Chapter 100
“There are far too many of them!”
Maxime stood up immediately, and the mercenaries, who had been keeping their wits about them because they knew an orc army was approaching, reacted immediately when they saw Maxime stand up abruptly.
Everyone, whatever they were doing, stopped immediately and approached Maxime, Laura and Moron.
Izo, who had been talking to Mira, suddenly interrupted the discussion, and with a small sign of apology went over to Maxime.
Andrew and Caleb also noticed the movement and glanced at each other solemnly.
For his part, Alden also left Elinor in spite of himself, sensing that the mood had suddenly changed.
The villagers also noticed the movement and began to worry.
Seeing the mercenaries and apprentice knights gathering in front of him, Maxime explained nothing.
“Everyone head for the top of the wooden ramparts built the day before.”
Everyone nodded, and went to the top of the ramparts, and all looked in the same direction, side by side.
The villagers didn’t climb to the top of the ramparts, as the mercenaries blocked their access completely, and simply asked them to take refuge in their homes.
But most didn’t listen, and the children and women ran home in fear, while the men armed themselves with spears made the day before.
There were over 300 armed men, representing a considerable force.
But facing an orc army, they would be very vulnerable, hence Maxime’s order.
The mercenaries’ mission was to protect them, not send them into battle.
“What’s going on, Maxime?”
“You could tell us now, couldn’t you?”
Andrew looked a little disgruntled, as did other mercenaries who didn’t understand the situation.
“The orcs are coming.” replied Maxime simply, his gaze fixed on the nearby forest.
“Yes, we already know they’re coming, but why react this way?”
“Because they’re arriving early and in large numbers – too many, according to those doing the reconnaissance.”
The mercenaries frowned and looked at those on duty that night.
But they shrugged their shoulders, not knowing any better.
Only Moron knew the news, and really knew what awaited them.
“Hey Moron, tell us what you saw.”
The latter was still shivering with fear, so when he noticed he was being questioned, he began to stammer, not knowing what or how to answer.
“Don’t ask him, it’s better if you see it with your own eyes, like me,” Maxime added in a firm tone, and that firm tone meant it was an order.
So no one dared ask any more questions.
A few hours passed and some mercenaries tried to rest on the ramparts, but not a single one managed to sleep.
As dawn broke, a strange silence fell over the surrounding area.
Those who had been trying to sleep jumped to their feet.
Everyone anxiously scanned the nearby forest.
The wind seemed to freeze, as if holding its breath.
Then, the creaking of branches broke the stillness. Massive shadows appeared at the edge of the forest, barely visible in the first light of day.
“They’re coming.”
Maxime signaled the mercenaries to stand by, and a tense calm settled over the village.
The villagers below also felt the tension.
A ferocious roar erupted from the forest ranks of the orcs, shattering the oppressive calm that had settled in.
Then came roar after roar.
Silhouette after silhouette of orcs emerged from the forest.
At first, there were only a dozen orcs, some 2 meters tall.
Then another twenty or so appeared.
Seconds later, Maxime counted over fifty.
By the time they reached the ramparts, there were over 200 of them.
Maxime felt shivers run through his body.
This was an even stronger army than the one they’d dodged in the valley on their way to Lapi.
Maxime could count more than a dozen orcs over 3 meters tall.
At this stage, Maxime could not order his men to charge from the ramparts as he had planned.
What’s more, all the traps he’d prepared the day before were now useless against such an army.
He looked at his men and the apprentice knights.
They were all trembling with fear.
But no one backed down.
Maxime knew he had to make a choice, a very difficult choice.
“Mercenary friends, apprentice knights, it’s been an honor knowing you.”
Everyone looked at him bravely, ready to fight to the death.
It was the only way out for them at this stage to save the villagers.
“Run away.”
Everyone looked at him with wide eyes.
The first orcs would be arriving at the ramparts in less than ten seconds.
“Flee, all of you now!”
Maxime’s roaring voice echoed throughout the village.
“I’ll delay them, take the villagers with you and run as fast as you can!”
Laura, usually so serene, wore a fierce expression as tears welled up in her eyes.
“I’ll stay with you.”
“No, you’re leaving like all the others,” Maxime replied immediately with a firm face.
In the distance, Maxime could see more orcs arriving continuously.
At this point there were over 500 of them.
500 orcs comparable to apprentice knights, including a dozen orcs who could take on knights.
He even noticed an orc over 4 meters tall.
At that size, it would take several senior knights to take him on, or even a grand knight.
Tears began to stream down Laura’s face.
“I’ve finally seen hope in this life, I can’t lose it after finding it in such a short time!”
The mercenaries watched this silent scene, their faces filled with all kinds of emotions.
Everyone knew what kind of relationship their leader and Laura had.
The two were practically glued together all the time, and it was hard not to notice.
Maxime approached Laura very closely.
Their faces were literally glued together.
“I’ll survive, I promise.”
Then Maxime kissed Laura for a long time, before the stunned eyes of the mercenaries and apprentice knights nearby.
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With the orcs running in their direction, it looked like a scene one would only see in a painting, or in a movie in the real world.
Maxime moved slightly away from Laura’s face.
“I love you.”
The tears on Laura’s village continued to flow, she was extremely moved.
It was the first time she’d felt so much happiness in her life.
Maxime had never said those words before in all their years together, although it was obvious to both of them.
But this was also the moment when she felt the most sadness of her life.
For she was about to lose the love of her life.
She knew her man was strong, but even such a genius couldn’t come out alive against such an army.
How unfair was life?
A relatively simple mission for them had turned into a coffin for the love of her life.
At that moment, she couldn’t help but feel an immense hatred for the Count who had sent them here.
As far as she was concerned, if the Count’s men had done their job properly, they wouldn’t be here today.
For his part, Maxime didn’t think he could make it out alive.
He could have run away, but running away to let so many people die, he couldn’t do it.
“I love you too…” Laura murmured in a low voice, her head bowed.
These words were heard only by Maxime, who smiled slightly.
The next moment, however, he put on a very serious face.
“Go now!”
“See to it that these thousands of villagers survive!”
Simultaneously, the first orc collided with the ramparts, shaking the ground beneath the feet of the mercenaries and apprentice knights.