Chapter 141: The Drow Elf (2)

Su Lun approved Aydin’s application, and only then did he realize that Aydin was also a Hero.

“Name: Aydin; Loyalty: 83

Race: Half-Drow Elf (Mixed Heritage)

Class: Rogue”

Level: Mid-level Transcendent (Knight Commander)

Strength: 16

Agility: 26

Spirit: 14

Constitution: 15

Charisma: 15

Command: 78

Traits (Talents): Intermediate Agility, Iron Will, Cunning, Darkvision, Toughness, Strong, Discipline, Firm Faith, Cruel, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Deception, Intimidation.

Weapons Master: He was a weapons master of a Drow family, skilled in martial arts (Command +2, Training +4)

Devotee: He was a devout believer—even the fall of his god did not shake his faith (Will +3)

Skills: Shadow Step, Whirlwind Slash, Stealth, Theft, Poisoning, Lockpicking, Traps, Negotiation, Dodge, Performance, Wilderness Survival, Evasion, Heavy Slash, Kidney Strike, Slit Throat, Backstab, Shadow Assault, Shadow Hide, Scouting, Dual Wielding.

Weapon Proficiency: Scimitar 165, Dagger 163, Bow 102, Hand Crossbow 105, Throwing 83

Su Lun was quite pleased with Aydin’s voluntary pledge of loyalty. His joining would strengthen the territory’s scout forces. Su Lun appointed him as the Scout Commander of Northguard Keep.

“Welcome to Northguard Keep,” Su Lun said with a smile. “Aydin, this weapon is your reward for completing the scouting mission excellently.”

Su Lun took out the scimitar and dagger made from the Clawfiend’s claws by Heatherway earlier and handed them to him.

After briefly testing the weapons, Aydin’s eyes lit up. This magic weapon was far superior to what he had used before.

“Thank you for this reward. I will clear any obstacle for you!” Aydin knelt on one knee and said.

“Heh, rise,” Su Lun reached out to help him up. “You just returned, so go rest first. Then, tomorrow, return to the Drow Elf tribe and relay my demands to them. Whether they agree or not is up to them.”

Su Lun had already made his decision: if the Drow Elves chose to join Northguard Keep before the Troll War arrived, he would grant them the promised treatment—or even better. However, if they did not decide before the war, even if they eventually joined Northguard Keep, the terms Su Lun offered would be much less favorable.

Su Lun knew the Drow Elves quite well. This race shared the pride of Elves; making them submit through gentle means alone was impossible. In fact, such methods would make them think you were weak and easy to bully, making them even less likely to join you. On the other hand, if you displayed power far beyond theirs, they would fear and respect you.

The best approach was to combine gentleness with firmness. These Drow Elves had reached their most difficult time. If a strong power lent them aid, subduing the entire tribe was not impossible.

Of course, nothing was absolute. Su Lun had already decided: after dealing with the Trolls, if the Drow Elves still hadn’t made a decision, he would go and reason with them. After all, Su Lun always convinced others with reason.

After Aydin left, Su Lun began to consider the matter of the spirits.

The Troll Tribe had spirits, and spiritual power was very strong. Using numbers against them was not effective, as spirits were immune to any attacks from non-supernatural weapons.

If it was a spirit with demigod strength, it would be immune to any attacks from supernatural weapons below high-level magic weapons. If the Troll Tribe’s spirit was at the demigod level, aside from Su Lun’s Purple Dragon Halberd, Northguard Keep had no other weapon that could harm it. In that case, Su Lun would have to flee.

However, that situation was rare. After all, this was only a tribe of six hundred Trolls; such belief power could not sustain a demigod-level spirit. Most likely, the Troll Tribe’s spirit was a legendary spirit. Although spirits of that level were powerful, Su Lun was not weak either. Even though he had not been at the legendary level for long, he already possessed a Domain.

It was important to know that many high-level Legendary powers might not awaken their own Domain. The difference in strength between a Legendary with a Domain and one without was significant.

…

Although Aydin had left, Northguard Keep still had five other Scouts constantly monitoring the Trolls. After several days, the Trolls finally set up camp thirty kilometers from Northguard Keep. According to the Scouts, this group of Trolls likely had their eyes on Su Lun’s territory.

They wanted to directly occupy Northguard Keep as their new camp. After all, in the Wilderness, having the protection of walls was much better than wooden palisades.

Under the dark night sky.

Su Lun observed the crude camp that the Trolls had built that afternoon. Besides the six hundred Trolls, this Troll Tribe also had a larger number of Gnolls and Kobolds. During the day, Su Lun had brought his men here to wait.

This time, he did not bring many people: seventy-one Barbarian Warriors, two squads of Spirit of War, and one squad each of new Spearmen and Archers. Both Chris and Heatherway came along. Su Lun had Constable Harrison stay at Northguard Keep with the Militia to guard the place.

It could be said that he had brought nearly ninety percent of the military force in his territory.

Engaging this Troll Tribe head-on, even if they won, the losses for Northguard Keep would be severe. So, to reduce casualties, the best method was a sneak attack—and he was a professional at that.

The night grew darker.

Su Lun led his many subordinates as they slowly approached the Troll territory. They did not dare move too quickly, as Trolls also had night vision. If they made too much noise, the Trolls would easily spot Su Lun’s group, turning the sneak attack into a direct assault.

To prepare for this battle, Su Lun had brought prepared flammable materials. Each person carried four bottles of oil and alcohol. Additionally, everyone was fully armed. The Barbarians all wore Refined Steel Half-plate Armor, and the new recruits wore Iron-Reinforced Leather Armor.

After enduring the cold wind in the Wilderness for half the night, the discipline of the troops became apparent. The Spirit of War remained silent, but the new recruits and Barbarians were struggling.

“Halt and stand by!”

Su Lun commanded quietly, then waved to the five Scouts.

“Spread out and scout to see if there are any hidden sentries.”

The five Scouts nodded, then vanished into the darkness. After about half an hour, the five Scouts finally returned.

After confirming there were no hidden sentries, Su Lun led his men in sneaking closer to the Troll Tribe. This time, they were only one kilometer away from the Troll camp.

Getting any closer from here had a high chance of being detected. Even if the Trolls were careless, they would have placed hidden sentries here. After having Heatherway cast Invisibility on him, Su Lun quietly moved in to eliminate the sentries.