Northern Wasteland.
Even in summer, this far north, once the clouds blocked out the sun, the air still turned chilly. Stifling heat and humidity were words that simply did not exist here.
Thus, apart from low shrubs, lichens, and moss, only coniferous forests could survive here.
Near the city of Sidi, Marquis of the Devil Race, lay a vast coniferous forest.
By continental standards, this woodland would certainly not count as particularly large, but in this desolate land, it was an oasis.
The northern animals—deer, rabbits, bears, and wolves—mostly roamed the forest.
Animals meant meat.
Devils needed meat.
A squad of Bearded Devils moved silently and swiftly through the coniferous forest, weapons in hand.
They communicated in devilish speech that sounded like strange shrieks.
"Have you found any prey?"
"How could it be that fast?!"
"We don't have much time!"
This was a place devils often came to hunt. The devils in the city knew the terrain and wildlife here well. Given enough time, they could certainly bring back ample prey from the forest.
The problem was that time was not on their side now.
Between the city and the forest lay the encircling positions of the Ukmak people.
This city had been locked up and beaten.
No other Devil Race forces would come to support them. Of course they would not. The Devil Race within the city had not expected reinforcements either. Devils had always been like this: if there was a problem, solve it yourself. If you could not solve it, then go die. Do not expect rescue. It was already considered "doing all one could" if other devils did not stab you in the back.
These humans besieging the city were somewhat strange. Or rather, the very fact that such a large number of humans had appeared