Chapter 1680 Chapter 1680. Passing the Banner

"You, old fool! Why did you sacrifice yourself? You should've just let the war table get destroyed!" Kima scolded. She left the war table and was holding Kabaka in her arms. Blood was dripping from Kabaka's body parts that had been torn off by the black drill, giving Kabaka a Bleed status effect on top of the DOT. Kima took off her cloak and wrapped it around the wound to try to stop the bleeding.

"My… My body just moved by itself…," Kabaka said weakly. "We still need that war table… This war is not yet over. After winning here, we still have to move into Liguritudum. We have to see this war to the end. Our army has to return to Verremor bringing triumph, glory, and honor!"

"… You will be remembered as the hero with the courage to stand up to the eldritch beholder," Kima said with a resolute face. The orcs were a warring race. They dealt with death often. They didn't let grief paralyze them.

Jack frowned. He couldn't accept treating Kabaka as a goner when the orc still had some HP left. He turned to Peniel, asking via his mind if there was anything they could do. Peniel replied by shaking her head.

"Maybe Grace's Generosity of Hope is strong enough to bypass the healing prohibition?" Jack asked.

"No use. He can't be healed for a duration. Even that divine skill won't help him," Peniel said to Jack. "Furthermore, Grace had already used that skill when you four used Hope's Light. She can only use that divine skill again tomorrow."

Hearing that, Jack sent a message to John, "John. Do you still have a resurrection potion?" It would be best to cure Kabaka before he died. But failing that, he would have to resort to resurrection.

"We've already used it all in Hydrurond," John replied. "I've sent words for Thaergood to deliver the newly crafted potions to Arther to bring back to the front line, but he is on his way to the army marching to Liguritudum, not here."

"No use!" Peniel said after hearing the message between the two. "The Dark Plaguing Spears from the eldritch beholder also prevent normal resurrection if he dies while being afflicted by the spell. Unless you have a stronger revive spell or if he is protected by a resurrection slot from a wonder building, he can't be brought back to life."

Jack was just about to use his king badge to call Laurent and Amy to come over, but Peniel's words doused his hope. Neither Laurent nor Amy had the revive spell.

"Damn it!" Jack punched the ground.

"Thank you for your concern, King Storm Wind," Kabaka said. "You are too kind to be a ruler, but I don't disapprove. I hope more rulers are like you… Speaking of which, where is Four Winds? I don't think my HP can last for much longer…"

Kabaka had sent words to call all the lord chiefs that were on this war campaign.

"I'm here! What happened…?!" Four Winds arrived using his wings tool. He had seen the eldritch beholder attack this command base. He was already on his way when Kabaka made the call.

"Why is no one healing him?!" Four Winds yelled. Kima then explained the situation to him.

The other lord chiefs, Mkulme and Vivian, arrived soon after.

"Good, you have all arrived," Kabaka said. He tried to sit up. Kima helped by propping him up. "I don't have much time so I will make this brief. After winning the battle here, which I have no doubt will be the case, our army will continue as planned into Liguritudum. We will finish this war and return as victors. I will not accept anything else. Even if I'm no longer with you, you all must make sure this happens…"

Kabaka paused to take a deep breath. The eldritch beholder's black drill left an excruciating agony to its victim. "For this war campaign to proceed smoothly, the army needs a leader. I hereby appoint Four Winds as the temporary grand chief. The three of you will be my witnesses."

Mkulme, Kima, and Vivian didn't find Kabaka's decision as surprising. Though they had the same rank as Four Winds, which was lord chief, they had seen Four Winds' leadership during this campaign. After Kabaka, Four Winds was the one who did the most commanding work on the army. Kabaka even looked for Four Winds to consult most of the time when he had to make difficult decisions.

They didn't doubt Four Winds was the best orc for the job.

"There will be many who oppose this decision, especially those lord chiefs back in Verremor," Kabaka continued. "But you can go back after the war to decide the position through the grand election. For now, you will have to accept this responsibility."

Kabaka's right hand was holding the totem banner. He offered it to Four Winds. At the same time, a notification voice sounded inside Four Winds' head.

Four Winds accepted the totem banner without saying anything.

"Bring us glory and honor," Kabaka uttered.

"I won't let you down," Four Winds replied.

Kabaka's HP fell to zero then. His hand that was still grabbing the totem banner fell to the ground and remained still.

Four Winds stood up. He looked up at the eldritch beholder who was still battling Broidrireg and Arlcard. As much as he wanted to exact revenge for Kabaka, he knew that was not what Kabaka expected of him. Kabaka wanted him to be the leader because Kabaka knew he would make the best decision based on the situation, not because of fleeting emotions.

Someone dressed in black came into their midst at a high speed. It was Hatori. Hatori had the grand chief badge in his hand, but he was confused when the person he was supposed to return it to was dead on the ground.

"That was fast," Jack said to Hatori.

"The thief is inside the palace and the palace is empty, so I managed to get back this thing and killed the thief without any complications," Hatori replied.

"Wait! The palace is empty, you said?" Four Winds asked.

"It was so when I roamed inside. I don't see any soldiers."

Four Winds thought for a while before saying, "We are going to storm into the palace. There is no need to waste our time eradicating the Aurebor army. If the palace is empty, we should have no problem taking the throne."

The Aurebor army had been greatly reduced. The wall was also no more. If they wanted to storm the capital, they should be able to. The reason they didn't do so yet was because they wanted to avoid fighting inside the capital. Civilian casualties would be high if they did that. If the palace had no soldiers, they could just charge in without a battle. Thus, no civilian casualties.

"Can I have that please?" Four Winds pointed at the badge in Hatori's hand.

Hatori looked at Jack who nodded. Hatori handed the badge to Four Winds.

"Oh, my clone's duration is ending," Jack said. He disappeared then.

Four Winds didn't bother with Jack. He knew the real one was still up there dealing with the eldritch beholder. He was holding the grand chief badge. Kabaka had granted him the temporary grand chief status, so he could use this badge. He saw the option to summon Verremor's country guardian. He did so.