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Chapter 514: Encircle and Strike Reinforcements
Bay Territory wasn't in a hurry to attack the drow camp.
The soldiers were instructed to prioritize self-preservation while maximizing enemy casualties to weaken their numbers.
"Any problem that can be solved with gold isn't a problem at all!"
This combat philosophy ranked third in the army's operational priorities.
The first priority, of course, was "defend the territory and homeland."
The second was "fight bravely and fearlessly."
With these principles in place, the strategy ensured combat morale while allowing troops to quickly familiarize themselves with new combat tools.
Both elements combined to achieve maximum combat effectiveness.
Seeing the preliminary objectives achieved, Angela relaxed slightly and ordered additional personnel to block the key passages:
"Let their supply convoys through, then encircle and capture them once they're inside the trap."
"Avoid direct confrontation if possible; beware of desperate counterattacks."
"Even if they want to surrender, shoot them first. Once they're immobilized, then capture them."
"As for the scouts, ensure not a single one escapes—they'll keep delivering gold to our doorstep."
Following Angela's orders, teams quickly moved to the designated passages as planned.
Their movements were swift and precise, wasting no time, like a well-oiled machine.
Watching the Bay Territory soldiers take the initiative, Manhammer stared in disbelief.
Armies at war.
Shouldn't it be defense versus offense?
Or both sides forming ranks and clashing head-on in battle?
Why was Bay Territory employing so many unusual tactics?
What started as casual observation sparked new thoughts for Manhammer.
Seeing Bay Territory's tactics work effectively against the drow, he couldn't help but think: Why can't the Dwarf Kingdom adopt these strategies?
Matthew neither encouraged nor dismissed Manhammer's musings, letting him ponder on his own.
Even with better methods in front of them, stubborn dwarves might not adopt them, so it wasn't worth the trouble to insist.
Bay Territory's crossbows fired over 40 volleys.
More than 160,000 bolts rained down on the drow camp.
This cost 32,000 gold coins—not just to suppress the camp but also to crush their morale.
Sure enough, even after Bay Territory's troops ceased firing, the chaotic drow camp remained completely silent.
Many drow huddled inside stone shelters built by their spellcasters.
Meanwhile, gnoll slaves trembled beneath the walls, sheltering in fear.
Gazing at the corpses strewn across the ground, the drow commander ordered a cleanup.
However, most drow feigned compliance, fearing another sudden crossbow barrage.
Left with no choice, the drow commander ordered spellcasters to construct sturdier stone shelters.
To motivate them, she offered surviving gnoll slaves as sacrifices.
Watching their companions get disemboweled, the remaining gnolls remained indifferent.
Drow were highly skilled at training obedient slaves.
"The enemy has blocked communication spells and set dimensional anchors. We're completely cut off from the outside world."
The spellcasters' report enraged the drow commander.
Bay Territory's swift actions and meticulous planning had caught her entirely off guard.
Moreover, she never expected Bay Territory to field so many spellcasters!
"Do you see? With these modified engineering golems, we save spellcasters' time and energy."
"Manpower is finite. We must maximize their utility rather than waste it on trivial tasks."
"This principle applies not only to spellcasters but also to every other person—they're all our people."
As Matthew instilled these ideas into Yaya and Angela, he observed Viktor and Macaron collecting data on the modified golems.
He initially thought Viktor specialized only in mechanical constructs.
But when Viktor collaborated with Macaron, they produced surprisingly effective modified golems.
Previously, Macaron's golem modifications focused more on magical enhancements.
Structural upgrades were often crude due to limited knowledge and concepts.
With Viktor's expertise, however, the situation transformed entirely.
For instance, these rudimentary excavator golems, while still basic, operated both magically and mechanically when powered sufficiently.
As Viktor and Macaron's collaboration deepened, the mechanical engineering golems would be further refined and standardized.
The era of mechanical golems belonging to Bay Territory was on the horizon!
Soon, with the arrival of combat units,
the passages leading to the drow camp turned into deadly traps.
Over the next two days,
four drow supply convoys were silently ambushed and eliminated.
Not only were 2,000 drow soldiers wiped out, but nearly 6,000 slaves and drow were captured.
Beyond the kobold-preferred rations, they seized a significant stockpile of weapons and armor.
To the envy of observing adventurers, Bay Territory's loot included 20,000 enchanted weapons and armor pieces,
among them high-quality mid-tier enchanted gear.
The total haul exceeded 5 million gold coins in value!
Just this windfall alone recouped Bay Territory's operational expenses and yielded substantial profits.
Upon hearing the news, Matthew marveled at the wealth of the Underdark and ordered the spoils cataloged.
After deducting shares for operational rewards, the rest would be distributed among all participating Bay Territory soldiers.
Collective effort deserved collective rewards, regardless of individual roles.
Bay Territory's soldiers were instantly reinvigorated. In just a few days,
not only had they sustained zero casualties, but each soldier had earned at least 50 gold coins.
This bonus alone equaled two years of wages.
Soldiers could now purchase better weapons and armor, enhance their combat skills, and improve their strength faster.
They could also buy more military land grants, enjoying permanent tax exemptions.
Or they could upgrade to better military housing for their families.
Of course, honor and achievements further fueled the soldiers' drive to fight bravely.
Seeing Manhammer's puzzled expression, Matthew smiled and explained softly:
"Eliminating soldiers' worries ensures their minimum combat effectiveness."
"Motivating them with tangible rewards elevates their maximum potential."
"Combine the two, and Bay Territory's army becomes battle-ready, courageous, and unstoppable!"
"If money isn't used to build a strong military, what else should it be spent on? Reparations?"