chapter 9.5

Under the night sky still veiled in smoke and the stench of blood, Alcard continued leading the assault with unwavering precision. His body was covered in wounds, his breath labored, but his eyes remained sharp, analyzing every movement of the remaining enemies. He knew that one mistake could cost them everything.

"Target the joints! Cripple it! Don't let it wield its weapon again!" His voice thundered across the battlefield, igniting the determination of the remaining senior Outcasts.

Without hesitation, the veterans executed the order with swift and deadly precision. Several of them wielded long spears, driving them into the two-headed ogre's knees and ankles, forcing it to lose balance. The archers atop The Wall loosed their arrows, aiming for the creature's eyes and heads, disrupting its movement even further. Alcard himself led the frontal assault, targeting the ogre's arm joints, slashing at them with a series of calculated, razor-sharp strikes.

The relentless assault from all directions began to yield results. The massive wooden beam the ogre had been wielding finally slipped from its grasp, crashing onto the ground with a thunderous impact that shook the battlefield. The beast let out an agonized roar, both of its heads shrieking in a mix of fury and despair.

Two veteran Outcasts seized the opportunity, launching a perfectly coordinated attack. One drove a spear deep into the ogre's right shoulder, while the other slashed through the muscles of its left arm, rendering the creature completely powerless.

Its massive body wavered, knees trembling violently before finally collapsing. The sheer force of its fall sent tremors through the battlefield, felt even beneath the Outcasts' feet. Its breathing turned ragged, its glowing red eyes dimming, yet it refused to surrender completely.

Seizing the moment, Alcard bellowed, his voice ringing with unshakable resolve.

"This is it! Attack together! Finish it now!"

Without hesitation, the remaining senior Outcasts unleashed their final strike. Spears and swords rained down upon the ogre's body from all sides. A long spear plunged straight into its throat, sending thick black blood gushing onto the already blood-soaked earth. Blades tore through its stomach and thighs, opening deep, festering wounds.

With the last of his strength, Alcard leaped onto the ogre's shoulder, balancing himself in mere seconds before plunging his sword deep into one of its heads.

The blade pierced through its skull, shattering bone and brain matter in a single devastating blow. The ogre's mouth fell open, as if about to release one final roar that would never be heard.

The two-headed ogre collapsed, its gigantic body crashing onto the ground with a deafening rumble, sending clouds of dust into the air. The earth trembled beneath its weight, and for a moment, the battlefield fell into complete silence.

Panting heavily, Alcard yanked his sword free, its blade now drenched in monster blood. His sharp gaze swept across the battlefield. He knew that even though their leader had fallen, the remaining monsters could still be a threat.

"Eliminate the remaining enemies! Focus on the remaining ogres and goblins!" he commanded, ensuring that his forces would not drop their guard.

Upon hearing the order, the Outcasts rallied with renewed vigor. Those who had once teetered on the edge of despair now fought with relentless ferocity, slashing through the remaining mutated goblins and bringing down the last of the single-headed ogres.

It didn't take long for the remaining monsters to lose their fighting spirit. The surviving goblins scattered back into the darkness of the southern forest, their screeches filled with panic. The few remaining single-headed ogres also retreated in fear, realizing that without their leader, they stood no chance of victory.

Seeing the enemy finally breaking ranks, Alcard raised his hand high, signaling his forces to cease pursuit.

"Enough! Do not chase them any further! Focus on defense and secure this area!" His command was firm.

The Outcasts immediately halted their advance, withdrawing to their defensive positions before The Wall. Victory had been secured, and there was no reason to risk their lives by chasing enemies into the unknown darkness.

The battlefield was now a graveyard of slain monsters. Their blackened blood pooled across the ground like dark rivers beneath the pale glow of the moon, which had finally emerged from behind the clouds, watching silently over the bloodshed that had just transpired.

Standing amidst the fallen, Alcard remained unyielding, his body battered and bruised, yet his sword still in his grasp. His eyes scanned the battlefield, ensuring that the fight was truly over.

Heavy footsteps echoed from the direction of the gate.

Oldman, gripping his sturdy wooden staff, approached Alcard. His face bore the weight of exhaustion, yet there was relief in his eyes. He placed a firm hand on Alcard's shoulder.

"We've won..." he said in a low, weary tone, his voice carrying a bittersweet satisfaction. "At least for tonight."

Alcard gave a slow nod. He didn't need to respond. His eyes spoke volumes. He knew all too well that this was far from over.

The threat from the south would not stop here.

They may have survived tonight, but more battles would come.

With heavy steps, he turned towards The Wall, followed by the remaining Outcasts. Their bodies bore wounds, their clothes torn and bloodied, but they had endured.

They had fought.

And they had won.

But deep within the southern forest, in the untouched abyss beyond the firelight, something far greater might be watching.

And this battle, Alcard knew, was only the beginning of a much larger war.

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