Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 34: Retreat

Chasing and fleeing, the Rampaging Lion Legion, stripped of its former glory, struggled to advance across the vast Naglan grasslands. As long as there were no orcs blocking their path ahead, the cavalry's steeds would gallop southward.

Yet more often than not, the cavalry found themselves veering east, west, or even north, for the route to the southern human kingdom was increasingly obstructed by orcs. What unsettled the cavalry day by day was the growing number of wolf riders among the orcs, who were deliberately herding the Rampaging Lion Legion back, away from the human kingdom!

"Damn those orcs! It seems they want to slaughter us all on the plains!" At night, as the cavalry paused to rest once more, Sergeant Cowell angrily addressed the few remaining riders in his squad.

"Why? We are cavalry! They've already won; why expend so much effort to wipe us out? It seems utterly pointless!" Dahn, sitting on the ground and gnawing on a cold, hard piece of jerky he had taken from a minotaur after a skirmish, questioned in confusion.

"How should I know? Those orcs must be out of their minds! Hmph! If they want to kill us all, they'll have to pay with tenfold their own lives!" The sergeant replied, chewing on similarly poorly cooked rations.

The soldiers were baffled as to why the orcs relentlessly pursued a battered force, expending such effort. However, the legion commander and the senior officers understood the orcs' motives all too well.

"The orcs want to establish their dominance by using our heads as the first offering for the founding of the orc kingdom!" General Matteus, pale-faced, sat on a leather cushion, his tone weary.

Surrounding him, the remaining officers gathered closely, silently awaiting their commander to propose a solution to their predicament.

Indeed! Those orcs wish to annihilate us to ensure that all human nations think twice before underestimating the orc kingdom, before daring to invade their sacred lands... But right now, we are not concerned with that; we only want to know how to avoid the ever-increasing number of orc wolf riders and return to Bylins!

Sensing the officers' unspoken urgency, General Matteus raised his head slightly, determination gleaming in his eyes.

"Do not worry, my friends. Although those orcs are eager to kill us all, they must possess the capability to do so... We are the most elite cavalry of Bylins, and if we do not wish to engage the orcs directly, how could they possibly catch us?"

Upon hearing General Matteus's words, the officers' expressions lightened somewhat. As proud members of the Rampaging Lion Legion, they naturally resonated with the general's sentiments, yet...

"My lord, but our supplies are running low..."

"Impossible! There are plenty of cattle and sheep on the plains!" General Matteus replied with a smile, appearing unconcerned, causing the questioning officer to fall silent.

Seeing the officers' faces break into smiles, General Matteus nodded in satisfaction, but then his expression turned serious.

"Do you know? I am not worried that we will be overwhelmed or exhausted because our soldiers are the finest in Bylins, each one a rare gem. Such a group of exceptional soldiers cannot be defeated merely by the enemy's numerical superiority or lack of supplies!"

"Even if the enemy outnumbers us, they must first trap us to exploit that advantage. However, the Naglan grasslands are vast and open; how could those foolish orcs possibly confine us?"

"We are cavalry; evading the enemy is our innate ability, especially in Naglan, where grass and livestock abound. We need not fret over supplies!"

"My only concern is that we, and our soldiers, lose the courage to win! That we lose the pride inherent in being a cavalryman! As the most elite Rampaging Lion Legion, we can only be defeated by our own cowardice and fear!"

The general's words rang out loud and clear, stern and unyielding, yet to every officer and soldier present, they rekindled their spirits. For in General Matteus's words, they all momentarily forgot the setbacks they had faced and the difficulties they encountered, instead recalling the glory they had always taken pride in!

Excellent! My legion has finally regained its spirit. As long as morale is restored, we can endure on the plains!

Watching the officers and soldiers disperse, beginning to encourage one another, General Matteus displayed a hint of relief. Yet deep within, this commander felt no sense of ease, for he had begun to suspect the true intentions of the newly crowned orc king.

Hanging back at a distance, only to array his forces when we head south, driving us back north-was the orc king using this method to unify the various orc tribes and train his army?

Recalling the orc armies he had encountered, General Matteus's brow furrowed with concern. This brave and wise general had noticed that, as time passed, the orc forces blocking the Rampaging Lion Legion's southward advance were gradually evolving into a more organized and disciplined force!

They could no longer afford to circle aimlessly on the plains; they must relay intelligence about the orcs back to the kingdom. The king must be informed that the orcs on the northern grasslands were no longer a disorganized rabble!

But how could they break through the orc surveillance and return to Bylins amidst the countless orc armies? Those orcs were constantly monitoring their movements!

As the Rampaging Lion Legion set out once more, the commander, mounted on his horse, glanced at the distant shadows of wolf riders lurking in the grass, feeling an overwhelming headache.

Those wolf riders, clearly scouts, seemed to anticipate the Rampaging Lion Legion's every move, always managing to position themselves ahead of the legion, forcing them to retreat.

If only the orcs could not track our movements! If those scouts could not swiftly relay information, I would have confidence in leading my soldiers back to Bylins, or perhaps... Oh, it's raining again!?

Cold raindrops fell from the sky, drenching the cavalry and soaking the now lush grasslands, as well as weighing heavily on General Matteus's heart. When the general looked up at the thickening clouds, a flicker of joy crossed his lips.

Damn it! This cursed place! It either doesn't rain for months or pours incessantly! I'm going to mold away in this downpour! The drenched sergeant voiced his complaints loudly, and upon hearing his disgruntled outburst, the surrounding cavalrymen echoed his sentiments.

If only I were still in Ruthtania! At home, I wouldn't be drenched like a drowned rat, especially not a rat being chased!

Looking up, Dahn gazed at the relentless downpour above, resignedly curling his arm. In his hand, a helmet filled with rainwater was brought to his lips.

The rain began around noon, transforming into a torrential downpour by afternoon. On the unprotected plains, such heavy rain left the cavalry feeling utterly vexed-not only were they soaked to the skin, but they also had to gnaw on their mushy rations.

Yet the rain was not without its advantages; at least two hours ago, Dahn could no longer see the wolf riders who had been tailing them. Those orc scouts had likely lost their target due to the rain obscuring their vision, allowing Dahn and his comrades to finally breathe a sigh of relief, free from the worry of orcs that could summon pursuers at any moment.

This was a rare day without the need to evade orc tracking. As dusk fell, the entire Rampaging Lion Legion felt increasingly at ease. Though water dripped from head to toe, the absence of the constant need to grip their sword hilts provided a small comfort to Dahn and every cavalryman.

Perhaps I won't have to sleep on horseback tonight!? As Dahn contemplated this, night enveloped the grasslands, devoid of moonlight or starlight, shrouded in darkness and cold, and in this environment, the legion came to a halt.