Sorcery Monarch

Chapter 66: Forged in the Fires of War

 

The gnolls ultimately failed to catch up to Field, watching helplessly as he dashed into the gates of the lumberyard.

 

The archers and rangers shot their deadly arrows, felling seven or eight gnolls who had charged too far ahead, forcing the rest to retreat.

 

As soon as the gate closed,

 

Angela ordered the soldiers to roll several heavy logs to block the entrance, while calling the archers and rangers to the watchtowers.

 

The timely warning meant that the workers had already been evacuated, so there was no need to worry about additional casualties.

 

Angela was somewhat regretful that the wooden walls of the lumberyard weren’t fully completed, with only one side fortified.

 

Fortunately, the materials used were thick and solid, and without heavy weapons, the gnolls would find it difficult to breach the walls quickly.

 

That time would be enough for the soldiers to deal deadly blows with their steel spears.

 

The only thing that made Angela uneasy was the fact that there were only 80 soldiers inside the lumberyard, while over 450 gnolls were outside.

 

Although there were nearly 1,000 kobolds within the lumberyard, Angela knew full well that they couldn’t be relied upon for combat. At best, they could serve as cannon fodder to slow the enemy.

 

Angela assumed that this might have been why the lord brought the kobolds along during the retreat.

 

In truth, Matthew hadn't thought that far ahead. His focus was entirely on the gnolls outside, his eyes filled with excitement.

 

Yaya had already confirmed that there were no more gnoll spellcasters or priests among the enemy.

 

Even if there were one or two elite gnoll brutes commanding them, their morale had clearly dropped. The fact that they hadn’t attacked immediately was a clear sign.

 

By now, after days of research into "Feat Analysis" and experimenting with the legendary feat Fate’s Choice, Matthew had a good grasp of how to use them.

 

The gentler method:

 

By analyzing a target’s activated feats through data, he could reach a level of understanding that allowed him to derive training methods for those feats.

 

This approach worked for anyone who met the prerequisites for learning, making it ideal for broader application.

 

But Matthew had his own way:

 

He extended his hand, grabbing a handful of the gnoll watcher’s brown fur and yanked him roughly closer.

 

The gnoll watcher thrashed violently, shaking the entire cage. Several onlookers turned their heads but quickly looked away after noticing Matthew's actions.

 

No one would interfere with whatever the lord wanted to do!

 

"Detailed data analysis in progress..."

 

"Detected rough information on the target's feat. Please upgrade Feat Analysis..."

 

Matthew checked his skill points—he had accumulated 9. Without hesitation, he chose to upgrade.

 

"2 skill points consumed. Extraordinary Inheritance – Feat Analysis upgraded to LV2!"

 

"Detailed data analysis in progress..."

 

"Detected some information on the target’s feat. Please upgrade Feat Analysis..."

 

Still not enough?

 

"3 skill points consumed. Extraordinary Inheritance – Feat Analysis upgraded to LV3!"

 

"Detected significant information on the target’s feat. Please upgrade Feat Analysis..."

 

Matthew grimaced as he eyed his remaining 4 skill points but didn't hesitate to upgrade to LV4!

 

With the higher level, a flood of knowledge, information, methods, and techniques surged into his mind.

 

Matthew could clearly feel himself absorbing various insights on the Quick Cast feat, which were quickly becoming part of his skillset.

 

With just a thought, he could swiftly put this knowledge into practice.

 

However, Matthew soon realized that the knowledge entering his mind was mostly theoretical.

 

Much like the memories he brought from his past life, they wouldn’t instantly translate into combat power.

 

Then he noticed the next prompt on his data display.

 

"Sufficient information detected. Would you like to consume 3,000 experience points to learn the advanced feat – Quick Cast?"

 

What else could Matthew say?

 

As the 3,000 experience points were consumed, Matthew felt a clear transformation occurring in his mind.

 

Closing his eyes, Matthew "saw" his mental and spiritual energy constructing a complex arcane model, following the steps from his newfound knowledge.

 

Mana nodes began forming one by one, while his mental energy expanded the structure, giving rise to a beautiful arcane model.

 

Matthew found himself absorbed in the process, greedily soaking up the knowledge and savoring the construction of the arcane model.

 

This was exactly the foundation he had been lacking!

 

After several minutes, a crisp system notification snapped Matthew out of his reverie.

 

"Ding! You have learned the advanced feat – Quick Cast LV1. Your casting speed is increased by 50%!"

 

A surge of excitement welled up within Matthew as he felt the flow of mana in his body quicken, and his overall power increase.

 

Acquiring his second advanced feat greatly boosted Matthew's confidence!

 

Clenching his fist, he calmly drew his rapier, and in the gnoll watcher’s bewildered fear, swiftly drove the blade into him.

 

Squelch!

 

The scent of fresh blood filled the air as the gnoll watcher stopped struggling, his body growing cold.

 

As the sweet sound of earned experience echoed in Matthew's mind, he waved to Old John and wiped the blood from his sword with an air of indifference.

 

"Throw his body out. He was the last gnoll spellcaster."

 

"With him gone, their fighting spirit and motivation will plummet."

 

"If we can hold off the first few waves of their attack, their assault will quickly weaken..."

 

Old John caught sight of Yaya hiding in the treetops and, reassured by Matthew’s calm demeanor, relaxed.

 

The lord must have some trick up his sleeve!

 

This must be a test for the soldiers!

 

The gnoll watcher’s body was thrown outside, and the enraged howls and roars of the gnolls quickly followed.

 

Clearly, this blatant provocation had infuriated the dim-witted creatures!

 

Led by the gnoll brutes, the remaining 400 gnolls charged en masse toward the gate.

 

The soldiers, who had been waiting, began their counterattack from behind the wooden barricades. Arrows flew through the air, and spears thrust forward in unison.

 

The sounds of metal clashing, mixed with shouts and roars, filled the air.

 

Watching the gnolls cluster together, Matthew’s face twisted into a sinister grin.

 

In the heat of battle, Old John would never have guessed that his earlier assumption had been spot on.

 

Matthew hadn't allowed Yaya to use her dragon's aura, which could have easily given the soldiers an advantage in retreat or attack, because he wanted to temper them.

 

Life and death at the edge of the blade, fighting with blood and steel.

 

Only through such trials could true warriors be forged, honing the finest soldiers!