George didn’t seem entirely satisfied with the decision. Terry didn’t care, but he wondered why... his suspicions senses were tingling. Still, one hour passed in the blink of an eye, and then they began to move toward the enemy base.

The number of enemies coming from the direction they were heading in increased, but not that much. It seems that the trolls truly didn’t want to leave their base unguarded for one reason or the other.

The more they approached, the more the group felt like their bones were freezing. As the group walked through the frozen land, a strong and icy wind began to blow around them. It felt like they were caught in the middle of a swirling snowstorm, with snowflakes pelting their faces and blurring their vision. The biting cold pierced through their clothing, causing their bodies to shiver uncontrollably.

Their breath turned into visible puffs of fog in the air, swirling around them in a ghostly dance. Their cheeks and noses turned rosy from the freezing temperatures, and their fingers and toes felt numb and stiff. It was a constant fight against the elements as they pushed forward against the fierce wind, determined to reach their destination.

Fortunately, they found traces of the enemy’s base ahead. The place looked like an old fortress made of wood and stone. It was a sprawling complex constructed from a combination of sturdy wood and rough-hewn stone. The structure stood defiantly against the biting cold, a testament to the trolls’ craftsmanship and resilience.

The base loomed before them, stretching wide and tall, appearing like a fortress in the desolate landscape. The wooden walls were weathered and scarred, bearing the marks of countless battles and harsh winters. Thick stone pillars provided additional support, lending the structure an air of strength and durability.

There were multiple entrances scattered throughout the base, each guarded by massive wooden doors reinforced with iron bands. These formidable barriers stood as a warning to any intruders who dared to challenge the trolls’ domain. The doors showed signs of wear and tear, evidence of the constant comings and goings of the troll inhabitants.

"The names that you said are a bit off if compared to reality," Terry said while furrowing his eyebrows. "Their base is way bigger as well."

"... It has been one month since we had the chance to check their base," George said while looking away. "Based on what you see now and what you learned when you talked with the fire dragon, why do you think that they are creating such a foothold here?"

Terry wondered if that question was just to change the subject, but George had a point. He couldn’t help but wonder why these creatures, seemingly native to other realms or dimensions, would choose to infiltrate Earth and replicate habitats that mirrored their own. It puzzled him as he questioned the motives and intentions behind their invasion.

From what he knew, their home planets or realms appeared to be in relatively stable conditions. So why venture to Earth? What compelled them to adapt and mimic Earth’s environments?

Perhaps it was the allure of new territories and resources. Earth, with its rich biodiversity and abundance of magical energies, could be seen as a potential goldmine for these creatures. They might have sought to expand their dominion, harnessing the unique offerings of Earth for their own benefit.

Another possibility was that there were unforeseen circumstances or conflicts on their home planets. It was conceivable that these creatures faced challenges or dangers that drove them to seek refuge or conquest elsewhere. Earth, with its relative abundance and seemingly untapped potential, might have presented an enticing alternative.

"We didn’t have the chance to check much of the fire dragon’s world since the portals closed after the battle, but it seemed fine," Terry replied.

"I also didn’t notice anything wrong with it," Vanessa replied.

Terry couldn’t help but wonder why a powerful fire dragon, like the one they were facing, would leave its perfectly fine home planet and come to Earth. It didn’t make much sense to him. Earth seemed to have enough problems of its own, so why would a creature of such magnitude choose to venture here? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

One possibility that crossed Terry’s mind was that the fire dragon sought new experiences and challenges. Maybe ruling over its own planet had become dull, and Earth’s diverse environments and magical energies presented an intriguing change of pace.

Another idea was that the fire dragon was in search of knowledge or rare resources. Earth was known for its ancient wisdom and mystical ley lines, which could have enticed the dragon to seek out hidden artifacts or magical secrets to augment its power.

Alternatively, the fire dragon might have simply desired conquest and dominance. Earth’s vast territories and diverse inhabitants could have appealed to its hunger for control, offering an opportunity to extend its reign and showcase its supremacy.

All of them were annoying, so Terry couldn’t help but feel a headache. Unfortunately, he didn’t have time to worry about all that when he had such a base of enemies in front of him... unlike the fire drakes, the trolls knew how to behave to defend their territory. They were tougher, but they were smarter than the fire drakes as well.

"We should retreat now," Vanessa said. "The sun will set at this rate before we return to the base.

Terry nodded, and then they left the area slowly, and once the camp was out of sight, George used his magic to make everyone return to the base faster.

Before dinner, the guild masters reunited to talk about what they had learned that day. In terms of the advantages that they had, they could only think of two. The enemies couldn’t fly and use magic.

The fact that trolls can’t fly or use magic is important for a few reasons. First, it limits their movement and options in battle. Since they can only stay on the ground, it’s easier for the group to navigate and position themselves advantageously.