Funhow delivered the sample garments to the tailor.

Rebecca was quite pleased with the samples and any minor adjustments could be integrated during the production of the final pieces.

Meanwhile, the goldsmith was busy crafting the accompanying jewelry.

With everything delegated, Fong Ho had little else to attend to.

He merely needed to wait for the finished products to present to Rebecca.

The following morning, after breakfast, Fong Hao and Jia and Dimitria mounted the bone dragons.

Behind them trailed 10 additional bone dragons laden with skeletal trolls and grave guardians soaring into the clouds towards the south.

Their destination was the newly acquired map, the mountain Dark Fortress.

The name Dark Fortress sounded far more prestigious than any cavern or cave.

They hoped it would yield some powerful items above the clouds.

There is no need to concern themselves with the villages below.

They proceeded in a direct line towards the dark fortress.

According to the map, the mountain dark fortress was situated to the east between the cities of Plure and Leys, a journey of 2 hours.

The group swiftly arrived above a desolate mountain range.

The bone dragons descended, gradually approaching their target.

They could discern remnants of stone brick structures.

As they advanced, Fong House spotted their destination, the mountain dark fortress.

It was not difficult to locate, as there was a massive downward entrance nestled among the rocks.

Before the entrance lay a heap of accumulated white bones, remnants of blood stains, and a gigantic iron pot steaming with food.

Yet no sign of any creatures was visible.

The bone dragons landed before the entrance, and Fong Ho and his companions dismounted.

What kind of creature uses such a large pot? And Jia inquired, surprised by the pots enormity now that they were on the ground.

Standing at just half the height of the pot, she was taken aback.

Let s investigate.

Those beings must dwell here, Fongo suggested, gazing deeper into the entrance.

The stone steps at the entrance descend steadily, flanked by meticulously huneed cliffs.

It is indeed a commendable place for habitation.

You shall lead the Dominiga squad while Anja and I will follow behind, Fongghao remarked, casting an ice armor upon himself.

Due to the distance, he refrained from utilizing divine presence.

Although his personal approach minimized the expenditure of mental energy, it also exposed him to the perils of mortality.

Very well, my lord, Domigan nodded, addressing the skeletal soldiers beside him.

The skeletal trolls shall take the front line while the graveyard guardians will remain behind, ready to enter the cave.

Clatter.

The rearranging skeletons commence their gradual march into the cavern.

As the procession advanced, luminous walls adorned with night glow stones began to illuminate the corridor, casting a gentle radiance throughout.

Who? Who? R.

Not far ahead, a sound reminiscent of thunderous snoring echoed.

On a platform ahead, a towering troll lay sprawled upon a hide rug, deep in slumber.

Bubbles of mucus expanded and contracted rhythmically with each snore.

Cyclops troll, eighth rank, Domigus signaled for the advance to halt, and the skeletal regiment instantly froze in place.

As motionless as statues, he drew a sword from his waist and cautiously approached the slumbering giant.

Chapter 253.

The Gem Demetica hurried to the side of the slumbering troll.

Raising his sword high with a swift motion, the blade sliced through the trolles neck, and as the head rolled away, blood gushed forth.

The trolls eyes widened in confusion as it gazed at its body, receding into the distance.

"My lord, we may proceed," Demetica murmured, stepping upon the rolling head.

It was evident that this place had once been a hidden fortress, but now it had been overrun by these cyclopian trolls, transforming it into their lair.

Yes, let us continue.

More trolls surely await below, Fonggha remarked.

Indeed, Demetica acknowledged, gesturing for the skeletal army to advance.

The stone steps continued their descent, and scattered weapons and armor lay half-hazardly on the platform.

The specifications of gear indicated it belonged to humans, suggesting that before Fong How and his companions arrived.

Many humans had ventured here, yet their fates had not been favorable.

After several minutes of descent, the end of the staircase revealed a suddenly expansive stone wall ahead, indicating the presence of a hall.

Within the hall, the rough voices of trolls could be faintly heard.

Demetica glanced at Fong Hao, who nodded slightly in response.

Taking a deep breath, Demetica gathered a faint blue energy at his neck and exhaled a dense mist that quickly spread forth.

This was one of Demetica's most effective skills.

Mist of the Azure sky, particularly potent in enclosed spaces, allowing it to linger longer.

The sudden appearance of the mist caused considerable chaos among the trolls below, eliciting furious roars.

Why is it foggy? I can't see.

One bellowed, "Arm yourselves.

We have intruders.

Another shouted, "Where's my weapon? Who has seen my weapon?" A troll cried out in frustration.

"Ouch! This is a wall! Damn it! I'm trapped.

" The scene below was utter pandemonium.

And as Fong Hao and his companions stood on the staircase, they could only hear the trolls loud shouts with none managing to find the correct path to escape.

"Kill!" Demetica commanded, plunging into the mist alongside his skeletal soldiers.

With a deaf swing of his sword, he severed the leg of a nearby troll, causing it to topple forward.

Ah! The troll howled in agony, but before it could recover, the sword pivoted and pierced through its chest.

Gouts of blood erupted forth, and in its final moments, the troll caught sight of its adversary, gasping, "They're lizard men.

They are lizard men.

" However, its word were quickly corrected by others.

"No, it's the undead.

I see them clearly.

They are bones.

" The trolls continued to brawl and shout, transforming the grand hall into a cacophinous marketplace.

A oneeyed troll clad in heavy armor swung a massive metal spike club.

The howling wind arose, dispersing the surrounding mist momentarily.

Yet this clarity was fleeting once the gust passed.

The fog enveloped him a new with another powerful swing.

The mist thinned, revealing a figure before him, a man fully clad in golden armor.

The enormous tail protruding from behind unmistakably identified him as a lizard man.

The despicable reptile believed that with such vile tactics, he could triumph over the formidable troll.

With a furious roar, the troll raised his black metal club and aimed a crushing blow at the lizard man.

The clash of metal rang out sharply.

A shock wave emanated from the lizard man, sending the mist swirling in tumultuous layers.

The immense recoil numbed the trolls hands.

He had not anticipated that despite his superior strength and size, he would be met head-on by the dominion of lizard man.

"You cannot defeat me in strength.

" The troll bellowed, lifting his club once more to strike the lizard man.

However, as the club descended, the lizard man deafly pivoted, evading the oncoming attack.

The club crashed heavily against the ground.

In an instant, the lizard man s sword sliced upward, a glint of cold light severing the troll s wrist.

With a clang, the club along with both arms fell to the earth.

The troll yearned to scream, to roar, but as he opened his mouth, the lizard man leapt high, driving his sword through the trolls mouth.

A pained whimper escaped him.

After more than 20 minutes, the mist gradually began to lift.

The battle in the hall was drawing to a close.

Once Ditiga had slain the last oneeyed troll, the fight was definitively over.