Lionheart vs. Orcs (3)

The gates are open. The Orc Federation plan to capitalize on the demons' Plan Ragnarok, which aims to summon a foreign entity, has been announced, but the world hasn't suddenly turned on the orcs.

-To be confirmed. The Orc Continental Confederation should accept UN inspectors and publish their findings.

-It could be a fabrication of the Lionheart, who hates orcs.

-A war would disrupt the world economy. The Lionheart Federation should have been more cautious. They could have negotiated a cease-fire even now.

Skeptic, humanist, pacifist, they may be virtues in times of peace, but in times of crisis, they are worthless.

Even when the threat is imminent and the crisis is naked, they hesitate and delay, meeting after meeting, conference after conference, as they begin to quibble over ideology, economics, society, diplomacy, and a million other things.

The other side shouts unconditional opposition, labeling rival parties that advocate war as warmongers.

A media war of words, paid for by corporations that stood to gain economically from exports and imports from China.

-A brawl with orc laborers at a tavern in Berlin has resulted in casualties!

-Cover it up! You mess with orcs at a time like this, and you could get us into a war!

-We just need to do a good job of exporting goods to the continent.

They turned a blind eye to the harmful effects of the ferocious foreign race. They abandoned justice and duty due to various issues.

"Foolish things."

The Lionheart King clicked his tongue at their weakness, but he hadn't expected much from them in the first place.

Elected leaders often put preserving their position above duty and honor.

"What is the situation at the front?"

"The main army, led by Lord Vulcanus is facing 200,000 orcs in Shanhaiguan, and while we have the upper hand thanks to Lord Yappy firepower, they are not without opposition."

The battle on the Shanhaiguan front has been raging for five days now.

Maghar, champion of the orc shaman god Gokrok, and Rigardo, warrior of the beast gods versus Vulcanus, Holy Knight of War and Flame, and Yakt Spinner, Holy Knight of Iron and Blacksmithing, the Battle of Shanhaiguan has shaken the world.

They used pre-modern cavalry and overwhelmingly scientific futuristic weaponry while the Orc Federation even mobilized their nuclear arsenal, but Yappy air defense system intercepted them, and there was also the Korean army supporting the Lionheart Federation.

It was the biggest battlefield of the war.

"The Kikiruk landing force has landed in Shanghai and is holding a bridgehead, though they are outnumbered by the Orc Continental Navy."

As soon as the war began, Chinese coastal cities were subjected to massive attacks by the Holy Law of the Waves.

Han Ha-ri controls the artificial tsunami caused by Yakt Spinner's naval decisive weapon, the Dominator-class submarine aircraft carrier, which fired dozens of nuclear torpedoes into the continental shelf and hit the coast with the waves.

The blow wiped out 70 percent of the Orc Federation navy.

"They may have sided with the orcs unwillingly, but it was a mistake to side with them over the humans. Make sure we don't expend too many resources on the rescue effort."

"Of course."

Lionheart is extremely generous with its fellow human kingdoms.

The fact that they have forgiven the Empire for colluding with the Warlocks with a warning and a preemptive beheading is because their doctrine is ultimately filled with compassion for humans.

Of course, barbarian serf buggers don't count as human beings.

In any case, even for them, an unforgivable cardinal sin is to cooperate with demons or orcs.

Leon has not been generous enough to personally protect the safety of the continental nations that have succumbed to the Orc Federation.

"But the problem is on the other fronts."

"Yes, it's a disastrous situation."

The Orc Continental Federation's fronts are torn apart.

Ever since the Ragnarok Plan was revealed, and it was discovered that the orcs had been trying to capitalize on it, they had been invading from all sides, as if they had been waiting for it.

India, in particular, has been an active participant.

"India is the country with the most orcs after Greater China, and they also lost their Northeast in the coup."

Seeing China torn apart and incorporated into the Orc Federation, India felt a sense of crisis and actively engaged in preventive warfare, claiming the slogan, "For the sake of humanity."

So did some Southeast Asian countries and Russia. Unlike the European Union, which at best accepted the orcs as humanitarian and economic laborers, these countries imported them to crisis levels.

Tolerating the Orc Continental Confederation is the end of a nation's future.

But the Orc Continental Confederation was not to be deterred. They poured troops into every front, and the results were victory, victory, victory, victory.

-The Indian front has been completely decimated.

-How does this make sense when they've absorbed the entire Continental Army, and you have the most Hunters in the world?

- The human hunters under the Orc army are being forcibly driven out, but the Orcs are truly on a different level.

Black-skinned orcs tear through dozens of Class A Hunters, and no amount of Hunters can stop them.

The Russians have mobilized, and while they don't have a small Hunter pool, it's almost a one-sided battle.

-Is it just me or is the U.S. fighting the good fight?

The Black Orcs, who, along with Murka Balak, have torn countless demons from the lair of demons called the Demon Realm.

Five hundred Black Orcs, all Class S.

With these alone, Murka devoured the continent.

Add in 700,000 Orc warriors, protected by the Three Orc Gods, and you have a terrifying Hunter army, averaging A-class.

"Your Majesty, the odds are stacked against us in this war."

Leon nodded honestly at Beatrice's sobering conclusion.

In the past, when the Lionheart was at its peak, it slaughtered hundreds of thousands of orcs every decade or so.

This was possible not only because of the superhuman strength of the Lionheart knights, but also because the orcs were unable to unite as a united force.

"A single warchief is a force to be reckoned with. And a High Khan--that is certainly unusual."

Orc High Khan Murka Balak was certainly a stumbling block.

Due to their ferocity and pride of place, orcs rarely organize themselves into armies.

They're prone to brawls and don't listen to organized orders.

"The Black Orcs serve well as intermediate commanders, because they have the charisma and force to bend the Green Orcs."

And those Black Orcs are loyal to the Orc Champions and the Orc High Khan.

It's when these beasts are organized and collective that they become such a formidable fighting force.

"It's only a matter of time before the other allies fall. As time goes on, the continental nations that are part of our alliance will slowly fall."

Because they follow the weak concept of reciprocity based on profit rather than firm faith and good faith.

That weakness, that willingness to do anything for peace, has even led to the nonsense that we should submit to the orcs.

"The gods have always urged this to rule the world, and even Lord Vulcanus' words have been attributed to his ambition."

But I never thought they would be this foolish and weak.

The foolishness of the unbelieving is hard to comprehend, even for Leon, a native Earthling.

"Beatrice, is 'it' ready?"

Leon asked decisively and Beatrice nodded, the corners of her mouth twitching.

"In exactly three days. The timing is perfect, and Lord Yappy himself has gone out of his way to make sure of it."

"Very well, let's do it right away, for this war, with the weak armies of Earth, won't last long."

And so it was said to all the knights of Lionheart.

* * * * *

"Whoa---! Whoa---!"

[What are you so eager for?]

Koo Dae-sung was uneasy at the Black Dragon's words.

"Well, it can't be helped, no matter how much I think about it, this is completely out of line with my common sense."

Koo Dae-sung had been uneasy ever since he was transferred to this operation.

Like any knight from another planet, what they were about to do was insane to say the least.

"Lord Spinner himself came up with the plan. Nothing is impossible."

"That's more disturbing------"

Koo Dae-sung's heart fluttered even harder when he realized that it was Yappy who had devised the plan.

And it was the same for the other knights.

"Lord Yappy came up with this plan?!"

"Holy shit, I'm getting the hell out of here!"

"Haha, you're fucked------"

"Calm down, everyone. You're not going to die."

Chun So-yeon encouraged her fellow Holy Knights of the Ten Thousand Gods. She had a blind faith in anything that the Holy Knights of the Ten Thousand Gods and Leon did.

-Organics. Any complaints?

"Hic!"

"Grrr!"

Yappy's mechanical voice over the comms brought the Knights to a halt.

-If there are any inferior organics who are dissatisfied with my superior's flawless operation, may they jump out of the ship now.

"Don't you think you've gone too far-----?"

"That's right! How do I get out of here?"

-Loud, organisms named Han Ha-ri and Kim Jae-hyuk.

Shutting them up, Yappy began to explain the plan again, and it sounded simple and dangerous at the same time.

"Isn't it too-- too much of a risk, involving the King and Queen? There's no way around it."

-Enemy Special Entity. It's impossible to deal with them without them. Holy Knight Koo Dae-song is recommended to focus on the task at hand.

"Okay------"

As Koo Dae-sung wondered if he could do it, Karina tapped him on the shoulder.

"Lord Koo Dae-sung has already crushed an Archdemon and faced the Demon Lord, so I don't understand your concern."

"Yes, Your Excellency Karina------"

Koo Dae-sung thought that Karina, who spoke so casually, had no sense of recognition.

Even though she was a Holy Knight, he was a B to C-class hunter until half a year ago. For him, the black gate must be a huge psychological burden.

"What. This kind of battle is commonplace for Holy Knights, and your hammer's former master, Lord Georgic, once faced an ogre tribe by himself."

"That's no consolation at all------"

Annoyed by Koo Dae-sung's reaction, the black dragon bellowed.

[Noisy. I and the dragons have lent you our strength. Be grateful]

-Koo Dae-sung's face turned pale.

[What!?]

The black dragon responds to the sneering Yappy's mechanical voice.

-And all you do is provide transportation and fire support? I can do that myself.

[You?! You think you can compare the majesty of a dragon to your insignificant toy troop carrier!]

As Yappy and the Black Dragon continued to argue, Ha-ri quickly pulled Yappy into a hug.

"Come on, Lord Yappy, that's enough, you can argue later."

-Han Ha-ri, are you fawning over that lizard?

"I'll buy you chicken when I get back!"

-I don't need the inferior food of such an organism.

"I heard you're expanding your franchise! You should do some research!"

"-------"

Yappy stops the audio. After losing to Black Dragon in the Pyongyang mayoral election, Yappy would sometimes argue.

[Don't flounder.]

""------!!""

Leon appears on the screen, and all eyes are on him. Beside him on the screen, Beatrice smiles.

[We're about to go into action, and Lord Spinner has given you a mission. The Holy Knights will lead the charge, but you have an important role to play.]

Leon looked around at them across the screen.

Ties beyond the gate. Loyal knights of the Lionheart Kingdom.

And those he had met here on Earth had been faithful to him, even if they were still lacking.

They have grown strong, and are now honored knights of the gods.

"Our enemies are the beasts whose name is Orc."

"The warrior glory of these beasts has always destroyed human civilization."

"If this seems like too much of a burden, how can anyone here even think of fighting without talking?"

"But you will see. This king is always right, and this king is justice."

Leon declared, arrogantly.

"The opposite of this Lionheart is not another justice. It is only evil. You must not doubt that."

For the justice of mankind, for the survival of mankind.

Leon is intolerant, arrogant, and discriminatory.

But there is no mistaking that it is the way for humanity.

"Glory to the Lionheart! Glory to the lances of our men!"

Kill the beast, for it is our duty.

At the same time──

-Completely combined with the Space Integrated Arms Platform. Peacock-class ready. Operation Extermination begins.

The Yakt Spinner, the last of the final battle machines, has activated its engines.

* * * * *

After the formation of the Orc Continental Federation, they established a base in Wuhan City.

The Orcs are nomadic by nature, often moving from place to place, but when a clan is formed and a warchief becomes the head of a clan, the first thing they do is establish a main base.

The method that does not utilize its unique mobility clearly has its drawbacks, but it is a necessary method for fighting a long-time enemy. 

"Great Chieftain. Finished."

Kran, the Black Orc warlord, reported to Murka what he had been preparing for so long.

"With this, we have the power to go toe-to-toe with the gods of the Pantheon. It was a close call."

"Yes."

Kran tilted his head at Murka's response.

"But the question is, why was it necessary to build them here, when with the power you've gathered, you can barely maneuver within this city?"

Wouldn't those resources be better spent on the war against the Lionheart Federation?

Murka replied.

"Kran, you are inexperienced."

"The only person who would say that to me would be the Great Khan."

But he doesn't deny it. For just as Leon is the oldest warrior in Lionheart, Murka is the oldest warrior among the Orcs.

And the one thing they both had in common was being an undefeated commander.

He knew it instinctively.

"King Lionheart. Do you think that orc-hater, that annihilationist, would miss an opportunity to annihilate the orcs?"

"I don't quite understand."

"This war was never theirs to win in the first place. They are strong, but the humans beneath them are weak."

Murka was referring to the European Union, which is still holding off on entering the war, imposing economic sanctions, seizing foreign assets, and other bullshit.

The world has taken in too many orcs to overcome the short-circuiting crisis of the Gate.

Instead of improving its own constitution and achieving a balanced development, it turned to the orcs.

"It's the same with those who go to war. Fools who get tired of the damage and start to think about retreating. Indecisive, even when the fate of their species depends on winning or losing the war."

Lionheart understands. They know that if they don't drive out the orcs, they will be destroyed.

Isn't that why for thousands, maybe tens of thousands of years, they've been hunting down orcs?

The Holy Knights, the War Knights, and the Warlords have had the authority to wage war, and from time to time they have called their knights together to hunt down orcs, a preventative war to keep them from growing in power.

But the only true Lionhearts here are the few Holy Knights and Templars. They are the only ones who know the horrors of the Orcs.

Therefore, this war cannot last long. Then──

"There is only a short-term battle for this place."

"Indeed------"

If Murka Balak and the Orc Champions are defeated the Orc Federation will be destroyed.

Murka was confident that Leon would use any means necessary to launch a short-term decisive battle against the Orc Federation headquarters. 

"Rigardo ties up the firebrand on the front lines. Bring in Maghar instead."

"You mean ------Maghar? That would push the line back."

"Coming."

"------?"

Kran followed Murka's gaze absentmindedly, and saw.

"A---shadow on the sun?"

A massive asteroid was falling toward Earth, blocking out the sun.