Chapter 177

— Why do they keep attacking us? We don't have horses, and we don't leave our people behind. They're just losing fighters in these attacks.

In some ways, the man was right. The goblins were indeed gaining nothing from their constant assaults. But despite living side by side with these creatures their entire lives, humans still failed to understand them. It wasn't profit or food driving the goblins forward. It was their aggression and hatred toward humans.

The hope of eventually breaking the resistance of their targets and devouring everyone drove them to madness. None of the underground dwellers kept count of their own losses. But it wasn't the time to explain this to the captain. Alexander settled for a single word.

— Non-humans.

— Truly so. It would be best to destroy them all...

The men made a bright symbol.

— Where are the goblins now? — the captain finally asked the question that had brought him to the mage.

— One camp is a league north of us. And there should be one to the south, but it's far, beyond my ability.

Having once indicated the approach of goblins, the knight continued to serve as a warning system. The locals didn't have signaling spells with a broad range, and the captain had developed a sincere respect for Blood, considering him not just a powerful mage but also a creator of new spells.

— Alright, I'll go rest. I need to sleep.

The vampire nodded once more. After a couple of nights of continuous fighting, the expeditionary force quickly shifted to a marching routine, which the Orodian army had also followed last year. Night battles. Half a day of sleep, half a day of movement. Slow and monotonous. Extremely exhausting.

But there was no other option. Fortunately, the goblins also needed rest and did not attack during the day. They could have easily done so. The sky over the passes was covered with thick clouds. Since the start of the expedition, the vampires had not yet needed to use their hoods for protection from the sun.

Leonid was found lying behind the tent, comfortably hiccuping. Beside him lay an almost empty waterskin.

— It'll spoil soon, — he said, following the gaze of his commander and handing over the container of blood.

— Thanks, but I can't fit any more, — the triumvir shuddered at the thought of drinking more blood.

— There's a word "need"!

Taking the waterskin, Alexander poured it into his mouth and emptied it, automatically using magic to clean it of blood and then lay down beside the warlord. A few minutes later, Leonid spoke.

— We won't make it to the destination. We need to turn back tomorrow.

— Vilor won't agree.

— Our squad is too small. The Orodian army could advance due to their numbers and horses. The soldiers rotated in battle, and the goblins divided the fallen animals rather than attacking. We have none of that.

— Don't try to convince me. I understand perfectly well that we have no chance of reaching the third hiding place.

— And everyone's overeaten. The energy is just overflowing.

Alexander turned onto his side.

— That's a solvable problem. Tonight, I'll hit the goblins with "Fire Rain," and then you can take over as needed.

— And we'll pretend that all the spells are yours?

— Naturally.

A large amount of blood provided the necessary energy to cast stronger spells than those normally used by vampires. Of course, it wasn't wise to give the locals additional hopes of a successful expedition so soon, but unfortunately, excess energy had an intoxicating effect. A few dozen perpetually "drunk" vampires were already a problem. A little more, and sanity would give way. Therefore, it was time to offload the excess energy onto the enemy's heads.

— Maybe something simpler than "Fire Rain"?

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