The Last Banner

Chapter 30: THE BATTLE part-5



Hadrian stepped forward, sword in hand, his chest heaving as the stench of blood and burning wood filled the air. Behind him, his men shifted nervously, their exhaustion evident but their resolve unwavering.

"Little human," the orc growled, his yellow eyes narrowing as he hefted his axe. "You think you've won? You think your clever tricks will save you?"

Hadrian raised his sword slightly, his stance relaxed but deliberate. "No tricks," he said coldly. "Just strategy. But you wouldn't understand that."

The orc snarled, his tusks flashing as he took a step forward. "You've got a sharp tongue. Let's see if it's as sharp as my axe."

Hadrian didn't move, holding the orc's gaze as he spoke over his shoulder to his men. "No one fires unless I give the order. Stay ready."

The orc laughed, the sound guttural and mocking. "You want to face me alone? Fine. I'll crush you myself, then take this city piece by piece!"

Hadrian let the corner of his mouth twitch into a faint smirk, his sword lowering just slightly. "Come on, then. Show me."

With a roar, the orc charged, his massive axe raised high. Hadrian didn't flinch, his feet shifting slightly as the creature closed the distance. The ground shook under the orc's weight, the echoes of his steps drowning out the distant sounds of fire and chaos.

As the orc swung his axe in a wide arc, Hadrian darted to the side, the blade missing him by inches as it smashed into the cobblestones. The impact sent shards of stone flying, but Hadrian remained calm, stepping just out of range.

"You'll have to do better than that," Hadrian said, his tone sharp.

The orc growled, turning to face him again. "Stand still, coward!"

Hadrian backed up slowly, leading the orc further into the narrow alley. The bottleneck forced the creature to move awkwardly, his size working against him in the tight space.

"Keep coming," Hadrian said, his voice low enough that only the orc could hear. "Almost there."

The orc swung again, his axe carving through the air with terrifying force. Hadrian ducked beneath it, his movements precise as he sidestepped closer to the building on his left. He glanced up briefly, catching the eye of one of his musketeers positioned on the rooftop.

The signal was subtle—a flick of his wrist, a brief glance—but the musketeer nodded, his musket raised and aimed.

"Now!" Hadrian shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The musketeers fired in unison, the deafening cracks of their weapons echoing through the alley. The orc staggered as bullets tore into his exposed side, his roar of rage turning into a guttural cry of pain.

Another volley followed, the shots finding the gaps in his armor. The massive creature collapsed to his knees, his axe clattering to the ground as blood pooled beneath him.

Hadrian stepped forward cautiously, his sword raised as he approached the fallen commander. The orc glared up at him, his yellow eyes burning with hatred even as his strength faded.

"Tricks..." the orc muttered, his voice barely a growl. "Humans... always tricks."

Hadrian stared down at the creature, his expression cold. "It's called strategy. You should try it sometime."

With one swift motion, Hadrian drove his sword into the orc's chest, ending the creature's life.

System Notifications

The system flared to life in Hadrian's vision:

XP Gained: 500 (Commander Kill)

Level Up! Level 20 → Level 21

New Skill Unlocked: Command Aura – Increases loyalty and fighting effectiveness of nearby allies

Mana stat unlocked

Level one spell Orc Physicality unlocked

The subtle hum of the Command Aura settled around him, a faint but undeniable presence that bolstered his men.

Hadrian turned to his soldiers, his voice sharp. "We're not done yet. Tend to the wounded and regroup. We move soon."

His men straightened, their exhaustion replaced by a renewed sense of purpose.

The fires in the city had begun to die down, leaving the streets cloaked in a heavy haze. Hadrian stood amidst the remnants of the orc attack at the rear wall, his sword still in hand. Around him, his men moved with quiet efficiency, tending to the wounded and gathering supplies. The narrow street, now littered with the bodies of fallen orcs, reeked of blood and smoke.

Hadrian's chest heaved as he stared at the aftermath of the battle. The narrow alley was a testament to their resilience, but it felt hollow. Victory, if it could be called that, was always fleeting in war. He wiped his blade on the tattered cloak of a dead orc and sheathed it with a sharp, metallic click.

"Regroup quickly," Hadrian called out, his voice hoarse but steady. "We need to be ready for whatever comes next."

The quiet was broken by the hurried steps of a scout, his tunic stained with soot and blood. He stumbled as he approached, his face pale with exhaustion and fear.

"Sir—Lord Hadrian," the scout gasped, dropping to one knee as he caught his breath.

Hadrian turned sharply, his eyes narrowing. "Speak. What's happened?"

The scout looked up, his voice trembling. "The keep... it's been breached. Orcs... they've broken through the defenses. The Duke..." He hesitated, his eyes darting to the ground.

"What about the Duke?" Hadrian demanded, his tone sharp as steel. "Speak plainly."

The scout swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. "The orcs are inside. They... they've overrun the inner keep."

Gasps rippled through the gathered soldiers, their faces turning grim. Even the most seasoned among them shifted uneasily, their eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Hadrian's heart sank, but he forced himself to remain composed. The keep... they're at the heart of the city. This isn't just a breach. It's an execution.

Hadrian stepped forward, his voice cutting through the murmur of fear. "Listen to me. The keep isn't just the Duke's seat. It's the heart of Thrace. If we lose it, we lose everything. Every life we've saved, every victory we've won—it will all mean nothing."

He turned to his officers, his tone sharp. "We move now. Take every able-bodied man with us. Musketeers at the rear, spearmen at the front. Any civilian who can lift a weapon joins the defense. If the orcs are in the keep, we're taking it back."

Hadrian led his men through the smoldering streets, their footsteps heavy but purposeful. Civilians peeked out from broken windows and crumbled doorways, their eyes wide with desperation. Some called out prayers, their voices trembling as they clutched makeshift weapons.


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