Lord of Caldera

"Uh, um...?"

The mercenaries blinked as they alternated their gaze between the troll and Sylas. It was so sudden that they couldn't grasp what was happening. The first to regain his senses was Eric once again.

"Didn't you hear what the young master said, you fools! Grab your weapons! I said, grab your weapons!"

"Y-Yeah! Weapons!"

Only then did the mercenaries come to their senses, grabbing their spears and axes, taking a combat stance. No matter how scared they were, years of experience did not disappear.

'Thanks to that young master, we've avoided the worst situation.'

Eric wiped the cold sweat from his brow as he tightly gripped his axe. The worst-case scenario would have been for them to panic and scatter in all directions. If that had happened, the troll would have swept through them like catching mice.

But thanks to Sylas's timely shout, everyone was able to maintain their formation.

'Damn, the problem is that I've never fought a troll before.'

They managed to keep their formation somehow, but that was Eric's limit. Just keeping his wits about him was already overwhelming. As Eric bit his lip, he heard Sylas's voice booming.

"Don't show any signs of fear! Look the beast in the eyes!"

Despite their fear, Eric and the mercenaries followed Sylas's command. The troll, hit by the arrow, was backing away while touching its wound. Unlike earlier, it clearly showed that it had lost its composure. With his bow aimed at the troll, Sylas continued to shout.

"From its size, it looks like it hasn't been an adult for long! If we threaten it like this, we can definitely drive it away! Hold your ground, and when I give the signal, shout with all your might!"

With Sylas's steady voice, the mercenaries began to regain their confidence. The certainty of a commander inspires courage in his subordinates. Sylas was now the very commander of the battlefield.

"Lord Roderick! Step in front of the mercenaries and point your sword! Don't let it approach carelessly!"

"I heed your command, my lord!"

Suppressing a surge of emotions he couldn't quite place, Roderick stepped forward. When his shining armor and sword appeared, the troll hesitated even more. But soon, it bared its teeth menacingly and took a step forward. It was the stubbornness of a beast that wouldn't be outdone by its prey.

'Krawaaaaak!'

"...!"

The roar that erupted right in front of them froze the entire group of mercenaries. The strength drained from their legs, and it felt like they would collapse with just a moment of wobbling. But Sylas did not budge. He had experienced threats far worse than this before his return.

As the troll bellowed, Sylas drew back his bow towards its gaping mouth.

Thwack!

'Kwooooorgh! Waaaaaak!'

The arrow struck directly into the troll's open mouth. As it staggered backward in pain, Sylas shouted.

"Don't back down! Just like it did, shout with all your might!"

"I-Iyaaaaah!"

"Uwaaaah!"

The mercenaries let out a collective roar with all their strength. As many of them shouted at once, a resonance rivaling the troll's roar echoed back. With an arrow lodged in one eye and its mouth, the troll was gradually losing its bravado and stepping back.

Guwooooorgh...

"Good, you're doing well!"

Sylas encouraged the mercenaries while inwardly smiling. In truth, he had known about this troll even before his return. Having lived in an environment without natural enemies, it was a coward that avoided fights at all costs.

It looked terrifying on the outside, but in reality, it would run away at the slightest hint of danger. Even before his return, when Sylas shot arrows with the intent to kill, it had fled quickly.

'So far, it's holding on because of the mercenaries' first impressions.'

Even a stupid troll can distinguish whether it is being feared or not. It likely felt emboldened by the frightened demeanor of the mercenaries when they first encountered it. However, thanks to Sylas and the mercenaries' response, that confidence had been completely shattered.

What remained was a decisive blow to break its will. Sylas swiftly loosed another arrow.

Thwack!

'Krawaak!'

"Direct hit!"

As another arrow pierced the troll's eye, the mercenaries cheered. It was the same left eye as the first arrow that had struck it. Perhaps because it had taken two direct hits, the troll continued to retreat.

"It's lost its spirit! Step up again…!?"

As Sylas was about to give another command, he realized something was off. The troll, which had been retreating, began to stagger. After swaying back and forth like a drunken person for a while, it eventually fell backward, head over heels.

Thud.

As the troll's massive body hit the ground, everyone fell silent. Even Sylas was taken aback and lost for words. This was a troll, known for its regeneration and thick skin, which usually wouldn't die easily—even if it were pierced through like a hedgehog. And yet, it had died from three arrows?

He wondered if it was just pretending to be dead, but there was no sign of movement.

"What's happening? Is it really dead?"

"Someone check it out."