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Chapter 440: Unexpected Encounter with the Drow Elves
Just as the soldiers had speculated during their casual conversations.
Matthew indeed intended to construct a temporary mining base within the gold mine, entrusting the kobolds with the task of mining.
However, Matthew was not in a rush. He simply took a few samples of the gold ore and prepared to lead the group out of the area.
Before leaving, he ensured that all traces left behind by the group were meticulously erased.
The purpose of these measures was to conceal their presence and prevent others from discovering the site by following their trail.
Matthew had everyone sign a magical contract for profit sharing and confidentiality. After signing, everyone felt quite elated.
Of course, upon returning to the surface, Matthew would have to publicize this effort significantly.
Spending heavily to attract loyalty is an age-old strategy!
After confirming the value of the gold mine, Matthew could confidently proceed with developing the underground world.
After all, as long as development yields continuous benefits, it will sustain everyone's enthusiasm for progress.
Just as Matthew and his team were preparing to return to the surface,
Yaya, who had been soundly asleep throughout the journey, suddenly woke up.
Fixing her gaze on the distant darkness, she quietly said in her mind:
"I sense danger ahead. It feels like there's an ambush."
Matthew, who always trusted Yaya's judgment, immediately ordered the group to halt.
"There's an enemy ahead. Prepare for combat."
The soldiers swiftly responded, cautiously concealing themselves.
More enemies?
Suppressing her excitement, Annie instinctively lowered her voice and couldn't help but ask:
"What kind of enemy? Could it be the gnolls?"
Shaking his head gravely, Matthew cast "Cleanse," "Silence," and "Disguise" spells over the group before cautiously advancing.
In a shadowy corner of the dim passageway, Matthew, aided by Yaya's keen vision, spotted the figures of their foes.
A crude encampment manned by hundreds of gnolls was under siege by numerous figures.
These assailants were agile and moved with extraordinary dexterity.
They effortlessly vaulted over the gnolls' rudimentary barricades and infiltrated the camp.
Their equipment was exceptional.
Even from a distance, Matthew could discern that their weapons and armor were all enchanted.
This fine equipment, combined with their formidable skills,
made their combat power truly astonishing.
Matthew quickly identified these "enemies" as one of the three dominant underground forces: the Drow Elves.
Originally a branch of the elves, the drow were banished from their homeland due to power struggles and religious conflicts.
Following the guidance of the evil goddess Lolth, they entered this perilous underground world.
After paying a steep price, they carved out territories and habitats suitable for their survival and reproduction.
Under the influence of Lolth and their harsh environment, these elves underwent drastic changes.
Elegance gave way to cruelty.
Intelligence became cunning.
Their beautiful, delicate appearances turned dark and sinister.
Even their previously varied hair colors all turned white.
The drow established numerous city-states, each dominating large territories and ruling over tens of thousands, if not millions, of slaves.
They extracted and exploited these slaves to sustain their opulent, lofty lifestyles.
Naturally, they maintained their rule over these slaves through brutality and strength.
Free from survival pressures, the drow often immersed themselves in deadly "games" of political intrigue and assassination.
They engaged in relentless internal conflict, both overt and covert, consuming their resources.
Despite inheriting elven traditions and possessing abundant underground resources, the drow's potential for growth was stunted.
The intentional divisions sown by Lolth and their incessant power struggles kept them confined to the underground.
Occasionally, the drow launched raids on the surface world, pillaging nearby regions.
After looting slaves and treasures, they would retreat back to their underground domains.
In essence, they acted like bandits.
Interestingly, players often enjoyed interacting with the drow.
Because they could learn a great deal from these dark elves.
As long as there was money and benefits involved,
the drow often proved to be generous collaborators.
However, any collaboration required maintaining a dominant position.
Otherwise, the drow's greed would surface, and they would test boundaries using various schemes.
If they believed they could gain the upper hand, they wouldn't hesitate to stab their partners in the back.
Without a shred of hesitation.
Matthew had dealt with the drow before.
He had once destroyed over a dozen drow cities with decisive force.
This earned him the wrath of Lolth, the drow's goddess.
She retaliated!
Matthew suffered greatly.
Even so, Matthew hadn't expected to encounter the drow in this region.
"This is supposed to be the territory of the Karaya Gnoll Kingdom. Why are they so bold? Are they not afraid..."
Matthew began to speculate but suddenly considered a crucial point.
"When did the drow seize control of the Karaya Gnoll Kingdom?"
"Could it be happening now?"
"Is this how they managed to mobilize such vast numbers of gnolls for raids on the Dwarven Kingdom and elven territories?"
"And, through this area, did they discover an entrance to the surface world, launching a devastating attack that crippled Bloodmoon City?"
"If that's the case, then the drow have been planning this for a long time."
"These may only be their vanguard. The main force has yet to arrive..."
"Dealing with the drow is far from simple."
As Matthew pondered, the gnolls in the besieged camp were reaching their breaking point.
They were no match for the drow, falling short in both equipment and individual combat strength.
Their once-prized numerical advantage had turned against them.
Annie, grasping the gravity of the situation, refrained from asking questions this time. She realized the dire implications.
The drow were unlike any enemy she had faced beforeâextremely dangerous!
Matthew squinted, his mind racing.
He had to stop the drow from subjugating the gnolls.
Otherwise, his territory would face immense peril.
But how?
The decision was clearâact now!
Pointing toward the rear of the gnoll camp, Matthew calmly said:
"The gnolls probably don't realize they're under attack yet."
"Let's lend them a hand and alert them to the situation."
Taking Matthew's cue, the group circled around the gnoll camp and discreetly navigated a narrow, concealed passage to reach its rear.
Sure enough,
they discovered a hundred-strong drow team lying in ambush behind the gnoll camp.