Rendall's true purpose in visiting the underground fissure wasn't just to deliver supplies—it was to urge Lorelia to continue hatching more spiderlings.
"Our resources are still plentiful. Hatch as many spiderlings as you can. I'll keep sending you supplies!"
"It won't be long before the chieftain lures the invaders toward Blackstone City, and we'll need your forces to contribute."
The news of invaders approaching from the east had already reached Rendall.
Orion's orders were clear: Rendall was to fortify Blackstone City and hold the line until Orion returned.
After some thought, Rendall decided not to share the news of the invaders with Lorelia. He wanted her to focus entirely on hatching spiderlings without distraction.
"Don't worry, Elder. I'll keep hatching them!" Lorelia assured him.
Satisfied with her response, Rendall left the fissure with his people, returning to Blackstone City through the hidden passageways.
---
To the North – Abyssal Chasm
"Damn it! That filthy half-dragon!"
"That wretched bloodline… that disgusting Gareth!"
Lord Jorik, despite his own impure bloodline, was still a Glacial Dragon, a true member of the dragon race.
To him, Gareth, a mere half-dragon, was nothing but a lowly, tainted creature.
Gareth's defiance and stubbornness had blocked Jorik's path southward. Their first round of negotiations had ended in failure.
Like Lord Ariel, Gareth refused to let anyone claim her "backyard."
Jorik was furious, his temper boiling over. But as a gust of wind and snow swept past him, his expression turned cold. The emotions on his face vanished as if they had never existed.
"My lord, Gustalon has a report for you."
The wind and snow coalesced into Gustalon's form, his demeanor humble as he stood at a respectful distance.
"Speak."
Jorik didn't even glance at Gustalon, his icy gaze fixed on the abyss where Gareth resided.
"My lord, the Black Forest is home to a powerful giant chieftain. He is incredibly strong."
"He commands not only a flying mount, the Thunderhawk, but also a succubus skilled in illusions. Both are Alpha-level."
"In fact, I sensed at least five Alpha-level auras among his forces."
Gustalon's voice was cautious as he observed Jorik's reaction. The dragon lord's face remained expressionless, betraying no hint of emotion.
After a moment of hesitation, Gustalon continued.
"My lord, did you know? Among the icefield snow wolves, there were three Wolf Kings!"
"Unfortunately, two of them have already been slain by that giant chieftain."
At this, Jorik finally turned his head, his icy eyes locking onto Gustalon.
"You're saying two Wolf Kings were killed?"
"Yes, my lord. I saw it with my own eyes."
Silence.
A long, oppressive silence.
Jorik's heart burned with both anger and surprise.
He knew the truth about the icefield snow wolves: there was only ever one true Wolf King. The other two were phantom wolves, spectral guardians born from the Wolf King's essence.
These phantom wolves were unique. They shared the Wolf King's appearance and could merge with its body, lying in wait to ambush unsuspecting enemies.
This secret was one of the reasons Jorik had been confident in sending the Wolf King southward.
But he hadn't anticipated the presence of such a formidable giant chieftain in the Black Forest.
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"Gustalon, recount the battle in detail."
Gustalon dared not disobey. He described everything he had witnessed at the first ambush point, sparing no detail. He even recounted his own encounter with Orion, emphasizing the giant's strength.
After a long pause, snow began to fall from the sky.
"Gustalon, deliver a message to Lumi and Chillrend. Tell them to redirect their forces toward the Black Forest."
"I want the Black Forest plundered completely."
Gustalon's eyes lit up with excitement.
"As you command, my lord!"
"Go."
With his orders received, Gustalon transformed into a gust of wind and sped westward toward the desert.
---
Black Forest – Third Ambush Point
The third ambush point was also the final one.
Originally, the Stoneheart Horde had planned for five ambush points.
The idea was that by the time the wolves reached the fifth point, their numbers would have been reduced by at least half, even if they started with 200,000.
However, the news of invaders approaching from the east had disrupted Orion's plans.
After consulting with the senior elders, the Horde decided to abandon the final two ambush points.
Delaying too long to deal with the wolves could leave Blackstone City vulnerable to a two-pronged attack.
Instead, they resolved to make their final stand at the third ambush point before retreating to Blackstone City.
With the city's walls as their stronghold, the Horde could minimize casualties among their bloodline warriors.
---
Not long after this decision was made, the wolf pack launched its assault.
Orion and Delilah stood atop the Thunderhawk, circling above the battlefield.
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Their presence served as a deterrent, keeping watch for any sudden appearance by Gustalon.
With Orion and Delilah providing overwatch, the Horde's bloodline warriors fought with confidence, unleashing their full strength against the wolves charging up the mountain pass.
Whoosh… Whoosh…
Thwack… Thwack…
Boom… Boom…
The battlefield was a chaotic spectacle.
Bolts rained down like a storm, while boulders crashed into the wolves like falling meteors, leaving trails of carnage in their wake.
When the first wave of snow wolves clashed with the bloodline warriors, the air was filled with the sounds of battle: the warriors' roars, the wolves' howls, and the clash of steel against flesh.
The mountain pass became a scene of pure carnage.
At the previous ambush points, the Horde had fought from a distance, using ravines and rivers to their advantage.
But here, the wolves had closed the gap. The bravest among them were now locked in close combat with the Horde's warriors.
---
Standing on the Thunderhawk, Orion silently observed the battlefield. The sight of blood and bodies strewn across the pass stirred something within him.
"War is cruel. The rise of a great power is always accompanied by countless sacrifices."
Delilah, standing beside him, gazed at his back, puzzled by his somber tone.
"My dear Orion, for the Horde to survive, you mustn't let compassion cloud your judgment."
Orion shook his head and glanced back at her.
"Compassion? That doesn't exist for me."
"From the moment I first saw this world, I was prepared to face storms, blood, and death…"
His voice was calm, but his words carried the weight of conviction.
Delilah smiled faintly, her admiration for Orion growing even stronger.