The Monster King's Legacy

Chapter 23 The Ambush II

Once again, the ogre only winced in pain, but didn't make any sound to show that it was hurt. As soon as it tried to move, however, it found the mobility on that leg completely destroyed, collapsing to one knee. Rynne didn't contemplate anything as she lunged forward while his head was down to check the condition of his leg. She finished him with a swift thrust to the chest.

"Keep moving!" she yelled, her voice fierce. "Don't let them pin you down!"

...

Lance watched from his vantage point, his chest tight with frustration. He wanted to be out there, fighting alongside them, but he knew his limitations. He lacked the strength and agility for such battles, and his presence on the battlefield would only slow them down.

Instead of bothering himself with the thought, he focused on the bigger picture, scanning the battlefield for opportunities to tip the odds further in their favor. He spotted an ogre breaking away from the main group, heading toward a cluster of goblins who were setting up another trap to accommodate the changed on the battlefield.

"Zarra!" Lance hissed, pointing toward the lone ogre.

Zarra nodded, seemingly disappearing into the shadows and greens around. Moments later, she reappeared behind the ogre, her dagger flashing in the dim light. With a swift, calculated strike, she severed the tendons in his leg, sending him crashing to the ground. With little to no wasted motion, she wrapped her daggers around his throat, and in one strike, created a deep cut into his neck that gushed out blood.

"Nice work," Lance muttered, though he doubted Zarra could hear him. Once she did that, she stepped back into the bushes and disappeared again.

Kaeli, armed with a massive hammer she had forged herself, joined the fray, her powerful swings sending shockwaves through the air. She aimed for the ogres' weapons, smashing them apart with surprising efficiency.

Mira, though not a fighter, moved between the wounded goblins, her healing magic and concoctions keeping them in the fight. For those she could not reach, there was a dedicated team put in place to move the injured to her.

...

The battle raged on, the forest echoing with the clash of weapons and the roars of the ogres. One by one, the traps were sprung, further whittling down the enemy's numbers and weakening them as time went on. After several minutes of intense fighting, the poison had begun to take effect, and the ogres were becoming weaker, their movements and attacks sluggish, giving the less powerful goblins opportunities to deliver the finishing blows.

With more than half of the ogre forces killed, and the rest either poisoned or worn-down, Rynne faced off against the ogre leader. He towered over her, his scarred face twisted into a snarl as he swung his massive club.

"We've won." Lance said, watching the scene before his eyes, almost in disbelief.

"VICTORY IS OURS!" Rynne called, her voice carrying over the clearing.

The goblins roared, their cries of victory echoing through the trees and savage battleground.

As the adrenaline began to fade from him, Lance climbed down from his perch, his legs trembling with relief.

"You did it," Lia said, approaching him with a rare smile.

"No," Lance replied, his gaze sweeping over the exhausted but victorious goblins. "I barely did anything, you all did this. You deserve this victory."

Though Lia looked with a somber gaze at Lance, she didn't say anymore.

Rynne approached, her spear resting on her shoulder. "Not bad for a bunch of goblins, huh?"

"Not bad at all," Lance said, his smile widening. "I saw you spit a huge pool of blood, go get checked by Mira."

Rynne's grin grew as she puffed out her chest, "that was nothing, a small reaction, nothing mo – bleh..." she coughed a bit of blood again.

"Rynne!" Lia panicked.

Lance smiled lightly as he left to bring Mira, "sureee. I'll call Mira myself."

As the tribe began to regroup, tending to their wounded and repairing their camp, Lance couldn't help but feel a bit of pride. They had faced a powerful enemy and emerged stronger. That alone, was a big achievement.