Colin glanced at the setting sun, and unconsciously released his grip on the hilt of his sword, reaching for the reins of his skeletal horse.
But after considering the location of the central military camp where the councilors had been, he ultimately decided to walk.
"[ Western Sharpshooter ]!"
Having made up his mind, Warlord Colin turned to look at [ the Western Sharpshooter ], his military guarantor.
Although [ Ginseng Rooster ] possesses exceptional strategic skills, his combat abilities are only average.
While [ Western Sharpshooter ] wasn't much stronger than him, he possessed a rapid-fire weapon that he supposedly obtained from the Grand Foundry Master after winning a battle in the Great Labyrinth City.
That thing was quite powerful, and with [ Western Sharpshooter ] by his side in the absence of High Tier meetings, Colin was at least reassured about his safety.
"Exist!"
Having listened to the opera for a while, the [ Western Sharpshooter ] didn't expect to have his own duties, so he immediately stood up straight and waited for orders.
"Gather ten military police (skeleton men) and ten Fang Soldiers ( Soul Returner ) and bring them with you to the meeting."
"Yes, sir!"
[ The Western Sharpshooter ] turned and left, Colin continued to give the order:
"[ Ginseng Rooster ], you're coming with me."
"Yes, sir."
[ Ginseng Rooster ] bowed slightly, but instead of turning around and walking behind Colin as usual, he said seriously:
"Since you have made up your mind, I have another gift to offer you."
"Gift?"
Colin looked at [ Ginseng Rooster ] with a puzzled expression, then at [ Gill's Cuisine ] standing to the side, and noticed a strip-shaped object wrapped in vines that was being carried on his back. His initial puzzlement vanished instantly.
[ Gill's Cuisine ] is a hexagonal warrior in every sense: his fighting skills are not Master, but more than enough to be considered "junior"; he can't match the strategist by his side when it comes to planning, but he can manage to answer a few questions when no one is around.
Colin never let such talent slip by. When the front lines were strained, he would use [ Gill's Cuisine ] as a plug, and when he needed someone to come up with ideas, he could also use them as a substitute for [ Ginseng Rooster ].
He had wanted to ask this guy what he was doing standing there, since there were so many places that needed him, why did he have to slack off in front of him?
But now it seems he still shoulders the important task of "presenting the treasure".
What he'd be escorting all this way must be something valuable, right?
But what could it be?
Colin, regaining his composure, gently waved:
"What is it? Bring it here."
"Yes."
[ Gill's Cuisine ] took the mysterious, stringy object from behind that made you want to "support yourself" just by touching it, loosened its vines slightly, and presented it to Colin with both hands.
Upon seeing the subtly gleaming crystal clusters within, Colin immediately recognized what it was.
[ Divine Wings ] was rampaging across the land, appearing like a god descending to earth in the air. That scene made him think that today's victory was already in the Skeleton Alliance's grasp, but little did he know that it would be the Skeleton Alliance's last moment of glory.
After [ Divine Wings ] self-destructed, Colin naturally assumed that the two swords had also perished along with [ Divine Wings ].
But now this thing has actually fallen into my hands, it's unbelievable...
It was as if someone had poured a bucket of gasoline around Mars; Colin's ambition, which was on the verge of being extinguished, had been reignited.
He stretched out his semi-crystallized skeletal arm, trembling as he reached for the crystal cluster longsword.
Even though it was the remains of Warlord Palmer, even though he might be absorbed and devoured by it, he still slowly but firmly reached out his hand.
Just as the Crown of Thorns and the Shroud of Turin, belonging to the god of the underworld, could become relics, this broken crystal cluster sword, having been blessed by the [ Divine Wings ], naturally possessed a similar quality.
[ Ginseng Rooster ] watched as Colin transformed from a sickly, listless state into a vibrant, energetic one in just a moment, and then saw a kind of almost tangible longing in his empty eyes and fleshless face.
This reminded him of a scene from a period drama he had once watched; Colin's current state was no different from that of an ancient emperor who had seen the Imperial Seal of the State.
Given the right conditions, it's not impossible that he could be crowned on the spot in the next moment.
Seeing this, [ Ginseng Rooster ] knew that the second step of his plan had also succeeded.
Throughout the entire plan, Colin was actually in a state of being both important and unimportant.
It's not unimportant because the entire plan was driven by the " Fang Soldiers," but it's important because players need a flag that can withstand the test of time.
Just like Gala's progress bar for Muli's favorability, after [ the Ginseng Rooster ]'s meticulous analysis, combination of coercion and enticement, and layered increases in expectations, Colin's favorability—no, his ambition—has now reached its peak and is completely locked in, as if the conquest had been a complete success.
From now on, it's not the players who need Colin, but Colin who needs these " Fang Soldiers ".
Colin held the crystal cluster sword in his right hand, and with his left hand, he untied a strap from his waist and threw the bone blade that had been with him for some time onto the ground.
"This is not needed."
[ Ginseng Rooster ] clearly remembered that the bone blade was a relic they obtained from the dead fortress knight Shalier after they recaptured Sandcastle Number Fourteen during their initial small-scale Soul Returner.
On the first day he received the bone blade, everyone could see that Colin's face, devoid of flesh, was full of smiles.
He even deliberately showed off the weapon, telling his skeletons and Soul Returner that he had avenged Shalier, and that it was only natural for Sariel to give him this bone blade.
For several days in a row, Colin was immersed in the joy of having a new weapon.
Objectively speaking, this bone blade isn't a particularly good weapon; from a player's perspective, it's only usable at levels 30 to 40.
Its craftsmanship and carvings are exquisite, intricate yet not cumbersome, making it an excellent collectible.
Unexpectedly, in such a short time, Colin discarded this exquisitely crafted short bone blade like trash.
Sigh, Colin, I just hope he's not a shortsighted person who can share hardship but not happiness...
Colin made this declaration, then inserted the crystal cluster sword into the corresponding position on his waist and once again concealed it with vines.
Seeing this, [ the Ginseng Rooster ] mentally added another point to Colin's score.
Although they may have forgotten their roots, they still know when to hide...
Don't worry about what happens in the future, just focus on completing the plan now.
With everything prepared, Colin, his Shadow lengthened by the setting sun, his waist adorned with the relic of [ Divine Wings ], followed by his strategist, several skilled Soul Returner, and ten military police and ten expendable Fang Soldiers, walked towards his destined "Hongmen" (a place of treacherous influence).