The elves on the ship are probably watching me, but at that distance they shouldn't be able to see much. After all, I don't want the elves thinking I am some sort of blood-thirsty monster. Although, I kind of am becoming one, or at least a battle maniac like Bones.
Then again since the orcs are the enemy, it probably won't bother the elves even if they see me. In fact, they might even applaud me for massacring the orcs like this. Of course, since I already saved them from slavery I probably don't need to worry about it.
No matter what, even if I knew for a fact that it would bother them, I still wouldn't stop. Not only am I having a lot of fun, but I also want to get as much exp out of the orcs as I can. I have been fighting for about twenty minutes or so when I notice some orcs leaving.
At first, it doesn't even register with me, I am used to the orcs showing no fear. After a minute I actually realize that the orcs are running away, my exp is escaping! I force myself out of my current state and start controlling things again.
I don't stop killing the orcs, but I change my direction and cut my way towards the fort. Rather than killing those closest to me, I want to kill those furthest away before they can run. This way I can also cut off the retreat of the remaining orcs so that I can kill them all.
However, as I continue cutting the orcs down, more and more of them attempt to flee. I cut down as many of them as I can reach, but I can't get them all and some get away. Soon after the first ones escape I start smelling smoke, and soon I can see fires in the fort.
It looks like the fleeing orcs are setting things on fire, probably hoping to prevent me from following. That wouldn't work against me, but I am not interested in chasing them. I would much rather stay here with the bigger group of orcs, otherwise I might miss even more.
Letting the majority escape just to chase down the few, that would truly be a mistake. It is a good thing I am not a berserker that would just attack anything that moves. So I ignore the fleeing orcs and continue massacring the large group of orcs.
About the time I have killed half of them, the rest of the orcs suddenly break and run. The orcs scatter in every direction, some of them even run towards the water. I start dashing around at full speed to kill as many as I can before they spread out.
Unfortunately, there are still too many for me to be able to catch all of them. However, that certainly doesn't stop me from trying, but I am unable to. Again, those that manage to run away start fires as they flee and soon the entire fort is burning.
When it was just a few fires I would have still chased them and just counted on my fire resist. Now that the entire place is on fire it is a different story, it's not worth the risk. I could probably still survive the fire, but I have already accomplished both of my main goals.
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The humans are completely wiped out and the elves are safe and sound. Even if a few orcs manage to get away, this plan has worked out very well. I quickly finish off the few remaining orcs that got trapped by the fire before they find a way to escape.
2,711 Orcs defeated! 2,711,000 Exp gained!
'That's what I was looking for! Such nice exp!'
Turning away from the fire I walk back down onto the docks before I fly over to the ship. The few orcs that made it into the water have all drowned and the elves have finished off the humans. They are all standing on the ship's deck watching when I fly over and land.
Brightfire says "That was insane! How are you so strong? Just what are you?!"
"Well, if everyone promises not to freak out I will drop my disguise and show you."
Seeing all the elves nodding with eager looks on their faces I take a few steps backward. This is mainly so that when I grow larger none of the elves feel crowded and freak out. Luckily, I remember to remove the knight's armor first, busting out of it Hulk style would hurt.
Since I don't care about the armor I just toss it on the deck when I am done removing it. Then I end my shapeshift and return to my normal form, the elves all take a step back. I can see looks of shock and fear on their faces, but the fear quickly fades.
Brightfire says "Half human, half cat? I've never seen anything like you before!"
"Not exactly, but that is close enough for now. We should get moving, the orcs may return once the fires die down."
Brightfire says "Can't you just kill them all?"
"Sure I can. The question is whether or not I can protect all of you."
Brightfire says "I see your point. Okay, what should we do?"
"We need to get to shore, preferably to the south of the fort."
Brightfire says "Do you know how to make the ship move?"
"Only in theory, I've never sailed before."
A quick check reveals that none of the elves know anything about ships or sailing. So getting the ship to shore ends up being a long and aggravating process. In fact, by the time we beach the ship the fires at the fort have mostly died down.
We abandon the ship and start moving towards the southern end of the mountains. Going north would be quicker, but I don't want to run into orcs with this many people to protect. I end up being glad that they are elves, humans in this situation would be complaining non-stop.
The elves however just deal with it, even camping out in the wild doesn't upset them. They are very grateful for both my food pouch and endless waterskin. Thanks to those, they only have to worry about walking and finding a place to sleep at night.
Luckily, we don't get attacked at all during the week it takes us to get around the mountains. When we reach the elven village there is much rejoicing, which I just watch from the side. While the rescued slaves are being welcomed back I make my way to Stillwater's home.
As I move through the village I can see signs of things being packed up and readied to move. It looks like Stillwater was able to convince everyone and I won't have to deal with it. Just as I reach Stillwater's home, Brightfire catches up to me and she follows me in.
Stillwater says "Welcome back, Ash! Thank you for rescuing my people! Also, thank you for bringing my daughter back safely!"
"You're welcome! Wait, your daughter?!"
Brightfire says "Hi, dad!"
"Oh! I honestly had no idea!"
Stillwater says "Elves don't normally make a big deal about it, we are very reserved with our emotions. However, Brightfire is the only family I have left. So, thank you!"