The Devil's Cursed Witch

3 chapters today.

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Ember was startled as well seeing how orcs felt intimidated by her and her mind quickly worked out a plan on how to take advantage of the unexpected situation.

"Ember, stay back," Morpheus warned while Erlos remembered how earlier, one of the orcs didn't attack her when she protected her snack basket.

"Let me handle it, Morph. She is my horse and I am responsible for her."

Even though Ember didn't understand the exact reason why the orcs listened to her, she looked determined. She felt even more confident seeing how the orcs were yet to make a move against her.

'Are they scared of females or they just don't attack them? How gentlemanly,' she could not help but think.

Morpheus listened to her but stayed by her side to protect her if something were to happen.

Ember spoke again, "Give me my horse back, and I promise we will never step in your territory ever again. Just this once, let it pass. I want to end this without anyone getting hurt."

The orcs all looked at each other, and when Ember took another step forward, they all stepped back in unison, as if they didn't want her anywhere near them.

What was happening?

All the four outsiders  felt puzzled as to why they were moving away from Ember. These crazy orc hunters didn't even react when Morpheus stood against them. Moreover, all of their eyes were gazing at the human girl not with hostility but...fear?

The three men could not help but wonder.

'Are they scared of Ember?'

Ember could see the wariness in their eyes for her and found herself gaining more courage.  Whether the orcs were scared of her or they just didn't want to hurt a female, she did not mind taking advantage of it.

"Give me my horse back and I will leave," she said once again, deliberately taking a step ahead. It was a repeat of their earlier reaction--those orcs stepped back as well. They weren't even letting out a single growl or roar.

'So I am not mistaken. They are not going to harm me.'

Her green eyes gazed at those orcs and then settled at the horse standing behind them.

"I am going towards my horse to take it back."

After openly telling them her intention, she took deliberately slow and steady steps towards her horse. Understanding that its master was heading her way, Albina tossed her head and nipped at the reins the orc beside her was holding. However, it was as if the orc had no intention to snatch it back.

Starting from those nearest to Ember, the crowd parted one by one as they slowly backed away from her, giving an impression that they were creating a path for the human girl to walk unimpeded. A step behind her was the warrior with ash gray wings. Morpheus dared not leave her shadow, continuing to walk several steps behind her with his majestic wings spread to their fullest, creating a shield for Ember if anyone was to launch a sneak attack on her.

'I think I know the reason why these orcs are like this.'

Morpheus gazed at the confident-looking Ember in front of him. As the person nearest to her, he was first to  sense the powerful aura being emitted by her body. It was something he was used to feeling, that was why he didn't immediately realize it was the reason. However, that wasn't the same for these orcs.

Erlos and Aureus wanted to follow behind them as well, but Morpheus raised his hand, silently asking them to stay put. If those orcs decided to attack, someone needed to pave a way to breach the encirclement; it was better to split instead of letting all four of them be surrounded at the same place. That would simply be offering themselves as an additional treat.

Among the four, the impact of the orcs' behavior on Erlos was the largest.

The elf was as inexperienced, but he was a native of Agartha and had a general knowledge about what orcs are like. It was an unbelievable sight to see that orcs could be submissive and that too in front of one human female. He fought with them earlier and knew the stories he heard from the adult elves were true, but what was this? Why were these orcs reacting like they were under threat? He couldn't even begin to understand why there was such a disparity between their treatment!

Wait--

"Miss...Her body seems to be surrounded by invisible fluctuations of energy?" Erlos had a realization. "Dear spirits, had she already learned how to release her energy without manifesting a spell? She's not even harming the grass under her feet."

"Is this the strength of your Queen? She is powerful, worthy of being the King's mate," Aureus commented but...it reminded about someone. He continued, "Strange. I recall feeling a similar power radiating from Seren. Back then, I was hurt in my beast form because of wild wolves and she was enraged."

"What is strange about that? Miss is enraged as well because her horse is about to become orc food," Erlos casually commented.

Meanwhile, Ember reached her horse without any problems arising. The animal suddenly let out a series of frightened neighs and her hand had to caress her smooth mane to calm the frightened animal.

"Were you scared, Albina?" Ember asked as she continued to caress her mane. She then hugged her horse's head, gently rubbing her cheek against her white muzzle.

Though the horse could not talk, it responded in her own way, flaring her nose in agreement. As she continued to caress her mane, Ember could feel the horse starting to relax.

"I am sorry for putting your life in danger. I won't do it again." She then looked at her horse's face. "Let's go home now."

The orcs started to make impatient noises when Ember took her sweet time with her horse. It was already annoying for them that an outsider was treating their territory as her own, worse, she was even taking their food away. However, none of them dared come forward and could only make displeased growls or stomp their feet.