Sorcery Monarch

Chapter 89: Paving the Way with Gold

 

The bright red glow flashed as it cut through the air in an arc.

 

It illuminated the dense underbrush of the dark forest, exposing all the hidden figures.

 

A few growling jackals darted out, snarling briefly before noticing the sheer number of humans, and with a few "whimpering" sounds, they turned to flee with their tails tucked between their legs.

 

Swift arrows flew forth, instantly piercing through their throats.

 

Several scouts rushed out, grabbing the corpses and returning before the light faded.

 

As the red glow gradually dimmed, the surroundings once again fell into the dark and eerie silence that matched the forest's name.

 

The "whoosh" sound returned, and another burst of light arose.

 

Alice, her face illuminated by the red light, winced slightly with a pained expression and muttered to herself:

 

"That must be the ninth signal flare scroll, right? Even if it's just a 0-level spell scroll, it could still sell for 20 gold coins!"

 

Chris, who had always been on the front lines bearing the greatest risks for the group, couldn't help but murmur with some confusion:

 

"What’s the point of this? Scouts could’ve handled this—why spend so much money?"

 

Alice snapped out of her moment of distress and quickly reasoned it out with a hint of envy, saying:

 

"What else? It's for undeniable safety."

 

"Even if scouts lead the way, it’s not guaranteed to be foolproof. Plus, our lord isn’t exactly short on money…"

 

The phrase "not short on money" made the adventurers feel a bit sour.

 

But they soon realized that it was actually a good thing.

 

"If the lord were short on money, who would we turn to for bounties?"

 

After thinking it over, the adventurers gradually grew numb to the lord's habit of throwing gold around and began to feel a stronger sense of loyalty.

 

After all, who wouldn’t want to follow a wealthy lord who was willing to spend?

 

Hearing the adventurers' comments, Matthew didn’t pause his "wealth display" and pulled out another scroll, pouring five points of mana into it and casting it immediately.

 

The flashing red light continued to illuminate the surroundings.

 

Matthew was in no rush. He gently stroked the eager Yaya, stopping her from scouting ahead.

 

If they were truly dealing with a troll clan or tribe, it was very likely there were high-tier professionals among them.

 

Letting Yaya venture out alone would be too dangerous.

 

So Matthew preferred to spend more money to ensure safety.

 

Additionally, his frequent use of spell scrolls served as a subtle message to the adventurers.

 

"I have scrolls available. If you need them, you can purchase them."

 

"Money is important, but life is more important. As long as you're alive, you can keep making money..."

 

Although most of the adventurers weren't exceptionally strong, generally ranging from level 3 to 7, they could already use spell scrolls.

 

Matthew intended to cultivate this habit among them!

 

Moreover, thanks to Matthew's constant spending, the group's confidence also grew.

 

If the lord was willing to spend hundreds of gold coins just to travel, how much more would he be willing to spend on battle?

 

A wealthy spellcaster could be impossibly strong!

 

Under such circumstances, the group maintained good morale as they advanced 20 meters from the riverbank at the edge of the dark forest. On the opposite side lay the valley's entrance.

 

The bright light illuminated the crystalline surface of the river, reflecting the sinister figures gathered at the riverbank.

 

With the light growing brighter, the adventurers could now see the trolls that had been lurking nearby.

 

Cold sweat ran down everyone’s backs as they looked at Matthew with admiration.

 

"Thank goodness for the lord's gold—otherwise, we would have been ambushed by those trolls!"

 

"These trolls are incredibly strong and intimidating, each one a mid-tier professional armed with armor and weapons. If they had ambushed us, we’d have suffered heavy losses."

 

"That was close. Has the lord anticipated the trolls’ moves?"

 

"The lord is a powerful and mysterious arcanist. Maybe he used prophecy to foresee these trolls, or perhaps he already knows this battle is destined for victory…"

 

"So, we can relax then?"

 

"That’s true, but we still need to be careful. Even in victory, people can die!"

 

"Good point..."

 

"..."

 

Hearing this, Matthew had to admit that the adventurers had quite the imagination, but these were the "brothers" he needed.

 

His gaze fell on the distinctive trolls ahead.

 

They were about the same height as regular trolls, but their bodies were twice as muscular, bulging with sinewy strength and emitting a menacing aura.

 

Unlike the previous trolls, who were dressed in rags and wielded crude wooden clubs,

 

These trolls were clad in hardened leather armor and wielded metal weapons.

 

Though rusted and chipped, the weapons were solid, and most were heavy-duty.

 

Even in the sunlight, their sharp edges still gleamed menacingly.

 

More importantly, these trolls weren’t acting with the mindless aggression typical of their kind, attacking like wild beasts.

 

They had likely tracked the group for several kilometers but remained disciplined, holding back until they saw an opening—a level of patience and discipline stronger than that of most soldiers and adventurers.

 

They were foes not to be underestimated!

 

The detailed stats revealed to Matthew the origin of these trolls:

 

Name: Rottenfang

 

Race: Troll

 

Identity: Rotmoss Clan - Forsaken Camp - Hunting Party Leader.

 

Age: 42

 

Class: Level 9 Hunter

 

Talent: Extraordinary - Regeneration.

 

Specialties: Advanced Specialty - Hunter’s Heart, Intermediate Specialty - Weakness Detection, Intermediate Specialty - Rapid Shot.

 

Skills: Ambush LV2, Poisoned Arrow LV2, Traps LV1.

 

Legacy: Intermediate - Path of the Hunter.

 

Attributes:

 

Strength: 16

 

Agility: 14

 

Intelligence: 8

 

Constitution: 18

 

Perception: 12

 

Charisma: 4

 

Luck: -2

 

Evaluation: His darkened countenance foretells a self-destructive path!

 

"So they really are from the Rotmoss Clan?"

 

"The Forsaken Camp? That must be their base!"

 

"If that’s the case, their lair should be in the valley, and there are probably more trolls inside..."

 

"I wonder if this Forsaken Camp still has any connection to the Rotmoss Clan…"

 

Valuable information flooded Matthew’s mind as the trolls across the river let out sharp, angry roars.

 

More howls echoed from the other side of the river as dozens of figures charged out, advancing toward Matthew’s group.

 

With 50 trolls on the far side and 70 on their side, Matthew now faced a total of 110 trolls, each with an average strength of around level 6.

 

Even though the soldiers were confident, they couldn’t help but feel pressured by the towering, hulking figures of the trolls.

 

But at that moment, Matthew swiftly raised his staff and aimed at the 70 trolls on their side of the river, channeling his mana without hesitation.

 

Fireball!

 

Activated!

 

The explosion’s deafening roar was the signal to attack.

 

Angela drew her sword, and a pale golden light spread from her, enveloping every soldier—the "Inspiration Aura" was active!

 

"Charge!"