After calming down and having a proper meeting about what to do with the humans camping outside the [Cursed Forest]—everyone in the room started assigning roles to themselves. The air in the conference room was no longer filled with the sharp, jagged edges of panic. Instead, it was thick with a heavy, professional focus.

The leaders of the village looked at one another, realizing that the home they were building was now under a direct threat.

"We’ll keep an eye on them from afar and report everything they do."

Skul suggested. He leaned over the table, his small frame looking much more mature than when he had first arrived at the territory. He and his little brother volunteered to monitor the humans. They were the best suited for it; their small size and natural ability to blend into the shadows made them nearly invisible in the dense foliage of the forest.

"For the time being, we, the orcs, wouldn’t hunt. We have too big of a stature, we’ll attract their attention immediately if they see us."

Groo then stated that. He crossed his massive arms over his chest, his expression thoughtful. Under Mamon’s and Bernia’s teaching; he’s becoming more and more of a leader for the orcs. He’s not just pure strength anymore, he’s quick in the head now as well. He understood that a single orc spotted by a human scout could lead the entire army straight to their gates. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"That’s a good decision... For the time being; we should focus on training, and let’s have the orcs that are supposed to go hunting join the guards and keep an eye at the premises."

Pwyll followed, in which, all the leaders of the orcs agreed. They needed every available body on the walls. The orcs were physically the strongest, and their presence alone would be a deterrent if things turned south.

"I’ll join the defense as well... I might’ve been teaching my whole time here. But I was a knight apprentice who was close to knighthood before."

Bernia said with a resolute look in her face. She wasn’t just a teacher; she was a woman who knew how to handle a blade. She understood the formations and the tactics that the humans outside were likely to use.

"Me and the agriculture group will focus on growing and storing more food. The orcs wouldn’t be able to hunt for a while, food will be scarce during this time."

"We’ll also send mutated plants that might help in fights."

Grainne declared. She was already mentally calculating their current supplies. She’s also the one in-charge in storing and keeping all the food in the territory, by the way. If the village was put under siege, they needed to be able to survive for weeks, if not months, without leaving the safety of the walls.

"It’s high likely that a fight will break out... I will take the others and join hands with the gnolls to forge weapons and armors to help everyone."

Aodh said, the muscles on his arms bulging as he started thinking about the incoming works. The dwarves were the masters of metal, and the gnolls had a natural aptitude for the more rugged aspects of crafting. Together, they would turn the village into an armory.

"I’ll bring the rest of the gnolls with me to inform everyone in the village the situation as calmly as possible. We’ll also tell them how to evacuate and what to do in case an emergency happens."

Kuma added after nodding to Aodh.

"It seems like everyone have a role now."

Ashley said. Everyone looked at her and they all nodded their heads. She stood with the other children, her gaze sweeping across the room.

"We seven will help everyone... with Lord Verc currently out and this situation happening just as he was gone; we have to do our best and help each other to get through this."

She paused, making sure she had everyone’s attention.

"We don’t want Lord Verc to return and see his house all messed up, right?"

She followed, asking that with a light tone and a small smile on her face. It was a simple thought, but it hit home for everyone. This village wasn’t just a collection of buildings; it was the house that their lord had built for them.

Hearing her words made the others lighten up as well. The tension in their shoulders eased just a bit. They had a goal now, and it wasn’t just survival—it was protecting the home they had been given.

... ... ...

*****

Anyway, the meeting finished not long after getting their roles, and without rest—they all headed straight to do what they were assigned to do. The castle emptied quickly as everyone hurried to their posts.

The village transformed almost instantly.

Grainne led the agriculture group to the fields. The three beastwomen followed her, their faces determined. They began harvesting everything that was even remotely ripe, packing it into crates that kept the food fresh for a few days.

Grainne worked tirelessly, her hands moving with a grace that only decades of experience could provide. She moved from the root vegetable patches to the fruit trees, her eyes scanning for any sign of rot or waste.

’We can’t afford to lose a single grain.’

She thought as she urged the others to move faster. The cellars beneath the castle began to fill with the scent of earth and sweet produce.

... ... ...

Deep in the workshop building the dwarves and the gnolls built before--the sound of the forge began to ring out.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG--!

Aodh stood before the primary furnace, the heat turning his skin a deep red. He didn’t seem to mind.

Beside him, the gnolls were working the bellows, their rhythmic breathing matching the roar of the flames. They were taking the raw iron Verc had provided and turning it into spearheads, arrow tips, and thick chest plates. Aodh moved with a frantic but precise energy, his hammer striking the glowing metal with perfect accuracy every single time.

"..."

"..."

The dwarves were in a deep trance. They didn’t speak much; they let the steel do the talking. Every finished blade was passed to a gnoll who would sharpen it until it could cut a falling leaf.

... ... ...

Meanwhile, Pwyll and Bernia were out on the training grounds.

The orcs who had been pulled from hunting duties stood in rows. They were massive, their shadows stretching across the dirt.

Pwyll was shouting instructions. He was teaching them how to hold a defensive line—how to use their shields to protect the smaller gnolls standing behind them.

"Keep the gap closed! If one of you falls, the line breaks!"

Pwyll yelled.

Bernia was working with the smaller groups, showing them the weak points in human armor. She knew exactly where the joints were, where the leather was thin, and where a well-placed thrust could end a fight instantly. She moved among the fighters, correcting their stances and checking their grips.

"The knights will have better equipment, but you have the strength. Don’t let them dance around you!"

Bernia encouraged them.

... ... ...

High above the village, and miles away through the thick canopy--Skul and Scally were at work as well.

They moved through the trees like ghosts.

They didn’t stay in one place for long. They had found a high ridge that gave them a clear view of the humans’ camp. From their vantage point, they could see the tents being erected and the fires being lit. They watched as the knights groomed their horses and sharpened their longswords.

’There are so many of them.’

Scally thought, his grip tightening on his binoculars.

Skul didn’t say anything, but he kept a notebook, scratching down notes about the number of supply wagons and the types of banners he saw flying. He noticed the young nobles in their long robes, standing apart from the soldiers and gesturing toward the forest with sharp swords.

It was a terrifying sight for two kobolds who had spent most of their lives in a slave shop.

*****

Everyone did their jobs diligently. They took every second seriously and worked hard.

But then, just after a couple of days--

"WE HAVE A NEWS TO TELL!!!"

Scally and Skul came back together in the village.

Before, only one of them comes back alternatively; one continues watching the humans while the other send news and updates to everyone. Their combined return was a signal in itself. It meant the situation had changed drastically.

By this time, every single one in the village knows about the human, and the fact that they’re getting closer and closer as time passes by. The atmosphere in the village had turned from busy to somber. The laughter of the children had faded, replaced by the hushed whispers of the adults.

Anyway, Pwyll and Bernia greeted Skul and Scally as soon as they arrived at the main gate. The two kobolds were covered in dirt and scratched from thorns, their breathing ragged.

"Welcome back. What’s the update?"

Pwyll asked, his eyes searching their faces for any hint of good news.

But instead of that—

"By the pace they are going--they will reach the village by tomorrow afternoon!"

Skul exclaimed that.

He said it straight without beating around the bush, the nervousness and fear on his face was obvious. His hands were shaking slightly as he pointed toward the southern part of the forest.

"They have mages at the front. They’re using magic to clear the trees...!"

Scally added, his voice barely a whisper.

"?!!"

"!!!"

Bernia and Pwyll were surprised after hearing this. They had hoped for a few more days, maybe even a week, to prepare. This was faster than they had expected.

But in an instant; they regained their calm. They were leaders now, and they couldn’t afford to show weakness. They nodded their heads and thanked Skul and Scally for bringing that news.

"You two did well. Go to the castle and eat. Rest for the rest of the day, both of you."

Bernia said, her voice soft but firm.

Then without wasting a second—

"Let’s call up everyone to prepare."

Pwyll declared that. He turned toward the village, his lungs filling with air as he prepared to give the orders they had all been dreading.

"We should evacuate to the castle everyone that wouldn’t be fighting."

Then Bernia followed. She was already thinking about the layout of the fifth floor and the cellars.

She knew the castle was the strongest structure they had. It was reinforced with Verc’s mana after all. It was their last line of defense.

"Ring the bells!"

Pwyll then commanded.

And after hearing that—

TIIIIIIINGGGG—!!!

An orc nearby punched a huge bell that sent an ear-deafening sound throughout the village! This was a signal that the humans are approaching.