10,000 Warrior Orc Troop

Upon hearing this, Asher understood this was grave news. "Tell our scouts to return. I don't think we can handle a being that is a century old, priestess or not."

"We can strike an alliance with them, Your Lordship. Our scouts also said they are in a fierce battle with a settlement of abyssal creatures that came from the mountains, and the captive also revealed that abyss worshipers have been trying to kill this priestess for a while now."

"She's a detriment to their plans. With her, the land and mana will slowly be restored, and that will impact negatively on their plans to create an army of abyss creatures."

"Don't you think the pressure will make them vulnerable to our aid?" Kelvin adjusted his spectacles.

Asher wiped his mouth and exhaled.

His eyes revealed deep thoughts.

"We can't lose that olive farm, nor can we lose the opportunity to have a priestess, but there are lots of strings tied to this priestess. I can't decide if both her and that farm are worth exposing ourselves to those abyssal creatures."

"But without a priestess, when your forces eventually meet an abyssal force in the desolatelands, they will fall."

Kelvin pressured. He could sense Asher wanted to play it safe this time. The last battle with abyssal creatures was enough to scare him.

"Which abyssal species are they facing?"

Kelvin was silent for a while.

Seeing his silence, Asher knew it was bigger than he expected.

"Tell me. What are they facing?"

"10,000 warrior orcs and a named chief."

Kelvin looked into Asher's eyes and saw his pupils constrict.

A named chief meant there was a sacred-ranked chief class orc leading the 10,000 warrior orcs! 10,000 normal orcs could face 20,000 human soldiers and slaughter them easily, and he was facing 10,000 orcs built and trained for battle!

"Since that town could survive for this long, that priestess must be stronger than the orc chief."

"Indeed."

Asher exhaled loudly.

"Without the scouts, we would not have realized that such a huge threat was around the corner. We would have counted serious losses if they attacked Nineveh."

"But, Your Lordship, what are we going to do?"

Asher faced him.

"Take the town. We can't fight 10,000 orcs head-on or the losses will be severe, but we can't forfeit that land because of the olives."

"Summon Aquilia. Even if it will take 100,000 gold coins to build a teleportation channel able to move at least 500 soldiers between Ashkelon, Nineveh, and other cities, she should do it."

Kelvin gasped.

"But that would cripple our plans for the upcoming winter. It's just six months away!" He exclaimed.

Asher got to his feet.

"I need the Bladebreakers, Kelvin, and if they should journey through the road, it would take two weeks. That's too long. By the time I'll be back from the imperial city, I want it done, and for that reason, Aquilia won't go with me."

The threat of 10,000 orcs weighed heavily on him. All his progress could be brought down by this fearsome army of creatures born for battle and filled with extreme bloodthirst.

And there was bound to be Abyss worshipers, meaning he should expect fighting mages! Mages who had spent their lives taking lives!

The pressure was too much.

It was bigger than facing a human army because these beings had a force that would weaken his men as the battle progressed.

Asher clenched his fists.

"Summon Katarina. She must have seen something. I want her counsel on this matter."

Kelvin lowered his head and left.

He went to the teleportation channel, and they pinpointed his location for Ashkelon. The pinpoints for cities that weren't locked were also shown.

Swoosh!

In a burst of light, Kelvin vanished and found himself at the bottom of the lord's manor in Ashkelon. The air of the city was different from Nineveh's. It wasn't as grand as Nineveh, nor was it made out of beautiful stones, but it was way bigger and built to accommodate more commoners.

Lifting his head, he gazed at the beautiful manor at the top of the hill.

Right from the bottom of the hill to the gates, which were at the hilltop, were Ashkelon Guards, armed with their swords and shields.

"Sir Kelvin."

They lowered their heads as he ascended.

.....

Boom!

The doors of the meeting hall were swung open, and he found Katarina seated on the seat next to the throne with her fingers entwined.

"He calls for me?"

She said,

"There is an issue." Kelvin responded.

"He wants to inquire about Nimrim, doesn't he?"

"Nimrim? Kelvin raised an eyebrow.

"It's the name of the town, and the temple is called Nimrim Temple. The temple guards serve a fairy called Sapphira."

Kelvin's pupils shook.

"What kind of talent do you have?"

Katarina chuckled at the question. "Let's go meet our Lord. He's troubled."

...…..

Boom!

The doors of the sacred hall were opened by two King Swordsmen, allowing regent Kelvin and counselor Katarina to enter the hall.

They saw Asher seated on his throne, looking straight at them. His expression was solemn, and his eyes were deep and piercing.

"Greetings, Your Lordship."

Katarina lowered her head.

"Did Kelvin tell you the reason I requested your presence?"

Katarina smiled.

"It's because of Nimrim, the olive town."

"Did you have a vision about it?"

"I did. Two nights ago."

Asher exhaled. He leaned forward, staring at her with narrow eyes. "What did you see?"

"You were able to attract the attention of that fairy, Your Lordship."

Asher's expression revealed discontent toward what she said, and Katarina saw it. This was because it seemed like he had to attaract her favor to survive!

"My Lord, that fairy has a gift that makes her a threat to every male, man, or beast. It makes them almost revere her, which is why you must meet her personally."

"Why?"

"Because that gift doesn't affect you. You're different."

"And how am I different?" Asher cocked his head.

"Because she said you have an otherworldly soul. I believe from that vision she meant your soul is a noble one; it stands out of the rest."

Asher froze the moment Katarina said, "Otherworldly soul."

He knew it wasn't anything about a noble soul. Somehow that priestess could guess his soul wasn't from Boundless!

...

END OF VOLUME 2: CLASH OF BARONS!

A/N: Honestly, I do appreciate you guys for following the story right from chapter one up to this point.

It's really been a ride for Asher, me, and probably some of you. Expect the upcoming volume whenever it comes!

3RD AND UPCOMING VOLUME: Into The Depths!!!