Chapter 232: Razorfin Naga

"Which one's closer?"

"Huh?"

"I'm asking which one is closer, the Razorfin Naga or the Murloc Prophet? We have to deal with both, so let's start with the nearest one."

The Naga priestess felt a sudden confusion in her heart, finally realizing the gap between herself and her master. Her vision was too limited, only thinking about how to use the existing forces to suppress her opponents, expand territory, and grow her tribe.

Her master, however, was thinking about which one was closer...

Indeed, the difference in power meant different levels of thinking.

"The razorfin Naga are closer, and their leader is called Sefiriss."

"Lead the way," Duke said decisively.

At this point, seeing Duke return in the middle of the night and immediately following the Naga, Stoutmantle couldn't help but worry. Duke's importance to the Stormwind Kingdom was unquestionable, and his position had become even more important as the deputy commander of the Lordaeron Alliance.

This was a figure who had the power to command troops independently, a person who could make the earth tremble with a single step. It was no exaggeration to say that if anything happened to Duke, the dream of restoring the Stormwind Kingdom would be at least half shattered.

"Lord Marcus, are you leaving the camp?"

"Yes, there's some business with the Naga."

"Please wait until morning to depart so that I can arrange a proper escort for you."

Duke waved his hand, "I can't wait. Southshore Town may become the main target of the Horde's attack within ten days. I must reclaim all the Naga and Murlocs here before that."

Marshal Stoutmantle resolutely stood in front of Duke, bowing deeply, "My lord, please be aware of your position and importance. The dream you carry is not just your own, but that of nearly a million Stormwind citizens. If you insist on departing at night, please at least bring enough escorts."

Duke was taken aback, "It's not that serious, just some Murlocs and Naga. I'm the expert in this field. I can't have the Gryphon Legion's heavy infantry wearing their heavy armor, running on the beach, and then swimming with me, can I?"

Marshal Stoutmantle raised his hand, and Duke noticed several groups of people rushing over.

Not only were there guards dressed in full leather armor, wielding short swords, hand crossbows, and small round shields, but also a large number of sailors. Saying they were unprepared was a lie.

Stoutmantle pulled out an order, "By King Varian's command, Duke Marcus is a key minister of the nation. Before having strong enough knight escorts, he must not have fewer than a hundred guards accompanying him at any time."

Duke couldn't help but chuckle.

He almost wanted to reveal his ability to resurrect himself.

However, Duke accepted the arrangement.

"This is just a leisurely hunt. Fine, bring blunt weapons like hammers. Remember to be gentle when you strike, I want them alive."

At three in the morning, with two hundred guards and nearly a hundred Naga, Duke's party marched along the eastern beach of Southshore Town.

Night battles in this era were extremely challenging. In the darkness, even the escort captain, Marshal Stoutmantle, had an instinctual fear in his heart, doubting the fighting capabilities of his own men. Not panicking and dispersing at the first sign of an attack would already be a sign of strong soldiers.

If the enemy were orcs, Duke would never dare to take such a risk.

But for these low-level Naga...

For the past ten thousand years, most Naga have lived in the depths of the ocean. Their vision is different from that of humans. Their sight relies more on perception, similar to the 'darkvision' known to humans. Conversely, the bright light of noon would cause them significant discomfort.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at a fantastic bay. The harbor was surrounded on three sides by cliffs that were nearly impossible to climb except for skilled climbers, and the remaining side was the beach. Duke and his party had to wade through the water to get inside.

"Alright, it's dawn. Wake them up," Duke whistled.

Stoutmantle glanced at the moon hanging high in the sky, his facial muscles twitching.

Three seconds later, the elite human soldiers, following orders, began shouting, easily startling the incredibly alert Naga.

A large number of Naga emerged from the caves beneath the cliffs, along with a small number of Crushfin Murlocs enslaved by them.

Duke noticed that the biggest difference between these creatures and his own Raging Scale and Gray Scale Naga was the bright pink fins on their arms and backs.

"Prepare for battle..." Marshal Stoutmantle hadn't finished speaking when Duke shouted, "Everyone, close your eyes!"

Arcane fire magic circuits fully opened!

A massive fireball, as radiant as the midday sun, burst forth from Duke's hand, shooting up over thirty meters into the sky before exploding.

The intense flash was like an invisible wave sweeping across the battlefield, hitting all of the Spiny Naga and their Murloc minions. The light-sensitive Naga and the big-eyed Murlocs were all left writhing in pain, clutching their eyes, either doubled over or rolling on the ground.

The enemy was rendered blind, while Duke's own forces remained vigorous. In this state, the Spiny Naga and Murlocs had no chance of stopping Duke's well-organized and disciplined "slave trader" force.

Although they possessed considerable strength, they couldn't even muster ten percent of their power.

Moreover, while blind, the deafening roars in their ears made them even more panicked. Countless Naga and Murlocs swung their weapons wildly, often hitting their own kind. Some tried to flee back to the caves, while others instinctively tried to escape into the water.

The enemy was in complete chaos.

Those on land were mainly dealt with by Stoutmantle's forces, while those who rushed into the shallows were taken care of by a third of Vara's male Naga.

All the blinded creatures were knocked out within three short minutes.

The collapse of the forces outside the caves further shook the resolve of the Naga still inside.

Even though the Spiny Naga leader repeatedly called for a counterattack, few of the RrazorFin Naga dared to come out.

And even if they did, they were met with a barrage of human hammers. This whack-a-mole style of combat was highly enjoyable for most, though they could hardly believe it was happening.

As Duke said, "This is merely a leisurely hunt," not even a warm-up battle.

"Come on, show yourself!" As Duke shot a curved fireball into the cave, which had been systematically scanned and found to be only fifteen meters deep, the weakened fireball exploded, forcing a female Naga priestess with pink fins to roll out.

Eighteen Mage Hands instantly restrained the Naga priestess.

Duke didn't even look at her, tossing her to Vara.

"Teach your kind a lesson. If they don't submit, slaughter them." Both the Razorfin Naga priestess and Vara shuddered simultaneously.