CHAPTER 232: CHAPTER 231: RALLY OF THE BEHEMOTHS

The two behemoths stopped, their massive bodies blocking the others. Their eyes locked on Lumberling’s, filled with fury but also hesitation. The kind predators showed when they sensed prey might bite back harder than expected.

Their muscles bunched, claws scraped the earth... yet they didn’t move forward. Both let out thunderous roars that shook the night air, but their paws stayed rooted.

Lumberling’s lips curved into a grim smile. "Not brave enough, are you?"

He gave them one last look, then turned his back on them, retreating toward the second base, alive, and already plotting how to deal with them next time.

Grokk froze the moment Lumberling stepped from the treeline. For the briefest breath, doubt clouded his eyes, fear that the one who returned might not be the same as the one who had led them in. His hand twitched toward his weapon, then stilled.

When Lumberling’s gaze swept over him, that shadow of doubt shattered. Relief flooded Grokk’s face, his shoulders sagging as though a weight had been ripped away. He dropped to one knee, thumping his chest, the gesture carrying both apology and renewed loyalty.

"I’m sorry, my Lord... for running when you stayed behind. I should’ve fought by your side." Grokk said, bowing his head. His voice carried both shame and hunger, the hunger to grow stronger so the same thing won’t happen again.

Lumberling waved him off with a tired hand. "It’s fine. It was my order."

Still, a scowl tugged at his face. "Such a waste of time... I should have prepared more."

Grokk straightened, eyes hardening with resolve. "At least we came back alive, my Lord. That much counts."

Lumberling studied him for a moment, then gave a curt nod. "Grokk, return to the village. Call for Karnark, Kaeldron, and the lizardmen. They’ll be joining us for the second round against the bears."

Grokk’s brow furrowed. "You want them in the fight? They’re still young and green, my Lord. Will they be able to keep up?"

"They’ll be fine," Lumberling said firmly. "Better they face a tough fight now and learn early on."

Grokk scratched the back of his neck but nodded. "Alright... and the guard units? Should I summon them as well, my Lord?"

"No. Ordinary kobolds and goblins won’t survive this fight. Besides, the village still needs its guards."

Grokk nodded firmly. "Understood. I’ll bring them without delay." He tugged on his boar’s reins, then hesitated, glancing back once more. "Where should we regroup?"

"Almost forgot. Let’s meet in the rotten swamp, just before the bears’ territory," Lumberling replied, his voice steady.

Grokk kicked the boar into motion, speeding toward the village in a blur of hooves and dust.

Left in the quiet night, Lumberling turned to Lunira. The massive wolf rumbled low in her throat, brushing her head against his shoulder as if to check if he was truly unharmed. He managed a faint grin and patted her neck.

"Don’t worry. I’m not falling that easily," he murmured.

Lunira huffed, hot breath misting in the cool night air, then crouched low. Lumberling climbed onto her back, and with one powerful bound, the wolf carried him swiftly toward the second base.

.....

Lumberling arrived at the second base, The heavy gate creaked open as the guards shouted and pushed it wide. Soldiers saluted sharply as he passed through, their tired stances snapping upright at the sight of him.

Inside the yard, seven figures were already waiting. Trask stepped forward first with his broad-shouldered and steady-eyed, the one who always carried quiet authority.

"What happened to you, my Lord?" Trask asked, his voice a mix of concern and admiration. "You look like you walked out of a battle."

The other Sub-Captains, Kelgroth, Tor, Shen, Zel, Zephar, and Ragza closed in behind him, their faces a mixture of relief and unease.

Lumberling gave a tired grin, brushing dust and dried blood from his cloak. "Ran into a little trouble," he admitted. "We wandered into bear territory to do some hunting. Instead, the bears did the tossing, I took a few swings and got tossed around." He chuckled, spreading his arms slightly.

"You fought them alone?" Kelgroth blurted.

"Not alone. Grokk and Lunira were with me." Lumberling gestured to the massive wolf lounging near the gate, her yellow eyes glowing in the torchlight. She stretched lazily, baring fangs in a low rumble.

"I misjudged them," Lumberling continued, voice hardening. "Their tribe is stronger than we thought. They had Alpha Bears, beast at True Knight level."

The sub-captains exchanged uneasy glances. Even hardened fighters like Tor and Ragza shifted on their feet at the mention of True Knights.

Finally, Ragza broke the silence.

"So... what do we do, my Lord? Should we wait for Skitz and the captains to bring more forces?"

A slow grin tugged at Lumberling’s lips. "No. I told you before we’d be fighting together soon. And that time is now. You’ll be joining me."

That earned a ripple of surprise.

Zel frowned. "Us? But we’re nowhere near that stage. Against Alpha Bears, we’ll be torn apart. Maybe it’s wiser to wait..."

"You’re ready," Lumberling cut him off. His gaze swept over them, weighing each one. "More than you think. I don’t need you to match the Alphas alone. I need you to fight as one and handle the other bears for me. Together, you’re enough."

The sub-captains shifted uneasily, the weight of the silence pressing down on them. Zel’s concern hung in the air. None dared speak, their eyes flicking from one another to Lumberling, as if searching for someone brave enough to voice what gnawed at them all.

The moment stretched, until Trask finally stepped forward. His voice cut through the quiet.

"I trust you, my Lord. More than I trust myself. We’ll follow your lead. Bears or whatever else comes, we’ll fight at your side."

Lumberling studied their faces, hesitation hardening into conviction before allowing a small smile. "Don’t worry too much. The bears may be massive and strong, but they’re not invincible. Gather a hundred of our men, and bring the elites as well. In five days, we march."

The sub-captains bowed in unison. "Yes, my Lord!"

That night, Lumberling rested at the base. His wounds were healing on their own, slowly, but steady. The body cultivation he practiced had improved his recovery, though only slightly. Still, in a few days he would be good as new.

His toils earned him a bed of straw and silence. With Lunira curled at his side, her steady breathing lulling him, he finally closed his eyes in peace.

Days passed. The second base transformed with restless energy, sparks flying as weapons were sharpened, armor mended, supplies packed tight into sacks. The air grew heavy with anticipation.

By dawn on the fifth day, the gates opened once more. Lumberling stood at the head of the formation, flanked by the seven sub-captains. Behind them, a hundred soldiers marched in rank.

Fifty remained to guard the base, their eyes following the column with quiet pride.

The banners rose high. Boots struck the earth in steady rhythm.

Lumberling’s voice cut through the morning air, cold and commanding:

"Follow me to battle! Today, we face behemoths!"

The soldiers roared, a thunderous cry that shook the plains. From below him, Lunira lifted her head and howled, her voice carrying far across the land, as banners snapped in the wind and the march began."