One week later.
Stravburg, Duke Bosque's residence.
Duke Leo Bosque stroked his beard relentlessly, waiting in visible anxiety. It had been a long time since he had lost his composure like this. There had simply been too much bad news lately, overwhelming even a man of his usual calm.
In a single day, the Principality of Norton had been ambushed and swiftly wiped out by the Kingdom of Cinders before it could even send a distress signal.
Meanwhile, in the kingdom's north, following the sounding of a strange horn, the legendary Frost Calamity was stirring once more. Signs of marching frost giants had been spotted near the Vahara Glacier.
"Your Grace! Your Grace!"
His adjutant burst in hurriedly, bearing the latest intelligence.
"Our scouts in the north have discovered tracks of frost giants on a forced march! Long-abandoned roads show half-eaten beast carcasses and colossal footprints, and the ground... is covered in snow."
Duke Leo's face darkened, cloaked in heavy gloom.
"Just as the records described."
"It truly is... a Frost Calamity."
Duke Leo looked at his adjutant and asked urgently, "What about their movement? Where are those frost giants headed?"
The adjutant quickly answered, "Storm Heights. According to our current intelligence, they will push south through Storm Heights, pass through the Trier Valley, and enter the Northlands."
He then added, "However, Storm Heights is territory of the Kingdom of Cinders. Although their patrol and defense priorities have shifted toward the former Principality of Lakeman, that region remains under the control of the red dragon's kin. The intelligence we can gather is very scarce—our scouts risked their lives to bring it back."
The adjutant produced a map and presented it respectfully.
The parchment map was worn and scarred, with areas where signs of the frost giants' march had been sighted marked in red ink.
Duke Leo studied the map closely. His expression shifted between delight and perplexity as he paced back and forth across the hall.
"Something isn't right... This is different from the recorded Frost Calamities.
"According to the archives, during the Frost Calamity sixty years ago and the one a hundred and seventy years ago, the frost giants flooded into the Northlands from multiple directions on forced marches, destroying everything in their path as fast as possible and plundering the surrounding lands bare. A mere few dozen frost giants were often enough to raze a city.
"Our scholars analyzed that their primary objective was pillaging supplies while weakening our forces along the way, which was why those frost giants unleashed wanton destruction.
"Yet this time, they seem to have a definite objective.
"And the target causing them to concentrate their strength should be none other than... the Kingdom of Cinders."
As he continued examining the map, an unusual light flickered in Duke Leo's eyes.
At these words, the adjutant beamed with excitement. "Your Grace, wouldn't that mean we stand to gain immensely?
"The Kingdom of Cinders will absorb the brunt of the Frost Calamity from the north. With the frost giants and the dragon's forces locked in battle, they won't be able to spare a glance south, allowing us to take advantage of the chaos and—"
"Attack the Kingdom of Cinders, correct?"
Duke Leo finished his sentence for him.
The adjutant bowed quickly in flattery. "Your Grace is wise. That was indeed my thought."
Duke Leo's demeanor softened, finally revealing a hint of relief. "I must correct you on one phrase—not 'take advantage of the chaos,' but 'bide our time for an opportunity.'
"We still do not know the upper limit of that red dragon's strength, and the northern frost giants have not appeared since sixty years ago. With the two sides clashing, the outcome remains uncertain.
"Therefore, we must wait. Wait for an opening where the tide of battle becomes clear.
"If the frost giants hold the upper hand and are about to destroy the Kingdom of Cinders, we can step in to help the Kingdom of Cinders fend them off, exhausting their final strength to shield us from the Frost Calamity. Once the frost giants retreat, we can settle our score with the Kingdom of Cinders at our leisure. If the Kingdom of Cinders holds the advantage, then at the moment they let their guard down after fighting off the frost giants, we can launch a surprise assault."
The adjutant adopted an expression of sudden enlightenment and chimed in, "Your Grace, your wisdom is far beyond anything I could ever hope to match."
Duke Leo did not answer, but stared thoughtfully at the map.
"What a rare opportunity..."
"Still, luck is a facet of strength. The initiative has returned to my hands. Just how will you respond?"
"Cassius Claubur Norixius..."
He once again spoke that awkward, cumbersome long name that had left him restless for days, though this time his tone carried a note of anticipation.
***
Kingdom of Cinders, Northwind Keep.
"Oh, isn't that Lord Mantou?"
"Out on patrol again? Thank you for your hard work!"
Warm greetings rang out from passing townsfolk, though an undercurrent of deep reverence accompanied their voices.
"Yeah. Serving the citizens of Cinders is my duty," Mantou declared with righteous dignity.
He was still wearing his peace officer outfit, patrolling the streets of the southwestern district under his jurisdiction.
Yet under the Dictatorial Law, players who dared break the rules within the city had become exceedingly rare. Mantou had therefore turned to native residents as his primary targets. For example, the well-known Black Beer gang in the southwestern district had been thoroughly wiped out by Mantou single-handedly atop his drake, earning him over seven thousand Faction Contribution points in a single mission.
Ever since then, the southwestern district had been in a state of nervous tension, and unusual cases rarely surfaced anymore, leaving Mantou thoroughly bored.
*Why is it so quiet? Can't somebody give me a big case?*
*Why doesn't Northwind Keep have some hidden syndicate so I can make a killing?*
Mantou thought to himself from atop his drake's back.
"Yo, look who it is! Mantou! Since when do you look so respectable?"
A snide, cheeky voice interrupted his musings.
Immediately leveraging his authority, Mantou snapped sternly without even looking at the speaker, "Citizen, mind your tongue! Do not attempt to provoke a peace officer!"
To his surprise, the speaker showed no sign of backing down, growing even more arrogant. "Putting on airs over being a measly second-rank peace officer?
"Yours truly is now the Director of Nocturne, two ranks higher than you in the Cinders hierarchy! Let me tell you, I have direct access to the top and can contact the Dragon Boss himself. Who do you think you are?
"Go on, call me sir!"
The speaker was none other than Langlibaitiao. At this moment, his chest was puffed out, strutting as though he owned the world.
Upon hearing the name 'Nocturne,' the surrounding residents scrambled in all directions, slamming their doors and windows shut for fear of crossing such a terrifying figure. After all, the Nocturne force in the Kingdom of Cinders was feared enough to silence crying babes in the night, rumored to have assassinated countless conspirators.
Chapter 168