Chapter 2 : The Real Face of Lord Elliot

Alexander and the royal army were caught off guard when a group of orcs suddenly appeared from the bushes and attacked them. Despite their best efforts, they were quickly overwhelmed and inflicted a rout on the royal army. Alexander was horrified to see the carnage that had ensued and could only watch helplessly as the orcs retreated into the forest. He feared for his life and the lives of his troops.

“We can’t hold anymore!” shouted Alexander still trying his best against a big Orc.

“Back off!” Lord Elden ordered.

After hearing Lord Elden's orders to retreat, the surviving royal troops quickly followed the command and began to flee the battlefield. As they retreated, they left behind the dead troops, their bodies now still amongst the carnage of the battle. Alexander felt a heavy sadness as he watched his friends and allies succumb to the violence of the orcs, and vowed to take vengeance against them for their brutality and cruelty.

Alexander was terrified as he ran blindly deeper into the dark forest, realizing all too late that he had gone in the wrong direction. As he looked around at the trees, he could feel a thick sense of dread and fear befalling him. He was alone and uncertain of what would happen next, but he kept running until eventually, he stumbled out and passed out.

As Lord Elliot and Lord Zathur ran northwest, Lord Zathur suddenly doubled over in pain from a deep stab wound inflicted by the Orc's sword.

“Leave me alone!”

Lord Elliot turned back on. He refuses to abandon his friend and instead helps him lean against a nearby tree. Lord Elliot smiled slyly without Lord Zathur noticing and also leaned against the tree.

"I'm not sure we'll make it to the palace safely. Those Orcs must still be chasing us,” said Lord Zathur while enduring pain.

"Wait, what do you mean 'us'? I am sure I will arrive at the palace safely.”

Lord Zathur, who was surprised to hear that, suddenly turned his head and looked at Lord Elliot. Lord Elliot without hesitation showed his sly grin and made Lord Zathur feel scared. Lord Elliot stood up and walked forward with his back to Lorz Zathur.

"You know, Zathur. I've experienced difficult times since childhood. Since my mother died, I have lived with a very indifferent father and an abusive stepmother. They only care about my brother who was born to a stepmother. The stepmother who often abused me made my grudge against her. I am determined to get my revenge on them.”

“That night, with my own hands, I killed my brother in the rain and thunder roared. I left his body in the middle of the forest. Then I ran non-stop through the dark forest until my feet tripped over a tree root and fell. When I woke up, I found myself in a cave that had a hole in the top. I could see the cloudy sky and the drizzle falling on my body. All around me there is only darkness, except for the place where I woke up.”

“Just then, I heard a voice from the darkness. A pair of bloodshot eyes glared at me and made my tongue very numb. He told me not to be afraid. Not long after, a large orc figure came closer and made me scream. I thought that he would hurt me, but my guess was wrong. He offered fruit and bacon. Seeing the food in front of me with the smell of smoked meat wafting into my nose made me unable to stop myself from feeling hungry.

“That's when it hit me, I can't even remember the last time I ate a proper meal. What I remember is two days ago when I ate a rotten apple that was in the pigsty. I ate those foods while crying.”

“Since then, I joined them. They were the Orcs led by “Your Majesty”. There was no human other than me in their group. I learned many things. Wielding a sword, wielding arrows, fighting enemies, surviving, there's nothing I miss. Until finally I left the group and became a soldier who is now led by Horux.”

Lord Elliot shook his head "If it wasn't for me he wouldn't have gotten the Arabour."

"Don't tell me you want to usurp King Horux's power!"

Lord Elliot turned and looked at Lord Zathur with a smile, “I'm so glad you can guess my thoughts. I don't need to tell you until the end, right?"

"You are a devil!"

Lord Zathur forced himself to stand up while holding his aching stomach. He held his sword firmly.

“Oh, brother. You don't have to work hard against me. Because you believe, you already know who will lose between the two of us. Ha ha!"

“Savage!”

Lord Zathur ran and swung his sword. But it was easily brushed aside by Lord Elliot. Making the sword fly away. Lord Elliot saw that as an opportunity and immediately thrust his sword into Lord Zathur's stomach. Lord Zathur who had been injured from the start felt powerless and fell to the ground. Slowly his eyes closed until he closed them completely. Whereas Lord Elliot looked satisfied while seeing fresh red blood dripping from his sword.

He looked around and injured his arm with the sword. Then walk quickly through the dense forest. Leaving Lord Zathur's bloodied body alone.

Lord Elliot stopped running when he saw the royal entourage leaving the forest with several wounded bodyguards and Lord Elden riding a horse with a bodyguard guiding him.

“Lord Elliott!” shouted Lord Elden.

He with his injured shoulder immediately dismounted and approached Lord Elliot.

"Your hand is injured." Lord Elden

"I am alright. Where's the prince?"

“I'm not with him. Where is Lord Zathur? I saw you were running with him in the same direction.”

Lord Elliot felt a bit panicked, but he managed to get over it.

“We got separated halfway.”:

"I'm really worried about the prince. I'm afraid King Horux will be mad at us. Is it possible for the prince to go deeper into the Dark Forest?”

"I don't know."

They were silent for a moment.

“Don't worry, let me talk to His Highness. After we returned to the palace, we muster a lot of soldiers to search the Lordwood forest, especially at the border of the Dark Forest.”

Lord Elden nodded, "Very well."

They continued their journey to the palace.

Meanwhile, a tall female witch in a black robe that hung down to the ground came out of the forest. She walked towards where Lord Zathur's body was lying on the ground. He placed his hands on Lord Zathur's body as he stood up. Her black and beautiful lips uttered a spell known only to the wizarding nation. Suddenly a green light shot out of his palm and enveloped Lord Zathur's body. Lord Zathur's injured body parts slowly closed up until they were fully healed.

Lord Zathur's hand slowly began to move. He opened his eyes and was very surprised to find that his body had recovered and did not feel the slightest pain. But there was something that made him even more shocked and immediately stood up on guard.

“W-who are you?”