Chapter 27: Hunting the Trolls

  Crack! Crack! Crack!

  The fibers of the tree trunks could no longer withstand the weight and the force pulling them, splintering apart like the death throes of a gia, crashing to the ground with a "boom," scattering decayed leaves.

  The carpenters came over, marking the brao be trimmed, and dozens of people worked together to quickly divide the tree into ses and drag them away.

  Ange divided the soldiers, who had not yet undergone formal training, into three teams, holding shields and spears in the most secure formation.

  Physical training was a long-term pn, but the foow was on coordinating and f ranks.

  The vilgers transp lumber to the vilge had no idea of this. They thought their lord valued their safety greatly, and this subtly ged their mi.

  Yaya joyfully gnced around, her bd-white eyes refleg the curious faces of the distant vilgers.

  "Yaya? Daddy, what are they preparing over there?"

  "They’re preparing to build houses. I’ll build you a big castle iure too."

  Matthew patiently answered the questioly stroking her head, while Yaya's body radiated a soft warmth.

  "Brother, is that the legendary dragon? It looks so cute! Is she the lord’s pet?"

  Rebecuck a gnd nudged Leon, asking in a low voice.

  Still recalling Old John’s battle guidance from the previous night, Leon remembered the se where he was helplessly subdued by Yaya and, with lingering fear, nodded:

  "Yes, she’s indeed a dragon, the lord’s tracted creature, but she’s fierd dangerous…"

  Before Leon could finish his words, he saw his mischievous little sister sneaking up beside Yaya.

  Boldly, she pulled out a palm-sized dried fish from her poud temptingly offered it.

  Oh no!

  Gng over and firming it was just an ordinary dried salted fish, Matthew didn’t pay much attention to the 15-year-old girl, fog instead on sensing the movements around him.

  Yaya s it, deteg a strong fishy smell that wasn’t her favorite.

  However, the little one erying new foods.

  She stuck out her tongue, giving it a light lick before bringing it into her mouth.

  Oe, two bites!

  The moderately soft and hard dried fish was torn apart by sharp dragoh, and the strange fragrance released from the fish fibers, bined with the fatty satisfa, easily quered Yaya’s taste buds.

  "Yaya? Delicious!"

  Her eyes widened in surprise, sav the rich fvor as she carefully tasted it, joyfully calling out.

  Yaya’s adorable demeanor filled Rebecca’s eyes with stars, and she cautiously extended her hand, though still a little scared.

  Uedly, Yaya nuzzled her head against Rebecca’s palm, gently rubbing and making a happy little foodie’s call.

  With her fears fully dispelled, Rebecca cheerfully pulled out a small pouch, sharing the dried fish her mother had made with Yaya.

  Watg the two of them nodding their heads in delight, Matthew’s mouth twitched slightly.

  Perhaps, the nguage of foodies is universal?

  They marched for about half an hour.

  T trees blocked out the sky, and thick brambles grew between the gaps.

  The bright sunlight was obstructed, making the area below quite dark, cold, and silent. This was the in of the name "Dark Forest."

  "Stop, there are footprints!"

  The nimble Elder Field parted the dense shrubs, pig up a broken bramble and lightly sniffing it:

  "The foul stench of trolls who never bathe. These must be the ohat frequently attack us."

  Old Johhe fully armed soldiers fng at the pitch-bck depths of the forest ahead and carefully asking:

  "How many were previously spotted?"

  "There were five in total. The ohat attacked the vilge st night was the rgest and stro. Now there should be four left."

  "Fortunately, they don’t have ons or equipment. Each time they raid the vilge, they steal some sheep and then leave..."

  Though Elder Field’s tone was light, Old John could hear the hidden gritted teeth and uood his predit.

  Trolls were strong, with mature individuals typically having a challeier of 7+!

  And they lived in groups!

  Trolls had extremely powerful regeive abilities. For Bay Vilge, which had no spellcasters and was too poor to stockpile alchemical oils, trolls ran rampant.

  That’s why the vilge had to promise before.

  This was also why, when Steward Ralph expiheir purpose to Elder Field, he immediately gained his support.

  "Let’s retreat first, lure them over, and bring them into the traps!"

  Old John had no iion of being a hero; before they left, Steward Ralph had instructed him to prioritize the soldiers' safety above all.

  "Not much choice, especially with our lord’s generous pensation policy…"

  Despite thinking this, Old John’s heart felt warm. Who wouldn’t want a kind and benevolent lord?

  "Alright, leave it to me!"

  Stroking the haste scroll and speed potion in his pouch, Field happily patted his new longbow and fidently spoke.

  Nodding, Old John immediately turo leave, intending to notify the lord, who was setting up the traps, and prepare for battle.

  Steward Ralph was busy holding up the map of the Dark Forest that Elder Field had provided, pointing at several red skulls marked oskirts:

  "Besides the few roaming trolls, there are five areas that pose deadly threats to Bay Vilge."

  "Two kobold caves, two goblin strongholds, and one gnoll camp."

  "Their numbers are rge—each of the first groups has up to a thousand, and the gnolls have about 500."

  Matthew wasn’t very familiar with the situation in the Dark Forest, but after studying the data, he silently nodded.

  Clearing out this area to create a safe enviro for development would be a long journey!

  Old John, moving swiftly, returned first, and Matthew received the message, signaling Ao begin preparations as pnned.

  Calling Yaya back, Matthew watched her excitement for the uping battle and silently aowledged it.

  The future would only grow more dangerous, and to barely eheir survival, increasing their strength in all aspects was necessary. Yaya would have to work hard too.

  The vilgers who had received the news were arrao leave temporarily, while Ange directed the soldiers to start preparing.

  Everyo a slight tension—st night’s elite troll had put siderable pressure on them.

  Matthew watched the somewhat clumsy soldiers, fully aware that they had a long way to go, but this first step was crucial.

  It wasn’t just the new soldiers whrowing; Ange, Old John, and the other anders, who also cked bat experience, were growing as well.

  There were several objectives for hunting the trolls.

  The first was to elimiential dangers and prepare for the expansion of the territory.

  The sed was to test one of Matthew’s theories. If successful, it could provide a tinuous stream of funds for the territory.

  The third was to demonstrate strength, establish authority, and wihe people.

  Words are less valuable than as!