The orcs that got into the city were only a few, about 200 or so. With very few in numbers, they were almost able to flank us undetected. We made a blunder of not leaving some people to guard the city.
Only a few adventurers came to the city's defense, but this is enough to push the orcs out. As long as the front lines hold till support comes, we can defend the city.
Taking out the orcs here was easy, not being grouped into more or less than five at a time. They wouldn't be able to use that tactic from the frontlines against me. At the same time, I was testing how to enchant with wind magic, and as expected I need more time to get the hang of it.
When I enchant the iron gladius. Air seems to encircle it, it can be a decent electric fan... I noticed that I can fire off a ranged attack at the enemy, similar to the wind magic ▪Air Cutter▪ which is at regular level.
▪Air Cutter▪ Invisible blades of wind moving at high speed, cuts down unarmored opponents and inflicts blunt force damage to armored enemies.
I also noticed that the gladius felt weightless and my attack speed has increased by threefold, but the downside is it didn't have the cutting power of the fire enchant... and because my speed has increased so drastically, it easily throws me off. I better train with this, when the battle is over.
In order to use enchant, I first have to learn even just the Novice level magic, but I still try to learn up to Apprentice because of the usefulness of spells and when I am unarmed.
I abandoned the idea of learning Regular level magic because they needed to be cast, unlike Novice and Apprentice which is a invoke only or no-cast. You only need to learn them and invoking them is as easy as breathing. Also, the spells at Regular level, eats out a huge chunk of my energy, so I find no use for them.
Currently, I've learned
Fire - Apprentice Level
Wind - Novice Level
We see three orcs huddled together.
"Good, they're in an open area." [Angelica]
"Angelica, you're not planning on..." [Blake]
I smiled at him and raised my hand, with a snap of my fingers an explosion had occurred to where the orcs were. Their body parts scattered everywhere like confetti "Oh baby a triple!" {1} I had used the fire magic ▪Explosion▪ its level is at apprentice.
▪Explosion▪ Makes a targeted area explode, but its range is limited by sight and it had a delay before the explosion depending on the distance. So it's useless when far away or in places like the desert, because of mirages and in the dark where you couldn't see, but this can be offset by using fire magic or a torch as a light source.
▪Explosion▪ is one of my most favorite spells. I've managed to learn it after leaving the village, it was really good timing that a wandering magician went to our village. Its effectiveness lies in how much energy you put into it. Even with little energy, its explosive power is that of a small hand grenade. Plus, very spammable despite being at Apprentice level and if you lower it further, it can be used as a flashbang.
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I don't really have to snap my fingers when using that magic, it's just that, it became a habit. It reminded me of a cool dude from an anime in my old world, whenever he snaps his fingers, explosions would occur. {2}
"Too bad their armor and weapons are destroyed..." [Blake]
"There are a thousand more outside if you want." [Angelica]
"I don't plan on dying anytime soon, thank you." [Blake]
Even with this kind of atmosphere. Blake can still joke around, well at least this is better than being pessimistic.
Orc equipment can be sold for money or refined to get precious materials like iron or steel. But due to their low quality, they are cheap, still... I hear that a few adventurers farm for their equipment. Others use them because they liked the design.
The sound from the explosion has drawn nearby orcs, this can be a good baiting tactic. Let them come to us then.
One by one like moths attracted to candlelight. They came, I should've done this earlier...
Blake and I easily took them out. A few were smart, but they still died. Blake is really good at piercing their defenses.
He can cut at the gaps of their armor with ease. If it were me, I might have broken or dulled my gladius by now. I wish I was as good as him.
Slowly the corpses of orcs begin to pile up into a wall.
Then we saw a few guys from the frontlines.
"Hey, what happened?" [Angelica]
"The line has collapsed, there was an order of retreat."
"How many are left?" [Blake]
"We were unable to count, due to the confusion, during the retreat..."
This is bad... if the orcs weren't stalled at the plains. Then they'd move into the city and I won't be able to use the magic crystal that Jose gave us.
Should we abandon the city? No... there are still too many civilians, a few wouldn't be even able to travel far...
"How many orcs have the frontlines taken out?" [Angelica]
"Almost half of them, the magicians really did their part in the barrage."
"Still at 2000 strong huh." [Angelica]
"Can't we bombard them with magic, while inside the city?" [Blake]
"That would be great, but..."
"But?" [Angelica]
"Three-fourths of the magicians are already killed."
"How?! Weren't they at the far back!" [Angelica]
"The orc king has emerged on the battlefield... he rode a war rhino and charged at us. He trampled knights and adventurers, some of the magicians were unable to outrun him."
It was a good idea to bring Maria all along. She might have been killed in the encounter if we left her there.
"The orc king... If we managed to kill it, will the legion back off?" [Blake]
"They will most likely pillage the city and then return to their homeland. Also killing the orc king is neigh impossible, he solely attacked alone as he charged."
Whatever the outcome is. We still have to kill the rest of the legion...
"How many orcs are packed in a 400-meter area?" [Angelica]
"Almost all of them, why?"
"I have an idea, but first we have to lure them." [Angelica]
"Isn't that even more dangerous?"
"Well, it's better than dying without even trying right?" [Angelica]
"What's the plan..."
There we discussed the strategy to lure the orcs. Using what was left of our fighting force, we started the operation.
References
{1} A video on youtube when a kid killed three people in COD "Call Of Duty" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6PbdJiAK84
{2} Refers to Roy Mustang from FMA "Full Metal Alchemist" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J425TVq-SUs