Chapter 174: A Passionate Night for Men

Once again, the large orc used peculiar phrasing. When it mentioned “since I got this body,” it made Lutz wonder if it meant the orc’s gigantic transformation had occurred recently, or perhaps it had grown significantly after being well-fed. In the latter case, such phrasing would be unnecessary.

Lutz had previously assumed that the massive axe had no special abilities, and he was thankful for that. However, it appeared that the situation was more complicated. The power of the axe might involve enlarging or empowering orcs.

Sacrifices, rituals, cursed weapons—everything was starting to connect. It all made sense now. The gigantic orc Lutz had encountered before might have used this axe to perform a ritual that enlarged him and then passed the axe on to its comrades. If that were the case, everything fit together.

An attack like a raging storm interrupted Lutz’s thoughts. The large orc’s axe, initially unwieldy, was gradually becoming sharper and more sinister. It destroyed a nearby shack and trampled over the corpses of its comrades without hesitation.

“What’s wrong? You can’t beat me if you just keep running away!”

“Don’t keep practicing your swings. Try to hit me,” 

The large orc swung its axe downward. An orc corpse lying in its path was bisected, and a few flesh fragments hit Lutz, who had barely managed to dodge the attack. Although unpleasant, there was no time to dwell on such matters.

There could be exceptions, opportunities to exploit, but in a battle, a giant who was both big and fast was overwhelming. Trying to get close to the large orc was not an option. Prolonged scrutiny and this conclusion had led to a suicidal plan.

If that’s the case, then what should poor Lutz, a swordsmith who inexplicably finds himself wielding an axe and fighting the enemy boss, do? Bow down and beg? That was unlikely to work. The only options were sacrificing one’s head or one’s rear.

The target was clear. There was a part of the enemy that was offered freely, the arm.

Lutz widened his stance and stomped on the ground.

“Come on.” 

He goaded, bending his aligned fingers inward, encouraging the enemy.

“Interesting!” 

The large orc’s mouth stretched open in a grotesque grin.

A downward strike required more force than a horizontal sweep, and one’s thinking and preferences would become apparent in battle. The large orc chose to swing downward, as expected.

With a sweeping motion and a vertical slash, the large orc swung its axe with all its might. Lutz angled his own axe diagonally, altering the trajectory of the enemy’s attack. Amidst the sparks flying, a victorious smile was revealed.

The orc’s axe struck the ground, and simultaneously, Lutz’s axe swung down from an upward arc. The blade sliced through the orc’s arm.

For a combat-oriented race like orcs, such a wound wasn’t fatal. The arm would eventually reattach itself. However, Lutz’s attack was sufficient when wielding the magic axe, White Lily.

“Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!”

The orc cried out in agony as its wound flared up intensely. Soon, the flames would spread throughout its body. All that was left was to wait for it to be thoroughly charred.

However, Lutz had underestimated his opponent. The enemy was not just any orc. Moreover, it wasn’t solely due to its size.

With its axe held in its left hand, the large orc had cut off its right arm from the elbow down.

“What…?” 

Lutz was speechless, as was everyone present. To the orc itself, it might have been better than burning to death. Yet, whether it could carry out this action without hesitation was a different matter.

He recalled hearing a story about a man who had severed his own penis to escape Tsubaki’s curse, which was so intimidating that it left an impression. Seeing such determination made it truly terrifying.

Ignoring the gallery that had frozen in place, the large orc bent down and pressed the severed part of its right arm against its burning hand to stop the bleeding.

In pain, with a contorted expression and sweat pouring down, the orc still managed to maintain a smile.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s continue our duel!”

The large orc raised its axe with its left hand. On the other hand, Lutz had already regained his composure and was observing the enemy calmly.

The match had already been decided.

The large orc’s attacks were now chaotic and weak, whether it was thrusting, slashing, or sweeping. Suddenly, it had switched to wielding its weapon with just one hand, and its overall balance was thrown off by the loss of its right arm. Lutz was no longer an easy opponent.

The incredibly forceful blow from a single-handed grip was easily deflected by Lutz. The sound of metal clashing was almost pleasant.

“Curse you!”

He swings the ax recklessly. The thrusts, sweeps, and slashes were all lackluster movements.

A weapon that should normally be handled with both hands was suddenly switched to only one left hand. Moreover, his overall balance has deteriorated due to the loss of his right arm. Lutz wasn’t an easy opponent to beat with this.

During the battle, their eyes suddenly met each other. What was reflected in the large orc’s eyes was sadness. He knows best that he cannot win.

Lutz was ashamed of himself for not being able to fathom the warrior’s heart. Yes, he wants to die in battle.

Lutz nimbly dodged a powerful blow that didn’t seem like it came from a one-handed grip and swung his axe.

The blade sliced smoothly across the orc’s shoulder, likely reaching its heart. The smell of burning flesh emanated from the wound. This time, it seemed that the orc’s life would be consumed by the flames.

“…Was I… strong?” T

The large orc, who had realized his impending death, asked in a surprisingly peaceful voice.

“Yeah, it was a blazing hot night,” 

Lutz replied, even at a moment like this.

The large orc gave a small, satisfied smile, thinking that it was strange to say such a thing at such a time.

“The human girl is locked in the largest building in the center. Take her.”

A fierce burst of flames erupted from its shoulder. Lutz pulled the axe from the orc’s body and beheaded it, as if performing the last rites. The orc’s body ignited, blazing toward the heavens, but its severed head remained with a peaceful expression.

There was no need to subject it to a painful death by burning. He was an enemy who had attacked the town, but at least this battle had been a fair and honorable contest.

“No, these guys are monsters!” 

One of the surviving orcs shouted. They dropped their weapons and fled, one by one, turning their backs. Initially, Lutz had intended to annihilate them all, but he had no energy left to pursue them now. He almost wanted to praise himself for not collapsing on the spot.

“Well, Dennis-san should forgive them for that much, right…” 

He let out a sigh and looked towards the building in the center of the encampment. Then he froze.

“Huh?”

The building was on fire. A crimson light illuminated the scene of scattered dead bodies.

He couldn’t understand. Why was the building on fire? Hadn’t the orc leader accepted his defeat graciously? It made no sense.

“Why…?”

Lutz whispered to the severed head, but it remained silent, only smiling.

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