In this lightless night we tread the forest.

The cold winds makes swaying trees looks like a monsters but they are not the ones we ought to slay as our quest is to end the orcs living here.

Denn's plan was to move before morning comes as the monsters would most likely let their guards down, so here we are now after being woken up moving towards the place where their settlement is.

When the party are about to get close to the place Denn put out the fire coming from the torch making the whole place swallowed by darkness.

“Follow me and when the sun is about to rise we will start our attack.”

We followed Denn who using the stars as a guide slowly move close to the orcs, then when we spotted the orcs' five crude houses the three of us move in our planned position while Alexa climb a tree overlooking the place in case someone escapes.

Then with the light of the sun seeping out from the east as our signal, following our plan the three of us approach the 3 houses that are closest to us and when I was about to close in my target I spotted an orc sitting in a stump in a corner of my eye making me slow my steps, I looked around where the two of them are and noticed Denn's hand are raised stopping both me and Bart completely then he looked towards where Alexa is who gave an answer of two consecutive arrows hitting the throat and the orc's head killing it swiftly, seeing the slumping body of the orc Denn's raised hand lower, following it I took my steps towards my target house again.

Arriving at the doorsteps of the house I opened the crude door with both of my hands its a heavy door making me only open up a space enough for me to fit my body if I move sideways, the first thing I noticed after I move inside is an odor coming from the orcs making me pinch my nose then I looked around spotting 5 orcs with 3 of them were orclings.

I slowly move towards the biggest orc which is the male one, as I look down the orc from above I unsheathed my dagger gripping it with both hands making the tip point straight on its head I take a deep breath before plunging my weapon straight in the middle of its brows the monster's blood splattered as it jerk its body I twisted the dagger until its body stopped moving confirming its death.

Wiping the blood in my face I stand up, maybe because of the movement of the dead orc or because they felt it in their instinct the orcs that are left are starting to wake up and so before they attack me I took the pouch that Denn gave me, I opened it and throw the oil inside towards the orcs making them wake up faster but before they notice my presence I already out in the house I then took the flint and made a spark towards the oil in the ground, the sparks connected becoming fire and like a snake it slithered towards the orcs.

The screams inside the houses and the odor of burning meat spread in this small settlement waking up the orcs that are left from the two intact houses.

I walked towards where the two are as I put my dagger back on its sheath before taking the spear in my back.

“On your position.”

Following Denn's order we made a triangle formation as we face the left over orcs in distance.

“Gruuahh!”

Their cries had tinge of hatred as they approach the three of us, before long shadows of the two male orcs blocked the sun as the tallest and biggest orc arrived in front of us and within its raised hand holds a club speeding down towards Denn who is holding his shield with two arms ready to take it head on but before their attacks connected a whistling wind resound in the place as the raised shoulder of the orc was hit with an arrow.

“Gruuahh!”

Taking the chance given to us Denn tackled the orc making it falter then we followed it by thrusting our weapons, my spear which I thrust with all my might only lead to a little wound the same for Bart's sword, it was then another shadow was coming towards me, I stepped back as an large wooden club was smash towards where I was standing before, the second orc finally arrived.

“Kerrr~”

With two versus three our fight continued and after a while the first orc died by Alexa's arrows while the second died after Bart's sword cut straight towards its neck.

“Haa...haa...What about them?”

Bart asked pointing towards the distance where the females and orclings are they have tried escaping but after being shot by an arrow they cower in one of the house that are still not burned.

“Kill them, but if you two can't do it I'll do it alone.”

Without looking back at the two of us Denn walk ahead towards them unsheathing his sword, wordlessly I followed him the same for Bart.

Dancing flames and the smell of roasted meat accompanied by the orc's cries of bitterness towards us who slaughtered and burned their homes fill the little settlement, in their eyes it must be unfair.

The rest was massacre.

Due to yesterday's rain the fire did not spread but as a precaution we poured water in some areas before heading back to the village.

Our steps were heavy as the smell of roasted meat was still wafting through the air, it must have cling in our shirts, I thought as the image of crying orcs burn in my mind and when the food I ate last night about to escape my mouth someone tap me in the back, I looked back and see Denn.

“We're here.”

Without his words I might not notice that were already back, in the gates of the village the chief was sitting on the chair and when found us he stand up and run to us.

“How about the orcs?!”

His first question was answered by silence making his reaching hands stopped but before he misunderstood anymore Denn broke the silence and gave him a nod.

“Don't worry we killed them all, you can check the place later.”

Hearing that the stopped hands reached for Denn's hand and shook it.

“Thank you! Thank you! Mercenaries thank you!”

His voice was loud as tears was falling from his eyes it didn't feel good seeing an old man cry but it helped me washed away the guilt knowing that I helped someone, when I look at the three there faces contains smiles the same as mine.

Maybe due to loud voice of the chief the villagers slowly approach us and when they saw him crying they look at us angrily.

“Why did you make the chief cry?!”

The chief looked back at them as he waved his hands before explaining what happened.

“No, no, no! I am not crying because of them, its because they say that orcs are gone!”

Hearing the chief's words the villages murmured his words before they ask again and the village chief repeated it, before long the villagers whose gaze I know contained wariness look at us in different light.

“Hey! What are you doing, hurry up and gather the food let's celebrate!”

”“Alright!””

Cheers resound in the villages as the women took out pots and prepare the food, men light a fire and took out the tables, while the children wear theirs smiles as they play and help their parents.

“Chief didn't you just paid us wouldn't it be hard for your village after having this kind of celebration?”

With worry in her voice Alexa asked the chief.

“Hahaha, young lady no need for you to worry about that we were celebrating because we are thankful to you and with you subjugating the orcs our harvest this year would be good.

So don't worry about it and just celebrate with us!”

Dancing flames and the smells of delicious foods accompanied by the villagers laughter and praise towards us who protect their place fill their village, in their eyes we must be heroes.

The rest was festival.

After a long night of celebration I woke up from the sunlight that seeped through the window. I looked around the place but the three of them are still asleep it was due to how fun last night was that we slept late.

Seeing that they are not waking up I walk out of the house and what greeted me first is the morning sun and the fresh air making my mouth curve a little.

“Good morning.” I muttered.

As this is the last time I would be here I planned to explore the place until they woke up, I walked around the village as I greeted the villagers who then greeted me back unlike the last time they look at me favorably.

This village was small and it didn't take me a long time to explore all of it, their is nothing special in this village except for the farms in the west side where colorful harvest are about be born and the faces of people as they do their own works that is full of smile.

After exploring the village I came back at where we are staying and found that there still asleep so I decided to wake them up as today is the day we will leave this place.

Then after waking them up we prepared ourselves packing our belongings before long we are at the entrance of the village saying our farewells towards the chief and villagers.

“As the village chief I gave you my thanks again mercenaries, I pray for your safe journey.”

“We are happy to be able to help this wonderful village, then farewell I pray for your good harvest.”

Denn said before turning his back towards the village.

As I was about to follow the rest I suddenly have a question so I turn around and asked.

“Chief what is the name of this village?”

Smiling the chief answered.

“Felix Village.”

“Its a good name.”

I too replied with a smile before turning around following the rest as we head back towards the city.