Chapter 398: Angela's Growth
Under Matthew's watchful gaze, the cavalry unit, representing the mobile force, was dispatched from Bull Fort by Angela.
In the battle plan she led, the cavalry's main role was not defense but a decisive strike at critical moments.
Besides this arrangement, Angela's series of deployments also showed maturity and composure, embodying the style of a seasoned general.
The troll army was a specific opponent Matthew assigned to Angela; dealing with this semi-amateur opponent was easier for building confidence.
After all, everything should progress from easy to difficult.
With a thunderous boom.
A bright blaze suddenly erupted at the edge of the distant troll camp.
Matthew instantly recognized that adventurers had attacked the troll camp, and it was an uncommon spellcaster.
Clearly, the promise of rich rewards had attracted more and more elite adventurers.
The attacking adventurer was highly experienced. After launching the attack, they didn't retreat immediately but continued firing with crossbows.
It was evident that the purpose of this "Fireball Spell" was more about destroying the trolls' tents, forcing them into the open.
The adventurer's shooting skills were remarkable, and the crossbow and bolts were clearly modified.
Not only did they have longer range, but also stronger penetration and greater lethality.
Furthermore, they worked in coordination, focusing their fire to kill two or three trolls at a time, without overreaching.
Typically, after about three minutes of attacking, regardless of the result, they would retreat to avoid being surrounded and devoured by enraged trolls.
This time, however, was an exception.
Under Angela's coordination, the adventurers' disruptive attack was merely the signal for the first shot.
The whistling of crossbow bolts and the explosions of spells resounded throughout the troll camp.
The successive sneak attacks instantly encircled the troll camp.
Even though the trolls had experienced countless such attacks on their journey, they still couldn't control the chaos and rushed out in a frenzy, howling.
Then, the trolls fell into a trap.
The long-prepared allied adventurer teams were highly skilled in slaughtering small groups of troll soldiers.
Especially after receiving support from Bay Territory, whether in weapons, digging traps, or retreat logistics, all had been strengthened.
For many adventurers who had just arrived in Bay Territory to complete hunting missions, this was undoubtedly a novel experience.
"The trolls are charging in, there are 376 of them. We can handle them all, inform the two neighboring teams."
"Uh, why inform them?"
"In case we can't handle them, we can ask for their support or let them know to start retreating."
"Will they come to help?"
"Most likely not elsewhere; they might even kick us while we're down."
"But in Bay Territory, they absolutely will. We'll split the spoils as compensation for their help."
"Plus, they can earn additional merits, even if just a little..."
"Don't even think about cheating unless you think you can evade multiple detection spells."
"Do we even need a spell-based lie detector? Isn't that a bit..."
"A bit restrictive? Heh, if you take Bay Territory's benefits, you have to follow their rules. Isn't that only fair?"
"Prepare to engage. We need another 500 troll heads to level up the adventurer team."
"Right, then we can apply to buy a Guardian Golem."
"Those big guys are powerful, and they're especially effective as meat shields against trolls who lack good weapons..."
"You can buy a golem?"
"Yes, at a price lower than market value, but you need to earn enough merits..."
"..."
Soon, these new adventurers actively or passively adapted to Bay Territory's rules.
After all, the benefits of following the rules were evident, while breaking them came with many downsides.
Besides arranging harassment tactics for the adventurers.
Angela also had another surprise planned to further exhaust the trolls who were already weary from days of skirmishes—an underground attack!
Bay Territory had implemented a scorched earth policy on the left, right, and rear sides of Bull Fort.
Trees within a two-kilometer radius were cleared, except for the area right in front.
This was the designated camping spot Angela had planned for the trolls!
After selecting the battlefield, Angela didn't set too many restrictions around the troll camp.
She never underestimated the trolls, unsure if they had any special abilities to detect dangers hidden underground.
Therefore, Angela made her arrangements—but five meters below the ground.
"Notify them to get ready!"
Angela saw the troll camp descend into chaos and decisively gave the command to act, her eyes fixed on the sky.
"The lord must be watching me; I must not disappoint him or the territory!"
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Heavy stone slabs rapidly fractured, revealing dense cracks before shattering with a boom.
The soil above crumbled down with a rush.
Countless trolls fell into the gaping pit.
They let out terrified screams, only to be buried in the thick soil in moments.
A significant number of trolls were fortunate enough to avoid being covered by the earth and struggled to climb out.
However, they found themselves in a pit six or seven meters deep, with pairs of dark red, eager eyes staring down from the edges.
The delighted Silver-Fang impatiently gave the order:
"Release the arrows, take them down!"
"Ah...!"
The trolls, with nowhere to escape, screamed as they were turned into pincushions.
After just over ten seconds, the chaos, akin to heaven and earth collapsing, finally subsided.
Looking across the entire troll camp, nearly a third of the tents had vanished.
In their place were hundreds of dark pits.
Panicked trolls looked toward the pitch-black holes, from which only the occasional screams of troll soldiers could be heard.
Those chilling screams echoed from the holes.
Even the bloodthirsty Gurubashi trolls couldn't help but shiver.
Did all the trolls who fell in die?
What danger had they encountered?
How did these big pits appear?
Was the place they were sleeping safe?
A chaotic torrent of thoughts and the constant noise from harassing adventurers caused immense trouble for the trolls.
All the dangers and "noise" persisted until dawn broke, and only then did they gradually subside.
However, before the troll soldiers could even catch their breath, the troll priests ordered an attack.
"Either take this place and feast, or die here. The dead don't feel hunger."
And so, the trolls, without a hot breakfast, picked up their crude siege equipment and launched a full-on assault.
"Everyone, check your weapons."
"Logistics team, check the equipment."
"Reserves, check your readiness."
"Archers, adjust your angles."
"..."
Angela, standing atop the wall, issued commands methodically, her voice no longer hesitant but brimming with undeniable confidence.
"Crossbows, fire!"
With a wave of her hand, the flag bearers swung their banners, giving the order to shoot.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
A storm of crossbow bolts rained down upon the charging trolls!