NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 105: The Turbulent Northern Province, Clearing Completed
Chapter 105: The Turbulent Northern Province, Clearing Completed
After three months, the Maine Alliance had made significant gains, and the smiles on everyone's faces hadn't faded. However, beneath those smiles, there was an unmistakable trace of worry.
As the lords of the Northern Province, Baron Pape, Baron Valmy, Baron Graton, and the two newly-promoted barons had all sensed that something was amiss in the atmosphere of the entire region.
The orc assaults that typically lasted for a month or two had now been ongoing for four months without any signs of stopping. In fact, the situation was worsening.
If things continued like this, an all-out war was a very real possibility.
Under the night sky, dotted with stars, a familiar system notification sounded.
"Daily Information Updated."
[1: A group of Frenzied Spiders will appear 100 miles west of your location. Their venom is potent enough to poison an entire herd of Boar Beasts. Even Tier 2 magical beasts will be affected.]
[2: In the western part of Autumn Leaf Territory, Lord Raymond has discovered a small copper mine and successfully defeated a tribe of Green Goblins, securing the mine...]
[3: In three days, a group of Tier 2 Kobolds will invade a frontier settlement north of your current position.]
[4: Extreme cold from the Northern Glacier is about to spread across the northern part of Eagle Ridge, causing a sharp drop in temperatures.]
[5: ...]
[8: 300 miles from your location, a group of Tigermen is attacking a frontier settlement. In five hours, the settlement will fall.]
[9: 500 miles west...]
Looking at the information reports, Thor's expression grew serious.
Compared to a few months ago, the number of orcs had clearly increased, and their strength had grown as well. At first, most of the orc tribes were only Tier 1, but now, Tier 2 tribes had become common. In recent days, there were hardly any Tier 1 tribes left.
Furthermore, the pace at which the northern territories were being wiped out was accelerating.
"It's time to leave," Thor muttered to himself, making up his mind.
After three months of clearing, the gains had been substantial. While they could continue to gather more resources, the risks were also increasing.
Despite having daily information reports, one must always prepare for unforeseen circumstances.
The next day, as the sun shone down, Thor called together the five lords of the Maine Alliance.
In the tent, the five of them gathered.
The previous day's clearing of a Tier 2 Kobold tribe had yielded another haul of resources, but the usual joy was missing from their faces.
The turbulent times had left them all uneasy, tempering their excitement over the spoils.
“Gentlemen, it’s time to stop,” Thor said, his voice heavy.
"Indeed, we should leave," Baron Pape nodded after taking a deep breath. "Over 50 frontier settlements have already fallen in the north. Last month, three baronies were wiped out. War seems inevitable."
The others exchanged glances and nodded. No one voiced any objections.
Even though their clearing efforts had been yielding increasing returns, they all knew that, given the current instability, it was best not to push their luck.
"Then it's decided," Thor said, relieved. "In three days, we’ll prepare to return."
He had feared that the lure of wealth might sway them otherwise, but fortunately, none of them were reckless. It was the best possible outcome.
Soon, the Maine Alliance began packing up.
Three days later, they set off towards the Maine Valley.
As the Maine Alliance withdrew from the northern regions, chaos erupted once more.
The orcs continued their assaults, and even the northern defensive lines were beginning to crumble.
Although reinforcements from the kingdom had arrived, the number of orc tribes kept increasing. While there were no Tier 5 orc tribes yet, Tier 4 tribes were becoming more frequent.
The Dragon Knights had already encountered over five Tier 4 orc tribes, and the Flying Eagle Knights had faced two.
Even though Tier 4 orcs were generally weaker than Sky Knights, their overwhelming numbers made up for the difference. Human Sky Knights often had to fight two or even three Tier 4 orcs at a time.
The sheer number of orcs was staggering.
If it weren't for the long fortifications along the northern border, the Tulip Kingdom would have already fallen.
“Duke Karenina, how long until the second wave of reinforcements arrives?”
“We can’t hold out like this!” Marquis Raymond’s face was pale, his breath unsteady, and a large gash marred his chest—a wound inflicted by a Tier 4 orc. As an Earth Knight at his peak, even he was struggling.
He could only hope for the second wave of reinforcements.
The kingdom's typical response to orc assaults followed four phases. The first phase involved the stationed Dragon Knights and Flying Eagle Knights. The second phase saw the kingdom dispatch its own forces along with at least one duke's forces. The third phase brought in the kingdom's three major dukes and most of the royal court’s power. The fourth and final phase was a full national mobilization.
The first batch of reinforcements had already arrived, but they hadn't been able to stabilize the situation. The second batch had been requested.
"One month," Duke Karenina replied, frowning. His own aura was also unsteady, as he was holding off three Tier 4 orcs on his own. Without a sacred relic in his possession, he might not have lasted this long. Even now, the relic's light had dimmed.
“One month, Duke, we…” Marquis Raymond trailed off bitterly.
Duke Karenina remained silent. If the number of orc tribes continued to grow, they wouldn't last even half a month, let alone a full month.
Silence. A deathly silence.
Then, as orcs once again rose into the sky in the distance, the knights of the Tulip Kingdom surged forward to meet them.
The battle erupted once more.