Chapter 166: The Baines Family vs The Fae Elites 1!

The Ironfang Highlands were living up to their reputation when Damian and the others finally arrived.

Jagged rock formations rose from the rugged landscape like the teeth of enormous beasts, while steep ridges and uneven valleys divided the region into numerous natural strongholds.

The terrain was hardly suitable for ordinary travel, but that very inconvenience made it an excellent location for a battle involving extraordinary combatants.

Unfortunately, someone else had already claimed their intended battlefield!

An enormous commotion echoed from the valley below, accompanied by savage howls, shrill cries and the unmistakable sounds of weapons clashing against one another.

Damian looked toward the disturbance and immediately discovered two groups of monsters engaged in a particularly vicious confrontation.

Gnolls and Kobolds!

[Name: Gnoll.

Creature Type: Humanoid — Canine Biped.

Typical Size: 210–230 centimeters.

Typical Weight: 125–145 kilograms.

Challenge Rating: CR 9

Known Traits: Darkvision, Rampage.

Notes: Gnolls are savage, hyena-headed humanoids that favor brutal raids, overwhelming numbers and attacks against weakened enemies. Rampage allows a Gnoll that reduces an enemy to zero HP with a melee attack to move up to half its speed and immediately make an unavoidable Bite attack.]

[Name: Kobold.

Creature Type: Humanoid — Reptile Biped.

Typical Size: 60–90 centimeters.

Typical Weight: 11–16 kilograms.

Challenge Rating: CR 8

Known Traits: Darkvision, Pack Tactics, Sunlight Sensitivity.

Notes: Kobolds are small, reptilian humanoids that compensate for their weak physiques through numerical superiority, coordinated attacks and elaborate traps. Pack Tactics grants an advantage when attacking enemies threatened by an adjacent ally. Sunlight Sensitivity impairs their combat effectiveness and visual perception in direct sunlight.]

A substantial tribe of Gnolls had surrounded a fortified Kobold settlement, using their superior physical strength and numbers to assault the smaller creatures’ defensive positions.

The Kobolds had constructed crude barricades between the rocks, desperately attempting to hold their attackers back with spears, stones and whatever improvised weapons they could obtain.

However, the battle wasn’t entirely one-sided.

Several Gnolls lay dead beneath the barricades, their bodies riddled with crude projectiles, while others had fallen into concealed pits prepared by the defenders.

The Kobolds were clearly familiar with their surroundings and had no intention of surrendering their territory without inflicting considerable casualties.

Nevertheless, the Gnolls possessed an obvious advantage.

Their larger bodies allowed them to overwhelm individual defenders whenever they breached the barricades, and their ferocious attacks were gradually forcing the Kobolds deeper into the settlement.

Blood stained the surrounding rocks, while the incessant howling of the attackers created an atmosphere of extraordinary savagery.

Damian observed the battle with mild interest.

"Well, would you look at that? Seems we’ve stumbled upon a rather enthusiastic neighborhood dispute," Damian remarked, watching a Gnoll smash through a barricade before immediately being attacked by several furious Kobolds.

Paulina snorted.

"Those little lizards are putting up a decent fight, but the Gnolls are going to overwhelm them eventually. They’ve already lost too much ground," She assessed, her experienced eyes moving across the battlefield.

Julia nodded in agreement, although her attention was focused upon the surrounding terrain.

"The Kobolds have prepared several defensive positions farther inside the settlement, but their outer defenses are collapsing. Unless something changes, they’ll eventually be surrounded," the Elven Ranger observed thoughtfully.

Unfortunately for both monster tribes, something was about to change rather dramatically!

............

The arrival of Damian’s group immediately attracted attention from the combatants below.

At first, neither side seemed particularly interested in abandoning their ongoing battle, especially when both tribes were already heavily committed to the fighting.

However, the appearance of numerous unfamiliar figures upon the nearby ridge soon captured the attention of several larger Gnolls.

Their noses twitched, then their expressions changed!

Fresh meat!

The Gnolls possessed notoriously voracious appetites, and the sight of so many apparently vulnerable travelers was enough to temporarily distract them from their original objectives.

Several began salivating openly, their yellowed teeth becoming visible as they exchanged excited growls.

The Kobolds weren’t much better.

Although their smaller physiques made them considerably less intimidating, their own predatory instincts quickly responded to the appearance of unfamiliar creatures.

Several defenders began pointing toward the newcomers, their shrill cries spreading throughout the settlement as the possibility of acquiring fresh food overtook their immediate concerns.

Before long, the battle had practically stopped!

Gnolls and Kobolds alike turned toward Damian’s group, their expressions displaying an extraordinary mixture of hunger, aggression and excitement.

Damian blinked.

Hoh?

He had expected the two tribes to flee upon sensing the extraordinary power possessed by his companions, especially considering that three genuine Legends were standing among them.

Instead, the creatures were staring at the gathering as though someone had just delivered an enormous banquet directly to their doorstep!

Good grief, these things are even stupider than one could expect!

Several Gnolls began approaching the ridge, their weapons dragging against the rocks as they released threatening growls.

Meanwhile, a group of Kobolds emerged from behind their barricades, apparently hoping to take advantage of the distraction to seize some of the newcomers for themselves.

Unfortunately, they had made a spectacular mistake.

The Wild Court delegation was already in a thoroughly unpleasant mood!

One of the nonhuman Adepts stepped forward, his expression twisting with disgust as he examined the approaching monsters.

"These filthy creatures actually dare regard us as food? Have the mortal races completely forgotten their place?" the Fae demanded indignantly, his voice carrying unmistakable contempt.

Another member of the delegation released an equally unpleasant laugh.

"Then perhaps we should remind them. I have no intention of allowing such disgusting beasts to approach Lady Cantarea," the second Fae declared, raising one hand as supernatural energy began gathering around his fingers.

The first attack came almost immediately!

A brilliant streak of elemental power crossed the distance and struck one of the advancing Gnolls, throwing the creature backward with tremendous force.

Before its companions could react, several more Fae joined the assault, unleashing magical projectiles and supernatural techniques upon the approaching monsters.

BOOM!

The nearest Gnoll formation practically disintegrated!

Several creatures were thrown across the rocky ground, while others collapsed beneath the overwhelming difference in strength.

Blood splashed across the surrounding stones as the Wild Court’s Adepts and Masters began demonstrating the extraordinary abilities that had earned them positions within such an elite delegation.

The Kobolds immediately attempted to retreat.

Unfortunately, their earlier eagerness to join the feast had already drawn the attention of the offended Fae!

One nonhuman Master swept an arm forward, sending a wave of magical force through the creatures attempting to escape between the rocks.

Several Kobolds were struck before they could reach their barricades, while others scattered desperately as the attack shattered the terrain around them.

The battle had become a massacre!

And the Wild Court delegation appeared thoroughly pleased with itself.

"Pathetic! These are the dangerous creatures that infest the mortal plane?" one Fae mocked, watching several Gnolls flee before his attacks.

"Don’t waste too much energy on them. We still have an important duel to witness," another replied, although the contemptuous smile upon his face suggested he was enjoying the exercise.

Unfortunately, they weren’t the only people eager to demonstrate their strength!

Paulina’s ears twitched as she watched the Wild Court delegation slaughter the approaching monsters.

Then her expression became thoroughly competitive.

"Oh, so that’s how we’re doing things? Fine by me!" the Wolf Beastwoman declared, flexing her fingers as a crimson glow spread across the claws protruding from her gauntlets.

Before anyone could stop her, she charged down the slope!

Her newly crafted armor allowed her to accelerate with extraordinary speed, its enhanced mobility complementing the powerful physique she had developed through years of Fighter training.

Within moments, she reached a group of Gnolls attempting to flee the Fae’s attacks.

Unfortunately, those monsters had simply exchanged one terrible opponent for another!

Paulina swept through their formation with a series of vicious claw strikes, her movements combining tremendous physical strength with the cutting enhancements provided by her enchanted gauntlets.

Crimson light flashed repeatedly, and several Gnolls collapsed before they could properly understand what had happened.

"Hah! Is that all you’ve got? Come on, you ugly bastards!" Paulina shouted, her tail lashing with excitement as she advanced toward another group.

Janet immediately rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, that flea-ridden wolf sees someone else showing off and immediately decides it’s a competition," the diminutive Rogue complained, although the wicked grin appearing upon her face suggested she wasn’t particularly opposed to joining.

Then, she disappeared into the surrounding shadows.

The nearest Kobolds barely noticed the movement before one of their number collapsed, followed almost immediately by another.

Janet moved between the rocks with extraordinary stealth, her newly crafted equipment suppressing the noise generated by her movements while her attacks struck from concealment.

Several creatures attempted to locate their mysterious attacker, but they failed miserably!

Julia, meanwhile, had already drawn her beloved Elven Bow.

Unlike Paulina, she showed little interest in charging into the middle of the monsters, instead selecting an elevated position from which she could observe the entire battlefield.

Her sharp eyes quickly identified several Gnolls attempting to regroup, and her bowstring began releasing arrows in a smooth, continuous rhythm.

Thwip!

An arrow struck its target.

Thwip!

Another followed!

The Elven Ranger’s enhanced accuracy allowed her to maintain extraordinary precision even while adjusting her position across the uneven terrain.

Several Gnolls attempted to escape behind nearby rocks, only to discover that her attacks were considerably more difficult to avoid than those of ordinary Archers.

And finally, Eunice!

The beautiful Cleric advanced with considerably greater restraint than her companions, her magnificent white-and-gold armor gleaming beneath the afternoon sunlight.

However, when several Gnolls attempted to surround a group of household retainers, her expression hardened immediately.

"Stay together and protect your flanks! There’s no need to pursue anything that isn’t threatening our group," Eunice instructed firmly, raising her sacred mace.

A Gnoll lunged toward her.

Unfortunately, the creature had apparently mistaken her elegant appearance for weakness!

Eunice intercepted the attack with a powerful strike, her mace releasing a flash of stored Holy energy as it connected.

PENG!

The monster was thrown backward, while the other attackers immediately hesitated upon witnessing the astonishing strength possessed by the beautiful Cleric.

The household retainers quickly followed her instructions.

Although they couldn’t compare with the Four Valkyries individually, they possessed sufficient training to maintain proper formations and support one another against the disorganized monsters.

Several worked together to repel charging Gnolls, while others prevented the smaller Kobolds from slipping around their defensive positions.

And thus, another contest began!

............

The Wild Court delegation had originally intended to eliminate the troublesome creatures and demonstrate the superiority of their supernatural abilities.

Unfortunately, the Baines Household’s representatives were proving considerably more impressive than expected!

Paulina tore through the larger monsters with extraordinary efficiency, Julia’s arrows struck their targets with almost frightening accuracy, and Janet repeatedly emerged from concealment to eliminate opponents who never realized she was nearby.

Even Eunice, whose Cleric background suggested a comparatively supportive role, demonstrated formidable combat capabilities when confronting the creatures directly.

The Fae naturally noticed.

"Those human companions aren’t nearly as weak as they appear," one of the Wild Court Masters observed, watching Paulina dispatch another Gnoll with a single exchange.

His companion sneered.

"Perhaps not, but they’re still merely Adepts. Their equipment is doing much of the work," the Fae replied dismissively, preparing another attack.

Unfortunately, Paulina heard him!

"What was that, you fancy-looking bastard?! Come down here and I’ll show you exactly how much work my equipment is doing!" she shouted, baring her sharp teeth in a thoroughly unfriendly grin.

Janet’s laughter immediately followed.

"Careful, Paulina! He’s probably afraid you’ll scratch his pretty clothes. Those ridiculous outfits look expensive enough to bankrupt a small kingdom!" the little Rogue remarked from a nearby rock, having apparently decided that insulting the opposition was just as entertaining as killing monsters.

Several Fae immediately became furious.

However, the surrounding battlefield offered a convenient outlet for their irritation, and the two groups soon began competing over who could eliminate the approaching creatures more efficiently.

The result was thoroughly disastrous for the Gnolls and Kobolds!

Magical explosions illuminated the valley, while enchanted weapons flashed through the air as both delegations unleashed their considerable combat strength.

The monsters that had previously been fighting over territory were now desperately attempting to escape the very creatures they had initially regarded as an easy meal.

Unfortunately, most were far too slow as the difference in strength was simply overwhelming!

Gnolls: Ah!! Save us!!!

Kobolds: Argh! My LEG!

And while the Wild Court’s representatives relied heavily upon their naturally powerful supernatural abilities, the Baines Household’s warriors demonstrated impressive coordination, tactical judgment and extraordinary equipment quality.

The competition rapidly became a matter of pride, neither group wanting to appear inferior before the upcoming duel between their respective champions!