Chapter 582: Battle of Avenderdan

"Avenderdan is unbreakable?"

"Before the children of the great Gruumsh, nothing is indestructible!"

The orc riding a dragon-beast raised his giant axe high and roared furiously, baring massive, yellowed fangs.

"Roar—"

Ignoring the orcs in front of him, he flexed his bulging arm muscles and suddenly brought down the giant axe.

Thunder cracked across the clear sky. A bloody storm swept in, terrifying everyone around.

Instantly, a blood-red light tore through the air—even the orcs before him weren’t spared. Severed limbs flew through the air as blood splashed everywhere.

"Boom!"

Dust flew, metal clanged, and blood-red shockwaves blasted forth. The intricate magical runes on the gate flickered, gradually dimming.

Batu’s eyes glowed fiercely. He continued swinging the axe, slashing beams of blood light through the air, cleaving everything—orc, elf, war chariot, or wall—clean in two!

Amid agonized metallic shrieks, meter-long gaps appeared on the fortress gate, smeared with blood.

Batu Skullcrusher’s single eye was blood-red. Bathed in blood, he looked like Gruumsh incarnate.

"Today, I will shatter Avenderdan’s walls—and with them, the tragic fate our orc race has endured for millennia— Shattered together!"

He leapt from the dragon-beast’s back into the sky, soaring nearly a hundred meters high, then plummeted toward the massive cold-iron gate.

Dwarf King Edd raised his warhammer and cried out, "Stop! No—"

The dwarves and elves on the wall were powerless to stop him. Behind Batu appeared a massive, nearly 100-meter-tall blood-red silhouette resembling an orc.

As Batu moved, the blood spirit behind him also swung its axe.

"Boom—"

A tremendous shockwave spread, raising clouds of dust and making the entire wall rumble and tremble.

Orcs below were knocked back. Even elves and dwarves on the wall trembled under the terrifying pressure, their legs weakening.

Some fell from the shaking wall in panic, dying instantly.

Ultimately, despite its high-circle spells and magical enchantments, the gate was split open by Batu’s axe!

Built over millennia by legendary dwarven artisans, the once-impenetrable gate of Avenderdan was broken by an orc for the first time!

Batu raised his axe with one hand, laughing wildly: "Hahaha! My people, do you see? This is the power of Father Gruumsh! This is the power of orcs!"

"As expected of Lord Batu!"

"For our great Father God, charge into Avenderdan!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The orcs cheered fanatically, surging toward the breach, each eager to be the first to enter Avenderdan.

They longed to become the hero who fulfilled the orc race’s millennia-old dream, blessed by Gruumsh and empowered like Batu Skullcrusher.

So much so, they began fighting and shoving each other even amidst the dangerous battlefield.

"I was here first!"

"Out of the way!"

"Quick! Let me in! I’ll become the hero of the orcs!"

But would the defenders on the wall let them enter Avenderdan so easily, their sworn home?

"Protect Avenderdan to the death!"

"For Moradin!"

"For the honor of the dwarves!"

"Our families and friends are all inside—we must not let these savage bastards in!"

Dwarf warriors slid down ropes and leapt from the dozens-meter-tall walls, landing on shields and rolling to disperse the impact.

They crashed into the orcs like cannonballs, wielding hammers and spears. Their elite combat skills allowed them to mercilessly slay hundreds of orcs in moments.

The ground was soon piled with orc corpses, blood flowing like rivers.

These dwarf warriors stood firm, short and stout, atop the mound of bodies, blocking the narrow breach.

"We shall never retreat!"

"Filthy bastards, you shall never enter Avenderdan!"

Those dwarves brave enough to leave the city were the elite of the Highland Kingdom—renowned heroes of the dwarven race.

Among them was Talin Dragonfang. This dwarf commander had once fought a wild plains dragon-beast, breaking off one of its fangs to use as a dagger and driving it into the beast’s heart, saving the dwarven fortress.

For this, he earned the title "Dragonfang" and the respect of all dwarves.

Now, this dwarven hero stood at the breach, clutching his long spear made from the dragonfang, glaring at the orcs ahead.

Beside him stood nearly a hundred dwarf warriors who had jumped from the wall—burly, resolute veterans with glorious battle records.

"Just a bunch of dwarves!"

"Charge! We outnumber them! These damned dwarves can’t hold us back!"

The orcs howled and roared, surging forward like a mottled tide against the dwarves.

Thousands of orcs encircled fewer than a hundred dwarves—but the dwarves were unafraid, even launching the attack first.

Hammers, greatswords, and spears clashed. The sounds of metal striking metal, flesh tearing, and bone snapping filled the air.

Blood splattered as orc limbs flew. Their cries and screams echoed to the heavens, chilling all who heard them.

Runestrikes from Battle Mages, ferocious smashes from Berserkers, divine slashes from Paladins—dwarven heroes unleashed devastating attacks, clearing out swathes of orc grunts.

A thunderous roar echoed from the sky—the voice of the Gold Dragon, Titus.

"Vile abomination! You do not belong in this world!"

"Boom!"

At that moment, a giant arm fell from the sky, crushing dozens of orc soldiers.

Orcs, dwarves, and elves looked up to see the Gold Dragon roaring, its claws dripping with foul black blood.

Not far away, the giant orc monster shrouded in black mist had lost an arm, black ichor flowing from the stump.

The creature called "Spirit of the Orcs" drooled dark green slime and lowered its head, rasping toward the ground: "Batu, Batu—

Quickly, hurry—

Take the fortress—this is our last chance."

Before the voice faded, the monster raised its head. All orc bodies and souls within it ignited as fuel, burning fiercely!

Black flames burst from its twisted form and hollow eyes, granting it the power to destroy everything.

"For the orcs!"

The Spirit of the Orcs roared in madness, losing all reason. Its voice carried layers upon layers—like the combined screams of billions of orcs who had died in mutual slaughter over millennia.

At this moment, the old shaman had burned all the bodies and souls of fallen orc warriors, unleashing unbelievable power.

Faced with this black-flame-covered giant orc, Cassius narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Is this... Chaos Flame?

No, it seems to just carry a trace of Abyssal traits. Tch, looks like the orc pantheon is linked to the Abyss."

Before Cassius could ponder further, the massive orc charged at him, fist cloaked in black flames.

The Gold Dragon dared not delay. He unleashed all his power—his mouth became a vortex, devouring all flames and mist around him.

Ninth-Circle Spell: [Dragon’s Drain].

"Boom!"

The two titans clashed again. Previously, Cassius had ensured the battle seemed evenly matched.

But now, facing the burning Spirit of the Orcs, the Gold Dragon was being pushed back.

Yet any keen observer could see—though the old shaman had grown stronger using his own body as fuel, he couldn’t sustain this. Defeat was inevitable.

Watching the fierce sky battle, Batu Skullcrusher’s face showed rare emotion. His one eye flashed with sorrowful fury.

"Brothers! The shamans of the Red-Blood Tribe and our great Father Gruumsh’s warriors sacrificed everything to stall that golden-scaled lizard! We must not waste their sacrifice! Charge with me! Take Avenderdan!"

At Batu’s call, the orcs launched another assault, fearlessly surrounding the dwarven heroes.

Batu Skullcrusher grabbed his giant axe and roared into battle. His body’s totems glowed blood-red, like a demon from the Abyss.

Talin Dragonfang raised his spear and stood before him, proud: "Filthy orc, your opponent is—"

"Die!"

Batu didn’t waste words. He roared and swung his axe.

Talin panicked and tried to dodge but was too late. He raised his spear horizontally to block.

With Batu’s strike, a fierce gale surged, blood reeked in the air.

"Slash!"

A blood-red light burst skyward. The axe cleaved the spear, shattered the helmet, and split the dwarf’s hard skull in two.

Even his sturdy, thick body was sliced cleanly apart.

In one strike—before he could resist—the famed dwarf hero Talin Dragonfang, who once fought a dragon-beast barehanded, was bisected!

On the wall, Seymour and other elven mages raised their staves. Several beams of light descended, blessing the dwarves with reinforced bones, energy shields, and enhanced strength.

But Seymour narrowed his eyes, gravely muttering: "Relic... That orc’s axe is a relic blessed by a true god—do not clash with it directly!"

But before he finished, Batu Skullcrusher shouted fiercely, swinging the giant axe. Fierce blood light swept up dust and debris.

"Filthy orc! In Moradin’s name, your cruel slaughter ends here!"

The dwarven Paladin stood at the front, gripping his silver shield with one hand and raising his warhammer with the other. A faintly glowing holy barrier appeared before him.

"Crash."

A crisp shatter echoed. The barrier cracked like glass. The blood light remained unimpeded, slicing through the shield and the dwarf behind it without mercy.

Even two dwarves beside him were decapitated instantly—unable to resist.

"Damn orcs!"

"Avenderdan shall never fall!"

The dwarves rallied, surrounding Batu again—but it was useless. A single swing of his axe reduced them to ash.

"Clang!"

"Clang clang!"

Deafening explosions rang out. The axe blade danced wildly. The dwarves couldn’t dodge—only scramble to respond.

Just then, "Highland Lord" Edd Klein raised his warhammer and leapt from the towering wall, roaring:

"Foolish delusions!"

"Filthy orc! Avenderdan has been the Highland Kingdom’s capital for millennia, our dwarven homeland! Even if I die, I won’t let you enter!"

As Edd moved, a massive hammer of stone formed in the air and came crashing down.

"Buzz—"

A piercing boom followed as Edd’s warhammer clashed with Batu’s axe, unleashing a massive shockwave.

Dust filled the air. The hurricane never stopped.

Batu raised his head and grinned savagely at the furious dwarf king, laughing wildly: "Edd, is that all you’ve got? You think this can stop the great Father Gruumsh?"

The orc chieftain’s body and arms bulged with veins. A fearsome orc phantom loomed behind him, exuding terrifying aura.

Edd was instantly overwhelmed, retreating a few steps in panic, expression flustered.

Just then, a silvery sword light flashed from above, stirring strong waves and slashing toward Batu Skullcrusher.

Rhea leapt lightly from the wall, charging with unstoppable momentum, eyes firm, sword striking the orc chieftain.

"Divine Strike!"

"Slash—"

The crescent wave clashed with the orc’s axe. Even Batu Skullcrusher was forced to retreat, glaring furiously at the elf.

"Damn long-ears!"

But Rhea stood tall with her sword, calm. Around her, the bloody souls of slain humans, dwarves, and even orcs appeared, full of unwilling rage.

"Revenge!"

"I’ll kill you!"

That was the power of a Legendary Paladin—Spirits of Vengeance!

In an instant, countless vengeful souls swarmed from all directions to join Rhea in attacking the orc chieftain. Edd regained focus and swung his hammer, golden light flashing like a storm.

"Clang! Clang clang!"

The clash of steel echoed endlessly. Mortal eyes could no longer follow their movements. Dwarves and elves cooperated, attacking from all sides—angelic wings even sprouted behind the elf.