Chapter 2

"Ragnar, I have something to talk to you about." Korzak spoke during their breakfast.

"What is it?" Ragnar responded.

Korzak pushed away his meal and looked at Ragnar.

"Since... Your coming of age ceremony is next year, I've decided to teach you about everything there is about being a chief. I'll also be reviewing your fighting abilities since it's been a long time since we had our last spar. I'll be the judge of whether you've grown stronger or not"

Ragnar's eyes went wide after hearing that from his father. Afterall, it's been a long time since his father decided to spend time like this. He's been too busy with the tribe's affairs.

"Of course! Then, can we start immediately after breakfast?"

"That was the plan from the start."

After breakfast, they went to the training area and picked up their weapons. They readied their stances and charged towards one another. It's a trait for orcs to charge first into battle.

The surrounding orcs watched their match in awe as they exchanged heavy blows one after the other. Their combat ability and power could be said to be on par with each other. However, the winner is obviously Korzak as he had more battle experience than his son Ragnar.

Ragnar was thrown out of the arena as Korzak towered the fallen Ragnar. Korzak helped Ragnar get back up and told him his wrongdoings.

"You were to focused on my weapon that you forgot I don't need a weapon to be able to land an attack. Next time, focus on your opponent and not their weapon. Otherwise, you would have died."

Their spars continued countless of times until finally, Ragnar managed to land a strike on his father. A blow to Korzak's right hand. However, the fight was still won by Korzak. This time however, Korzak simply praised his son.

"Hah, looks like my son really is a genius like his father. A warrior guaranteed to achieve great things in the future."

With the praise, Ragnar stood up proudly with his chest out. The surrounding orcs that were spectating since the morning all cheered for Ragnar since he was able to land a hit on their chief before his coming of age ceremony even arrived.

. . . . . . .

"Father, have you got everything you needed?"

Ragnar asked as his father wore a pair of shoulder guards. Korzak was equipped with shoulder guards and a gauntlet on his left hand along with a torso armor. The armor was roughed up and it's history can be seen from the scratches on it.

The orcs as of now could not be equipped like they used to. This is one of the proofs of how low they have fallen. This had also led to the stereotypes of the younger generation of orcs to believe that armor is optional in battle as their muscled bodies are stronger.

"Yes, I even got Moraine to enchant my Axe for me."

Korzak held out his battle axe with his left hand. The axe had a sharp edge shaped like a stretched out "C". The axe was filled with battle spirit as red aura coated the edge. It was the battle spirit of Korzak.

Korzak walked away to join the rest of the attack force member which amounted to 72 warriors and 31 archers. Korzak and the rest of the attack force set out on their war in the Kalina Plains.

Ragnar kneeled down before his father was completely gone from sight. This was a sign of respect for those going into battle. The other orcs that stayed behind also followed what Ragnar did as they all kneeled down. Korzak glanced back at the kneeling Ragnar as he smiled faintly.

"LIVE WITH HONOR, DIE WITH GLORY"

Ragnar chanted out a battle cry for his father. The battle cry could be said to shake the ground. The other prcs behind him also shouted the battle cry with all their might.

""LIVE WITH HONOR, DIE WITH GLORY""

Korzak along with the other attack force members raisef their weapons in the air as they shouted a cry as if to say they received their battle spirits.

""GRAAAAAHHHHH!!!""

Moraine could be seen at her house's window sill, sitting while drinking tea smiling at Korzak departing. Her eyes were filled with warmth and along with a sense of longing in her heart. She had accepted the fact that her beloved, Korzak is never to be seen again. However, her heart was weeping and begging for her not to let Korzak go.

From her travelling all over the world, her standards have changed from the normal orc standards. A proper female orc would feel proud that their husband would be the leading force of the war and die with glory. However, Moraine had been influenced by the culture and standards of the humans and elves. She now felt a longing to stay togrther with Korzak until the end of her life.

"And here I thought I wouldn't be sad at all" Moraine muttered under her breath.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

"How's the situation on the Kalina Plains?"

Korzak spoke to the leaders of other Attack forces from other tribes.

"It's not great. The demon forces far exceeded our expectations. The sheer scale of their army are five fold of our own forces."

"I see. Can you estimate their individual abilities?"

"Yes, they have mostly low-tier demons at the front lines and mid-tier demons at the rear. From what the scout's reports, there's also a single high-tier demon as the commander. The demon is a succubus and a mage it seems from how she's equipped with only little armor. "

"Are flying type demons included in the report?"

"Of course, around two dozens of gargoyles could be seen in the sky."

Korzak began pondering of their strategy while the other leaders discuss about the details with each other. The tension in the room became increasing as an argument of army positioning became the issue.

Korzak slammed the table to get everyone's attention on him. The eyes of the leaders all focused on him as he began to speak.

"I have a strategy that'll help us in the war. It'll result drag out the war and a loss of manpower but it's the most successful way I can think of... It's also a cowardly tactic."

Korzak stopped talking halfway through as to be careful of the words he was about to say next. Korzak looked at the leaders and after receiving nods of approval, he began to speak again.

"I suggest we assassinate the enemy commander"