They followed the envoys map back to their last defensive line… what they saw and what the map portrayed couldn't be any different. The map showed thick vegetation, ancient trees and rivers… In reality there was nothing but barren land and swamps of sludge.
They managed to see a still living ancient tree, they marched hard to make it there fast… once they got there… it was bad. There were like a dozen ragged Elven soldiers left manning the wall, they almost all passed out as soon as we told them how many Goblins we slew, Kadrin pointed to the sash of baby goblin skulls he made.
Goldie stepped up and reassured them in Elvish, he introduced himself as One of the Heavenly Kings of the Sun Empire. It impressed them a lot, Elves were all about status and their entire nobility were wiped out.
Kadrin spit and then muttered something under his breath
Goldie found out that, aside from these 12 guards, they had 50+ critically injured getting treatment at the tree and then about 500 women, children and elderely… Their population used to be around fifty thousand…The Goblins destroyed them root and stem…
And within another thirty seconds, that charismatic elf offered refuge to all of them under the condition they pledge fealty to him… and they did, just like that. The Elf King finally had subjects of their own, he discussed it with Maro and they set aside a good chunk of forested land for them to reside within the safety of those giant walls.
Just like that the original Trio became a little less racist and their empire had become multi-cultural with the addition of the Elves. They also made sure to charge them a small rent to stay there, otherwise they would do fuck all for a century at a time, this was at Kadrin's insistence but everyone agreed with the logic, even Goldie.
…
In a classic move, while the Moon Empire was escorting the healed refugees back, Maro spotted roughly ten thousand orcs marching their way, while he was out flying. All of their armour was completely rusted, they looked like a moving sea of blood orange. The last couple dozen orcs at the end of the column all were mounts for Goblins it seemed… civilized goblins?... no such thing, Maro thought.
When he told his King friends about what he saw, Gnarlo and Kadrin both knew who it was immediately… It was the Goblin Overlord of the territory they were logging in. But his actual title was Governor Scarredlips… and he had blood relations to one of the Stewards of the Unity Kingdom… and his famous mercenary group the Red Quake… the reason all their armour was rusted is because it was ritual for them to soak it in the blood of your kills… the more rusted your armour the more prestige… fucking idiots
Despite the rusted armour, Red Quake was well equipped and apparently had a reputation for their skill. And their leader was an extraordinary Orc, a head taller than any other, he wielded a large two handed axe and went by the name Grond the Destroyer.
The Kings were slightly worried but even though those orcs were formidable duelists, in a pitched battle all they could do was swarm still, their blood lust over taking their any ability to think
Maro and Kadrin agreed on a large wedge formation to break the Orc charge.
…
The order races came into sight… the Orcs outnumbered them three to one, this was going to be too easy.
Grond and Scarredlips held a laid back war planning session.
Scarredlips was fuming, he'd been having a lot of issues these last couple months. Income was interrupted from multiple sources, there was a prison break and a bunch of distant family had come over from their desert strong hold and were mooching off of him.
Scarredlips was initially coming to help them finish off the Elves and expand his control but he learned from retreating, cowardly family that his entire operation was over before he got there… he wanted revenge badly.
"I want your men to fuck the skulls of their allies as they watch… I want to find their families and tie them up in the city square… anyone who wants to fuck them can… these fucking upstarts dare go through my territory" Scarredlips teeth were cracking as he ground his teeth
Grond could only laugh "how did dwarves and humans give you any trouble hahaha, it's been a while since I had a dwarf to fuck and eat…"
Their war planning was interrupted as a large human with golden wings flew above them… the human boomed from the air "careful, our dwarves need a can opener…if you guys weren't so fucking ugly, I'd accept your surrender… but I'd rather challenge Grond the coward to a duel"
Grond sneered "well what are you waiting for pinky, I can't reach you from here with my axe!"
Maro descended in front of the Orcs and Grond stepped forward.
Scarredlips spoke "take him alive and have him raped in front of his entire army"
Maro laughed "why do they call you Scarredlips? Suck too much disgusting Orc cock?"
Grond used a charge ability and slammed his shoulder into Maro's shield blowing him back 10 meters
Maro was excited, Grond was too strong, he was glad he decided to keep his shield.
Maro activated all his buffs and did a [War Cry]… both armies were paying even more attention now to the duel. Grond got just a tad bit shook from the warcry which just made him angrier, he charged again, this time axe raised.
Maro braced with his shield again, fuck he was strong and fast.
Grond followed up his striked furiously fast, Maro kept blocking with his Ornate shield. Metal on metal was echoing across the plains.
After the last strike pushed him back to give him space he immediately used Vanguard Charge, great maul hit great axe and an explosive sound erupted.
Both warriors were pushed back and both charged at each other again and again. Their stamina and strength, no one else could match.
Maro was holding back his holy powers for an 'oh shit' moment, but he was having fun in this fight… he wanted to win with pure martial skill.
Thirty minutes, this duel had been going on, with no signs of stopping. Neither party had landed a game changing blow until now.
At the exact same time, Grond slammed his axe down into Maro's shield wielding shoulder, breaking through his armour and cutting into his muscle, while Maro swung his great maul with one hand into Grond's Ribs, shattering his rusted armour, destroying his ribs and collapsing his lung.
Maro was injured, but Grond had collapsed wheezing for air.
Now for the finishing blow, Maro looked at Grond and then at Scarredlips, he nodded his head and then healed up his shoulder solidifying his Victory. Scarredlips raged, Maro lined himself up and used Vanguard Charge, he blew off of the ground in a flash.
Just as he was about to reach Grond, he skipped Grond and headed towards Scarredlips… Gnarlo jumped out of the shadows and slit Scarredlips' throat. Gnarlo jumped up in the air only for Maro to jump, with the momentum of his charge he picked up Gnarlo and flew off with his wings, back to his own line.