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Chapter 451: "The "Clever" Commander Lyria"
"AwoooâŚ!"
"RoarâŚ!"
"AhâŚ!"
The chaotic, noisy shouts echoed endlessly through the dark passage.
Countless gnoll warriors, eyes red with fury, were madly charging toward the walls.
After all, the Underdark was rich in mineral resources.
These gnoll warriors, who were often half-naked, were all clad in sturdy metal armor.
Although the craftsmanship of the armor was rough, it still provided decent defense.
This significantly increased their threat level, instantly raising their average challenge rating to 6.
However, their arrival didn't put much pressure on the defending Bay Territory soldiers.
This was not only because they had prepared their defenses but also because reinforcements had arrived.
The burly Gold-Fang stretched and flexed his muscles, grinning as he watched the gnoll army draw closer. Excitedly, he exclaimed:
"Haha, we've almost caught all the gnolls on the outskirts of the Dark Forest."
"And now, these fools are delivering themselves to us!"
Behind Gold-Fang, dozens of imposing draconic kobolds burst into laughter.
Further back, hundreds of strong gnolls looked on with disdain at the charging gnoll warriors.
Compared to the slain gnolls, these well-screened, loyal gnolls who had been accepted into the Bay Territory were undoubtedly lucky.
As long as they worked hard daily and trained diligently, they could live well-fed and warmly clothed.
To them, this life was a dream come true compared to their past.
However, as their intelligence developed (partially thanks to the Tree of Wisdom),
They began to desire more recognition and better roles.
They even aspired to openly serve the great true dragons, like the weaker kobolds did.
Indeed, this simple and humble dream came from the depths of their genes and souls.
This very ambition was why the Bay Territory decided to take them in.
For now, they were under Gold-Fang's command.
Until they trained harder, achieved merit, and produced a capable high-ranking gnoll,
They would continue striving to earn Lord Matthew and the true dragon's blessings, gaining partial self-governance rights.
This battle was their best opportunity, hence their fierce determination.
Unfortunately, their plans were dashed.
As thousands of gnolls charged toward the wallsâŚ
Yaya, in her true dragon form, radiating terrifying dragon might, made a grand entrance.
With an almost overwhelming aura, she appeared!
A single leap and a breath of destructive flame over dozens of meters instantly incinerated the high-ranking gnolls at the forefront.
Mission accomplished!
The remaining gnolls, compelled by their bloodline and inner fear, prostrated themselves before Yaya, welcoming her arrival reverently.
Yaya, slightly satisfied by this boost to her vanity, cheerfully ordered the Bay Territory soldiers to capture them all.
Not all gnolls could become Yaya's followers or join the Bay Territory.
They would undergo "screening," "training," and "education."
Only those who could think rationally, follow Bay Territory's rules and order, and behave obediently were allowed to stay.
Those who remained stubborn were dealt with, focusing resources on nurturing the more compliant next generation.
For now, a delighted Yaya, accompanied by Gold-Fang and the light guard unit, began "cleansing" the gnoll camps and cities.
No gnoll could resist Yaya's might!
Initially, they put up a token resistance, but after witnessing her power and destruction, they quickly surrendered.
All high-ranking gnolls, especially those who had consumed intelligent creatures, were eliminated on Yaya's orders.
In such a dangerous and treacherous world, the fewer of these "beasts," the better!
While Yaya led the cleanup of the gnolls,
the battle at the underground forward base reached its conclusion.
After losing nearly 5,000 slave warriors, Commander Lyria ordered a retreat.
However, it wasn't a full retreat.
Her reasoning was simple: the losses were enough as a "probe."
Having gathered substantial intelligence on the Bay Territory, Lyria spun a perfect excuse for her "defeat."
"I uncovered the Netheril Empire's plot to invade the Underdark!"
"They've set their sights on the Karaya Gnoll KingdomâŚ"
"I held off their vanguard army at great cost but will stand firm and request reinforcementsâŚ"
Skilled in rhetoric, Commander Lyria shamelessly "twisted the facts" and "distorted the truth."
However, her "misstep" had inadvertently uncovered Matthew and the Bay Territory's true intentions.
Sometimes, fate works in mysterious ways!
The drow army stationed outside the passage began building walls and camps, mimicking their enemies.
Clearly, Lyria intended to stay here for the long term, seeing many advantages in doing so.
The reputation of resisting "external invaders" would earn her many benefits.
By exaggerating the strength of the Bay Territory's modified warriors, she could secure more supplies and reinforcements.
Based on her and the scouts' observations, the Bay Territory continued reinforcing its base.
The forward base grew larger, the walls higher, and the weaponry more formidable.
A few days ago, Lyria considered probing further, but after losing hundreds more slave warriors, she wisely opted for caution.
However, she remained concerned that the Bay Territory might dispatch elite scouts to explore the surrounding areas.
She established dozens of patrol teams to seal off all entrances and exits from the forward base.
Using this method, the drow tightly controlled the area.
At least on the surface, they confined the Bay Territory to this zone.
In Lyria's view, this approach would help salvage her reputation.
However, the Bay Territory shared similar intentions.
Matthew quickly deployed forces to secure all entrances in the region, preventing the drow from advancing further.
Realizing the drow were adopting a defensive strategy, Matthew saw the stalemate and immediately issued lucrative tasks for adventurers.
"Adventurers, it's your time to shine!"