Gnoll Movements

More than half a month had passed since the gnolls left Lake of Star Prayer and continued eastward.

During this time, Lake of Star Prayer had returned to its usual bustle. Improving the castle, reclaiming farmland, building canals, excavating the Salt Mine, patrolling the territory—every knight under Velin had carried out his duties diligently and conscientiously.

As the lord, Velin had not been idle either.

After fighting the gnolls, he had become deeply aware of his shortcomings in combat skills.

Therefore, he had set himself a strict schedule: handling the territory's official affairs in the morning, sparring with the other knights in the afternoon, and cultivating Battle Qi at night, seizing every moment to improve himself.

In late December, the scouts returned to Lake of Star Prayer and brought Velin the latest intelligence from Cadro Province.

In the castle hall, Mike, the Silver Low-Tier knight and captain of the scouting party, respectfully delivered his report to Velin.

"My lord, there are five monster armies attacking the border of Cadro Province. Their targets are the border fortress Montas, our territory of Lake of Star Prayer, Ermos in Yellow Sand River Valley, and two other locations. Among them, the monster alliance facing the border fortress Montas is the largest, with more than thirty thousand monsters."

Hearing this, Velin asked, "What is the current situation in the province's interior?"

"It is chaotic—extremely chaotic." After considering his words, Mike answered, "When faced with monster attacks, nobles across the region have either resisted resolutely, fled after defeat, or even run at the first sign of danger. The closer one gets to the Provincial Capital, the more obvious this becomes."

"Heh, it seems more than a century of peace has worn away the courage of certain nobles." Velin chuckled, looking down on the performance of some nobles with disdain.

No one knew how many noble families in Cadro Province would have their territories repossessed during this turmoil, or how many would have their heirs replaced by their main families.

However, none of that meant anything to him.

"How are the gnolls I told you to focus on doing?"

"My lord, that group of defeated stragglers headed east after leaving Lake of Star Prayer and broke through several noble territories in succession. Perhaps because they lacked sufficient strength, or perhaps because they had learned a lesson from attacking castles, these gnolls only plundered villages and towns around the castles and ignored the nobles' castles entirely. As a result, they have amassed a great deal of wealth."

"I returned this time because I learned that the gnolls intend to bypass Lake of Star Prayer and leave for the wasteland through Bedrock Mountain, more than sixty kilometers south of us, taking their plundered wealth and captives with them."

"Is the information reliable?" Velin immediately perked up, staring at Mike as he asked sternly.

"Absolutely. I captured a Silver Low-Tier gnoll clan chief and learned this information from him."

Velin fell into thought, feeling that something was off. Would the other side change direction because of this?

Mike stood quietly to one side and waited.

"The exact time?"

"According to the intelligence obtained from that gnoll, it should be around the beginning of January, but the exact time is unknown."

"Take your men and continue scouting. Report to me immediately if anything happens."

"Yes, my lord."

After Mike left, Velin walked over to the map and studied several areas surrounding Lake of Star Prayer.

He could not be certain whether the gnoll leader would change his mind at the last minute and leave by another route after learning that one of his subordinates had disappeared.

If he hurriedly led the main force to Bedrock Mountain now to set up an ambush in advance, would the losses outweigh the gains?

"I'll wait a little longer. I can't make a rash decision now."

Afterward, Velin ordered Belder to mobilize the territory's forces and prepare to depart, with the exact time awaiting his orders.

In a village within Cadro Province, the one-armed gnoll Rogus held a roasted ox leg, chewing large mouthfuls as he calmly looked around the room.

"Chief, after more than twenty days of plundering, we have seized more wealth than we can count. We have captured more than ten thousand strong human slaves alone." A gnoll clan chief seated below toyed with a Gold Coin in his hand as he spoke excitedly.

"Chief, should we continue eastward? I hear that the farther east we go, the wealthier those human nobles are, and the more good things they have." Taking the opportunity, a scar-faced gnoll clan chief asked tentatively.

At that moment, Rogus sensed that something was wrong. He carefully counted his subordinates below and asked, "Where is Drako?"

The gnolls below looked at one another, all wearing bewildered expressions.

"Someone."

Looking at this bunch of useless fools, Rogus said with a dark expression.

Two tall gnolls immediately entered the room, knelt on one knee, and awaited orders.

"Bring Drako's clansmen here."

"Yes, Chief."

A short while later, several filthy gnolls were brought here to await Rogus's questioning.

"Where is your clan chief?"

One gnoll prostrated himself on the ground and answered respectfully, "Honored Chief, our clan chief went out to plunder three days ago and has yet to return to camp."

"So your clan chief has been gone for three days, yet I, the chief, have received no information at all."

The gnoll lying prostrate on the ground trembled in terror. Recalling the clansmen who had been executed for no apparent reason over the past twenty days, he began praying for the protection of Gourelik, the gnoll god.

"Drag them out and roast them."

Several gnolls collapsed to the ground after hearing this, only to be forcibly dragged away by gnoll guards.

The other gnoll clan chiefs lowered their heads, not daring to make a single sound.

Ever since the chief had lost an arm, his temper had become increasingly violent. At the slightest provocation, he would torture and kill clansmen to vent his anger.

Rogus looked around. Wherever his gaze fell, not a single gnoll dared meet his eyes.

"In two weeks, we begin the return journey. Proceed according to the original plan."

"Yes, Chief."

Not a single gnoll objected. They all answered loudly, demonstrating that they had no intention of opposing him.

On the night of January 1st, 9721, Velin broke his usual routine and did not cultivate. Instead, he lay on his bed and waited quietly.

Tonight, according to his previous conjecture, Guidance of Fate would give him new information.

Soon, the time reached eight o'clock, and the pleasant voice rang out once more, bringing him valuable information.

Seven days later, a Legendary Mage from the stars would fall upon Gray Mist Mountain north of Lake of Star Prayer. Save her, and you will gain her protection for thirty years.

"A Legendary Mage?" Velin abruptly sat upright, his face filled with shock. "What do I have that could save her?"

The next moment, he realized that he did possess something capable of saving a Legendary Mage.

However, he had received news during the day that the gnolls had already set out to return to the Graylight Wasteland. Just as the previous reconnaissance had indicated, they intended to leave Cadro Province from the south.

"I can't attend to both north and south. I have to make a choice."

Velin's face was full of conflict. On one side were immense supplies that could further develop his territory; on the other was the friendship of a Legendary Mage, though he could only gain thirty years of protection.

"Then that settles it."

Very quickly, Velin came to a clear decision.

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