The Lizardman's scout returned safely, proving that the hair on those talismans could still produce powerful protective effects even when separated from their owner. This made Lily very happy. Although she still hadn't figured out why she had suddenly started glowing, she had realized that she had become incredibly powerful, and that made her so excited she wanted to find an open patch of ground and roll around in delight—if she hadn't had so many subordinates watching.
For now, she had to maintain the dignity of the alpha wolf.
The Lizardman Shaman and its chief warrior respectfully knelt before the alpha wolf's "throne"—which was actually just a flat boulder in the forest, covered with a thick layer of fur. But no one dared underestimate the weight of this crude throne. The hide spread over the stone had come from a Forest Tooth Beast, a terrifying giant that had ruled the largest territory in the Black Forest for half a century. It possessed tremendous strength and could split mountains and shatter rocks. Countless ferocious beasts and even human hunters had died beneath its fangs and claws. Even the Southern Knights' Order of the Kingdom of Taros regarded it as a tremendous threat and had designated its territory as one of the Black Forest's forbidden zones.
Yet that Forest Tooth Beast had been defeated within ten exchanges against the alpha wolf. The alpha wolf had smashed the terrifying beast's cervical vertebrae, then forcibly torn its head from its body.
The flesh of the former forest overlord had become food in the bellies of the alpha wolf and several of her trusted followers, while its hide had become a cushion for the throne. The powerful leader from the floating islands of the southern frontier was now the ruler of the Black Forest, the