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Chapter 474: A Two-Way Struggle
Feeling Yaya's unease resonate within him, Matthew instinctively raised an eyebrow.
The fog-like tangle of threads finally revealed its end to him.
In Matthew's memory, a few years later, Scarlet Fortress was indeed rumored to have been destroyed in what appeared to be a divine miracle.
A mysterious, powerful entity obliterated the resolute Scarlet Fortress in one fell swoop.
From that point on, the Netheril Empire completely lost control over the Eastern Province and the northern Carl Plains.
Orcs from the Savage Plateau could invade freely from the north.
The Carl Plains, once the empire's granary, immediately turned into a festering wound, impossible to defend.
Abandoning it was not an option, as no one could bear the loss of such a vast swath of land.
The empire was forced to pour immense resources into maintaining a tenuous defense line to prevent the entire eastern region from falling into chaos.
Yet, they could not truly control it. The orcs roamed freely across the Carl Plains.
Moreover, the orcs began offensives to the east and west, leaving local lords scrambling to defend their territories.
At the time, the players were not strong enough to uncover the truth behind these events.
However, through "archaeological" efforts later, players discovered:
The ruins of Scarlet Fortress, now a demon nest, indeed bore marks of divine destruction.
While it couldn't be definitively confirmed that this power destroyed the fortress, Matthew doubted such a "coincidence" could exist.
"If it really was divine intervention that destroyed Scarlet Fortress, it would have already fallen by now."
"The days ahead for the Carl Plains and the Eastern Province will be difficultâŚ"
"The orcs sweeping across the Carl Plains and invading the Eastern Province might begin years earlier than expectedâŚ"
"And this Abyssal Rift could very well evolve into a demon nest, a horrifying breach between the Abyss and the Material Plane!"
Deep in thought, Matthew watched the swarm of dretches and made up his mind.
A cherished life is not meant to be risked idly!
Time to retreat!
Of course, retreating didn't mean abandoning Scarlet Pass.
If Scarlet Fortress was indeed destroyed, the importance of Scarlet Pass would immediately come to the forefront.
Whether to contain the Abyssal Rift's expansion or to monitor the orcs, Scarlet Pass could serve as a critical base and stronghold.
Moreover, for now, Scarlet Pass seemed to remain firmly under Bay Territory's control.
With this realization, Matthew quickly began strategizing.
"If we can maintain control over Scarlet Pass, it would mean bearing defensive pressure, but there are plenty of benefits too."
"Killing orcs, training troops, gaining Fate Power, and gathering intelligence all provide tangible rewardsâŚ"
"Overseeing the Abyssal Rift also has its merits. Killing demons grants Fate Power and soul fragmentsâŚ"
Thinking of soul fragments, Matthew felt a spark of inspiration. The future development of Bay Territory truly relied on their use.
The more he thought about it, the more intriguing it became. To Matthew, Scarlet Fortress's destruction might be unfortunate for the Netheril EmpireâŚ
But it was highly beneficial for him and Bay Territory!
However, his good mood lasted only a moment before a distress communication from Scarlet Fortress soured it.
"Scarlet Fortress has fallen. Lead your troops to support immediately."
If not absolutely necessary, Matthew would avoid getting involved in the mess at Scarlet Fortress, but he had no choice.
The Legendary Elemental Crystal he coveted still hadn't been delivered.
Moreover, during this period of imperial conscription for war, this wasn't a request but an order.
Ensuring the survival of the Third and Eighth Legions was unquestionably "correct" for the Netheril Empire.
Now wasn't the time for outright rebellion!
Matthew vaguely understood that this unavoidable battle seemed to be tied to fulfilling a Fate Node.
Like the previous instances, one should not avoid the struggle but face it head-on.
Matthew had no intention of accumulating "bad luck" like Macaron, leading to insurmountable danger later.
Resolving himself, Matthew quickly began organizing.
His relative ease stemmed partly from the lack of significant pressure from the dretches.
Though their numbers reached the tens of thousands, Bay Territory's elite defensive preparations left them no room to threaten.
Their only impact was psychological, causing stress among less battle-hardened soldiers.
Fortunately, the accompanying priests from the Goddess's Church and the squad leaders quickly provided counseling and training to steady the soldiers.
"The Goddess's radiance shines upon us."
"These demons aren't even as strong as gnolls. What's there to fear?"
"Exactly! Kill one, and you get a gold coin. It's practically free money!"
"With the Goddess's protection, what's there to be afraid of?"
"Of course, the Goddess will bless you, but slaying these demons will also bring you coins and gloryâŚ"
"..."
Experienced Old John, along with Angela and Jifan, initiated an impromptu field psychology session.
They explained the origins of demons.
Detailed the strengths of different types of demons.
Highlighted their weaknesses.
Showed how to kill them effectively.
Explained the tangible rewards of defeating themâgold coins and merit points.
Soldiers immediately understood.Â
These demons were no different from any other enemy they had faced.
If anything set them apart, it was their hideous appearance, weaker combat abilities, and the exceptionally generous rewards for killing them.
Fired up, the soldiers easily suppressed the dretches' assault.
Some even grew bold enough to suggest venturing out to "harvest" them.
What a turn of eventsâthe roles had reversed!
The priests of the Goddess's Church exchanged bewildered glances upon seeing the soldiers' glowing enthusiasm.
It seemed Bay Territory's psychological conditioning (or brainwashing) surpassed their own professional expertise!
Meanwhile, adventurers in the wild began returning to Scarlet Pass.
Learning of Bay Territory's bounties, they, too, shed their fear of demons and joined the frenzy for gold and glory.
For a time, the increased intensity of attacks on the walls kept the dretches at bay.
Angela even ordered a halt to ranged attacks, allowing dretches, whose challenge rating didn't exceed 2, to climb the walls.
Otherwise, at their current rate of dying, there wouldn't be enough for everyone to claim!
The dretches truly drew the short end of the stick.
They had crossed the Abyssal Rift, dreaming of an idyllic Material Plane teeming with souls and flesh.
To prolong their existence and advance their life forms, they needed to harvest flesh and souls quickly to counteract the Material Plane's rejection.
Within hundreds of kilometers, only Scarlet Pass held enough souls to sustain them.
And so, the greedy, starving dretches collided with the unique forces of Bay Territory!
A two-way struggle indeed!