Flames rose through the ancient city-state like formless giants. They bared their fangs and brandished their claws, never willing to be bound, constantly seeking new fuel, expanding the domain of fire. Scalding smoke whirled in midair, shrouding more than half of Coyote City. As the sun slanted west, the Kingdom Legion that had entered the city was forced to withdraw like an ebbing tide, along with the twenty thousand captured coyote tribesmen. Armored, murderous warriors and empty-handed captives kneeling on the ground gathered in a ring, almost filling the open wilderness outside the city.
"The rainy season hasn't come, and there are many thatched huts in the city. Once a fire like this starts, more than half of Coyote City will turn to ash. Not only will the army have no food, we won't even have houses to stay in. This fire..."
Black Wolf's eyes were icy. Without saying a word, he watched the great fire in the city for a long time, until the Red-hair Hunters hurried over, carrying a captured chief wearing a feathered crown as they ran out from within the city gate. Then the hunters showed no courtesy at all, flinging the captive chief heavily to the ground, before grabbing his scorched hair and forcing him to lift his head, revealing a face covered in dust and ash.
On that gray-black face were carved many scars symbolizing valor, and facial tattoos symbolizing piety. Looking closely at his age, he seemed not yet thirty. As for the expression on his face, it was full of untamed defiance and deliberate contempt.
"The Main God bears witness! You're Fire Rat? This fire—did you lead men to set it?"
"Pah! Aztec devils fallen into the Abyss! I, Fire Rat Masar, will never beg you for mercy!"
Hearing this, Black Wolf