Chapter 412: Taking the Initiative
"Move it! There are injured here."
"He's still alive. Quickly, give him a healing potion!"
"It's just a broken leg. He can still be saved!"
"Bind the wound and stop the bleeding immediately."
"The emergency treatment manual has instructions. Get moving!"
"Call the golems to cut through this rock."
"Someone, move that stone away!"
"…"
Angela organized the rescue effort, sparing no expense on healing potions.
The clergy members busied themselves, but their expressions shifted as they faced hundreds of injured.
They couldn't save everyone!
Mira bit her lip, just about to order, "Save as many as we can."
Sun Sheng entered, dragging a large chest. His face showed disbelief as he spoke to the hesitant Mira:
"Don't rush to cast spells. Use these scrolls first."
"Once the scrolls are used up, there's plenty of mana-restoring potions here."
"Focus on the severely injured. Keeping them alive is the priority."
Seeing the countless potions and spell scrolls, even the experienced clergy gasped.
No other territory or lord would think to use such precious scrolls and mid-tier potions to save ordinary soldiers.
Even the clergy had faced difficult choices countless times.
Now, they realized how easily this dilemma could be resolved.
Mira clicked her tongue and muttered, holding a group healing scroll:
"As long as there's enough gold…"
Sun Sheng, holding a "Heal Severe Wounds" scroll, thought about its price of over 2,000 gold and silently mused:
"It's not just about gold; it's about generosity, magnanimity, and compassion!"
As they administered treatments, they found the soldiers' injuries were less severe than expected.
The experienced Sun Sheng carefully examined the reasons and fell silent:
"Fully enchanted armor and gear…"
"Personal vitality potions…"
"Emergency first aid measures…"
This showed how much care Bay Territory devoted to its soldiers.
Sun Sheng recalled the sight of Bay Territory soldiers enduring the orc army's assault and felt a surge of unexplainable emotions.
Humanity has a heart.
After recovering all the wounded and retrieving the fallen soldiers' bodies, Angela ensured no one was missing before directing the troops to clear the battlefield and burn the orc corpses.
Nightfall approached.
Billowing smoke slowly rose into the sky.
Every orc corpse was thrown into pre-dug pits and burned to ashes.
To prevent any issues, the burnt remains were scattered across the vast Dark Forest.
The adventurers, who had not pursued the orcs, marveled at Bay Territory's meticulous handling.
"Bay Territory really does things thoroughly!"
"Of course! Why else would I call you here?"
"Haha, this place is way better than Farsico. They're always stingy about paying…"
"Heh, they might have strong naval forces, but their land troops are weaker than us adventurers. They're slow to pay even with high rewards…"
"Bay Territory pays promptly, but they've got a lot of rules!"
"What are you complaining about? Without those rules, would making money here be this easy?"
"Fair enough. You always have to save some strength to guard against others…"
"Alright, enough chatter. Let's rest up, then send people to scout. I bet Bay Territory has more moves planned…"
"They've spent so much gold just to claim this resource-less Dark Forest and fought trolls and orcs over it. What else could they do?"
"You don't get it. Bay Territory never takes a loss!"
"…"
As the new adventurers integrated into Bay Territory's operations,
inside the newly rebuilt and reinforced meeting hall, Matthew was holding a strategy session.
Every face bore the hardened resolve forged in fire and battle.
However, their expressions were grim.
While Bay Territory had claimed victory in the recent battle, it was largely because the orcs retreated. Had the fight continued, the outcome remained uncertain.
Even so, nearly 1,300 casualties—
Even considering the Earthquake spell surprise attack, a near 10% casualty rate left them dissatisfied.
With access to supplies and resources far beyond what other armies could imagine, they should have defeated any enemy.
Yet, they hadn't seized the initiative!
Unease.
Frustration.
Shame.
Matthew offered no comfort. Bay Territory's forces needed this "wake-up call."
For the somewhat complacent soldiers, it was also a necessary reminder.
Not only must the ordinary soldiers' skills improve, but the "top-tier" fighters must also advance.
Grigg had taught them a valuable lesson—a hard but worthwhile one!
As the sand table finalized its layout, Matthew pointed to the Gurubashi Trolls' location and decisively said:
"The Gurubashi Trolls are now weakened, providing a prime opportunity for expansion."
"We'll not only fortify Bull Fortress but also claim the surrounding Beast Cavern Mountains."
"Adventurers can handle the initial development. Once a suitable location is identified, we'll establish fortresses."
"To monitor the area, we'll set up rest outposts for adventurers, turning them into our eyes and ears."
"Simultaneously, dispatch people from the Adventurer's Center to assess and define mission levels and rewards…"
"…"
Hearing this, everyone understood that Bay Territory intended to claim the entire area.
Expanding from 20 kilometers within the Dark Forest to 300 kilometers,
This move alone captured an area exceeding half of Bay Territory's current size.
It was easy to understand Matthew's "ambitious appetite" since he never hid his desire for territory and population.
Just as they thought Matthew's plans stopped there,
He concluded this part of the strategy and naturally added:
"Moreover, it's clear that someone has been 'watching' us."
"The Blackhand Orcs who attacked us, the Gurubashi Trolls from days ago, and now the Black Spine Orc—all bear traces of manipulation."
"Thus, we must take the initiative and eliminate the Gurubashi Trolls first!"
Everyone heard the determination in their lord's voice, followed by an exciting directive:
"The task of planning this operation is now yours!"