Though the enemies were strong, our mutual support allowed us to continue fighting. However, the overall outlook was gradually turning against us. While I managed to rally and direct the soldiers around us to hold the line, the sheer number and strength of the skeletons made it a daunting task. Even when we managed to defeat them, it took considerable time.
If Baen, our high-level cleric, could successfully cast his wide-area purification spell, we could neutralize or weaken all the skeletons within a fifty-meter radius. The spell had the potential to turn the tide of battle, giving us a crucial advantage.
I believed we had a chance. But reality proved to be far harsher and more unforgiving.
“WOOOOOAAAAHHHH!!”
The roar tore through the battlefield, causing me to gasp involuntarily.
“Wha—” Lord Weissly’s shock was palpable.
“Oh—” Baen’s concentration faltered.
“Eek!” Levias let out a small scream.
The roar resounded across the chaotic battlefield, filled with a mix of friends and foes. It was more than just a roar; it shook the ground and reverberated through our very cores, an attack in itself. It was akin to the howls used by powerful monsters like dragons or giants.
The deafening roar made me instinctively cover my ears as I turned toward its source. And there it was.
A black ogre, covered in red tattoos and with a silver left arm. It sat astride a Hind Bear, one of the strongest monsters in the forest, and exuded an aura of dominance over the Black Skeletons.
Among the demonic monsters, ogres were particularly renowned. They were known for their exceptional physical abilities, but they were typically simple-minded brutes who could only wield basic weapons like clubs. However, this particular ogre wielded a massive halberd, fitting for its enormous size. Its upper body was bare, and it wore only leather trousers, but the way it held the halberd indicated it was no amateur.
The sheer presence of this ogre convinced me it was an evolved form, and not a typical one. Unlike the dark-skinned Mine Ogres, for example, this one had truly black skin. This blackness suggested that it had received a Blessing from one of the lesser Gods serving the great deity of Terminus and Origin. And given the intensity of the color, it was likely a significant God, like the God of the Sea of Death or the God of the Underworld. That would explain the ogre’s control over the Black Skeletons.
It was an extremely formidable foe, but now I had a solution to the Black Skeleton army problem.
This black ogre was undoubtedly creating the skeletons; my intuition confirmed that the ogre was the source of all this trouble. Thus, the target was clear: eliminate the black ogre, and the skeletons would likely crumble—or at the very least weaken.
“We’re going to kill that black ogre. Baen, after casting the wide-area purification spell, provide continuous support spells focusing on defense and speed.”
“Understood, Commander. Leave it to me.”
“Lord Weissly, target the enemy’s openings with your magic. Levias, you and I will lead the charge and hold the front. Everyone else, follow us. We must strike swiftly and decisively.”
“Yes, Commander!” my subordinates responded in unison.
Leading my troops, I charged forward.
The skeletons stood in our way, brandishing their weapons to block our path to the black ogre. However, when Baen’s wide-area purification spell, Wave of Purification, washed over them, they either disintegrated into dust or slowed significantly. We used our momentum to smash through the weakened skeletons, pushing them aside as we closed in on the black ogre. Then we heard something unimaginable.
“Decent situational awareness. The magic you wield is of fine quality,” the black ogre said in fluent human language.
Usually, even the more intelligent mage-type ogres could only manage broken speech; their physical structure wasn’t suited for articulation. Yet the black ogre spoke as if it were human. Despite our shock, there was no stopping now. We charged forward.
Just then, Baen’s support magic enveloped us from behind, dramatically boosting our speed. My body felt light as a feather. Just by pushing off the ground, I moved as if flying. When I caught the surprised expression on the ogre’s face at our sudden acceleration, I saw my opportunity.
Aiming high for the heart of the black ogre, who was perched on the Hind Bear, I leaped, shattering the ground beneath me with the force of my jump. Combined with my powerful leap, the added lightness from the support magic propelled me forward with the speed of an arrow. The trajectory and velocity of my attack were perfect for striking at its heart. Just like when I’d dispatched the skeleton earlier, I imbued my blade with unwavering killing intent, causing it to glow red.
Therese E. Eckermann’s Combat Art Unleashed: Sacred Altar Sanctuary!
It was the strongest strike among my combat arts. Since the target was an ogre, the additional Holy damage from Sacred Rose Sanctuary wouldn’t be as effective as it was against the undead. It might cause some damage, but not enough to be fatal. Hence, I chose Sacred Altar Sanctuary, which dealt direct soul damage by imbuing the attack with the Light Spirit attribute.
If I could pierce its heart with this, even an ogre with formidable vitality would suffer a fatal wound.
Through all my training and battles, I had slain many ogres. Even if this black ogre was a variant blessed by the Gods, it shouldn’t differ too greatly. This strike, the one I tasked myself with, was meant to kill swiftly and surely.
A deadly slash sped through the air.
There was no way the enemy could react to my movement. Even if it could, my wind vortex would divert any counterattack to ensure I wouldn’t suffer a fatal blow. This strike would pierce its heart. I was certain of it.
Before I knew it, my body was airborne, soaring into the sky.