119: The battle intensifies

The battle intensifies

After attacking the enemy forces a few times, Lara and the other groups converged. When everyone was present, Lara noticed that there were only forty of them left. It would seem that many have died while assaulting the enemy. 1

Lara bit her lower lip with a rare show of emotions. She who was always stoic and indifferent actually looked a bit frustrated. Though this only lasted for a few seconds, it was enough to give the others a feeling of discomfort. If even their fearless leader was feeling stressed that would mean there situation was truly grave.

Lara wasn't a strategist so this was the best she could do. This battle gave her a reality check. She now knew that even though her individual might was stronger than most, she was still helpless in front of such a large quantity of enemies. 

'If this keeps on happening, in the future, I won't be able to stand proudly, side by side with Ren.' 

Kithra also felt a bit distressed and relieved seeing Lara frustrated. When she first met Lara she only saw a cold aloof beauty with incredible power. Kithra was assaulted with a feeling that no matter the order Ren would give out, Lara would be able to efficiently handle it, especially if it came to killing. 

Yet here she was showing such a frustrated look, it turns out she wasn't so unflappable all the time. Underneath that layer of coolness was still a normal girl. This was the reason for Kithra's relief and at the same time distress in their current situation. 

Iselv, on the other hand, was getting a bit impatient with the silence. 

"So what should we do now?" Iselv asked as he couldn't wait anymore. Lara looked at the impatient Iselv and said nothing, as she continued to think. Looking at her reaction made Iselv mad.

"What the hell are you doing?! If you don't have any plans just say it already!" Iselv shouted, in which the others except for Kithra wanted to support him, but kept quiet since they knew that only death awaited them if they defied Lara. 

Seeing Iselv fuming mad, Lara spoke in her usual indifferent tone. 

"It's as you say I no longer have any plans. We weren't even able to delay them for a whole day and we are already in this dire situation. I will allow those who wish to retreat, to leave now. I will delay the enemy by myself." 

Lara decided this after looking at all the possible outcomes she could think of. It was better to move on her own without coordinating with anyone. 

The moment she said this, none of the people left, which actually surprised Lara. Iselv and Kithra were not stupid enough to leave Lara on her own. If they did leave Lara, and even if they manage to survive the upcoming crisis, they wouldn't be able to survive Ren's wrath. 

The Elder Lich and his army were frightening, but what frightened them more was Ren. The others, on the other hand, had different thoughts from Iselv and Kithra. In their point of view, if they left without Kithra and Iselv, they might be killed on the spot. Thus giving the result of no one leaving. 

"So you people will not retreat... I see you people are truly worthy of being Ren's subordinates. Fine, if you wish to stay then do what you must and destroy the enemies you see before you. If you feel at any given time that you could no longer handle the situation I want you all to retreat." 

Though Lara still sounded indifferent the others could actually feel the affection in her voice as she said those lines. The people present weren't sure if what they felt was real or simply a delusion there minds came up with because of the stress they were having, but they choose to believe the former. 

"HAHAHAHA! BRING IT!" Iselv joyfully shouted as he held his Warhammer. The others shouted random battle cries as they waited for the undead to reach their location. 

...

The Elder Lich who was comfortably sitting at the back of his army was watching something amusing through the eyes of his undead soldiers, he saw Lara and the others standing before them. It was a funny thing to see, in the face of his several thousands of undead, stood thirty-something humans. Their faces showed different expressions, there was the usual fear that he loved so much, then there was the ecstatic expression only battle-hungry men had. Then there was an expression of not wanting to be here but had no choice, this was the usual expression of the knights that stood before his army in the past. 

Yet among their expressions was something he usually doesn't see, it was the expression of indifference. The graceful stoic expression that was seen in the face of that girl was something new to the Elder Lich. Even the hardiest of veterans or the most capable of heroes would show some kind of reaction to his undead army, but seeing someone looking at it as if she doesn't care was truly an unexpected sight to see. 

'Hmmm, I wonder how she could remain so calm in front of my overwhelming force...  Does she have a trump card to play? Or is it perhaps she no longer cares about the things that are about to happen? Either way, I will find out, once I capture her.'

The Elder Lich sent a mental command to all his forces to not kill Lara and capture her instead. They could hurt her as much as they want as long as they don't actually kill her. He also ordered the headless horsemen, the Dullahans under his command to lead the charge against the enemy. 

'Let's see what surprises you will bring me.' 

...

Lara saw the incoming Dullahans and prayed in her heart. 'I will never pray to any God or Goddess since you told me never to do that... Instead I will pray to you Ren, so please grant me strength.'

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