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Chapter 495: Sevinton Isn't All That!
Matthew couldn't just sit back and watch the drow army steadily eliminate the Carlya Gnoll Kingdom.
The drow's purpose in attacking the gnolls was to seize territory and capture more war slaves.
The strength of a drow city-state depended on how many slaves they controlled.
While their combat abilities were impressive, internal conflicts and limited population made it hard for drow to act cohesively.
After all, you couldn't expect a race that delights in backstabbing their companions to entrust their safety to one another.
That would be suicide!
Thus, when Sera was captured, her original force of several hundred drow soldiers had dwindled to just twenty or thirty.
However, this very trait made the drow exceptionally skilled in small-scale battles and command.
Matthew shared the same perspective as many players.
That the drow's prowess stemmed from their frequent infighting and clashes among their own personal guards.
This trial-by-fire upbringing naturally honed their specialized skills.
Therefore, until the drow army acquired enough slave soldiers, neither Matthew nor Bay Territory feared them.
Bay Territory's strategy to wait served to build strength, recruit more soldiers, and develop more efficient and lethal weapons tailored for the underground world.
The ultimate goal was to cultivate more modified warriors!
Drow were not like orcs; they boasted a significant amount of high-end combat power.
Moreover, inheriting traits from elves, they had many spellcasters.
One such representative was the drow commander Lya, who caused Matthew and Yaya to refrain from engaging and retreat instead.
With a proper heritage and numerous low- and mid-tier spellcasters supporting her, Matthew and Yaya had no guarantee of victory.
Most critically, the drow undoubtedly had legendary-level individuals among them!
However, as soon as Matthew returned from Sevinton, Bay Territory would take action.
After all, if they delayed any longer, the Karaya gnolls might not hold out.
With concerns addressed, Matthew prepared to select members to accompany him to Sevinton.
Experienced and well-traveled.
Even the most knowledgeable figures in Bay Territory, such as Old John and Arnold, had only ventured within the Carl Plains and Eastern Provinces, let alone others.
Since Bay Territory considered the Netheril Empire a potential rival and expected more dangerous enemies in the future, they needed to broaden their horizons.
"Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll never lose a battle."
Moreover, Matthew wanted them to clearly see the real difference between the Netheril Empire and Bay Territory.
For many in Bay Territory, there was a sense of confusion.
In this era, most people aspired to elevate themselves, become lofty nobles, and enjoy the decadent life of aristocracy—that was their ultimate dream.
Similarly, most players who entered the game initially shared this mindset.
At first, they too aimed to improve their power, gain noble titles, and become lords of vast lands, developing them as they pleased.
But Matthew, along with all other players, underestimated the world's disasters.
When the waves of destruction rolled in, all desires and indulgences turned to dust.
The territories, people, creations, and legacies cherished by players were mercilessly ground into nothing.
It wasn't until then that Matthew and most players realized the truth.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Bay Territory's leaders were in a similar position; their awareness and understanding couldn't evolve overnight.
This was dictated by the era they lived in, the environment they grew up in, and the rules that surrounded them.
Occasionally, they might sense something was amiss, feel dissatisfaction, or even experience deep frustration.
They might curse fate's injustice, lament their bad luck, and endure a troubled existence.
But in most cases, they were unable to break free from their circumstances.
Ultimately, the warrior who slays the dragon often becomes the dragon.
Therefore, Matthew decided to open their eyes and clear their minds.
Developing technology alone was like walking on one leg!
August 26.
Bay Territory.
Teleportation Zone.
Clear skies.
Grand Arcanist Cronorman slowly chanted a spell.
In front of him floated a crystal-clear spatial crystal.
Even with a large teleportation array, the maximum transmission distance was limited to 500 kilometers.
Additionally, spells like "Teleportation Block," "Dimensional Lock," and "Anchor" could interfere.
For safety, teleportation during wartime required extra caution or the use of spatial enhancement techniques.
However, for a Grand Arcanist, these issues were trivial.
He cast the eighth-circle quasi-legendary spell—Spatial Shift!
With surging spatial energy, Matthew, Yaya, and over ten others vanished from the teleportation zone in an instant.
Unlike the "pressure" of a teleportation array, Spatial Shift had no noticeable sensation.
Close your eyes, open them, and you're there!
Before them was a large pane of transparent alchemical glass, beyond which stood mage towers.
Intricate magical arrays shimmered beautifully under the sunlight.
Beneath the beauty lurked deadly danger; any object approaching the mage towers would be fiercely attacked.
The sheer number of mage towers immediately drew everyone's attention.
Exclaiming in amazement, they crowded near the alchemical glass, curiously observing the magical constructs.
What appeared before them were floating carriages and flying carpets.
They weaved between mage towers and houses, following distinct paths as they glided to and fro.
The most numerous structures were towering golems.
Most stood stationary in front of the mage towers, hardly moving.
What intrigued the group most were the flashing lights surrounding the mage towers.
Absentmindedly stroking his chin, Beelzebub glanced at the narrow streets and slightly crowded crowds below, muttering:
"Other than the mage towers, Sevinton doesn't seem much better than Bloodmoon City!"
The group, who had been captivated by the floating carriages and flying carpets, looked down at the bustling streets.
The parked carriages, the scattered stalls, and the uneven, crowded roads.
It wasn't as dazzling as they'd imagined.
At that moment, a tall, light figure floated into view, addressing Matthew's group in a soft voice:
"Honored guests, please follow me. The master has prepared accommodations for you."
Matthew blinked, refraining from asking where Grand Arcanist Cronorman had gone, and instead asked with interest:
"Can you show us around the floating tower?"
Of course, the Grand Arcanist's residence wasn't in one of the mage towers nearby.
It was the floating tower representing Cronorman's title of "Gravity."
He didn't own a floating city simply because he was too lazy.