The Indomitable Martial King

Chapter 178

After the destruction of the southern branch in Kaltizan, the ‘Tears of Santara’ maintained a state of vigilance several times higher than usual. They were prepared to respond at any moment should that beast, the Ivory Tusk, appear to snatch the trolls. Therefore, all warriors were equipped with expensive full-body armor, and numerous flame bullets were issued to arm the alchemists.

These flame bullets, which could turn a radius of about ten meters into a sea of fire upon being thrown, were not commonly used despite their power. Only a specialized alchemist could handle them due to their tricky nature. They were so unstable that mishandling them often resulted in self-destruction.

When the flame bullets were first developed, various nations showed interest, but soon abandoned adopting them as official weapons. Since not everyone could use them, there was no reason to insist on them when magic existed.

However, the flame bullets proved effective against the Ivory Tusk. This monstrous troll employed a unique technique that nullified most magic. In contrast, it seemed helpless against the flames of the flame bullets, merely avoiding them.

As the area turned into a sea of fire, the troll glanced around and then suddenly looked up at the sky.

“It’s about time,” it muttered in trollish, which no one understood. Shortly after, the troll turned and started to flee. The warriors and alchemists erupted in cheers.

“Hahaha!”

“The Ivory Tusk is running away!”

“We defeated that beast!”

Lomdran, the head of the western branch, who was directing the battle at the building’s entrance, smiled proudly.

“Hahaha, I am different from an incompetent like Diphl. Not even the Ivory Tusk can mess with my trolls!”

While Lomdran was basking in his triumph, two alchemists suddenly rushed out from inside the building, calling for him.

“Lo-Lomdran!”

“Branch Head!”

Their faces were filled with shock. Lomdran asked, puzzled, “What’s the matter?”

The alchemists, panting, shouted, “The trolls have escaped!”

“Huh? We just repelled the Ivory Tusk!”

“It’s not the Ivory Tusk! Some unknown entities! They stole the trolls while we were distracted by the Ivory Tusk!”

Lomdran, aghast, asked, “What are you talking about? We had forces deployed there as well!”

Due to the Kaltizan branch’s destruction, the alchemists learned that the Ivory Tusk had collaborators. Thus, Lomdran, preparing for any eventuality, had not neglected to guard the rear of the mansion and the basement where the trolls were kept.

However, while dealing with the Ivory Tusk, there had been no commotion on the other side, so he had dismissed it as mere concern…

“We’ve been completely deceived!”

The alchemist shouted in frustration. Romdran, who had been standing dazed, suddenly started running hastily towards the basement.

“This makes no sense… Even if it was an Aura User, there’s no way they could have silently taken out so many troops…”

When he arrived, he saw that the troll pen was truly empty and the moonlight was faintly coming in. Romdran looked up blankly. This was the basement; there was no way moonlight could enter.

As expected… The ceiling was roundly pierced, leading all the way to the ground above.

He murmured, unable to comprehend.

“When? How on earth did they do this?”

* * *

The crescent moon faintly illuminated the night sky.

A blue-skinned troll was leaping across the rooftops, traversing the city of Diallo. After moving for some time, Attila jumped down from the roof into an alley. He took a bracelet from his pocket and put it on, chanting an activation word.

“Illusion.”

Attila’s tusks blurred and disappeared. Hiding his tusks with the magical tool made by Repenhardt, he then covered his entire body with a cloth he had hidden in the corner of the alley beforehand. Perfectly concealing his identity, Attila walked deeper into the alley.

Turning a corner and reaching a secluded spot, he found a strong-looking orc woman and a human youth in his late twenties waiting for him. They were Stalla and Russ.

Stalla smiled at Attila.

“You’ve done well, Attila.”

Nodding his head, Attila asked.

“Thank you for your effort, Stalla. Are my people safe?”

Stalla glanced to the side. About a dozen exhausted trolls were leaning against the wall. While he had caused a commotion in front of the mansion, they had secretly extracted the trolls. Attila sighed in relief.

“It went according to plan.”

Attila began performing a ritual to invigorate the trolls. Meanwhile, Russ, with a gleam in his eye, asked Stalla a question.

“But Stalla, how on earth did you perform that technique earlier?”

“Huh? What do you mean, Karuga Russ?”

“You know, the technique that dug up the ground to the basement.”

It happened when the two of them were heading to the basement where the trolls were being held.

While Russ was knocking out the surrounding guards, Stalla had simply glared at the ground and then suddenly threw a dagger. Then, without even manifesting aura, a part of the ground had sunk in. There hadn’t even been the sound of a collapse.

“How can you produce such power without even manifesting aura? And how do you silence the sound?”

Stalla nodded and pulled a dagger from her chest. She thrust it into the wall and said,

“Oh, this?”

A section of the wall crumbled without light or sound. It was so discreet that even the residents didn’t notice the wall collapsing.

Without a word of explanation, Russ nodded enthusiastically.

“Oh, so that’s how it’s done.”

He drew his longsword and thrust it into the wall. Once again, part of the wall crumbled silently. Truly a genius, he grasped the technique immediately after a single demonstration.

Stalla smiled contentedly.

“You catch on quickly after just one demonstration. It’s charming. That slowpoke Tassid needs to see it at least five or six times.”

“Haha…”

Even being able to mimic it after seeing it five or six times made Tassid a genius in his own right. Feeling a bit guilty for letting his friend be disparaged, Russ scratched his head awkwardly.

‘Anyway, I learned another good thing. Ah, it was definitely worth following Stalla!’

While Russ was grinning to himself, an old dwarf walked into the alley from the other end. It was Makelin, the High Priest of Al Port. He had discreetly set up a divine barrier around the alley to prevent the citizens of Diallo from coming in.

Makelon looked at the two and tilted his head.

“Hmm? Why are you destroying someone else’s wall?”

Stalla and Russ gave wry smiles. Attila bowed his head and spoke.

“You’ve arrived, Makelin. Please heal them.”

“Leave it to me.”

Makelon stood before the trolls and clasped his hands together.

“Oh, Al Port, bless them and heal all their wounds.”

A brilliant silver halo enveloped the trolls, and their complexion began to change remarkably. The trolls opened their eyes, each looking down at their hands with a bewildered expression.

“K-Kital…?”

The astonished trolls jumped up.

“Krelt?”

Amazingly, they were completely healed. It wasn’t just that their wounds were gone; their bodies and minds had returned to their healthiest state, like when they used to run through the forest. Attila was astounded.

‘What incredible power.’

No matter how strong a troll’s regenerative abilities were, the hardships they had endured were no small matter. Thus, even with Attila’s vitality spells or Sillan’s healing techniques, they could barely regain some energy, let alone fully recover.

But Makelin had completely healed them with just one spell. Truly, it was an immense divine power befitting Al Port’s earthly representative.

Makelon gestured with his hand.

“Now, let’s leave this city quickly.”

The trolls all nodded in unison. With their bodies brimming with energy, they felt they could easily scale the human-built walls.

This was precisely why Makelin had come to this place. If the trolls could run on their own two feet, the difficulty of escaping significantly decreased.

Attila watched his revitalized kin and marveled.

‘How could things go so smoothly…’

In the past, he could never rescue his kin so easily.

He had been alone, and human power was strong. No matter how many bases he attacked, he succeeded in rescuing his kin only about once in five attempts. Moreover, it was not easy to help his exhausted kin escape outside the human city.

But with the aid of other races, everything was seamless. He could easily rescue his kin, heal them, and help them escape the city.

‘If this continues, I might be able to save all my kin…’

Makelin noticed Attila standing idly and called out.

“What are you doing, Attila? Aren’t you preparing to leave?”

“Huh? Oh, yes…”

Snapping back to reality, Attila immediately activated his spell, spreading a fog of concealment. The mist rose and spread beyond the alley in all directions. After ensuring their visibility was obscured, Attila looked at his companions and said,

“We’re ready, let’s go!”

In the thick mist, humans, trolls, orcs, and dwarves began to run shoulder to shoulder.

* * *

In the northern part of the Duchy of Lastil, in the city of Kentri.

Like most large cities, Kentri also had a grand coliseum.

The life-and-death battles of orc gladiators were a popular spectacle among the populace, and betting on these matches was widespread. A slave owner with an orc gladiator who was a city champion could earn a fortune just from the betting payouts.

Thus, August could not help but widen his eyes as he looked at the male orc in front of him.

‘This is incredible!’

August was one of the influential figures in the city of Kentri, operating a gladiator training center called Wildbane. Having dealt with orc gladiators for many years, he had developed a keen eye for assessing orcs.

From his perspective, this green-skinned orc possessed a truly perfect physique.

“I’ve seen countless orcs, but I’ve never encountered one with such potential!”

The overall balance of its body, the texture of its muscles, and even its size, were all flawless. It stood a head taller than other orc gladiators.

“To think that such a specimen was merely used as a servant!”

Clicking his tongue inwardly, August looked at the black-haired girl standing next to the orc. Dressed in a worn green dress, she had her hands neatly clasped in front of her, giving off an air of considerable dignity.

She introduced herself as a small farm owner on the outskirts of Kentri City and had come to see August. Due to recent financial difficulties, she needed to sell a few of her orc slaves.

Normally, orc slaves were sold to nearby farms, but since this green orc was strong and frequently fought, she thought he might be useful as a gladiator, hence she sought out August.

The girl asked nervously, “Um, is there a problem?”

August averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

“Hmm, he seems to be in good health. There doesn’t appear to be any issues.”

The girl’s expression brightened.

“Then, how much could I get for him…?”

“The usual price for an orc slave is about five gold coins, but…”

Maintaining a nonchalant expression, August replied indifferently. The girl’s face fell rapidly. It was clear she was not accustomed to such transactions, her honest feelings plainly visible on her face. Seeing her innocent eyes, a sneer almost escaped his lips.

“However, those useful as gladiators are a different matter. I’ll offer you seven gold coins. How does that sound?”

The actual price for an orc gladiator averaged around ten gold coins, but August subtly lowered the price, watching her reaction. Sure enough, she nodded immediately, seemingly unaware of the real value.

“Al-alright!”

“Then let’s proceed with the transaction. Here, sign the contract.”

Handing over the contract, August urged the girl to sign. She wrote the name of the farm on the contract and signed it.

Although it was a farm he had never heard of, August didn’t care. There were countless small farms on the outskirts of Kentri City anyway. What mattered more was quickly securing this green orc.

With the contract in hand, August concluded the deal as the girl took the seven gold coins and carefully tucked them into her bosom. August cheered inwardly.

‘Hahaha! To think I’d get a guy like this.’

If this orc became the champion of Kentri City, the prize money alone would amount to hundreds of gold coins. Buying such a guy for just seven coins? It was an incredibly profitable deal.

The girl caressed the green orc’s arm, murmuring sadly.

“This boy, despite how he looks, is very gentle. He occasionally fought with other orcs, but he listens to me so well. So, please be kind to him.”

August laughed inwardly for a moment. She seemed to think she was complimenting the orc, but a gentle disposition was a negative trait for a gladiator.

The green orc, looking down at the girl with a sad face, spoke.

“Master, I will work harder. Please don’t sell me.”

The girl, with tears welling up, wiped her eyes.

“I’m sorry, live well under your new master. Listen to him.”

The two of them were putting on a melodrama. August shook his head.

‘If a girl like her can manage him alone, he really must have a gentle nature. It seems I’ll have to thoroughly reform his personality.’

Like all gladiator training centers, Wildbane was especially known for its harsh treatment of orcs. After a month here, even an orc as docile as a lamb would be rampaging like a mad bull.

“It was a good deal, Miss Silla.”

“Yes, Mr. August.”