Gros and Big Barton followed Kasia back into the military camp. Every person they encountered along the way watched them with eyes filled with shock, making the two feel quite uneasy.
Near a campfire where a totem of the God of Thorny Rocks and the Iron Jaw Tribe crest were staked, Gros unexpectedly saw his own daughter.
“Nina? Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be back with the tribe?”
“Father? You… you aren’t dead?”
Gros’s eldest daughter, Nina Broken Tooth, heard the familiar voice and turned around. Seeing her “resurrected” father brought back by Priestess Kasia, she spoke in disbelief.
“Nonsense! When did I ever die?”
Gros gave Nina a playful tap on the head.
“Uncle Flan said so. He said your fate was unknown, which meant you were dead. He even sent people back to the tribe to find me so I could take your place and assume the duties of Chief.”
Nina pointed toward a certain “old fox” in the crowd, who was currently trying his best to hide among the onlookers.
“Flan! You’re the one who said I was dead!”
Being called out by name, Flan couldn’t hide any longer. He could only steel himself to explain.
“Well, Chief, you might not know, but at the time… you really were hit by that female knight. Your body slumped, and you fell right off your wolf’s back. When the humans carried you off, you didn’t even resist. We really thought you were dead.”
Hearing Flan’s explanation, a low murmur broke out among the gathered crowd.
“Yeah, that’s right. A tilt of the head and a limp body… that usually means death…”
“But the Chief is back now, isn’t he?”
“Maybe he just fainted. But for the Chief to be knocked unconscious by a human is a bit…”
“Enough! I was careless and got ambushed by a human! That’s why I passed out! But Flan, there were so many of you there — did not a single one of you stop those humans?”
His embarrassing past being exposed made Gros lose face. Hearing the whispers around him, he quickly shifted the blame.
“We tried to stop them, Chief, but we really couldn’t! That female knight’s strength was beyond ridiculous. One strike of her spear sent me flying dozens of feet. My body still hurts now. Plus, it was like she had eyes in the back of her head. Every arrow we shot and every stone we threw was dodged.”
“And when those other knights entered the city later, we wanted to launch a forced assault, but the walls were covered in crossbowmen. There were so many of them that they filled the walls and even seemed to be standing in mid-air! Arrows fell like rain. Even after we retreated, more than a dozen of our warriors were wounded.”
Flan insisted that they had done their best.
“Standing in mid-air? Is it really that exaggerated?”
Gros raised his hand, wanting to slap Flan, but he restrained himself.
“It’s not an exaggeration; I was just worried you wouldn’t believe me,” Flan said aggrievedly.
“He’s right, he’s right. Flan might be exaggerating a little, but the gist of it is correct. We all did our best. We truly couldn’t catch them, beat them, or stop them.”
“Chief, it’s really not that we didn’t put in the effort.”
The other Centurions chimed in, backing Flan and explaining themselves to Gros. Although they hadn’t stopped Vera, since everyone had failed together, then technically, no one was at fault.
“Forget it. If that’s the case, I can’t blame you all.”
Seeing his Centurions united, Gros had no way to pursue their failures further.
“Father, how did you escape Border City?” Nina asked again.
“I fought my way out, of course. Isn’t that right, Big Barton?”
Gros nudged Big Barton with his elbow.
“Yes, yes. The Chief and I fought a fierce battle against the garrison and barely managed to break through.”
Big Barton dithered for a moment before reacting and agreeing with Gros.
“So amazing! Father, you and Uncle Big Barton are so strong!”
Nina looked at the two with idolizing eyes.
“Haha, of course your father is amazing.”
Gros laughed, then scanned the crowd before his gaze finally landed on Kamal.
“Kamal, go and notify all the Centurions. Have everyone rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we launch a total offensive against Border City! We’ll strive to take it in one day!”
Gros commanded Kamal.
“Launch a total offensive tomorrow? Take the city in a single day? Isn’t that too risky? There are at least 8,000 heavy troops guarding Border City!”
Kamal tried to persuade Gros.
“That’s because we were all tricked! I’ve personally scouted the enemy camp. There are at most 1,000 defenders in Border City. We can take it in one fell swoop!”
“Is the intelligence reliable? What if it’s a trap…”
“Kamal, are you doubting me, or do you just not want to attack Border City at all?”
“No, I’m not doubting you, and it’s not that I don’t want to attack. I’m just worried the enemy is cunning and we might accidentally fall for another of their schemes.”
“Then listen to me. Prepare for a total offensive on Border City tomorrow! We take it in one go!”
With a broad wave of his hand, Gros completely suppressed Kamal’s voice of opposition.
“Take Border City!”
“Take Border City!”
The soldiers followed Gros, shouting at the top of their lungs.
‘I hope nothing really goes wrong.’
Inside the camp, which was radiating an intense desire for battle, Kamal was filled with anxiety.
He remained worried that the opposing Lord would play more tricks.
……
While the Iron Jaw Tribe was actively preparing for the assault on the border the next day, another fully armed team was also taking advantage of the night to march through the freezing wind behind New Border City.
Marching at night, even with torches lit, caused the soldiers to shiver uncontrollably from the cold.
The militia, dressed in thin clothing, had hands gripping their spears that were covered in cracks from the biting wind.
Many soldiers collapsed in the snow. When they crawled back up, their faces were covered in cuts and blood.
Worse still, some suddenly collapsed into the snow as they walked, unable to stand again.
Louis, the Captain of the Guard Knight Unit, felt pity for the miserable soldiers.
After a moment of contemplation, he called over the Vice-Captain to take over his duties.
He then turned his horse around and galloped toward a luxurious, wide carriage.
Large pieces of translucent crystal were set into the carriage windows.
Through these extravagant panes, Louis could see the warm, orange light glowing from within and hear the flirtatious giggles of a young woman.
Louis kept his horse at the same speed as the carriage, then leaned over and knocked on the window.
“Young Master, the Captain of the Guard Knight Unit has an important matter to report!”
The girl’s voice stopped abruptly.
After two or three minutes, a small slot in the window slid open. Through the gap, the sweaty face of Kerok Xi Oka, the eldest son of Earl Oca, appeared.
“What is it?”
Kerok’s voice was full of impatience.
“Young Master, the soldiers don’t have enough winter clothes. The continuous march has already resulted in frostbite and even deaths among the men. Could you give the order for the army to stop and rest where we are? We can wait until daylight to continue. Otherwise, even if we reach that new city, we won’t have the energy to immediately engage in battle with the barbarians.”
Louis pleaded with Kerok.
“They’re just a bunch of peasants. If they freeze to death, they freeze to death. Why do you care so much? Besides, we don’t plan to start a war with the barbarians immediately anyway. If they lack energy, so be it. We just need to hurry to that new city built by the Fourth Prince and enjoy the show.”
Kerok spoke with utter indifference.
“Master, how can you…”
Louis looked at Kerok in shock.
“What about me? Do you intend to criticize me? You’re just a Knight Captain. I am the commander of this force. In this army, I have the final say! Honestly, why did my father arrange for such a bleeding heart like you to assist me? If you annoy me with these trivial matters again, I’ll demote you to the back to serve as a cook!”
Kerok threatened Louis.
“Master Kerok — how much longer do I have to wait?”
A soft, pale hand reached out, following the girl’s voice, and stroked Kerok’s neck.
“Just until I chase away this nagging crow, my little beauty.”
Kerok grabbed the girl’s hand. His eyes and tone instantly became very tender, but when he looked back at Louis, they were still full of disgust.
“Get lost, and don’t bother me!”
Kerok dismissed Louis directly. As soon as he finished speaking, he slammed the window slot shut.
The two worlds — inside and outside, warmth and cold — were separated once again.