chapter 8.4

-GGGRRRROOOOAAARRRR!!!

The two-headed ogre's deafening roar echoed through the forest, shaking the branches of towering trees and sending flocks of birds scattering in sheer panic. The sound didn't just ring through the air—it vibrated through the ground beneath them, creating a sensation as if the entire forest was pulsating in fear.

In the distance, the goblins who had been busy hunting suddenly halted their activities. The small, green-skinned creatures glanced at one another, their rough, guttural voices rising in alarm as they spoke in their crude, incomprehensible language. Some of them immediately took up their weapons, gripping their spears tightly while scanning their surroundings for the source of the impending danger.

Alcard didn't waste this opportunity. In a firm, urgent voice, he commanded his group, "Now's our chance! Charge through them—don't fight the goblins! Let the ogre take care of them!"

Although some of the group hesitated, they had no choice but to follow the order. Alcard was the first to spur his horse forward, leading the charge through the goblin ranks at full speed. Their horses galloped wildly, crashing through the panicked goblins, causing utter chaos in their midst. The goblins, caught off guard by the sudden intrusion, leaped aside or swung their weapons wildly in an attempt to strike the fleeing riders.

Some of the goblin spears flew with surprising accuracy, barely missing the Outcasts. One member of the group shouted in fear, "Boss, this is too dangerous!"

"Focus on the objective!" Alcard barked back. "The ogre has to reach them! Don't stop!"

Despite their efforts to push through quickly, the goblins remained a dangerous threat. One of their spears struck an Outcast squarely in the right shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain before toppling off his horse.

His scream rang through the air as his body crashed onto the ground. Before he could even rise, the goblins—no longer in panic—saw their chance. With feral snarls, they swarmed him, their jagged blades and claws tearing into him mercilessly.

One of the Outcasts instinctively pulled on his reins, wanting to turn back and help. But Alcard, seeing the suicidal impulse, shouted with all his strength, his voice cutting through the chaos like a whip crack, "DON'T STOP! WE CAN'T GO BACK! IF YOU STOP, WE ALL DIE!"

Tears of frustration welled in the Outcast's eyes, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself forward. The guilt was evident on his face, but they all knew the truth—going back would mean their deaths as well.

Meanwhile, the thunderous footsteps of the two-headed ogre grew closer. The ground quaked beneath its weight as it barreled toward them. Its twin heads moved independently—one locking onto Alcard's fleeing group, while the other turned to snarl at the goblins that now realized they had a far bigger problem.

One of the more aggressive goblins, driven by either bravery or sheer stupidity, hurled its spear at the ogre's massive foot. The weapon struck but barely pierced its thick, mutated skin. The ogre let out a furious growl, and with one swing of its massive club, it sent the unfortunate goblin flying. The creature's body was crushed instantly, its remains splattered across the clearing. The other goblins instinctively took a step back, terror creeping into their beady yellow eyes.

Alcard saw it happen and immediately recognized the shift. It worked. The ogre was now fully fixated on the goblins, momentarily forgetting about them.

"Good," he muttered, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. "They'll fight each other. That buys us time to escape."

The remaining Outcasts, though still shaken by the loss of their comrades, nodded and followed Alcard without hesitation. At full speed, they galloped past the thickening foliage, leaving behind the battlefield that had now turned into a massacre between the goblins and the enraged two-headed ogre.

The sounds of battle—furious roars, agonized shrieks, and the violent clash of flesh against stone and steel—continued to echo behind them. But Alcard never looked back. He focused only on what lay ahead, ensuring their escape route remained clear.

Only when he was certain they had put enough distance between themselves and the chaos did Alcard finally slow his horse, signaling the others to do the same. They pulled into a concealed area surrounded by dense trees and rock formations, hidden from wandering eyes. Their breaths were still ragged, their bodies still tense, but for the moment, they could afford a brief respite.

Wasting no time, Alcard gave his next orders, his voice unwavering despite the exhaustion visible in his expression. "We're regrouping at our last resting point. Once we're there, we leave for The Wall immediately."

The remaining Outcasts, still shaken by everything that had transpired, merely nodded. There was no need for further discussion. They all wanted nothing more than to escape this cursed land and return to safety.

With heavy hearts and weary bodies, they began their journey back north, leaving behind the darkness of Mount Orcal. They knew they had lost comrades on this mission, but they also knew they had accomplished what they came for.

Now, all that remained was the long road home—and the haunting memories of the battle they had barely survived.

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