Chapter 313: [Bonus Chapter]|| Chapter 307: || A Friend's Appearance

The Orcan Lord smelled the scorn in her voice. Nevertheless, he could not help but find it amusing. "I believe it has been years, love."

With a smirk, he added. "How's your brother?"

Malyana felt something inside her snap at the mention of her dear sibling. A raging fire burned inside her, scorching her insides, but she was already familiar with the pain. All she wanted now was revenge. Crimson eyes turned fierce. She stepped forward to gouge out the bastard's eyes and tear off his head from his shoulders.

However, before she could do her desires, a loud rumble tore through the air. It sounded like a beast's cry. And the air shifted.

With a crash, a humungous creature fell from the ceiling. The steps were reduced into rubble, and the dust settled. Malyana, who was covering her face with her arms, lifted her eyes.

Harow, with all his frightful appearance and strength, stood before her in a protective stance. The eyeless creature faced the Orcan master with a gaping mouth large enough to swallow the orc whole. He curled his claws and banged the ground creating violent tremors. The earth shook, and bits of crystals fell from the ceiling, showering the people beneath. It was an act to intimidate; Malyana knew Harow well to realize it.

"Ah, there he is." The Orcan Master scoffed.

Furious, Harow released a deafening roar. It was loud enough to send ears endlessly bleeding. It made the orcs step back in fear, overwhelmed by the power of the massive creature.

The Orcan Lord sensed it. The fear. The smile on his face broke into a frown. Anger boiled inside him, disappointed by the cowardice of his people. Those Spineless, ungrateful fools!

"Harow..." Malyana spoke, staring at the back of the giant.

Jagra staggered faintly. The mist had been forced away by Harow's roar. Now, the situation was both favorable and unfavorable to Jagra and the men. Feeling his strength return, Jagra swept his eyes to the orcs surrounding him and his comrades.

Unfortunately, past the wall of orcs before them, the human servants and slaves have also regained consciousness. Confusion filled their faces before crying out in fear at the sight of the transformed orcs and the giant at the end of the dais's steps. They caught the attention of the remaining orcs, whose eyes screamed of hunger. Screams and cries started to fill the halls as orcs began to pounce on them.

Anxiously, Jagra turned to Hadrian. "My Lord..."

Hadrian nodded to him. "Get them out."

With their Lord's permission, Jagra and the others tore through the sea of orcs, releasing their suppressed mana and painting the floor with the blood of beasts. The orcs were fierce opponents, stronger and faster, even more, when fed with anger and hunger for flesh.

Hadrian glanced at the onslaught and pulled out the sword embedded on the floor. A heavy aura surrounded him as he walked, wearing a fierce expression. Crackles of electricity enveloped his sword. The power emanating from his weapon is violent, itching to be released.

The Orcan Lord sensed it. He tore his gaze away from the Giant and Malyana before locking his eyes on the man, slowly making his way towards the dais. Hadrian met his gaze, and for the first time, Malyana saw the bastard orc falter.

Malyana turned her head, eyeing the man effortlessly, cutting through the wave of orcs as if sweeping the floors of pests. His stride is calm like a cool rain in the middle of a scorching day. However, it seemed like a storm was brewing within the terrifying look in his golden eyes. Raw power ran rampant within his gaze. Fear sprouted inside Malyana's heart.

Sensing a more powerful presence, The Orcan Lord was beyond intimidated. Provoked by the existence of a mighty opponent, he growled and felt his position was threatened.

No one can be more powerful than him! No one is strong enough to defeat him!

He was the king of these orcs and these worthless humans!

They will bend their knee only to him and no one else!

He is the King!

A powerful wave of energy swept throughout the halls. It pushed through fleeing people and the battle taking place before the throne.

A burst of dark-red mist escaped the Orcan Lord's mouth. It coiled around his body and swallowed him until darkness was left. The cloud grew larger and larger until it was twice Harow's size, almost reaching the roof of the halls.

Alarmed, Harow immediately took Malyana in his arms and leaped away from the dais. Even Hadrian paused his steps, eyeing the wall of darkness before him.

Suddenly, the orcs stopped and turned their eyes to their master. The air was brimming with the scent of his power and dominance. It was enough to fuel the morale of the beastmen ten times stronger. There was no more hesitation in their eyes, and their reason had vanished. Now they only live for their leader. They roared with pride, praises for their king.

Unconcerned about the noise surrounding him, Hadrian's eyes were locked on the dark-red cloud. The very sight of it aroused memories of the past. He was more familiar with it than anyone within the area. In his chest, an ominous feeling settles deep inside. His thought then drifted to Moulin.

RRRAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

The ground trembled, breaking apart like the shattering surface of a frozen lake. All of the beings within trembled, caught by the violent tremors the roar brought along with it. It was more powerful, more terrifying. They could feel the shaking inside them as if their insides would be rearranged. When it died down, it was as if most of their energy had dissipated.

In the next instant, the dark-red smoke dispersed, spreading outwards like violent waves crashing the shore. It was cold and bearing a feeling of hopelessness. Or was it just Jagra's imagination. When he looked up, he could not help but feel defeat clapping on his shoulder.

A giant beast rose before them, towering mightily over them like an omnipotent thing. Pitch-black fur, black as night, coated its body. Two massive horns curled, pointed at the heavens. Two others were found at the lower sides of its jaw like an elephant's tusks. Its lion-like appearance didn't bring any sort of familiarity to the people beneath it. It was a monster. What was more terrifying was its triple eyes. A single eye was located at the center of its forehead. Blood-red, cursed, wiggling and rolling as if it has a mind of its own.

The giant beast growled deeply as it lowered its head, staring at the puny lives beneath him.

Indeed, the feast had just begun.

....................................

Feeling the tremors underneath his boots, Moulin paused. Confusion filled his expression as he looked around. The crystals twinkled as dust rained above them. What is happening?

Crack!

"Moulin, look out-"

The youth tipped his head up only to see a giant chunk of the ceiling came falling over his head. His silver eyes flashed, and with a swift move, he avoided the falling debris, watching it crash a couple of meters away from him. the shaking didn't stop. It continued, growing stronger and stronger until Moulin saw the hallway walls cracking.

Then all of a sudden, Emlen and Moulin stopped.

A wave of violent energy swept past them, accompanied by the loud thunderous sound of a beast's roar. Moulin felt his knees become weak, and a significant amount of his energy was drained out. When the energy passed them, Moulin could not help but stagger. His brother was in a similar state as him.

"What was that?" Emlen choked out as he finally regained his balance. However, he still felt weak, and a feeling of hopelessness and loss washed over him.

Moulin shooked his head and then turned to Artus, who was unaffected by the energy wave, standing beside them wearing an expression of disbelief.

"It's my brother..." said Artus.

Moulin stared at him, doubtful. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, he sounded different, but I recognized it. It is him."

That strange energy-sucking roar belonged to the Orcan Lord? Moulin had felt its power, raw and destructive. And somehow... familiar.

"Are we too late?" Artus spoke with clenched fists.

"Even if we are, let's not just stand here and waste more time! Let's go!" said Emlen as he hastened his steps.

Moulin and Artus exchanged looks before following Emlen into the hallways. The torches have gone out, leaving the pathways dark with only a hint of light from the stones embedded on the ceiling. They came across no one as they ran, probably fled. The palace seemed strong, but the cracks in its walls made it look as if it was on the verge of collapsing.

As they turned to a corner, Moulin, who moved beside his brother, abruptly flinched; his steps faltered before it slowed down. Emlen immediately noticed Moulin's change and did not hesitate to pause his actions.

He turned to Moulin, who was hurriedly walked beside him with an uncertain expression. "Moulin, what are you-"

Moulin turned to his head to his right, facing the wall.

Boom!

The wall exploded before him. Dust rose in the air, and rocks flew all over the area. Emlen shouted in horror and ran towards the scene. Artus hurriedly accompanied him.

"Moulin!" Emlen entered the cloud of dust, shouting his little brother's name.

"Here..."

When Emlen turned his head in the direction of the sound, the dust began to settle, and he found his brother lying on rocks. There was a giant white animal on his brother's body.

Moulin's face scrunched up. "Snow! Get off me!"

Almost immediately, the Opallian fox whimpered, blinking its silver eyes before doing what his master wished. When Moulin rose from the rubble, Snow began rubbing his snout on Moulin's chest, feeling hurt and wronged. Moulin rolled his eyes.

Emlen, who stood a few meters away, snapped out of his daze before approaching his brother. He glared at the fox. "How is he here? I thought you left him in the inn?"

"I did," Moulin replied with a sigh patting Snow's head.

Snow licked Moulin's fingers before blinking his eyes and turning his snout to the holed in the wall. Moulin curiously followed his gaze.

A silhouette appeared, panting. The three people immediately raised their guard.

Finally, the person revealed herself under the dim light. "Hah... Hah... Honestly, how fast can this animal go?"

"!!!"

Moulin's eyes widened when his eyes met stunning blue ones.

"Ghana?"