I don’t see their faces. Could it be that they were killed?”

“No. They are alive. Some soldiers said they saw them.”

“Where did they go?”

“… I think they escaped through a secret passage.”

After Viscount Hobbs’s voice, no other sound was heard.

Silence fell.

The Count’s expression became heavy.

“I see. So those two abandoned me.”

“Count.”

“Those who used to flatter me in front of me dared to abandon me. It’s truly laughable, isn’t it, Viscount?”

“”

The Count breathed heavily.

His bloodshot eyes showed he was under mental strain.

He slowly regained his breath.

People silently watched the Count.

“Count.”

“”

“The situation is not good.”

“I apologize.”

“Not at all.”

“How many have been killed?”

“Intermediate Knight Sir Kunt was killed. In addition, Lord Karon, Lord Sort, Lord Vince…”

Viscount Hobbs continued speaking, holding a parchment.

He listed nearly thirty names.

All of them were Knights of Commander rank.

Just thinking about the cost of raising a single Knight was enough to give one a headache.

Among them, the mid-level Knights were crucial forces, capable of defending an entire city wall.

Even one death was an enormous loss.

The Count waved his hand as if fed up.

“Many have died, haven’t they?”

“It’s natural in war.”

“Do you think we have a chance of winning?”

“I don’t know, but we must fight.”

“Must fight, you say…”

“Even at this moment, soldiers are dying.”

Viscount Hobbs said in a somber tone.

“You must make a decision.”

“A decision…”

The Count closed his eyes. He seemed to be thinking.

“Count, we must flee.”

“That’s right. We can’t lose our lives like this.”

“Indeed.”

The vassals each argued for escape.

Their faces were filled with terror.

It was an unfamiliar emotion.

At least for them.

They had always lived lives of abundance and safety.

They had no castle for death.

The Count’s expression grew increasingly somber.

He slowly rose to his feet.

“My family has a history of three hundred years.”

People looked at the Count.

Some wore expressions of bewilderment at his sudden words.

“Even if a generation is thirty years, that’s ten generations. Though it may not be an old, prestigious family, I am proud to say our history is deeper than most.”

“Count…”

“I cannot let the city, built with the blood and sweat of my ancestors, end in my generation. Even if it means the end of my own life.”

The Count suddenly knelt.

“Please help me.”

“Lord, Count!”

“You must not kneel!”

The Nobles shouted.

Their voices were quite surprised that the Count had knelt.

The protagonist was also surprised.

Although he hadn’t known the Count for a long time, he couldn’t even begin to imagine how much anguish the Count must have gone through to act this way.

“What good is the title of Count when things have come to this? If the castle falls, everyone will be trampled by the Orcs. The men will all be killed by axes, and the women will be raped and humiliated, becoming tools to bear offspring.”

Everyone wore grave expressions.

What the Count was saying was the truth that everyone had been avoiding.

The Nobles who had been talking about fleeing even lowered their heads.

“I earnestly ask you again. Please lend your strength, even for the sake of the innocent people.”

The Nobles remained silent.

Just moments before, they had only been thinking of escaping.

Even so, a few words couldn’t change their minds.

However, the Count’s sincere words were not entirely ineffective.

The fact that they remained silent was proof.

At the very least, the Count seemed impressive for making them hesitate.

He wondered if the Protagonist would have been able to set everything aside and make such a plea.

The more one possessed, the stronger their pride became.

It was not easy to let go.

Judging by the expressions of the Nobles, it seemed they would flee.

They were unwilling to undertake dangerous tasks.

There was no other choice.

The more one possessed, the more cowardly they became.

The Nobles were all cowards.

It was different if there was too much.

The Count was like that.

He held too much in his hands to leave.

If the Nobles left, there would be no chance of victory.

Morale would hit rock bottom.

As he thought that, a Soldier rushed in from outside.

“Lord Count!”

He knelt, gasping for breath.

“A great… a great disaster has occurred!”

“A great disaster?”

“All the secret Passages have collapsed!”