Chapter 381: Encounter with the Power of Fate Again
The trolls splitting their forces?
Impossible!
Coming straight for us?
How do the trolls know our position?
Is there a traitor?
Or perhaps a hidden mastermind behind all of this?
A thousand thoughts flashed through Matthew's mind as he marked the information about the troll forces on the map using the communication spell.
At the same time, Matthew summoned all the elite soldiers and other commanders to inform them of this news.
"Five thousand trolls daring to attack us?"
Wiping his slaughter axe, Beelzebub licked his lips, saying excitedly:
"If you ask me, these 5,000 trolls, our 800 troops can take them down easily."
"The rest of the troll outposts can be left to the adventurers to handle."
The elite soldiers, having fully felt their strength increase, couldn't help but light up, eager to act.
"That's right, before it was always the trolls attacking us, this time we can crush them head-on!"
"Ordinary trolls are comparable to us in strength, but they're not as agile, and their weapons are subpar. I think I could take on three of them at once!"
"If you can take on three, I should be able to take on four..."
"This time, I'm planning to capture ten trolls, nobody try to compete with me!"
"Then it's every person for themselves. Quick hands win, slow hands lose."
"..."
The elite soldiers, who had tested their skills, were gradually getting used to their bodies and their newfound combat abilities, while also recognizing the gap between themselves and the trolls.
A faint restlessness started to grow!
Gaining far greater power than before all of a sudden, who wouldn't feel inflated?
Angela lightly coughed, and seeing all eyes turn to her, she said sternly:
"Never be arrogant. The Lord has often said that pride leads to defeat."
Noticing the restlessness of the elite soldiers, Old John did not hesitate to scold them:
"What are you all thinking? Have you stepped into the realm of the extraordinary? Or have you become legends?"
"When we were weaker, we relied on tactics, discipline, and training, and now you want to do what?"
Arnold snorted, his sharp gaze sweeping over the embarrassed soldiers as he criticized mercilessly:
"Have you all surpassed the high-level trolls? Can each of you fight a hundred foes now?"
"Before setting off, you should be properly trained, to remind you that there's always someone stronger out there."
"You're not young anymore; just a bit of success, and your noses are already in the air!"
Elio, staying vigilant, pointed to the path of the troll army on the map and said in a serious tone:
"They're coming straight for us, what does that tell us? They know our numbers and our strength!"
"Under these circumstances, if they're still rushing at us without regard for anything else, they aren't just coming to die!"
"Are we really going to play into the enemy's hands like this?"
After Elio's reminder, the awakened soldiers felt a chill down their spines and lowered their heads.
Secretly giving Elio a thumbs-up, Old Village Chief Field coughed and spoke earnestly to comfort everyone:
"Even if we are stronger than ordinary trolls and soldiers, we are still of flesh and blood."
"If we clash head-on with them, even if we win, there will inevitably be casualties."
Their words were like cold water poured over the fire of arrogance that had just ignited in everyone.
Reflecting on their earlier arrogance, Beelzebub let out an embarrassed laugh, then added:
"My mistake, I shouldn't have underestimated the enemy!"
The other elite soldiers also spoke up, sincerely admitting their faults.
Seeing that they had all finished reflecting, Matthew, who had remained silent all along, gently waved his hand over the map.
Originally just a flat map of the Dark Forest, it suddenly seemed to come alive, expanding several times over.
Hills, rivers, dense forests, and shrubs all appeared vividly.
Nearly everyone had not noticed any movement when the Arcane Master used this spell, and they were all in awe.
The mysterious Arcane Master was stronger than before!
"They're coming straight for us, and the timing is just right."
"If we do not retreat, we will be forced into a head-on battle with these trolls, unable to free our hands to deal with the surrounding troll outposts."
"If we retreat, they will achieve their goal, and we will lose the opportunity to suppress them by cutting off their food supply!"
Matthew's voice was clear and firm at this moment, carrying an unmistakable resolve.
Hearing his words, everyone perked up, waiting for his next explanation.
Unknowingly, the powerful and mysterious image of the Arcane Master had left a deep impression in everyone's heart.
Matthew pointed at the troll forces, his large hand clenched into a fist, lightly slamming it down as he spoke with unquestionable authority:
"Besides this visible troll army."
"The enemy must have another reserve force to ensure everything goes as planned."
"They are ambitious and cunning, banking on our reluctance to give up our current gains..."
"The moment we hesitate, we fall into their trap!"
Matthew had felt this inexplicable pressure several times before.
In the past, due to his lack of strength and a shallow understanding of the power of fate, Matthew had only felt an inexplicable sense of being manipulated.
Now, Matthew vaguely discerned some clues.
Because the enemy was also using the power of fate!!
And not just against Matthew himself or Bay Territory!
Even the unexpected coalition of orcs, trolls, and barbarians!
The fall of the Scarlet Fortress and the Crimson Fortress carried an inexplicable sense of orchestration!
How did they know the strength of the garrison at the Scarlet and Crimson Fortresses of the Netheril Empire?
And how did they know that the other legions and floating cities of the Netheril Empire just happened to be unavailable at this moment?
Matthew clearly remembered that if he hadn't intervened.
The current chaos in the Carl Plains and the Eastern Province would be far worse!
The enemy not only used the power of fate, but they also had an incredibly powerful force closely tied to the Netheril Empire.
This led Matthew to suspect whether it could be a Grand Arcanist.
It was a chilling thought!
But the more Matthew thought about it, the more plausible it seemed!
However, after surviving several encounters, Matthew, now stronger and no longer intimidated, was prepared to face them head-on.
"So, do you know why I asked the Lord to gather all those with elite-level strength?"
"Because we have a brand-new way of fighting!"
"It's time to show them our power!"
This would be both a counterattack and a warning!