The rumbling grew louder, shaking the ground like an earthquake. Ethan bolted upright, his heart racing. The invisibility circle had faded, leaving them exposed.

Orcs burst from the treeline—big, green brutes armed with clubs, axes, and spears. Their grunts filled the air, yellowed tusks gleaming in the pre-dawn light. Forty, maybe fifty of them surrounded the camp in a tight ring.

"Shit," Ethan muttered, his mind flashing to the grimoire spells. He could make use of the destructive spells he received from Cassie's GRIMOIRE section.

However, last time he had dealt with smaller numbers. Faced with fifty Orcs, his MP would run out rapidly, leaving him exposed.

The lead Orc stepped forward—a hulking figure with scars crisscrossing his chest. He adjusted the rusted helmet perched on his bald head.

The Orc peered into the camp, sniffing the air like a hound. "You three... slacking off, huh? Hiding up here while the rest prepare for the rave? Up on your feet! We're heading back to camp. Garkash will have your hides if you're late."

Ethan blinked in confusion, frozen in his position. Slacking? What was the Orc talking about? More importantly, the beast wasn't attacking them.

The Cromwell heir glanced at Beatrix and Athena for answers. The witch's eyes were wide, but she nodded subtly. Athena was already on her feet, sheathing her sword with a grunt that sounded... Orcish?

Beatrix leaned close and whispered, "I enchanted us moments ago, Count. We look like Orcs to them. We are too short, but they do have midgets in their community. Just play along."

Relief washed over Ethan, who was still reeling in panic. He stood slowly, mimicking Athena's gruff posture. "Uh, yeah... We got lost while scouting. Lead the way, boss."

The leader snorted, waving his axe. "You were lost? You're as dumb as you look. Now, move!"

Athena dipped her head slightly to the leader, her tall frame now illusioned as a stocky Orc. "Sorry, chief. Won't happen again."

She joined the group seamlessly, grunting all the time until she fell in line with the patrols. Ethan and Beatrix followed suit, exchanging quick glances.

The Orcs grumbled at the trio cutting in line, but didn't question them further. As they marched down the hill, Ethan whispered to Beatrix, "How long does the enchantment last?"

"Until nightfall," she hissed back. "Or if a shaman spots us with the dark vision. Now, stay quiet, and act dumb."

The march was tense. It was difficult for the trio to keep up with the Orcs, for whom climbing hills and mountains was a daily chore. They chatted in guttural tones about raids and feasts, rapes and murders.

Ethan kept his head down, mimicking their slouched gait and offensive tongue. His mind raced. Were they walking into a trap, or was it a golden chance to spy on the Orc community from the inside?

The Orc camp had been set up in a ravaged village at the base of the hills, about two miles from Gulchtown. Huts had been burned to shells, and rice fields had been trampled into mud. Destruction followed wherever this species went.

The air was thick with smoke and the stink of unwashed beasts. Orcs milled about, sharpening their weapons or wrestling in pits. A few eyed the "newcomers," but looked away uninterested.

The leader shoved them towards a dilapidated house on the edge. It had half-collapsed walls, and a thatched, dripping roof full of holes. "Get yourselves ready. The rave starts soon. Don't make Garkash wait."

Inside, the place was a mess: broken furniture, cobwebs, and a faint smell of rot. Athena barred the door with a plank and exhaled in relief. "That was a close one. Good thinking on the enchantment, Bea."

Beatrix sighed, slumping against the wall. "It almost wiped all my magical power, and I could barely remember the incantations. But it worked, and that is all that matters. We're in deep now. We must blend in, gather intel, and slip out before nightfall."

Ethan nodded and took a seat. The girls went to the adjoining room. They started preparing for the rave, shedding outer layers to fit in as Orcs, but were really just getting comfortable.

"Uh, are you two changing for the rave?" Ethan asked, trying to sound casual from the other room.

Athena chuckled. "Orcs don't care about fancy clothes. But yeah, lighter's the better if we gotta fight or run." She stretched, her breasts straining the tunic. "You should, too. Try to look less human."

"Don't worry about the clothes," Beatrix said. "Even if we walk into the rave naked, the Orcs will see Orcish clothes on us. My enchantment is flawless."

Ethan wondered what it would be like to be naked with the two gorgeous girls. Their diversity in physical dimensions was a unique cocktail. As if reading his mind, Beatrix shot him a warning. "Keep your thoughts in check, Count. Focus on the plan."

But as they turned away to adjust, Ethan's pervy instincts kicked in. He edged closer, peering around a broken beam.

Athena's back was to him. Her tunic rode up as she bent to fix her boots, exposing her toned thighs and the curve of her ass. A bump from that rounded ass cheek could send him flying across miles.

Beatrix was slipping into a ragged cloak for disguise, her shift hugging her hips. As soon as she started getting naked, a haze shimmered in the air, blurring his view. "What the—?"

Beatrix murmured under her breath. "Don't worry, Athena. My anti-peep spell is active. Even if the Count has a voyeuristic whim, he will get nothing to see."

Ethan grumbled. "Spoilsport."

"My chest is sore for some reason," Athena complained. "Never happened before."

"It must be the chafing from the heavy armor," the witch explained. "I'll put a lightweight enchantment on it for you."

"Thanks, Bea," she replied, massaging her breasts over the cloth lightly.

Ethan retreated from his peeping position with a smug smile on his lips. They would never know it was him groping them all night. He had paid more attention to Athena for obvious reasons.

***

The rave was in the village center. It was marked by a massive bonfire roaring fifteen feet high, the flames licking the night sky.

Orcs gathered in a rough circle, hundreds strong, pounding drums and chanting. The ground vibrated under their stomps, giving a much different vibe than Ethan got from his last encounter.

Ethan, Beatrix, and Athena blended in the crowd, their illusions making them appear as midget Orcs.

Suddenly, a hush fell in the crowd, and the music stopped. Someone just walked in. It was the leader, Garkash. He was nine feet of pure muscle, his green skin scarred from countless battles. A crown of bones rested on his head.

"Garkash! Garkash!" the crowd chanted.

Garkash dwarfed the others by feet, an intimidating beast of nature. However, Ethan had already noticed the real danger behind him, a presence that sucked the air from the space.

A partially hooded figure followed Garkash. He was wiry, adorned in skulls, feathers, and runes. His eyes glowed with an eerie light. "That is definitely the shaman who attacked our party," Beatrix murmured, gritting her teeth.

"Jibreel! Jibreel!" the Orc rave echoed. The shaman was the most powerful member of the army, with access to dark magic, and was probably hundreds of years old.

Garkash raised a massive fist, his voice booming like thunder. "Brothers! Sisters! We gather before the big raid on Gulchtown! But first, let me share some unfortunate news. Our search platoon, led by Lobo, was massacred!"

The crowd went silent, exchanging shocked glances. "They were burned and slashed like pigs with some strange magic! Jibreel tells me it was some witch's work, no doubt. The hunt's on for the bitch! You hear a peep, you bring it to me. This is a time of war! If I find any deserters or slackers, I'll give them slow and painful deaths!"

The crowd roared, banging their axes against their shields. Ethan swallowed hard. The massacre Karkash was referring to was his own doing. He had torched the Orc lair in the end.

Jibreel stepped forward. His voice was in sharp contrast to Garkash's—a raspy hiss. "But the greater threat lurks beyond these lands! The Orc Queen! Her army camps near the white caves! She's a wall between us and the subjugation of the human race. Her presence stops our full assault on Gulchtown!"

Ethan's ears perked up. Orc Queen? White caves? The Orc Queen being talked about had to be Luka Voltha's leader. His mind raced: Luka as a soldier under a queen? It made sense, since she spoke of hordes and peace.

The shaman continued, waving a staff topped with a skull. "She's gathering forces, trying to strengthen her claim as the ruler of the Orcs! But Garkash is the true chosen one! He'll crush her and take her place!"

Garkash bellowed, slamming his fist into a nearby barrel, splintering it. "Aye! I vow it! The Orc Queen is nothing! First... we take her! I hereby form an assassin squad. Twenty of you! The sneakiest bastards! Infiltrate her camp, drug the bitch, abduct her!"

As the soldier Orcs hooted their support, the Orc leader went on. "Bring her to me alive. I'll rape her, plant my seed, and make babies! Her bloodline'll be mine. It'll make me the King of the Orcs!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, their bloodlust filling the air. Ethan felt sick. Rape and forced breeding were common to a depraved race like the Orcs. This world was twisted. Still, it was disgusting. Ethan was motivated to make the world a better place.

An idea occurred to the Cromwell Prince. There was an opportunity here. To Athena and Beatrix's shock, he stepped forward, raising his illusioned Orc fist.

"I volunteer as an assassin, chief! My two mates and I are here. We're short and sneaky. We'll slip into their camp undetected and bring the Orc bitch to you."

Whispers rippled through the crowd. Garkash eyed them suspiciously for a moment. His ugly, beady eyes narrowed. "You are runts. Are you sure you can do this? What do you think, Jibreel?"

The shaman sniffed the air, his runes glowing in response. "I hadn't been able to detect their presence until now. Perhaps their small size gives them an advantage. Let them join the assassin team!"

Garkash laughed, making a sound like grinding rocks. "Done! You lot head out at dawn. Bring me the queen, or don't come back!"

The rave exploded into a frenzy—dancing, drinking, fights breaking out in joy. A few rapes and butchery happened on abducted humans and elves. The trio had to stay away from the brutality to avoid raising suspicion.

Ethan pulled back with the girls, their faces pale and shocked under the illusions. "What the hell?" Athena hissed when they were out of earshot of the Orcs. "You volunteered us as assassins? Have you lost your mind, Count? We need to get to your mother first!"

Beatrix grabbed his arm and shoved him against a clay wall. Her spell pushed him against the surface, keeping his body pinned. "Explain yourself! Now!"

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