When Zhang Tie returned to Wild Wolf Castle Wild Wolf Castle, it was in complete chaos. Just before he arrived, Zhang Tie passed by the Tree House, Tree House was now deserted. Barry and his group, who had seen the red smoke billowing from Wild Wolf Castle Wild Wolf Castle, had already arrived there. At the Tree House, there was only a sentence written on the tree by Barry and his group, "We are at Wild Wolf Castle!"
This message was naturally intended for Zhang Tie. Barry and the others seemed to have anticipated that Zhang Tie would check the Tree House upon seeing the signal and returning, so they left this message.
Many of the animals' faces were filled with bewilderment and a hint of fear. When the massive war machine of the Norman Empire flew overhead, those who were seeing such colossal machines in reality—not in books—were awestruck, and everyone felt their own insignificance. Black Flame City Black Flame City had airships, but they were only a few dozen meters tall, hovering above the Black Flame City, primarily serving as lookout posts for the Black Flame City Guard. These were the airships that everyone could often see. Compared to the Norman Empire's airships they saw today, Black Flame City's airships were like the difference between a rabbit and a lion. The feeling one gets from a rabbit and a lion is, of course, completely different.
The square was in chaos. The animals began to gather in groups, discussing the situation. Many people had only seen the airship but had not yet fully understood what was going on. Just like when they arrived, the semi-military education they had received in school for many years began to show some effect at this time. Although everyone was afraid, their basic sense of discipline remained.
Moreover, the blue and green flags flying above the castle offered some comfort. While the sudden appearance of the Norman Empire's army was certainly frightening, the knowledge that the Norman Empire army wouldn't attack them brought a slight sense of relief. At this moment, everyone's biggest worry was no longer themselves, but their families still in Black Flame City.
As soon as Zhang Tie arrived at Wild Wolf Castle, he was spotted by Light, who was guarding the path leading to the valley from the castle square.
" Big Head ..." Light rushed over from the chaotic crowd and hugged Zhang Tie tightly. "It's so good you're back! Everyone was worried you might not make it back in time!" Light glanced around cautiously, then whispered in Zhang Tie's ear, " Gelis also went to participate in the Loner Trial recently, and everyone was worried about you after hearing that..."
Light's concerned expression and excitement at seeing Zhang Tie warmed Zhang Tie's heart. Facing Light's question, Zhang Tie patted Light on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm fine. How has everyone been these past few days?"
"Great, Pandora and the other two are great too. By the way, have you run into Gelis?"
" Gelis? It's been a long time since I've seen him. He might have already disappeared from this world!" Zhang Tie said meaningfully, a smile appearing on his face.
For some reason, even though it had only been a few days, Light could sense a significant difference between Zhang Tie and when he left. Zhang Tie Tie's appearance hadn't changed, but his entire demeanor was vastly different—more confident, more composed, more enigmatic, and with a hint of scorching sharpness.
Could the Loner Trial really bring about such a drastic change in a person in just a few days? Light wondered with some doubt.
The square was crowded. Not only were the Brotherhood members waiting for Zhang Tie to appear, but the brothers in the mines were also watching him closely. Porter, Wood, Gandhi, Jones, Fransa, and the brothers from the mines had all gathered together, forming a small group. When Zhang Tie appeared, everyone in that group smiled, slightly excited. Moreover, compared to the others in the square, the small group of brothers from the mines was less agitated; many of them simply sat calmly on the ground, their faces serene.
Zhang Tie nodded to Porter and the others as a greeting, but didn't go over. Porter and the others looked knowing— the Ancient God Society was still a huge secret.
"Do you know those guys?" Light asked, slightly puzzled, as he saw Zhang Tie and Porter's group greeting each other.
"Yes, I know them. They're friends I met while I was mining!"
"Oh, I see. I thought you had joined the God's Grace Society too."
" God's Grace Society? What God's Grace Society?" Zhang Tie was confused.
"It's that gang organized by those guys. These guys are complete lunatics. They treat mining like a form of cultivation. I heard they perform mysterious prayers and kiss the cold ore deposits before mining. They scared away the few miners in the mine. A few days after you left, the God's Grace Society completely took over the mine. These guys are very united and have strong fighting power. They are all incredibly skilled miners, like natural-born miners. If one of them is in trouble, a bunch of them will rush in without hesitation. Just a week ago, a small gang of about twenty people bullied one of their members. More than sixty of them rushed in without hesitation. In Wild Wolf Square, they beat more than ten of them to their knees and begged for mercy. After the Lion Society of Gelis disbanded, these guys from the God's Grace Society are one of the more prominent new gangs in Wild Wolf Castle recently."
Light talked as he walked, completely unaware that Zhang Tie's eyes were bulging as he listened. Zhang Tie truly hadn't expected that after his "caveman survival mode" rhetoric, these guys would actually unite, as if they'd found their direction for the future, and begin to unleash their creativity. A few unlucky miners had actually started forming a club. And this God's Grace Society... it sounded like Ancient God Society he'd just made up.
Barry and the others gathered in the square. Light brought Zhang Tie to Barry and the others. Everyone was happy to see Zhang Tie return and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Wait here for a moment, I have urgent business to attend to with Captain Colin and the teachers of the Provisional Inspection Committee!" After saying goodbye to the Brotherhood members, Zhang Tie went to find Captain Colin.
"What's the matter, Big Head? Why are you in such a hurry?" Barry asked.
Zhang Tie glanced at the group of people around him who were still unaware of the situation and were discussing it animatedly. He beckoned a few of them to come closer. "I encountered the Iron Horn Legion of the Norman Empire on the Crescent Prairie?"
"What?" Several people almost jumped up. The Iron Horn Legion's ground forces' advance route split in two at the junction of Crescent Prairie and Wild Wolf Valley, bypassing it. The Norman Empire's forces chose a route more suitable for large-scale operations and rushed towards Black Flame City. That route was basically parallel to the Wild Wolf Valley side, separated only by two mountain ranges on either side of the valley, but at least ten kilometers apart. These guys who were training in the valley obviously couldn't know this. Perhaps some of them could sense something, but they could never guess how terrifying the Norman Empire's forces would be when they moved together.
"How many people?" Barry asked in a low voice.
"The troops that have passed me number at least 100,000. There are over 50,000 cavalry riding Iron Horn Beast alone, and a large number of armored units. Before I returned, the Norman Empire's troops were still pouring in from the Crescent Prairie, stretching as far as the eye could see! I must report this situation to the Provisional Inspection Committee immediately..."
The members of the Brotherhood paled upon hearing Zhang Tie's description. Faced with this earth-shattering event happening right before their eyes, they felt a sense of utter helplessness and weakness, along with worry. What could a few teenagers do against such power?
Having just parted ways with the Brotherhood, Zhang Tie rushed into Wild Wolf Castle. At the castle gate, Zhang Tie encountered Captain Colin and Jerome. The three nearly bumped into each other. Seeing them, Zhang Tie quickly approached and recounted his encounter with the Norman Empire army. To Zhang Tie's surprise, while listening, Jerome and Captain Colin asked Zhang Tie a few questions about details, but neither of them showed excessive astonishment.
"Did you already know?"
"No, we don't know. We just guessed. When we saw the Norman Empire's warships, we counted the number of them with our binoculars and knew that the Iron Horn Legion's forces this time would be considerable!" Jerome smiled slightly.
"Teacher, do you think Black Flame City will be in trouble? My brother is still serving in the Black Flame City Guard!" Zhang Tie asked, his voice urgent, voicing his deepest concern. "Can I go back and check on him now?" " Black Flame City is probably already completely surrounded by the Iron Horn Legion. Do you think you can break through the Norman Empire's blockade? The Black Flame City gates are definitely closed. Even if you manage to reach the city walls, do you think the Black Flame City Guard will open the gates for just you?" Jerome asked.
Thinking about the scene he had witnessed with those troops, and the tense situation in Black Flame City at this time, Zhang Tie shook his head.
"Don't worry, according to my estimation, it's unlikely that a battle will break out in Black Flame City. Your brother will be fine!" Jerome looked at Zhang Tie, feeling an increasing appreciation for the young man. His ability to travel alone to the Crescent Prairie for trials demonstrated his strength, and his immediate return to report to the teachers on the Provisional Inspection Committee after discovering the Norman Empire's army showed his loyalty. Having such a student truly made a teacher feel gratified.
Jerome's words reassured Zhang Tie considerably, Zhang Tie then another question came to mind, "Teacher, has war already begun?"
"Yes, war has begun, but this war could end very quickly..." Jerome sighed, patting Zhang Tie on the shoulder and saying earnestly, "The disparity in strength between the two sides in this war is too great; it's like a lion versus a rabbit. Imagine if Captain Colin, knife in hand, menacingly snatched candy from a schoolchild's hand—would that Captain Colin dare refuse to hand it over? That schoolchild is an orphan, with no one to rely on..."
Zhang Tie glanced furtively at Captain Colin and noticed that One-Eyed Dragon was very unhappy with Jerome's analogy. One-Eyed Dragon glared at Jerome. "I wouldn't dare!"
"That's it! That's how war is. The Norman Empire's goal is to plunder, not to destroy. But when a strong guy like Captain Colin starts to strip down and snatch candy from a child, or a few bottles of wine that a nice guy has worked so hard to get, do you know what that means?"
What does that mean?
"Chaos is coming..." Jerome's tone was somewhat dreamy, his eyes gazing into the distance. "War is merely the first appetizer in this bloody feast of chaos..."
Zhang Tie was stunned. Chaotic times? This was the first time anyone had ever mentioned this word to him in his entire life...
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