Chapter 13: The Orcs' Cry

The Battle Unfolds

Ainz had been traveling alone through the dense jungle when the distant sound of clashing metal and anguished roars reached his ears. Following the noise, he emerged into a wide clearing where the jungle abruptly gave way to a rugged valley. There, a sight of utter chaos stopped him in his tracks: an orc village, carved into rocky slopes and once a place of proud community, was under siege.

High-ranked monsters—towering, mutated creatures with chitinous exoskeletons and venomous spines—descended relentlessly upon the orcs. The attackers came in waves, their savage howls echoing off stone and tree alike. Amid the chaos, orc warriors fought desperately, their battle cries echoing in defiance of the overwhelming odds. Their crude but sturdy homes were ablaze, and blood ran freely along the scarred earth.

A Moment of Choice

Hidden under the shade of an ancient banyan, Ainz watched as an orc chieftain, marked by a deep scar running down his face and wielding a massive axe, rallied his kin. The orcs—fierce, battle-hardened, yet clearly outnumbered—struggled to repel the monstrous horde. In that moment, a surge of compassion and righteous fury stirred within Ainz. He had long concealed his true power, but here injustice was unfolding before his eyes. Without a second thought, he decided to intervene.

Intervening in the Fray

Moving silently between the trees, Ainz reached the outskirts of the battle. The ground was littered with the fallen—orc warriors, smaller creatures, and the shattered remains of huts. He could hear anguished cries and the splintering of wood. With eyes focused and mind alert, he surveyed the battlefield.

A monstrous, venom-spined behemoth—one of the high-ranked attackers—had cornered a young orc near a collapsed hut. The creature lunged with brutal force, its fangs bared, as the orc attempted a feeble defense with a crude spear. In that split second, Ainz stepped forward. Raising his hand, he unleashed a controlled burst of freezing mist. The air shimmered as the creature's momentum halted; its limbs stiffened, leaving it vulnerable to a swift strike from an orc archer who had, inspired by this sudden intervention, landed a precise shot. The beast fell, its malignant energy dissipating into the humid air.

The Orcs Take Notice

The battle's tide began to shift. The sudden appearance of this silent, mysterious ally reinvigorated the beleaguered orcs. The chieftain bellowed,

"Fight on, my brothers! We shall not be forgotten today!"

His voice, both sorrowful and defiant, cut through the clamor of war. The orc warriors rallied, forming a tighter defensive line around the remaining villagers. Other species present in the valley—a small band of lizardfolk and even a pair of reclusive fae—joined the fight, recognizing that their fates were now intertwined.

During a brief lull in the melee, one of the orc archers, his skin streaked with dirt and blood, approached Ainz.

"Stranger," he rasped, lowering his weapon slightly,

"your aid has turned the tide. We have long fought in solitude, but today, we find hope in your strength. Who are you?"

Ainz met the archer's gaze with calm determination.

"I am Ainz. I seek only to help—and to learn why such a monstrous force has descended upon you."

The archer's eyes softened with cautious gratitude.

"Come, then. Our chieftain awaits. Our village elder will tell you more, if you wish to understand our plight."

Within the Heart of the Village

Guided by the archer Grukk, Ainz entered the orc village. The scene was both tragic and moving. Makeshift barricades of stone and wood lay shattered; families huddled near smoldering fires, mourning the loss of their kin. Amidst the devastation, an elderly orc, his skin weathered by time and battle, presided over the survivors. His voice, steady despite the grief, resonated as he addressed the gathered warriors.

"These creatures are unlike any we have ever faced. They come not as our natural foes but as if driven by a dark force—an evil that disrupts the order of our lands."

Ainz listened intently. He knew that behind the monstrous invasion lay a larger mystery.

"I have seen signs of unnatural tampering in dungeons and outbreaks in towns," he said softly. "It appears that someone is meddling with the balance of nature itself."

The elder's eyes narrowed, and though his voice trembled slightly, he replied,

"There have been whispers of a Phantom Order—secretive, powerful. Some say they are behind these disruptions, using forbidden magic to alter the very fabric of our world."

A heavy silence fell. Ainz's mind raced with possibilities. The patterns he had observed on his journey were now fitting into a grim puzzle.

"Then we must unite," the elder continued,

"not just for our survival, but to stand against this darkness that threatens all of us."

A Fierce Alliance Forged in Battle

Inspired by the elder's call, the orc warriors and their allied species began to organize a counterattack. Ainz, now at the forefront of the united defense, led tactical strikes against the remaining monsters. He moved gracefully between combatants, his hidden power manifesting in controlled bursts—freezing mists that slowed enemy advances and elemental flares that incinerated foes with precision.

In the midst of battle, Ainz also tended to the wounded. With a subtle touch, he activated his healing magic, sealing cuts and mending fractures in moments. The battlefield became a canvas of both raw violence and tender compassion as diverse beings fought side by side.

As the final wave of high-ranked monsters was repelled and the invaders began to retreat back into the jungle's dark recesses, the village slowly exhaled a collective sigh of relief. Warriors nursed their wounds, and the sounds of battle gave way to the quiet murmurs of hope and rebuilding.

Reflections in the Aftermath

Later that evening, as the survivors gathered around a great bonfire built from the remnants of their homes, Ainz sat quietly with the village elder and a few trusted warriors. The air was cool, and the flames danced, casting long, flickering shadows over their solemn faces.

The elder spoke in a low, measured tone:

"Today, you have not only saved lives but reminded us that even in our darkest hours, unity can light the way. Yet, I fear this is only the beginning. The Phantom Order may be stirring forces far greater than these monsters."

Ainz's eyes, reflecting the firelight, hardened with resolve.

"I will continue my search. I must uncover the truth behind these attacks and the disruption of the natural order."

The elder nodded slowly.

"Then let this alliance stand as a beacon. We may be different, but together we are stronger than any shadow."

Ainz felt the weight of that promise and, for a brief moment, allowed himself to feel the warmth of camaraderie—a feeling rare and precious after years of isolation.

A New Purpose Emerges

As the night deepened, the celebration gave way to quiet reflection. Ainz stepped away from the bonfire and wandered along a path lit by moonlight. The jungle loomed beyond the valley, its dark canopy hiding untold secrets. With every step, he knew that his journey for truth was just beginning. The invasion of the orc village had revealed another piece of the puzzle, and the name of the Phantom Order echoed in his mind like a challenge.

"I will find them," he vowed silently,

"and I will put an end to this madness."

Though his heart beat with newfound determination, he also felt a pang of sadness for the orcs and all those caught in the crossfire. But in this harsh world, pain and hope were two sides of the same coin.