When Lancer was ambushed by the Chaos Bolt shot from the shadows, Lothar almost rushed out of the crowd, but the scene that followed completely stunned him. The enemy, whom he considered incredibly brutal and terrifying, actually used his right hand to help Lancer block the attack. Then, without any communication, the two immediately fought each other again.
This scene was only a few fleeting seconds in the context of the battle, but the shock it delivered to Lothar's mind lasted a long time. He even began to ponder a question he hadn't considered before —————— Did those terrifying green-skinned Orcs also know 'honor?'
At first, Lothar simply thought the Orcs were mutated beasts. Later, based on the intelligence provided by Aegwynn, he knew they were an intelligent race from 'another world.' However, due to their poor equipment and crude fighting style, he thought these Orcs were merely newly enlightened savages. But now, it seemed their civilization was not that simple?
However, he was not happy because he had learned more intelligence. Instead, his heart was filled with worry.
But the battle on the battlefield changed at that moment.
Although his body was reinforced with the Fel-infused demon blood, even Blackhand's right hand, which had been petrified by the Fire element, could not fully withstand the highly penetrative Chaos Bolt.
When their weapons clashed again, Lancer surprisingly knocked the warhammer out of Blackhand's hand. Even Lancer himself hadn't expected this strike, which was originally intended to just deflect the attack as before, to achieve such a result.
But surprise was quickly put aside. The movements of his hands did not hesitate at all. The cross-shaped long spear, covered in ice, was immediately thrust toward the opponent's abdomen. Blackhand, on the other side, also didn't anticipate this situation, but with his weapon out of his hand, he did something incredibly insane.
He actually lunged forward with both hands toward Lancer spear.
"Sizzle~!!"
The fire-wrapped right hand and the ice-wrapped long spear splashed countless sparks and ice shards, but even so, he still couldn't completely block Lancer attack.
"Poof~!!"
The long spear fiercely pierced into the opponent's side abdomen, but when Lancer tried to push further, he found he could no longer penetrate.
"Roar!!!"
The ferocious-looking Blackhand had every vein bulging on his left arm at this moment, and his right arm was sparking countless flames from the intense exertion. Then, with a roar, Lancer, holding the spear, was violently flung away.
"Slap~!"
Lancer, who did a somersault in the air, held the cross-shaped spear with his left hand, while his right hand cooperated with his feet to barely stop his body, leaving three marks on the ground. But then he looked toward the other side.
Lancer looked somewhat disheveled at this moment, but he was much better off than Blackhand.
The wound Lancer had opened on Blackhand's side abdomen had completely burst open due to the full exertion just now, and green blood continuously dripped. Blackhand himself was kneeling on one knee, leaning on his warhammer.
But even though he was severely wounded, the expression on his face remained incredibly resolute. There was no doubt that he had not given up on this fight.
Just as Lancer was considering whether to launch the first attack, Lothar's voice came from behind him.
"Lancer!!"
Lancer couldn't help but turn his head and looked at Lothar's side with surprise, because several Stormwind Guards, who shouldn't have been there, had appeared next to the Marshal. Their armor was clearly different from the leather armor Lancer had collected for the outpost forces, making them stand out.
'Did the reinforcements arrive?'
The battle line was contracting. The previously captured soldiers were gradually being replaced by the well-equipped Stormwind Guards. There was no doubt that the support troops had arrived, and it was time for them to retreat.
Glancing at Blackhand, who was kneeling on one knee in the distance, Lancer turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
He did enjoy the fight with Blackhand, but he hadn't completely been blinded by hot blood. The reason he fought the opponent was not only because of the quest, but more so to buy time. Since the goal had been achieved, a meaningless fight was simply a waste of time.
The Orcs were naturally very dissatisfied with Lancer 'escape' and roared, trying to pursue, but just then, a volley of arrows suddenly fell from the nearby forest. It was then that the Orcs noticed a group of pointy-eared figures ambushing in the forest. However, as Lancer and the others retreated, those pointy-eared figures also disappeared without a trace.
Immediately, countless Orcs let out roars, but Blackhand reached out and stopped everyone...
There was no longer the usual arrogance in his eyes, replaced instead by a fierce battle intent.
He silently vowed —————— he would definitely cut off that human's head and hang it in his great tent!
——————
When Lothar and the others entered the forest, they immediately saw a large number of 'transport vehicles' and several 'High Elves' standing at the front of the team.
If he had been confused before about why 'transport vehicles' were being used in the forest, as the complex terrain was not suitable for vehicles, with the Elf Rangers leading the way, anything was possible.
"Sir Lothar, please evacuate with us first. Our allies will help transport the remaining soldiers back to Stormwind City."
A tall Stormwind Guard felt relieved when he saw Lothar appear safely, but Lothar's next words made his heart jump to his throat.
"Wait a moment!"
"?!"
"Our comrade, Khadgar is now..."
"Sir Lothar, I am fine."
Before Lothar could finish, Khadgar, looking very weak, raised his right hand from amidst the crowd. At this moment, he looked somewhat listless due to excessive spellcasting, and his pale lips, in particular, were painful to see. But regardless, the fact that he was alive made Lothar immensely happy.
Looking at Lothar striding toward him, Khadgar let go of Garona's hand and exchanged a warm hug with his friend.
"You're alive! My friend!! That sudden halt of the Blizzard made me worry for a long time!"
"Of course I'm alive, but unfortunately..."
"What is it?"
"I still haven't found a way to close the 'Dark Portal'."
"..."
Khadgar's words immediately darkened Lothar's expression, which had been cheerful moments before. Indeed, their goal this time was the Dark Portal, but it seemed they had viewed everything too simply. Although they ultimately rescued a large number of captured elite soldiers, compared to their initial goal, they had undoubtedly failed.
Khadgar saw what Lothar was thinking. He patted his friend's back reassuringly and then released his arms, opening them toward Lancer.
"Mr. Lancer! I'm glad to see you again."
"Me too."
Lancer knew Khadgar was trying to divert Lothar's attention at the moment, so he cooperated and spoke with the mage, but his eyes occasionally drifted toward the Dark Portal behind them...