Seven days later, Yarvik, in the northwest of the Northern Territory.
This was one of the core settlements of the Sauron Barbarians. Unlike the orderly towns of the Goldflower Kingdom, it was more like a huge, chaotic military camp.
Houses built from rough logs and piled stones stood scattered haphazardly, while the air was thick with the mixed stench of livestock, leather, and not-yet-extinguished campfires.
The most eye-catching sights were the flags fluttering everywhere, painted with various animal hides and crude dyes.
Wolf, Bear, Tiger, Sparrow, Horse, Hound, Sword, and Rain—these represented the eight great corps of the Sauron army.
The eight corps of the Sauron army were not completely equal.
The first three, the Wolf, Bear, and Tiger Corps, were directly commanded by the Great Chieftain Harald. They were the absolute core of the army.
The other five corps were led by their respective Corps Commanders. Although they nominally obeyed Harald's orders, they possessed considerable autonomy, and their strength and status declined in turn.
Inside a stone-and-wood hall that towered above the others, with a Sword flag fluttering at its entrance, the atmosphere was oppressively grim.
Several enormous braziers burned inside the hall to dispel the cold, while animal heads and weapons hung on the walls.
Several fierce leaders, their faces covered in thick beards and their heads either shaved bald or braided, sat gathered below.
At the head of the hall stood three enormous chairs, each covered with an intact bearskin.
At that moment, the Sauron Great Chieftain Harald sat in the middle. His features were rugged, his gaze deep and calm, and his authority was intimidating even without anger.
The seat to his left was empty. On his right sat Ulf, the Corps Commander of the Sparrow Corps—a sharp-featured man with eyes as keen as an eagle's.