In the Blackrock Hills, beneath a gloomy, overcast morning sky, dim light filled the Lizardman leader's main tent.
A Lizardman scout rushed in, his face filled with terror. "Chief, the outsiders have launched a fierce sweep around our scouts. Many of our companions have been killed!" he reported breathlessly.
The Lizardman Great Warrior's expression immediately darkened. He quickly rose and headed for the Lizardman elder, entering the elder's tent shortly afterward.
Inside, the Lizardman elder had been deep in thought. Upon hearing the report, he frowned deeply, pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "This may be the outsiders deliberately trying to lure us over so they can strike us from the sky."
He paused, as though weighing the situation. "Until our reinforcements arrive, we should refrain from moving out."
The Lizardman Great Warrior lowered his head. After a moment of silence, the unease in his heart only grew stronger.
To ensure the safety of the whole force, he immediately ordered the Lizardman scouts around Small Plain Fortress to withdraw.
Far from the battlefield, the atmosphere in the Lizardman camp became oppressive and tense.
Three days later, the Lizardmen once again sent out some scouts to observe the movements around Small Plain Fortress.
That afternoon, a scout hurried back, pale-faced and visibly nervous. "Chiefs, the clearing around the outsiders has grown much larger. They've cut down a great many trees nearby, shrinking our scouting range again and pushing us farther from their defensive positions."
The surrounding Lizardman Great Warriors lowered their heads in silence upon hearing this, and the tension in the air grew ever thicker.
The Lizardman elder coughed softly and slowly said, "This is my fault. If we had sent troops earlier, perhaps we could have avoided all this."
A Lizardman Great Warrior said firmly, "It's not too