Chapter 11: Now you have to answer too

"The situation is a lot worse than I first imagined." Lizen groaned.

He, Riala and Flores were all peering down on the orc base below. And it was the largest that Lizen had ever seen. Walls made of wood, dozens of watch towers. And finally, hundreds of orcs all over the place.

"Is this not normal?"

"Not at all. This thing's a village not a camp. This has never happened before."

"To think a congregation this large suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Not to mention at the resting place of Miguel."

"But who supplied them with all of this?" Flores questioned.

"I'm not sure. But they're acting more unusual than normal. Look, by the star temple." Lizen pointed out.

When Flores looked over. He saw several orc captains around the entrance. All of them were trying their best to open the door through force, magic, or some other tool they could get their hands on.

"They're trying to get inside. Why?"

"It's Miguel's resting place. Yomiko said he was always unpredictable, so who knows what he put in there."

"That explains Ken'bitch."

"What?"

"I said that explains why there were two orc captains that day. They were planning this from the start."

"That makes a lot of sen- What in the nine circles of hell is that?" Lizen muttered.

"A pretty lengthy swe - what the fuck?"

Flores looked into his spyglass and over to the horror Lizen was looking at. It was like a giant that dwarfed the captains in both size and bulk. It wore a ripped tunic that covered its bottom half. And it's weapon, if you can even call it one. Was just a giant slab of wood with black stones hammered in.

"Riala?"

"I'm not looking anywhere!?" Riala blushed. "I-i mean I've never seen something like that before. It's like it's a… super breed. The bulk of the grunts. The height, and intelligence of the captains. And that toned body. I've never seen anything so muscular before."

Riala continued to stare into the spyglass. Obviously focusing her attention on the muscular orc.

"Deer?"

"Huh! No, I wasn't distracted, you were distracted!" Riala flushed as she skittishly put her telescope away.

"Closet perv." Lizen muttered as he chuckled at his "wife"

"Zenn." Riala grumbled.

"Bickering aside, please. We have a super mutant here, hundreds of grunts. And several captains to deal with. How are we going to approach this?"

"I was hoping you could give some insight Mister Prog UwU."

"Aren't you the grand captain of Ken'bitch. You do something."

"But you're the Morale hero. I say you take command."

"No."

"Yes"

"… rock paper scissors."

/~/

"I hate him so much."

"Everyone settle down!" Flores commanded. The congregation of animals quieted down to a whisper as Flores took command. He swapped to the banner of Foo, and shifted it to his back. With one puff of smoke from his cigarette. He stepped on the provided soapbox and addressed the crowd.

"I am Sylvester Flores. And as of this moment, I am your commander. Now the base we're heading into has a shit ton of this pig wandering about, about 400 to be exact. And since there are only a hundred of us here, that means each of us would have to take out about 4 just to break even. Understood?"

"YES SIR!"

"Great then you're all idiots!" Flores insulted. "A head-on assault like that would only lead to unnecessary death. So we're doing this the American way. A strategy I shall dub, carpet bombing. Riala, Neila. if you would?"

"Okay, Mister." Taking the shadows of everyone in the forest. Neila and Riala weaved them into a 3D diorama of Flores's current strategy. He was sort of a perfectionist after all. So when it came down to it, He tended to over-explain or even do to much to a plan that he didn't see as perfect. That was one of the reasons why he never passed his C.O. training. That, and he would always freeze when he was under major amounts of pressure.

If he was going to take command, Then he would make sure this battle had as few deaths on his half as possible.

"Shiku, Leo, and a group of mages will move out first, and create a pillar of earth outside of the orc's fort. There. The mages will start bombarding the grunts while Riala airdrops the rest of the troops in. While the orcs are in disarray, the Melee squads will attack from behind." Flores explained as the shadows illustrated the battle.

"Now after ten minutes. The melee fighters will fall back to the pillar, and hold out from there. When the orcs rush you. All mages and ranged units will have an easier chance to unleash their load on the attacking pigs… pause." Flores couldn't help but chuckle as a few others did.

"Now that should be it. If somewhere were to get severely hurt during the battle. Do your best to get them to safety. Neila and Isu will be handling the medical tent outside, so find them so you don't die! You two can handle blood right?" Flores whispered.

"I'm fine with it."

"I only drank the blood of my enemies once. Does that count?" Neila asked.

"I'll put you down as a maybe," Flores grumbled. "This is an occasion that we can not let side. Not only did they trample upon the sacred grounds of Miguels resting space. But they also assaulted the new Morale hero, taking his arm. Also, they made Mihare cry."

"Oh no they didn't!"

"WE'LL SLAUGHTER THEM ALL!"

"Calm down. I know the pain you're all feeling. As the newest captain of Ken'bitch, and successor of Miguel. We will drive these pigs out of the forest, and take back what my predecessor left centuries ago. Now, are you with me!"

"YEAH!"

The crowd cheered. Everyone gathered their weapons and started to group up in their respective teams. Lizen gave him a laughing pat on the back and went off with Riala to start their part of the plan.

Flores himself was going to move, but he was stopped by Cadenza who grabbed him with her tail.

"Lord Flores. I get that you're eager and all to fight, but don't forget that you broke your chain mail yesterday." Cadenza reprimanded.

"I know I'm sorry. Can't I just get another?"

"No. It seems that chain mail isn't doing you justice. I have a new toy you can test out." Summoning a curtain for nowhere, Cadenza shoved him inside and tore off his clothes with her tail.

Coming out seconds later. Flores was astonished at the quick-changing capabilities of the Kitsune. That, and Flores now had a set of armor to call his own.

His original clothes were back and better than ever. They painted dyed black with the camo being gray. Over it were various pieces of black-painted armor. A chest plate with gloves, bracers, and a pauldron with flaps that would protect his weak frail arms.

"Woah. This feels-"

"Awesome I know. I had to stop myself from using materials you're too under-leveled for, so we'll continue to upgrade as time goes on. As of now. It's made of Sterrite and Durrite, forged and modeled to give you protection along with a good range of movement. Of course, I had to leave some parts exposed to achieve that. But none of them are your vitals. The exposed parts however are magical clothing that I synthesized from your hair-"

"You did what?"

"Shut up, please. Now the magical clothing from your hair will still offer plenty of defense. It may not provide as much defense as the armor. But it's still enough to protect you from any stray attacks that may accidentally or purposefully target those areas. It can also repair itself if damaged, so just flow some magic into there if your clothes ever get ripped."

"Good to know. I look awesome."

"I chose the color to compliment your hair and eyes. The women would have a hard time resisting you." Cadenza laughed. "Now for you Isu. I hope this helps you out just nicely." Cadenza handed Isu a new and improved chair. The rust stains and dents were gone. A new coat of white paint was applied. And it gave off an aura of life force that took Flores aback.

Once Isu grabbed it. She glowed a soft light as her orange hairs started to shed, with the dirt stains on her clothes falling of as well. By the end, she looked way cleaner and more powerful than before.

"It was quite difficult. Otherworldly crafting isn't my area of expertise. But alas, I figured it out." Cadenza grinned. "I made a mold last knight, and when you weren't looking. I melted you down and had Neila catch your soul before you passed on.

"YOU DID WHAT!?" Isu panicked.

"Wait… doesn't that mean she died?"

"Yes. I just remade her with a similar mold to the old one. I then added some metals, and materials from the twin inu, and then added some life force. Creating her new and improved chair."

Cadenza smugly grinned. Flores meanwhile, couldn't help but notice the chair looking exactly the same as before. Minus the new paint job."

"You're pretty amazing Cadenza."

"Exactly. Till the day I die. I will never allow the Morale hero to wear shoddy equipment."

"Aren't you like… five hun-" Flores was punched on the head, knocking him to the ground.

"Don't even think about it."

"Agh. S-sorry."

/~/

"Everyone checks in." Flores ordered. At the moment. He was currently peering through a cosmetic mirror called a Scribe Reflector. It was a special piece of tech made in Fallum, and it allowed short to mid range communication to those in it's range. Lizen was planning on giving this to him as a welcoming gift. But it got pushed back when the orc ambush happened.

"Mages are ready Flores," Leo responded on the other top half of the mirror. Flores then got another signal from the medical team, stating that they were ready too.

"Good. Mages, you're clear to move forward."

"Yes sir." Leo saluted. With that, Flores closed the mirror and stared down at the ground below. Unfortunately. The 7 captains decided to stop their attempts at the star temples door. Spreading out throughout the base, along with the many of the orcs not being bunched together. Flores was forced to make some last minute adjustments to his plan.

"So. First big battle. Ya nervous?"

"Not really. Sort of just another Tuesday to me." Flores tossed his cigarette out of the train. "It's about time we nuke these guys off the map."

"The hells a nuke?"

"An explosion that can level a city and leave it uninhabitable for decades."

"Woah. You're world made that?"

"That among other things. Mind doing the honors?"

"Oh definitely. Let's double it Ala!"

"On it Zen!" Riala floored it, driving her train off the cliff it was posted on.

"[Spirit Tracks!]"

As it fell towards the ground. A set of translucent tracks appeared under the wheels. Setting a path towards the sky above the base.

"We have parachutes right?"

"Yes. In the box over there." Lizen then suddenly kicked Flores out of the train.

"Oh you mother fu-"

"But that's no fun." Lizen jumped out of the train, drawing his bow mid-air.

"Lightning of the end, condense and expand. Scorch the world and spread through the land. A simple arrow is all I need. Empowered by lightning, to make my enemy bleed." Lizen drew his bow back. "[Multi Shot], [Solar Arrow.] [Planet Lightning Arrow!]"

Lizen released 4 arrows in arrows in the air before shooting one towards the ground.

"So. How's the fall!?"

"You're a bitch and you should know that!"

"Well obviously. Isn't stopping me though!" Lizen laugh. "Spirit of Lightning come down fast. Teleport us before we get thrashed!"

A bolt of lightning crashed into them, teleporting them to the area it would strike seconds later.

"What was tha-?" One of the captains questioned before being blown up by pillar of lightning.

"[Attack Order!]" As he deployed his attack order. several orcs rushed them, only for them and several others to get blown up by 4 pillars of light.

Level Up: 42 → 43

"There's only a hundred of them. Think you can take 50?"

"I should be asking you that." Lizen laughed.

"I'll take it as a yes then. [Blazing Flourish!], [Boomerang Flag!]" Twirling his flag. It set itself ablaze as Flores threw it. The burning flag decapitated several of the orcs as it made its first rotation. Instead of catching it however, Flores purposely sidestepped it. This made the flag orbit around him as it looped back around and back into his hand. A few of the orcs fell for this trick and got cut in half.

One of the pigs however got through his orbit and swung its axe. Lizen however came in and landed on Flores head. As the hero's body was forced down. Lizen vaulted off of Flores's head. Dodging the axe, and giving him a perfect lineup to to hit 3 orcs with one shot.

"[Beginners Flourish!]" Getting back up quickly. Flores activated his skill and cut the neck of the orc that tried to hit him. "Can you not pole vault off of me."

Flores blocked three attacking orcs and summoned an Erst banner. Impaling the one attacking him from behind. Flores used [Change Banner!], Making the flag orbit himself once again. The orcs that he was blocking retreated back as the flag came around. But Flores was already on the move and stabbed it through the head. When the other two lifted their axes. Both of their heads were pierced by two arrows.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you wanted to be decapitated. Duck by the way." Flores ducked as commanded to. Hearing some Rhymes from Lizen. He witnessed a wave of electricity pass over the surrounding orcs, paralyzing them.

"[Drum Roll!]" Flores bangs his drum and hit one of the frozen orcs, blasting it backward. Flores continued his drum solo, killing over 13 of them before the Paralysis ended.

"There's words you know. A watch out! Or duck can suffice. Worked a few seconds ago didn't it."

"[Blazing Flourish!]" Twirling his blade. Flores ran forward and attacked each orc as he passed by. At the end of the run. He turned around and tossed his flag over to Lizen.

[Wild Winds: Explosive Finish!]"

As the flag cut through the grunts and made it to the archer. Lizen slid his hand over the flag, stripping off its fire. Swinging the flame around. It cut through many of the grunts across the battlefield with a fiery wave.

"You should know me well enough by this point. I'm a man of action, not words." Lizen extinguished the flame in his hands as he put away his bow.

The orcs that survived decided to not take any chances and ran away as the two bickered like idiots. Unfortunately for them, a train and a pillar of stone were blocking their only way out."

"That would explain your marital issues right now."

"What was that!?"

"I said... Watch it!" Flores moved in front of Lizen, slashing through a fireball with his flag. Looking at the source. Flores found all the remaining captains approaching them, weapons in hand.

"There they are. I'll take 1, you take the other 4

"Why do I get the majority? That's is not definitely not equal."

Lizen didn't move as a weakened grunt mustered all its strength and swung its axe at his head. When it hit, however. There was only the sound of a clang and the shattering of the poor grunt weapon before it was grabbed.

"There's 5 of them. We can't divide them equally."

"Then give me the two you take the three."

"You're the stronger one. You take the three!"

"That's an unfair judgment. You're stronger than them too." Lizen twisted the neck of the orc, killing it instantly.

"Beggars can't be chosen."

"[Beginners Flourish!]." Making the first move. Flores enhanced his skill with his Ki and slammed his flag down on an orc captain's spear.

The captain blocked the strike. But Flores could feel the strain that his attack created. Leaping backward before it could retaliate. Flores stared down the two orcs as smugly grinned.

"Hey. One of your friends took my arm. If it's okay, I'll be taking compensation for that." Flores went to attack, but a second captain moved in and blocked for his friend.

"Twinkle Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, so drop some light from the sky! [Planet Light Beam!]" Abusing the power of nursery rhymes once again. Flores conjured a beam of light that crashed into the extra captain.

Disengaging from the block he had. Flores muttered as he thrust his spear forward. When the captain dodged, however, he was suddenly hit by a beam from Flore's other hand. As he crashed to the ground, Flores used an Erst Banner To Pin his arm to the floor. Turning around to deal with the other, he barely had time to block as a ball of flame came straight at him.

The flames sent him back a bit, but he recovered quickly to dodge a thrust from the caster. As they quickly exchanged blows. Flores leapt on the captain's spear and forced it to the ground with his foot so he couldn't swing it. Before it got a chance to pull it back, its neck started to bleed as a slash from Flores came shortly afterward. The captain started to back up, covering it's with it's hands. But Flores walked forward and stabbed him in the chest before it had time to do anything.

"A thousand to one and a million to two. We're going down in flames, and I'm taking yaa-" Flores stepped on the orc's throat, preventing it from talking.

"You know. a muzzle could beat a caster. Light of sky, if you're so kind. Send a beam and destroy this guy." Flores brought his hand down. But nothing happened.

"...huh?"

"Kind and Guy don't even rhyme. It's not even a near rhyme! You're better off saying."

"Alright, geez. I'm still getting a hand of rhyming."

"If you wanted to be menacing. Then "save me some time" would have sufficed."

"Man, what are you a walking dictionary?"

"Yes!"

"Fuck off." Flores scoffed as he fixed up his rhyme.

"M-mercy."

"No. [Star Holy Ray.]" Flores brought his hand down. Calling down a beam of light that incinerated the orc captain. "Alright time to assist Liz-"

Flores turned around and scoffed at the scene. Lizen was there, holding an orc up by its face while he stepped on the other.

"Lightning of heaven, smite this devon."

"I'm a Sinclair, so miss me by a hair."

"[Star lightning!]"

"[Collapsing Star Lightning!]"

The orc called upon a bolt of lightning and sent it at Lizen. The archer however held out his hand and sent out a beam that destroyed the orcs lightning bolt.

"Lightning change and expand your range. Descend downward and end this exchange."

As the lightning flew through the sky, it shifted its path downward and struck the captain. Obliterating it on the spot.

"See. Facing two at once wasn't that hard."

"But if you can fight three at once. Why not take all 4 then."

"Cuz… One second." Lizen threw the beaten orc on the ground along with it's other comrades. Pulling out a disc. Lizen tossed it in the air.

Once it fell. It generated a burst of lightning that enveloped the other captains.

"As I was saying. This wouldn't be much of a learning experience if I killed everything. To be honest, I probably could have done this by myself. But we need able-bodied men for the waves you know."

"I was wondering why you didn't immediately blow up this place from the start. Is that also why Riala isn't gunning everything down from the air?"

"Yep!"

"Despite me telling her to do so?"

"Yep!"

"And when were you planning on telling me this?"

"When I lost the rock paper scissors match. Which I didn't." Lizen maniacally laughed.

"... You're a bitch?"

"wha?"

"In the derogatory term."

"Oh fuck you!" Lizen laughed.

"Anyways take a breather. You probably used all your sp back there?" Lizen tossed Flores an apple as he sat on the ground.

"You don't wanna go help them? They are fighting the main force plus the ones that ran from us."

"They should be fine. Besides. We have a much bigger task to accomplish.

"We're fighting it ourselves?"

"I was gonna let you do it solo."

"I'm not doing solo."

"Fine. One arrow."

"Two."

"You're getting one."

"Alright fine. Let's finish this already, I need a much-needed nap."

"I can second that. Haven't felt this tired since Neila was born."

"Speaking of Neila. Why did you insist on her staying by the medical tent?"

"I'm still not comfortable with her fighting in large battles. Like, what if I lose track of her and she gets swarmed? I can't let that happen to my baby!" Lizen exclaimed.

"...Overprotective much? The kid can give a manticore several organ failures in a punch."

"My parental instincts are nev- what's going on?"

"Flores and Lizen looked around. The dead orcs suddenly started to melt and turned into puddles of red flesh. When puddles connected with each other, they started to merge, and sprout more limbs and arms.

"Lizen… In the name of fucking Jaweh, what the Hell is that!"

"Flores. I've traveled across several worlds. And I've seen some stuff. This has to be the most horrifying and fucked up shit that I've ever seen."

"I'm assuming this is no longer a teaching moment?"

"I don't know what these…mutants are. So yes. Stay on guard, don't stray to far… something something. Lightni… Okay I can't make a good teleport rhyme out of that. "Lightning Shriek, teleport the weak. [Star lightning teleport!]"

/~/

Medical Tent

"I'm so bored!" Neila whined. She was sitting on a pile of orc grunts while Isu was reading a book on her new chair.

"It's been about thirty minutes Neila. If ya complain every time a dog barks. Then you're gon lose ya voice." Isu quipped. As she turned the page.

"I should be helping Mommy and Daddy. Not staying out here with the medics." Neila grumbled.

"Oh no. What a nightmare."

"Isuuuu~"

"Now Neila. Don't cha think you're a little too violent for ya age."

Suddenly. The bush started to rustle, and out popped another orc. He ran towards the two girls, but was flung into the air by a tentacle the second he touched the tent's shadow.

"What do you mean?" Neila asked.

"... I mean. I'm pretty sure ya parents don't want you in such dangerous situations."

"W-what? Do they not trust me anymore." Tears started to stream down Neila's face, prompting the construct to get up and comfort her.

"No they totally trust you. It's just they want to protect you know. Keep ya away from any unnecessary danger that may cause you harm."

"But I'm strong enough." Neila sniffled. "I just want to help."

"It's not that you aren't or can't. It's just a way for Uncle Zen to be relieved. You're still young after all. It makes sense that he still treats you like a kid."

Neila sighed. "I know. [Wild Winds: Shadow Spike.]" As the captain fell back towards the ground. A spear of darkness appeared out of the ground and impaled the falling orc. "Mommy and Daddy have been fighting for years. I just want to help so they can take a break for once you know?"

"Not really. I'm pretty sure Pa doesn't even know I exist."

"...Wow."

"I know… wanna play some poker?"

"I have no idea what that is!"

"Good enough."