Duke Baldwin still remembered the high-spirited figure Wenna had cut when they last met. That had been after the Alliance's Circumcontinental Route officially opened, when she had come on behalf of Mosswood Forest to discuss continental trade quotas with the Empire. At the time, she represented the shrewdest merchant race in the world and held in her hands the direction of an ancient kingdom's rise in the New Era. She had been confident and full of fighting spirit; despite her small stature, she had radiated a presence no one dared ignore at the negotiating table.
But today, she looked especially haggard and exhausted. This tribal leader, one of Augurey's Five Kings, apparently had not rested properly for who knew how long, to the point that even Baldwin found himself worried about her health.
"You may need to get some proper rest first," Duke Baldwin, who had personally led troops here as reinforcements, could not help saying. "Our reconnaissance units haven't returned yet, and the main force is still assembling. You can lie down for a while while we have the chance."
"I did rest—but it was hard to sleep deeply," Wenna said, waving a hand. Her voice was slightly hoarse. "Grey Elves are a race with sensitive nerves. We easily become like this under pressure, but our physical resilience is actually quite strong. You don't need to worry about my health."
As she spoke, she walked over beside Baldwin and climbed with some effort onto a chair at the tactical table. Her gaze fell on the mountainous terrain map projected by Magic Crystals, and she casually said, "I brought Fengge City's forces, including the orc mercenaries under my command and the Grey Elf rangers. Our soldiers may still be lacking in combat strength, but if you want to operate in