Sorcery Monarch

Chapter 88: Taking the Initiative

 

The expanded logging camp was no longer the small logging site it used to be.

 

The trees within 500 meters had all been cut down.

 

Along with the shrubs and weeds, everything had been cleared, ensuring an unobstructed view of the surroundings, enabling early warnings upon spotting enemies.

 

A moat connected to the river, three meters wide, effectively isolated external dangers.

 

The camp was surrounded on all sides by towering stone walls.

 

Stones gathered by thousands of kobolds were tightly stacked, forming walls five meters high.

 

The top of the four-meter-wide stone walls was wide enough to accommodate four rows of soldiers for defense.

 

Several stone battlements and watchtowers were built on each side.

 

Heavy crossbows protruded from the battlements, operated by soldiers aiming at the forests hundreds of meters away.

 

Seeing these military-grade weapons, the adventurers felt a sense of reassurance.

 

Although the regenerative abilities of the trolls were indeed formidable, these heavy crossbows were no joke either.

 

On eight lookout towers, each over 10 meters tall, a dozen scouts stood watch.

 

At the back was a well-fortified stone building.

 

Inside, reserve soldiers could be stationed, ready to provide support at any time.

 

All kinds of defense materials and equipment were stored, ready for rotation, repair, and replacement.

 

By military standards, this camp could withstand an attack from 2–3 times its number if fully manned.

 

From Arnold's seasoned perspective, the defensive tightness here even rivaled some military outposts.

 

Soldiers gathered in the camp, neatly lined up and looking toward Angela, their young commander, who was boosting morale:

 

"Are you all satisfied with your current lives?"

 

Excellent weapons, generous pay, and the hope of a better future—things they had never dared dream of!

 

All the soldiers shouted in unison, "Satisfied!"

 

The deafening shouts echoed through the camp, and the overwhelming morale impressed the surrounding adventurers.

 

"Who gave us this life?"

 

"The lord!"

 

Angela’s voice was solemn and clear as she called out:

 

"If anyone wants to take away our lives and make us return to the past, what should we do?"

 

The soldiers were suddenly reminded of the implications, and their minds instinctively reflected on this question.

 

Go back to the past?

 

To the days of not having enough to eat and watching their families starve?

 

"Never!"

 

Leon and Captain Sean exchanged a glance, shouting in unison:

 

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

 

The other soldiers quickly followed suit, shouting at the top of their lungs:

 

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

 

The shouts thundered through the camp, thick with killing intent!

 

The adventurers were visibly startled, and the flocks of birds around the camp took off in panic.

 

Such a powerful and imposing army sent shivers down the spine.

 

This wasn’t a spontaneous act; it was the result of extensive training.

 

Naturally, Matthew was deeply invested in ideological education because he had once witnessed a truly invincible army!

 

An army with faith!

 

As for now, the reason Matthew had gathered his forces was to take the offensive!

 

To strike first!

 

The "-3" luck value represented considerable danger.

 

But Matthew understood that luck was like a poison boil—while lancing it was painful, leaving it to fester could be fatal!

 

Don’t toy with fate—break it with courage!

 

"Two hundred soldiers in formation: 60 shield-bearers, 100 spearmen, and 40 archers, led by Captain John and Captain Sean."

 

"One hundred barbarian soldiers, led by Old John and Arnold."

 

"A total of 40 scouts, led by Field."

 

"Twenty wagons will follow."

 

"Form ranks, prepare to move out!"

 

Angela's clear orders echoed through the area, causing the adventurers' faces to shift.

 

"Are they planning to go into battle?"

 

"Are they crazy?"

 

"Why don’t they just hold the camp and wait for the trolls to attack?"

 

"What’s the reasoning behind this?"

 

"What should we do?"

 

The adventurers had never expected that the soldiers of Bay Territory would choose to fight the trolls in the wild instead of defending the camp.

 

It was just too crazy!

 

Old John had initially doubted Matthew's orders, but when the latter pointed in the direction of Bay Village, the veteran soldier understood completely.

 

The territory was in a stage of rapid development, and it was precisely because the security problem had been solved that Bay Village could attract more and more people to join.

 

If these trolls bypassed the logging camp and attacked the mostly defenseless civilians, it would deal a massive blow to the village’s rapid growth.

 

So, they had to take the initiative!

 

And they had to win!

 

Seeing how lost and confused the adventurers were, Matthew smiled slightly and turned to Ralph, saying softly:

 

"Issue a task at the adventurers’ hall. During the upcoming two days of battle, the team that kills or captures the most trolls will receive a 2,000 gold reward!"

 

With a heavy reward comes brave men!

 

The adventurers had been so apprehensive because the risks they faced outweighed the potential gains.

 

When this news spread, the entire camp of adventurers erupted into excitement.

 

"What are you waiting for? Get ready for battle!"

 

"The adventurers' hall has lowered the price of blood-replenishing potions. Everyone, go buy some quickly!"

 

"I need a mid-tier warrior for my team—we already have four mid-tier professionals!"

 

"Our team has 30 people; we just need four more good hands. All rewards will be split equally!"

 

"Hurry up and join us. If we follow the soldiers, we might be able to pick off some stray trolls..."

 

"That makes sense. Wait for me, I need to buy some spell scrolls first..."

 

"Spell scrolls? You’re really going all out!"

 

"Duh! Haven’t you figured it out yet? This 2,000 gold reward doesn’t interfere with our usual troll capture tasks!"

 

"Double the rewards?"

 

"Exactly..."

 

"..."

 

The heated discussions reached Matthew’s ears, and he was very pleased with the adventurers’ keen awareness.

 

"Indeed, if you want your 'tools' to show initiative, you need to dangle a few surprises in front of them now and then to keep them hooked!"

 

Matthew had been in this world for almost two months and had once worried.

 

With just his own strength and without the billions of players from his previous world, could he truly change the fate of this land and its people?

 

But as his understanding of this real world deepened, Matthew gradually cast aside his former doubts.

 

He didn’t have players, but he had adventurers—more numerous and more obedient!

 

As long as they were paid well, adventurers’ enthusiasm for completing tasks even exceeded that of the players.

 

One played games, the other risked their lives!

 

Moreover, unlike the unpredictable players, adventurers were much easier to control and manage.

 

As Matthew learned more about the adventurers' earnings and treatment in other regions, his confidence only grew.

 

"These people risk their lives so hard; what’s wrong with earning more money?"

 

"As long as you take my money and work for me, you're my good brothers!"

 

"Brothers, charge with me!"

 

Under the hopeful gazes of countless adventurers, Matthew and Angela led their high-spirited soldiers out of the camp.

 

The adventurers could no longer hold back and eagerly followed.

 

It wasn’t that they wanted to mooch off the lord; they simply found it rare to have such a great lord to work for.

 

Indeed, they had to ensure his safety!

 

Otherwise, where else would they go to earn so much money?