Chapter 410 – Massacre

The tides of war are ever-changing. Before a decisive outcome emerges, no one can predict which side the scales of victory will tip toward in the next second—especially in this world where strength reigns supreme. A sudden arrival of a powerful figure, a combatant breaking through mid-battle, or a piece of high-level magic equipment can overturn the war’s balance in an instant.

And now, Ovakain was undoubtedly overturning a war—a war that the goatmen should have won.

After all, there were hardly any combatants left in the goatmen’s ranks. Their only Apprentice-Level leader had perished together with the town’s offering Apprentice-Level ranger. In contrast, Ovakain—though severely wounded—was still a black dragon. Even temporarily deprived of his spellcasting abilities and forced into human form, his essence as a young black dragon granted him strength and speed rivaling that of a Formal-Level warrior.

The result was a one-sided massacre. Before Ovakain’s power, a mere few hundred goatmen were insignificant. Perhaps these tall, barbaric goatmen warriors could easily defeat militiamen three times their number, but when faced with a true powerhouse, the bloody storm of slaughter would chill even the most ferocious goatmen to the bone.

Wielding a blood-soaked Enchanted Dagger, Ovakain effortlessly cleaved every enemy before him in two. While his rampage stirred the blood boiling excitement of onlookers on the city walls, Ovakain himself found no enjoyment in such slaughter.

Watching these goatmen charge forward with bloodshot eyes, fearless of death, Ovakain could only sigh deeply as he swung his blade. These frenzied goatmen reminded the black dragon of the half-dragons that once thrived in the Hoth Mountains.

As the old man in Ovakain’s memories had said, these pitiful races were products of failed bloodline experiments by mages. Their violent nature was manufactured, and the shackles of their bloodline tormented every wanderer’s soul like thorny chains.

Most tragically, Ovakain had once researched methods to suppress bloodline rage, but those experimental results turned to ashes with the destruction of the Hoth Mountains. Now, seeing goatmen after goatmen lunging at him, Ovakain felt an empty ache in his heart.

“Perhaps I’m just being too sentimental,” he thought.

With this reflection, Ovakain’s blade shattered the last surviving goatman.

Though Ovakain was still lost in his inner turmoil, the trembling militiamen on the walls, the Baron staring wide-eyed in disbelief, and even Aisha—who was still clearing a few goatmen that had scaled the walls—were utterly stunned.

The battle—no, the massacre—had lasted only two to three minutes since Ovakain entered the Battlefield. Those once-arrogant, terrifying goatmen had become scattered goat offal littering the battlefield. Dust stirred by immense power billowed around the town, and even from high vantage points, the lingering scent of blood in the air remained unmistakable.”Is this… this the power of a Formal-Level expert? I mean, this strength is truly astonishing.”

The Baron gripped his sword hilt with both hands and swallowed hard. Though he had heard tales of how terrifying the Formal-Level experts serving Count families and city Lords could be, hearing about it paled in comparison to witnessing it firsthand. Only by standing in a “slaughterhouse” created by carnage could one truly comprehend what power represented!

Seeing the Baron’s astonished expression, Aisha shook her head with a light laugh but said nothing. She couldn’t possibly tell the Baron that standing before him was a Master-Level expert, equivalent in rank to the Kingdom’s Protectors. This was merely his combat capability while severely injured, and what’s more, this professional wasn’t even a combat specialist – his fighting style simply relied on overwhelming power and speed to crush his opponents.

“Alright, my dear Baron, we should go down and clear the battlefield now. Also, I think you’d better quickly retrieve some supplies from your private storage – we still have some merchant companions in urgent need of provisions.”

After giving these instructions to the Baron with a smile, Aisha leaped lightly down from the city wall. Although they had agreed this was unpaid rescue work, having spent so much time with merchants, the act of seeking repayment for favors came quite naturally, didn’t it?

Nimbly avoiding the still-twitching severed limbs and flesh fragments on the ground, Aisha ran over to Ovakain with the grace of an elegant kitten.

“Respected expert, I must say you’re truly incredible. These goat-men stood no chance against you at all. And you look quite dashing covered in blood like this – I feel like I’m almost falling for you!”

While joking playfully, Aisha hopped around Ovakain like a cheerful young girl. Those familiar with Desert culture would recognize that the maiden’s steps actually constituted a battle dance meant to guide souls to peace and soothe spirits – typically performed only when girls welcome heroes.

But whether Ovakain recognized that the young woman before him was celebrating with hero-welcoming rituals or not, his expression showed no trace of joy.

“What’s wrong? If it’s about food and water supplies, don’t worry. I discovered this Baron’s storage has considerable reserve provisions. Just allocating a portion would be enough to sustain the merchant caravan until the next city.”

Noticing Ovakain’s increasingly grave expression, Aisha stopped dancing and asked with concern.

“Would the food supplies here be sufficient for this merchant caravan to reach the Royal Capital?”

Somewhat abruptly, Ovakain posed this seemingly random question.

Seeing the completely serious expression on the young man’s face, Aisha suddenly felt an ominous premonition. She quickly lowered her voice and replied cautiously:

“If we hurry to the Royal Capital, supplies would be somewhat tight, but… it’s not impossible. We could discuss changing the itinerary with the head caravan leader. I believe if it’s a request from you, the head leader would certainly agree.”

“Good, then we must depart quickly. No, we need to leave immediately. We must reach your Royal Capital at the fastest possible speed. If we’re late… it will be too late!”With an unquestionable demeanor, Ovakain almost commandingly informed Aisha of his decision.

At this moment, the black dragon who had just finished a battle felt no joy whatsoever, for in his soul perception, a being representing danger, hatred, and destruction was rapidly approaching this direction. The scale of slaughter from his battle was too vast—under the “Master-Level Divination Spell: Death Sense,” such massive bloodshed could not possibly remain concealed.

The black dragon’s best option now would actually be to flee alone into the endless desert. But Ovakain knew the nature of the madman he was facing. If this merchant caravan were caught up with, these merchants who had saved his life would likely not survive. Thus, without much hesitation, Ovakain decided to lead these merchants in rushing nonstop toward the Royal Capital. There, the Master-Level Kingdom Protector of Huaibien Kingdom stood guard—even Punk wouldn’t dare act too recklessly.

As for this small town… even Ovakain could only offer prayers for these townsfolk who had just narrowly escaped the goat-men.

(End of Chapter)