Page 169

One week later.

Stravbourg, Bosk Duchy.

Duke Leo Bosk anxiously stroked his beard, pacing as he waited. It had been a long time since he had appeared so unsettled. The recent flood of bad news had shaken even his typically composed demeanor.

The Nort Duchy had been annihilated by the Ember Kingdom in a single day. Not even a distress signal had been sent before its swift demise.

In the kingdom's north, with the peculiar horn blowing, the legendary "Frost Disaster" seemed to be stirring again. Signs of frost giants advancing near the Wahala Glacier had been reported.

"Your Grace, Your Grace!"

An aide rushed in, bringing the latest update.

"Our scouts in the north have discovered signs of frost giants on the move! The long-sealed roads now bear traces of partially devoured beasts, enormous footprints, and snow-covered ground."

Duke Leo's face darkened, a heavy shadow settling over his expression.

"Just as the records described."

"It truly is... a Frost Disaster."

He turned to the aide, urgently asking:

"Where are they headed? Where will the frost giants appear?"

The aide quickly replied, "Storm Highlands. Based on our current intelligence, they will head south from the Storm Highlands, passing through the Trier Valley and entering the northern territories."

He added:

"However, the Storm Highlands are part of the Ember Kingdom. While their patrol focus has shifted to the former Lackman Duchy, the area is still under the control of the red dragon’s vassals. Our intelligence is scarce, as scouts risked their lives to gather this information."

The aide presented a map, respectfully offering it.

The parchment map was scarred and worn, with red markings indicating the regions where frost giants’ movements had been detected.

Duke Leo studied the map closely, his expression shifting between delight and doubt.

He paced the hall.

"Something’s off. This doesn’t align with recorded Frost Disasters."

"In previous disasters—sixty years ago, one hundred seventy years ago—the frost giants surged into the northern territories from different directions, moving rapidly to destroy everything in their path and plunder their surroundings. Even just a few dozen frost giants could level a city."

"According to our scholars, their primary goal seemed to be looting resources while weakening our forces. Hence, the frost giants acted with unrestrained destruction."

"But this time, they appear to have a clear target."

"And the focus of their efforts seems to be... the Ember Kingdom."

As Duke Leo continued scrutinizing the map, his eyes gleamed with a peculiar light.

Hearing this, the aide’s face lit up with joy.

"Your Grace, doesn’t this mean we’ve struck gold?"

"If the Ember Kingdom bears the brunt of the Frost Disaster, with frost giants and dragons entangled, they’ll have no time to deal with us. This gives us the chance to—"

"Attack the Ember Kingdom, correct?" Duke Leo finished the thought.

The aide quickly bowed and flattered, "Your Grace is wise. That is exactly what I was thinking."

Duke Leo’s expression relaxed slightly, revealing a hint of relief. "Let me correct you—it's not 'seizing the opportunity'; it's 'waiting for the right moment.'"

"We still don’t know the upper limits of that red dragon’s power, and the frost giants haven’t appeared for sixty years. The outcome of their conflict is uncertain."

"We must wait for a moment that reveals the situation clearly."

"If the frost giants prevail and the Ember Kingdom is on the verge of collapse, we can assist the Ember Kingdom in resisting the frost giants, draining their remaining strength to defend us against the disaster. Once the frost giants retreat, we’ll settle accounts with the Ember Kingdom. If the Ember Kingdom gains the upper hand, we’ll strike when they lower their guard while attacking the frost giants."

The aide adopted an enlightened expression and quickly agreed:

"Your Grace, your wisdom is beyond my reach."

Duke Leo did not respond further, instead gazing thoughtfully at the map.

"What a rare opportunity..."

"But luck is a part of strength. The initiative is back in my hands. How will you respond to this, Cassius Claudius Norrixius?"

He repeated the long, unwieldy name that had troubled him for days, this time with a hint of anticipation in his tone.

Ember Kingdom, Northwind Fortress.

"Ah, isn’t that Lord Mantou?"

"Out on patrol again, are you? Thank you for your hard work."

Passersby greeted warmly, though their voices carried a trace of awe.

"Serving the citizens of the Ember Kingdom is my duty."

Mantou declared righteously.

Still clad in his sheriff’s uniform, Mantou patrolled the streets of the southwestern district under his jurisdiction.

Due to the strict laws, players daring to break them were now exceedingly rare. Mantou had shifted his focus to the local residents. Notably, the notorious "Black Ale" gang of the southwestern district had been wiped out by Mantou single-handedly. That mission earned him over seven thousand faction contribution points.

Since then, the southwestern district had been eerily quiet, with hardly any notable cases, leaving Mantou feeling bored.

"Why is it so peaceful? Can’t someone stir up a major case?"

"Doesn’t Northwind Fortress have some hidden faction for me to exploit?"

Mantou pondered while riding on the back of a dragon.

"Yo, isn’t that Mantou? What’s with the pompous outfit?"

A snide voice interrupted Mantou’s thoughts.

Mantou immediately leveraged his authority and barked without even looking at the speaker:

"Citizen, watch your language and do not provoke a sheriff!"

To his surprise, the speaker became even more arrogant: "You, a mere second-level sheriff, think you can strut around?"

"I’m now a 'Nocturne' officer, two ranks above you in the Ember hierarchy. I can report directly to the big dragon boss. Who do you think you are?"

"Come on, call me 'Sir'!"

The speaker was none other than Langli Baitiao. At this moment, he was smugly puffed up with pride.

Upon hearing the name "Nocturne," nearby residents scurried away, shutting doors and windows tightly to avoid drawing the attention of this notorious figure. The Nocturne unit was infamous in the Ember Kingdom, rumored to have assassinated countless would-be rebels.