"As the demons spread outward like burning parchment, the McKennan Clan has gathered once more in the Dwarf Mountains. They may not intend to invade Middle Earth, but they certainly don't want to stay at the foot of the Snow Mountains. Both Middle Earth and the Northern Frontier must remain vigilant."
That bombshell appeared on the front page of today's Empire Times.
A heavy silence hung over the second-floor living room of the City Lord's Mansion.
The Empire would not issue a warning without cause. If it said this, something must have happened.
Was war coming again...?
Gathered around the fireplace, Idelia, delicate in appearance but strong at heart, spoke first. "At least we're several times stronger than we were. We have the power to protect ourselves now."
Annan had been expanding the Legions for exactly this reason.
But they still needed more time...
They had too much to do and too little time to do it.
If the Ratfolk marched south in force next year, the Knight Golems and Mushroom Bombs would already be in service. They could face them with confidence.
If the Ratfolk stirred during Deepwinter this year, Annan was confident he could bring the Hellfire Legion to over a hundred professionals and expand the Three Great Legions to fifteen thousand Soldiers. In theory, a single volley could kill fifteen thousand Ratfolk.
But now, the Ratfolk might not wait until winter.
Against that grim news, even word from the Flower Capital barely stirred Annan. The fat owner of the Sparrow Gem Shop had disappeared, and they had failed to find him.
"Perhaps things aren't that bad." Annan clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention. "We're only a small city. Whether it's a frontal battle or a surprise attack against the Ratfolk or demons, it won't fall to