With blood gushing from her neck, the Orc Queen felt her life slipping away. Her remaining right hand reached toward Kumamo Castle.
'How can I fall here? My daughter, my family... I must protect them...' Feeling herself growing weaker, the Orc Queen recalled her young daughter.
But it was all wishful thinking. Unless Takeru and the others intervened, her injuries were already fatal. That she still retained consciousness was only thanks to the orcs' robust vitality...
Seeing the Orc Queen's actions, Takeru could sense her anguish. But they were enemies. Takeru could not extend a helping hand to them. On the contrary, he had to eradicate them root and branch.
"Roar!" Seeing their queen die before them, the orcs behind her let out a mournful cry and charged straight at Takeru and the others, intending to tear them apart.
Unfortunately, it was all wishful thinking on the orcs' part. With a few wind blades released by Takeru, several orcs fell to the ground without resistance.
As for Mio, she didn't even need to take out her Teigu. With a few Shadow Strike spells, all the orcs struck by the immense power suffered fatal wounds and fell dead.
"That just leaves the three over there." Subsequently, Hachiman and Mio looked toward Kumamo Castle.
"If we kill them, this mission should be complete, right?" Mio said hesitantly.
"Hard to say. But no matter what happens, we can handle it." Hearing her words, Takeru said confidently.
Then, Takeru teleported above the castle. Noticing Takeru's arrival, two orcs looked at him warily but did not come out of the castle. They simply watched him vigilantly.
Takeru naturally understood why these orcs did not attack proactively. They were protecting a young orc behind them.
Unlike ordinary orcs, this one had hair, clearly the Orc Queen's daughter and the next generation's queen.
"My apologies." Murmuring softly, Takeru walked straight inside.
Seeing Takeru enter, the two orc guards swung their fists at him. But their massive fists were blocked by an invisible barrier just ten centimeters from Takeru.
Takeru then lightly tapped the two orcs. As if struck by a terrible attack, their bodies trembled and they collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.
Seeing her protectors die, the young orc stared at Takeru in terror, retreating repeatedly. She looked pitiful and helpless. If not for her appearance, it might have made Takeru seem more like the villain.
"In your next life, be a good person." Murmuring softly, Takeru moved his will. An invisible attack caused the young orc to lose consciousness and fall to the ground.
Then, using telekinesis, he brought the three dead orcs to rest beside the Orc Queen's corpse. Takeru paused thoughtfully, then gathered them together. Blazing flames appeared from nowhere, completely consuming them. Their ashes drifted with a gentle breeze out to sea.
"Alright, let's head back." After finishing, Takeru said to Hachiman and Mio.
"Yes." Hearing Takeru's words, the two quickly nodded.
Returning to Yusuke and the others, the group anxiously gathered around.
"The orcs have been dealt with." Looking at the hopeful expressions in everyone's eyes, Takeru said calmly.
"Really?" Hearing Takeru and the others' words, the villagers were astonished. Takeru and the others had only been gone for a little over ten minutes. They didn't expect in that short time, they had eliminated the eleven orcs remaining in Kumamo Castle.
"As expected of Master." As for Yusuke and the others, they had no doubt upon hearing this.
"Whoa, fantastic!" The other villagers quickly accepted this fact. After all, they had witnessed Yusuke and the others' combat prowess. There was no need for suspicion.
Thinking this, the residents of Jiffon Island were moved to tears. Without the threat of the orcs, they could return to their peaceful, contented lives.
All the mercenaries also smiled. Accepting this mission, everyone had come to the island prepared to die.
Unexpectedly, Takeru and the others had also taken on the mercenary task due to special circumstances, giving everyone hope.
And when they saw Hachiman easily defeat Cantil, everyone felt greatly relieved. With such strong individuals, the scales of victory seemed to have tipped in their favor.
Now, hearing the concrete news that all orcs were defeated, everyone was overjoyed.
"There's one more matter." As everyone celebrated, Takeru spoke softly.
"What is it, Hero?" Hearing Takeru's words, everyone grew puzzled.
"Aren't you curious why the orcs acted ahead of schedule?" Hearing their questions, Takeru inquired calmly.
"Ahead of schedule? Could it be..." Hearing Takeru's words, everyone realized.
In the crowd, a man trembled uncontrollably upon hearing Takeru's words. His expression was extremely unnatural.
Earlier, seeking a chance to survive should the attack fail, he had disclosed all intelligence to the orcs. But the orcs had proven so vulnerable against Takeru and the others. Now, he seemed to be in a difficult position.
"What do you have to say, Kyle-san?" Looking at the angry crowd, Takeru calmly gazed at a man among them.
Hearing Takeru speak his name, the man sat down limply, as if his soul had left him. As for denial, he knew it was impossible to shake the villagers' trust in Takeru and the others.
"Damn it, why?!"
"It was you? Why did you betray us?" Hearing Takeru's words and seeing Kyle slumped on the ground, many angrily glared at him. Without Takeru and the others, the orcs' premature action could have caused many casualties.
"Alright, I'll leave the rest to you. It's getting late. We'll rest now." Seeing the furious crowd, Takeru didn't intend to involve himself in these messy affairs. Also, Takeru knew someone was already growing impatient...
The next afternoon, Takeru and the others were warmly hosted by the residents. As everyone held a celebration banquet, the island suddenly shook violently.
"So strong, so strong!" Feeling the violent tremors, Keita could only lie on the ground, panic in his heart.
Although his strength had improved considerably, facing natural disasters like earthquakes, he was utterly powerless to resist.
Not just Keita… Yusuke and the others also crouched or lay down.
Everyone's gaze turned toward the volcano. Massive plumes of smoke and erupting flames now billowed from it.
"I see. The final challenge is the volcanic eruption." Looking at the volcano's condition, Hachiman stated decisively.
Hearing this, Takeru revealed a meaningful expression. This eruption was not natural but influenced by special factors.
"How can this be?" An elderly craftsman, looking at the volcano's state, spoke incredulously.
"Lord Island Spirit..."
"is angry?"
Feeling the tremors beneath their feet, Aoiu and Yana experienced such violent shaking for the first time.
Meanwhile, volcanic bombs flew in all directions, many heading toward Takeru and the others' location.
"Everyone, be careful!" Noticing this, Aoiu shouted loudly.
Snap!
With a snap of Takeru's fingers, an ultra-wide-range barrier rapidly rose. The volcanic bombs bounced off upon contact.
"Hero!" Yana, beside Takeru, noticed his action.
"Yes. Everyone, evacuate toward the port now and board the ships in order. Do not step outside the barrier." Since the celebration was held here, all residents were gathered. With Takeru and the others' protection, no accidents would occur.
"Everyone, move! Do not push!" Seeing everyone still dazed, Aoiu shouted loudly.
"Yes!" Hearing Aoiu's words, the people snapped awake and carefully moved toward the port.