My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 267: Taboo (3)

Kace kept eyeing the door that led to the room where the group's women had their private discussion. He seriously wondered at what could be so vital for them to have locked themselves away for so long. The barracks' atmosphere was lively as everyone's discussions turned to what they would be facing once they deployed.

Practically everyone was a survivor of past campaigns against hero strongholds. Which made for some gruelling discussions. The goblins were the ones that seemed the most concerned as to whether they could make it out alive while in contrast, the orcs could barely contain their excitement.

Kace frowned when he realised the discrepancies between the races. 'They won't really act as a cohesive unit.' This could not really be avoided, though. It was just the differences in how they naturally acted. 'The trolls should be deployed at the front to soak up the damage. They're the most resilient. The orcs are like berserkers. Just let them run riot over the enemies in whatever way they want. The goblins Are more like support. Whereas the Eljein are like our siege weapons.'

Although it was not up to Kace, this was the way that he would deploy them. It just made the most sense in his mind. However, the goblins were the most numerous in the army. So it would be a waste of their numbers to hold them back and just act as a supporting influence. 'I'm sure Sophia can figure something out.'

In truth, Kace was more attached to the goblins than any other race so far. They were like a second family for him. He did not want to see them being culled just to let the stronger monsters break through the enemy lines while taking less damage. 'The losses would not be worth it in the end.'

He hoped that Sophia remembered what they were fighting for. A safe place for all monsters to call home, and eventually, the reclamation of their homeworld. There were too many things that could go wrong in the long run just now. Just now, it was relatively more manageable for them to grab some territory. 

The heroes were too spread out across the world. They could not afford to gather their full strength in one place if they wanted to try and hold on to their regions. Otherwise, the local monsters that had managed to survive or were being used as farms would rise up in their absence. This would change over time, though. 

The further they pushed the heroes back then the less they had to defend. Their side would lose a lot of their numbers to achieve this while the heroes would finally be able to pool their more potent resources together. Kace's face turned grim as he thought about it. 'Ideally, it would be better for us to surround an entire area before assaulting them. This way, any survivors can't just slink back and become4 a nuisance to us later on. We have to be ruthless about it. It's not enough to defeat them, we have to annihilate them.'

Sylvan withheld his own thoughts as he read what was on Kace's mind. He groaned as he realised he was diving deeper into a singular mind without realising it. At this moment, the effect of what Kace thought rippled throughout his Inner Mind space. The Crimson orb reached out with a clawed hand to attack its white counterpart. Sylvan controlled his own energies to come to White's aid.

'It's taking too much to hold it in check. Since his evolution, this fellow has been overboard with his attacks.' Sylvan frowned as he stared at the Crimson Orb. Its ever-hungry aura washed over him. 'Taking in the Hydra's DNA only strengthened it. If he keeps up this pace, he'll lose himself to this part of him.'

Sylvan shuddered at such a thought. If that happened, then his own consciousness would most likely be devoured as well. 'I'll have to gently nudge him into increasing my own power as soon as possible. Otherwise, we won't be able to contain him' Sylvan sighed as he considered his own future. Kace was the perfect tool to exact his revenge. However, he never expected to be subjected to this kind of battle every day.

Kace was unaware of the daily internal struggles he was facing as he continued to scour the room with his gaze. 'How many of them will survive?' This was always the question that played on his mind whenever he was going into a large scale battle. At least with smaller skirmishes his companions usually held enough strength of their own for him not to worry too much. If they got into trouble, he could usually intervene, since there would not be too many enemies to pin him down.

'We'll have to split up on the battlefield.' Kace sighed as he took note of this fact. He would most likely form his own unit with his Tu'Thrag tribe that would strike behind enemy lines thanks to their skill set. Grugda would probably be needed as a commander that Sophia could trust. Lilly would likely be required to help with the wounded. While Sophia would have to head up the entire operation.

This put some strain on his thoughts. He would not be readily available to support his friends if they needed him. His musings were interrupted as the door finally opened. Sophia and Lilly exited the room. Sophia had a dark look on her face as she scanned the crowd. Lilly, on the other hand, still gave off a radiant smile. For some reason, she gave Kace the impression that she had won some kind of important battle.

As Sophia's gaze found Kace, her look turned serious. Kace could tell what was coming next. Sophia prepared to shout him over. She had a few choice words that she wanted to share with him on the tip of her tongue! Just as she was about to shout him over, the barracks door burst open! Lorget stumbled in as his frilly dress fluttered around. 

"Lord Kace! Come quickly!"