The World Dragon's Heir

Chapter 438: Save The Flock

The flames on his sword flashed as Dominic cut through a Minotaur, freeing John from combat, and clearing a line of sight to the mages.

"Where is your wife?" He asked.

The King’s Man tilted his chin toward town. "In shopping."

Perfect. That meant the only losses here would be the farm buildings and some sheep.

"I’ve got the Minotaurs, you can work."

John nodded, then ducked low into the long grass and vanished.

The mages were still hitting Dominic with spells, as his flaming shield and the Fireball he cast into their midst had all their attention. But a few seconds later, the back ranks began to fall as the assassin cleaved his way through their ranks with a blade in either hand.

They were just students, no matter how corrupted their education had been, they couldn’t even defend themselves when they didn’t have the Minotaurs on their side.

With the mages eliminated, John fought his way back to Dominic’s side.

"What brings you here first?"

"You’re on the way to Baron Billy Bob’s. He sent up a flare, and the Trolls heard your sheep panic."

John smiled. "Good bunch, they are."

The Trolls were bigger and stronger than the Minotaurs, and their new spiked clubs were devastating. They weighed more than Dominic did, but the Trolls had no issue swinging them like a baton.

Minotaurs were sent flying, and lightning crackled through the monsters as the Trolls used their new magic orbs to add damage to their attacks.

"You need to upgrade that." John sighed as he realized the situation.

"We didn’t get to it before the fight. I will do it after, now that the Trolls have monster cores available."

"Boys! Use the Monster Cores to upgrade your barrier and attack spells." He added, shouting so all the Trolls heard him.

They could use them as they went, instead of saving them until the end of the fight.

With the magic controlling them gone, the Minotaurs began to flee. Boulders chased them, hurled by the irate Trolls. But dozens still escaped the fight.

"Check the sheep quickly, we need to save more. Baron Billy Bob has goats too." Dominic informed them.

The closest Troll gave him a thumbs up as he kicked corpses, collecting small monster cores in his fingers to feed his [Lightning Bolt] spell gem. Dominic would make them shields after the battle as well. They were going to have earned them, the way this fight was going.

Fifty Mountain Trolls with huge tower shields marching through enemy lines would absolutely crush anything that Dagos could throw at them.

Plus, they would be a mobile fortification for troops behind them.

"Boss, they’re too far." Dave shouted.

Dominic took a knee and used his shield to support his rifle as he picked off the fleeing Minotaurs.

"Got them, go save the Baron and his goats."

The Priestess was scooped up again, and the Trolls were off at a run, leaving John and Dominic to catch up.

"They certainly have odd priorities." John laughed as they ran.

"Everyone gets motivated in their own way. But they speak goat, so I suppose it’s no different from running to where the civilians are screaming."

John looked back at his farm, and Dominic patted him on the shoulder. "Stay and clean up the mess. Just watch for more troops. We’re not so hard up that we need to let your farm burn."

John clapped him on the shoulder and turned back to his home.

The main house was fine, but there was damage to the granary, some of the fields were still burning, and the barn was in flames. He had the magic to sort it all out, but the barn was isolated by gravel, so the flames wouldn’t spread.

Dominic chased the Trolls through fields, past farmers who were retreating from the threat of monsters, or grouping up with neighbours for defence.

But he knew from experience that the monsters would head for the tactical targets first, so it would be the Barony House that got the majority of the attack, while the farms would be targeted for being too close to where the monsters were walking.

There were Militiamen among the ranks, and some of the Town Guard as well.

Not enough to ensure safety for the farmers, even the few who had remained with weapons. But enough that they stood a fighting chance against weaker monsters.

As before, Dominic could see hordes of Goblins in the distance, led by Hobgoblins. Whether it was intentional, or a result of the lower level of the summoners, he didn’t know. But the Militia and former soldiers among the farmers could likely handle smaller groups of them.

A Hobgoblin was sent flying as the first of Dominic’s group reached the horde besieging the Barony.

However, he didn’t see the two that he had sent in advance.

"Fight here, I will go find Billy Bob." He instructed, turning for the house.

The former Captain and two of his men were fighting at the front door, with Billy Bob firing out a window using a Mana Revolver.

"Your Grace, you’re a sight for sore eyes." He shouted as Dominic detonated a [Fireball] in the crowd of Goblins.

"Did you see two trolls arrive before my group?" He asked.

"They’re up the hill. I was working the field when they arrived, and they followed the goats to Baron Keith’s place. It’s under attack by Gnolls." He explained.

The other Baron had a very large family, and more weapons, so they would be in a better situation, Dominic assumed.

But they could have received a larger attacking force.

"I’ve got more on the other side of the house. They’re clearing out the fields now. You defend the civilians in the house, I will look for the mages summoning them."

The repeated blasting of the pistol and the shouts of Goblins were his only reply as Dominic rushed to clear the largest groups with [Fireball] spells before they could spread out.

The Hobgoblins were already gathering to fight the Trolls, but there was no sign of mages yet.

Hopefully, he would find them soon. The more that he could eliminate early, the better.