Chapter 28: Swamp Troll Crisis!

【Intelligence Report Three: Your arrival thwarted the Demon Serpents' attack on Stormhold, but the monsters seem unwilling to accept defeat. Today at noon, a force of over a hundred Demon Serpents will march toward Stormhold.

Most importantly, among the Demon Serpent force is a Swamp Troll with strength comparable to a Third-Grade Magical Beast.

Facing a Swamp Troll standing five meters tall, the wooden palisade walls of Wheat Town are as fragile as a child's toys, utterly incapable of withstanding the troll's steps.】

【Intelligence Report Four: A slave-hunting party has returned fully laden from the Chaotic Wasteland. For ease of management, they chose the route through Stormhold, where travelers are scarce, and arrived at Wheat Town in the evening.

Among the cargo of the slave-hunting party, everyone appeared ordinary, except for a woman named Eflane. She possesses a thin lineage of the Ancient Golden Bloodline, making her exceptionally suited for cultivating the Battle Qi Breathing Technique.

Her cultivation speed will be three times that of others!

Furthermore, in one day, she will awaken the Golden Eye ability, granting her vision comparable to an eagle's!

In addition, the slave-hunting party includes ten skilled longbowmen. If you can purchase them, they will greatly enhance the strength of your territory.】

【Intelligence Report Five: At the junction of the Chaotic Wasteland and the Death Mountain Range, an area previously devoid of human presence has welcomed a group of mysterious individuals who have set up a magic array there.

As the magic array activates, the surrounding space begins to tremble. They seem intent on opening a teleportation link between the Continent of Glory and some unknown region.

Regardless of where the other end of the teleportation array leads, the occasional leakage of deathly energy reveals that the other side is fraught with extreme danger.

However, this teleportation array has been specially configured; once activated, it cannot be closed. It will pierce through the two regions in one day. All nearby territories are warned to be vigilant against potential dangers.】

"The monsters are attacking again?!"

Gervas sat up abruptly from his bed.

Stormhold is indeed fraught with danger. I have only been here a few days, and those monsters are already preparing a second assault.

Moreover, this time it seems even more troublesome; a Swamp Troll comparable to a Third-Grade Magical Beast. Even Knight Commander Lei Meng might be unable to handle it, right?

Ding-ling-ling!

"My lord!" Caroline, who had been waiting for a long time, opened the door and quickly began to wash and dress Gervas.

However, Gervas's mind was fixed on the crisis, and today he had no time to focus his thoughts on his personal maid.

Just as he finished dressing and washing, Gervas prepared to head straight for the first floor.

"My lord!" But this time, Caroline called out to stop him.

"What is it, Caroline?"

Ever since yesterday, when the maid selflessly tried to block a sword for him.

Gervas, besides realizing his training had reached a shrill peak, also developed a significantly improved attitude toward the maid.

Caroline's face was flushed with shame, yet she still said, "My lord, today's punishment has not yet been carried out!"

Good heavens! Gervas exclaimed, "Good heavens!"

With such an obedient maid, any crisis can wait!

"Then let us begin today's punishment!"

The words were highly ambiguous, but over these two days, Caroline had witnessed Gervas's character.

Thus, the maid lay down on the table with complete confidence.

Next, under the sound of slapping, white waves rolled.

……

"My lord, you summoned us saying there was something important?"

In the castle conference hall, Knight Commander Lei Meng arrived with five knights. In addition, Laurence, who had just been promoted to Centurion, also rushed in.

"That is correct. I have just received reliable intelligence that the Demon Serpents will attack Stormhold again, and they are expected to reach Stormhold's border at noon."

"More importantly, among this monster force, there will be a Swamp Troll with strength comparable to a Third-Grade Magical Beast!"

"What? The monsters are coming again, and there is a Swamp Troll comparable to a Third-Grade?!" Everyone's eyes widened.

"My lord, what should we do now? Should we immediately reinforce the defenses?" Laurence, startled, immediately asked.

As a native of Stormhold, he was the one who could best appreciate the changes Stormhold had undergone over these few days.

Such good days, whether for him or the common people, were met with joy and celebration.

Who would have thought that just as there was a glimmer of hope, such bad news arrived.

However, Laurence would not allow these good days to be destroyed again, no matter what.

Therefore, even if he had to die in battle, he would hold out until the very last moment.

"With strength comparable to a Third-Grade Demon God, combined with the Swamp Troll's massive size, even if we reinforce the defenses in advance, the wooden walls of Wheat Town still cannot withstand the Swamp Troll's charge!" Knight Commander Lei Meng spoke, rejecting Laurence's proposal.

"Then... does that mean we truly have no solution?" Laurence's face turned pale.

"Now there are only two options. First, since my lord has received definite intelligence, we should evacuate all townspeople in advance and have the rear guard hold the castle!"

"In this way, even if the monsters arrive, the damage will be limited to the town, and the monsters will eventually retreat!"

"But isn't the loss to the town very great? Those monster creatures are very wicked. In their search for food, they will surely destroy every house completely!" Laurence said worriedly.

Knight Commander Lei Meng nodded and continued, "The second option is for us to take the initiative to attack and lure the monsters elsewhere. This method should temporarily prevent the monsters from attacking Wheat Town."

"However, this might only be temporary. What if the monsters still refuse to give up on Wheat Town? Then they will continue to come in the future!"

"Moreover, luring the monsters is a very dangerous matter. The soldiers tasked with luring them may suffer heavy losses."

"But the only benefit might be that we will have enough time to request reinforcements from the Kingdom's border legion!"

"This is trading a small sacrifice for a great sacrifice!" Laurence suddenly looked at Gervas. "My lord, I am willing to lead men to draw the monsters away and strive to obtain support from the border legion!"

"My lord, I will go with you as well. Otherwise, relying solely on the guard unit, we probably cannot restrain too many monsters!" Lei Meng said.

"My lord, we are also willing to go!" Knight Mi Gen and the other five knights volunteered for battle.

"Your courage is commendable, but remember: in the future, when encountering enemies, besides courage, strategy is also required!" Gervas raised his hand to suppress everyone.

Amidst everyone's confusion, Gervas said, "I have already thought of the response plan for this time. Do you remember that Iron-Shell Fire Salamander?"

The Iron-Shell Fire Salamander? Of course they remembered it.

Stealing its child from such a huge creature was the most thrilling thing they had ever experienced in their lives; they would probably never forget it.

"My lord, we remember. But, what does the Iron-Shell Fire Salamander have to do with the monsters?" Knight Mi Gen and the others were somewhat puzzled.

Knight Commander Lei Meng seemed to guess something, his eyes suddenly brightening.

"My lord, are you planning to lure the Iron-Clad Fire Salamanders against the monsters?"

"Exactly. The Iron-Clad Fire Salamander is a top-tier existence among third-level beasts. If the plan is executed properly, even the Swamp Trolls will suffer!"

Afterwards, Gervas began making arrangements, but the monsters would not arrive until noon.

For now, he merely ordered his subordinates to prepare.

Taking advantage of this time, he must go collect the other good things mentioned in the intelligence first.