East of Saro Basin, there is a mountainous area. The northern side of the mountains is relatively low, and Kaldorei warriors call it Gale Highland.
The reason it is called Gale Highland is because it is nestled between two mountains. Airflow is blocked by the mountains and can only pass through this highland to Saro Basin. Due to the terrain, the air is compressed here, turning a light breeze into a moderate wind, a moderate wind into a strong wind, and a strong wind into a Gale.
Except for windless days, there is no wind on the highland that doesn't impede movement. Kaldorei warriors, unfamiliar with the climate, almost suffered at the hands of the Troll Army when they first arrived. Fortunately, the Alpha Squad led by Carlos was the vanguard, repelling multiple Troll attacks with their formidable strength and covering the Second Legion as they established a base here—Madwind Post.
When Saro Basin entered the mining boom, Madwind Post continuously sent thousands of Troll prisoners to the mining company. Without these thousands of Troll prisoners, the mining company would never have gotten on track so early, and Yue Nu would never have dared to launch an offensive so soon.
However, the Trolls were prepared even earlier than the Kaldorei.
Before the logistics troops could transport food to Zul'Saroth, a Kaldorei assassin quickly ran into Madwind Post.
The Kaldorei guard on duty was about to ask a question, but immediately saw the weapons in his hands: two pitch-black daggers.
That's right, this Kaldorei assassin was Kana Darkwalker.
"Where is Carlos?" Kana asked urgently.
"In the command center!"
The sentry quickly pointed the way.
"Thank you!"
Kana dropped a word of thanks and eagerly ran towards the command center. As soon as he entered, he saw Carlos studying a magic map. The Second Legion had crossed Gale Highland and was fighting deep in the pine forests to the east, setting up a large number of scout wards at the junction of the two areas.
"The Trolls are gathering a large army." Kana had no time for greetings and immediately reported the intelligence he had gathered.
Carlos looked up, then quickly lowered his head to the magic map, "Where?"
Kana walked over, drew out his Shadow Walker Blade, and on the table outside the magic map, he sketched mountains and rivers, then plunged his dagger between the rivers and mountains.
"There's a Troll town here. A month ago, there were signs of Trolls gathering here. After I noticed it, I immediately went to investigate. At first, it was just some small tribes, and I thought they were trying to avoid the Second Legion's search. But a few days ago, a tribe of over ten thousand people appeared, all young and strong, including many Berserkers and Witch Doctors, and I even spotted a few Shadow Hunters."
Carlos frowned. Witch Doctors and Shadow Hunters were very difficult to deal with. But he was more concerned about other enemies, "Are there any loa?"
Compared to loa, Witch Doctors and Shadow Hunters were not a threat.
"No loa have been spotted yet, but there are already signs of loa. Among the Trolls, I found many flying snakes. I think they must be the Families of a loa."
Kana introduced these Families, "They possess powerful strength, making even Shadow Hunters fearful. According to my observations, they can spray corrosive venom and also have the ability to control people. If the Second Legion encounters them, they will only be slaughtered. Even the Alpha Squad would not be their match."
Control people? Carlos's expression became serious.
"I hope you can go to Zul'Saroth and report this matter. I will give you a Night Saber so you can reach Zul'Saroth as quickly as possible."
Kana accepted the mission, mounted the Night Saber, and descended the highland without stopping.
Carlos summoned a messenger, "Notify all units of the Second Legion to immediately return to Madwind Post."
The messenger had just entered the pine forest when he saw the Second Legion units retreating towards the highland. They had dropped their armor and weapons, clearly having suffered a defeat.
"Were you attacked?" the messenger asked, puzzled.
"We encountered a large Troll force. They had some strange snakes that could control our bodies, making us harm our own people. We couldn't dispel this magic, so we had no choice but to retreat first," a Second Legion soldier said.
The messenger nodded, "I also brought Lord Carlos's order, informing you to return to Madwind Post first."
The soldiers breathed a sigh of relief. They had been worried that retreating after defeat might result in punishment, so Carlos's order was a godsend.
"You go back first, I still need to notify others."
The messenger bid farewell to the soldiers and continued his mission. However, he kept encountering defeated Second Legion soldiers, and in less than two days, all Second Legion units had returned defeated.
The entire Second Legion lost over two hundred men, even more than the First Legion in Heda'shal, exceeding the strength of one squad.
Star Eyes, the commander of the Second Legion, was filled with regret, "It was my mistake. I didn't even notice that the Trolls were gathering a large army. And I didn't notice that the Trolls had sent out multiple large forces, attacking all units simultaneously. Commander Carlos, thank you for the Asunite Eye Stone you gave us earlier; otherwise, many more people in the Second Legion would have died."
Carlos waved his hand, "Now is not the time for that."
When he left Alpha Fortress, Gale had given him ten Asunite Eye Stones. After establishing Madwind Post, he used one himself to prevent Trolls from flanking the Second Legion and directly attacking Madwind Post.
He gave five more to Star Eyes, so each squad could have one to guard against Troll sneak attacks. The commanders of the Second Legion were also seasoned veterans, highly valuing intelligence, so they would immediately set up scout wards wherever they camped.
However, the Troll attack came too suddenly, and their methods were too bizarre. The Second Legion couldn't dispel the control magic, and combined with the surprise attack, they were even less of a match.
This also indicated that the Trolls were determined to fight a decisive battle with the Kaldorei.
If that were the case, the Trolls would attack Gale Highland in a few days. If reinforcements didn't arrive, Madwind Post wouldn't last much longer. Once the outpost fell, the path to Saro Basin would be open. If tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of the Troll Army entered Saro Basin, the expeditionary force would be on the defensive.
Trolls besieging Zul'Saroth would be easier to deal with; attacking the mines would be fatal. The mines not only held over ten thousand Troll prisoners but also many large machines. If the Trolls learned to use these large machines, Zul'Saroth would be indefensible.
No, Madwind Post must be held.
Just as Carlos made up his mind, the magic map flickered. The outermost scout ward detected a large number of enemies, and before Carlos could confirm the number, the light representing the scout ward disappeared.
The Trolls had disabled the scout ward; they were prepared.
"Commander, I need to know how many of your men are still able to fight."
Star Eyes silently calculated, "Currently, about five hundred people are still capable of fighting."
"Get them ready for battle!"
Carlos walked towards the door, and as he stepped out of the command center, the armor of eternal winter appeared on his body, and the Sanction Blade and Ice Imprint Grip were in his hands.
"Alpha Squad, assemble!"
"The Trolls are here!"
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