Chapter 371 The approaching tide (1/2)

In the distance, a rising tide of fangs, claws and flesh approached. When Morrelia squinted, she could make out the individual forms of the monsters as they undulated across the land and between the trees. There didn't seem to be an end to the horde. They spread. Like water pooling over the floor from a spilled cup, until they filled the s.p.a.ce in front of her.

It wouldn't be long until they lapped up against the fortifications the villagers had erected and the battle would begin in earnest.

”I'm still not certain we shoulda put ourselves so close to our 'neighbours',” Isaac muttered.

Morrelia rolled her eyes.

”You spent several days with their leader and came home just fine. Do you really think they're going to eat us?”

The former guard s.h.i.+fted uncomfortably.

”I'm jus' sayin' we might want to on our guard once the fightin' is done. Maybe we look appetising at that point.”

”If we live to see the end of this battle, there'll be tens of thousands of dead monsters right over there. I don't think they'll need to turn on us for food,” Morrelia pointed out before turning her back on the man.

Despite his experience in the field with Anthony, he still had difficulty overcoming his instincts to distrust monsters.

Not that he's entirely wrong about that.

Morrelia couldn't be entirely sure why she wasn't afraid of the colony of strange ants, or their stranger spokes…ant. She just … wasn't. She was cautious of them, always cautious, but not afraid. Perhaps she was just losing her edge. Or, more likely, grabbing onto whatever piece of debris she could reach after a tsunami had washed the nation of her birth away.

”How much longer until they arrive?” Enid asked, walking up behind them.

Morrelia turned to face the leader of the human village and nodded her head respectfully. Enid may never have been a soldier, but she had Morrelia's respect for her att.i.tude and grit alone.

”Should be less than an hour before the main body of the horde reaches us. Could be a lot less if they decide to pick up the pace as they reach the final stretch.”

Enid frowned as she looked over the edge of the dirt wall at the monsters. Morrelia choked back a laugh as she watched the older woman. Enid looked as if she were staring at dog that had spread mud on her carpet rather than a slavering ma.s.s of Dungeon monsters the likes of which the surface hadn't seen in thousands of years.

”I suppose we'll have to get our people in position then. Is everyone ready?” Enid sighed.

”Ready as they'll ever be, ma'am,” Isaac chipped in, flas.h.i.+ng a broad smile.

The man had been on the charm offensive the moment he'd met Enid. If the age difference were any less severe, Morrelia would have suspected him of ulterior motives, as it was she believed he was simply accustomed to greasing the wheels of leaders.h.i.+p whenever he could. A vital skill for a guardsmen, she was sure.

”I'll go ready the troops,” Morrelia grunted before she leapt down from the rampart and jogged toward the shaded area the villagers were resting.

She was decked out in her full fighting gear already and the boiled leather gave her an intimidating air that was only heightened by the plethora of weapons that graced her form. Her bow, dual blades, knives strapped to her forearms and sheathed in her boots. Morrelia was ready for war.