Chapter 655: Work for Us!
Rumble!
Massive boulders crashed down in succession.
More and more slave warriors charged up the blood-soaked path, only to be crushed by the falling rocks.
Even so, the fearless slave warriors ignored casualties and charged forward relentlessly.
A barrage of ranged attacks, like torrential rain, followed behind the rubble.
The charging slave warriors were quickly felled under the dense ranged assault.
The intensity of the ranged firepower kept them from approaching within 300 meters of the camp.
Watching the slave warriors fall one after another, and the wall of Azshara aglow with fire and spell light, the drow spectators showed complex expressions.
Over a dozen dark-faced drow commanders tallied the losses and grumbled unhappily:
"With such powerful ranged weapons and gear, why didn't they deploy them earlier?"
"Even if they couldn't support us, we'd have paid to buy them!"
"They must want to earn more—so they let us suffer casualties on purpose to raise the value of their weapons."
"Exactly. We must teach Azshara a lesson—force them to hand over enough ranged weapons and gear!"
"Not just ranged weapons—I've heard Azshara has quite a stash of enchanted gear and magical items..."
"..."
In their discussion, Azshara was painted as the villain behind their failures.
They prepared to band together and demand an explanation.
The less-damaged drow commanders nearby overheard their plotting and exchanged knowing glances.
Their own strength intact, and their earlier battle duties fulfilled,
They weren't like these weakened commanders who were looking to pounce on a target to restore their strength.
Of course, they were very "curious" about the strength of Matron Sera and the supplies produced by Azshara.
If the others succeeded, they'd join in and grab a piece of the pie.
If those fools failed, they'd instantly switch targets and devour their weakened forces—while gaining favor with Matron Sera.
Either way, they couldn't lose.
Lia, who had already set up the second defensive line, didn't care much for the commanders' scheming.
She quietly watched the distant battle, eyes filled with reflection and expectation.
Though she had heard bits about Bay Territory's progress, Lia never imagined they'd be so bold—and even win over Sera.
Sera's development also piqued her great interest.
They could've retreated—but they chose to hold the line. That wasn't like any drow she knew.
But to the other drow, their actions wouldn't be touching—it would just make them look like idiots.
"Maybe Bay Territory will keep surprising us in secret like before."
With that thought, Lia glanced at the scheming commanders. She could already see the word "death" written on their faces.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The boulders struck the massive iron golem, but unlike the slave warriors, it wasn't crushed—instead, the rocks shattered against it.
The rusted iron golem trudged forward with its six mechanical legs, steadily climbing the slope.
Slave warriors followed close behind, using it as cover to advance step by step.
Several fireballs flew toward them, exploding against the golem's front.
As the flames faded, a tough energy shield shimmered into view.
Arrows rained down fiercely, targeting its joints.
Crack!
Clang!
Armor-piercing bolts snapped in two, but the golem's joints were deeply dented.
Even the iron giant paused slightly under the brutal barrage.
Dozens more heavy bolts slammed into its leg joints.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A massive iron shield dropped between the two forces, blocking the deadly bolts.
The powerful bolts pierced into the shield, but it held firm.
Even so, the thick iron shield absorbed the brunt, allowing the golem to advance.
Just as Gatel reached for the dragon-hunting crossbow, Sera stopped him, speaking calmly:
"Let them enter within 200 meters."
"Activate psychic defense system!"
"Activate auto-firing turrets!"
"Ready the catapults!"
Sera knew this battle wasn't just about the new war machines from Bay Territory—it also shaped her own future "development."
Though she didn't care for her own growth, she wouldn't shirk her duty.
As she watched the enemy close in, she spotted three more golems charging the camp and gave the order:
"Catapults, fire!"
The command rang out through the catapult formation.
Bigo, who'd long been waiting, triggered the catapult's release and shouted excitedly:
"Target the signal marker—release!!"
A red flare struck just behind the iron golem.
The giant golem raised its shield, expecting an attack.
Boom!
Red smoke spread, glowing brightly.
Target marked!
Excited faces lit up with joy—they cranked the catapults.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
The weights dropped, launching the catapult arms forward.
Magical runes lit up along the sleek ironwood arms.
Black-brown metal balls howled toward the golem.
Focused on its shield, the golem didn't notice the red smoke covering the slave warriors behind it.
Boom!
Over a dozen metal balls smashed into the smoke—dozens of unaware slave warriors were crushed to pulp.
The black balls cracked open, releasing a fiery explosion in all directions.
Shrapnel, propelled by the blast wave, became deadly projectiles.
Slave warriors nearby were shredded instantly.
The rest were knocked aside by the shockwave.
They tried to rise—only to collapse again.
Their organs had been shattered by the blast.
In seconds, only one iron golem remained.
Seeing the carnage, Bigo burst into laughter.
He clenched his fist and recorded the data, then turned to his goblins:
"Nice blast, boys!"
"Explosion is an art!"
Despite the setback, the slave warriors didn't falter. Stepping over corpses, they charged behind three more golems.
Sera, already prepared, didn't strike the slow-moving golems first. Instead, she looked to the flanks.
The Azshara camp sat on a steep slope, backed by a wall and flanked by cliffs.
No retreat—yet a perfect defensive spot.
For most attackers, the 50–60 meter-wide cliffs on either side weren't ideal.
But slave warriors had no choice!
Agile gnoll slaves surged up en masse.
Flashes of gray drew attention from the Catachan warriors.
Though they had new ranged weapons, the Catachan modified troops held the high ground, waiting.
The difference in strength was vast.
Lone slave warriors rarely survived even one exchange.
Before they could strike, they were cleaved in two by ghostblades.
As one gnoll fell, a poisoned dagger silently aimed for the Catachan's back.
But the warrior twisted with his blade's momentum, dodging instinctively.
Swish!
The dagger missed.
Calmly, the Catachan warrior punched the air.
Bam!
A soft body flew out and slammed into the slope.
Crack!
The sound of breaking bones—crisp and satisfying.
The drow slave tried to rise—but the warrior charged.
Before she could react, he chopped her neck with a hand strike.
Thud!
The dagger slipped from her limp grip.
The warrior caught her and tossed her backward.
She tumbled mid-air, landing in a large net.
Adventurers rushed in and bound her, eyes wide at her injuries as they looked at the Catachan in awe.
Brutal hit!
We love it!
Simple—his brutality made captures easier.
To adventurers, working with Catachan troops was a dream.
Each had peak high-tier power.
Outfitted with elite enchanted gear and rich in combat experience.
Enemies unnoticed by adventurers were easily spotted and dispatched by Catachan soldiers.
To them, battles were decided before they even began.
As for capturing drow slaves—that was a special mission from Bay Territory.
Unlike the many low-tier slaves needing costly training,
Drow slaves had much more "value."
They were adaptable and politically useful to Matron Sera.
If one wanted to conquer the Underdark, drow involvement was essential.
Rumble!
As the golem neared within 200 meters—
The wall's magic cannons unleashed a roar.
Jets of fire launched destructive shells.
The golem's tough shield shattered under the onslaught.
It was forced into a defensive stance.
Explosions pounded it with blazing light, denting its armor.
Even its superior defenses couldn't withstand the barrage.
Its mechanical legs and weak joints were the first to go.
With its front legs destroyed, it crashed down.
Just then, three more golems charged in.
Against these top-tier constructs, Bay Territory showed due respect.
Over a hundred magic cannons opened fire, echoing through the valley.
Watching the enemy approach, the once-chatty drow commanders stared in disbelief at the blazing hillside.
Azshara still stood!
Matron Sera still fought!
Even the unstoppable slave horde seemed to avoid Azshara, heading toward Suramar.
Watching the battlefield and the fallen golems, Lia, directing golem reinforcements, exhaled deeply.
She didn't know Bay Territory's plan, but she appreciated their "contribution."
They endured wave after wave, held enemy focus, and forced the mind flayers to reveal key forces.
From swiftly captured drow slaves—
To these hulking, tough golems—
All would've caused chaos for drow defenses.
Now that those cards were shown early, Lia could plan countermeasures.
What shocked her most—mind control, the most dreaded mind flayer weapon, seemed useless against Sera and her troops.
She couldn't believe Bay Territory had sent only immune elites.
That meant—they had a counter to mind control.
More important than weapons or warriors...
For the drow elves threatened by the Mind Flayer Empire.
This method of resisting mind control was the most valuable asset.
After all, when it came to controlling slaves for battle, the drow elves were always at a disadvantage against the Mind Flayers.
"Is it some kind of ability? An aura? Or a special potion?"
"Or perhaps... it's related to a more advanced deity?"