A Trap That Lost Its Meaning

The otherworldly army was entirely composed of combat professionals, starting at the Low Rank rank. However, a ratio of one-seventh to Intermediate Rank was considered high-level anywhere. Faced with such overwhelming numbers, the Youth Civilization was unable to directly confront them.

Moreover, war is not simply a matter of individual combat. The formation of disciplined troops, coordinated with battle formations and military magic, is a completely different concept from open-field battles with adventurers. Elite troops within the ranks can play a greater role through mutual cooperation.

As Su Ming controlled the drone, he soon spotted another cavalry force of six hundred men following behind them.

This makes it even harder to fight, Su Ming frowned.

"Let's see how you escape this time!" Jimite laughed heartily.

Su Ming waved his hand, "Ready for rocket launchers!"

The eight hundred cavalrymen were marching in a dispersed formation. The rockets could cause casualties, but their effectiveness was far limited compared to facing the enemy in the position last night. Moreover, this unit was of such high quality, with most soldiers possessing varying degrees of Dou Qi, and the number of spellcasters from various sources was not small.

"Arrange the soldiers in formation. Same old tactics: advance with a barrage of rockets, followed by skeleton soldiers, and then you go and hold the line," Su Ming continued, "We might not win. If things go wrong, repel the first wave of attacks, then retreat."

Zijin tilted her head, because Su Ming had given a lot of orders, but the rocket launcher compartments of the Youth Civilization had not deployed, and the weapon system showed no signs of activating.

Su Ming took out a thermos from his pocket, took a sip of water to moisten his throat, and then said to Xue Ying, "I'm done acting. Was I cooperative enough, Chairman Jimite?"

Jimite fell silent for a long while before speaking again. This time, his voice sounded much older, as if he had lost all his strength, "How did you see through me?"

"You've overacted," Su Ming said. "I've studied your battle reports; your actions are very pragmatic, you wouldn't resort to unnecessary mockery." He added calmly, "The only explanation is that you're trying to induce me to do something, although I haven't figured out what the White Graupel Cavalry are up to in this matter. But if the enemy wants me to do something, I simply won't."

Su Ming's speculation was actually based on a different path. In the memories of Quasimodo, the Feather Race Magister, the Lords' Alliance plotted against Princess Dafulin, employing a complex plan to frame various parties. Su Ming did not clarify all the details, but it was unlikely that the two sides would cooperate well.

The scheming style of Lisi City gave Su Ming a sense of déjà vu; it seemed like Jimite was using him as a tool.

The royal army heading this way might very well face the same fate. Jimite Su Ming didn't believe a word of Dimitri's claim about the first or second regiment of White Graupel Cavalry; in fact, he thought the opposite was the correct interpretation.

Su Ming had no obligation to tell Jimite the truth; he only wanted the other man dead!

****

The snow eagle's eyes suddenly dimmed, and the Magic Power controlling it dissipated. The large white bird regained its senses, flapped its wings a few times, and steadied itself in the air. It looked around blankly, then turned to flee.

Su Ming raised his hand, and a binding spell was released, binding the snow eagle into a ball. Su Ming caught it and held it in his hand. Beside him...

The illusion of Zijin dissipated in the air.

Jimite attempted to disrupt Su Ming's judgment using communication, while Su Ming also stalled for time, located the enemy's position, and sent Zijin to launch a sneak attack.

It's just a high-level game; Su Ming hasn't had a moment's peace since he arrived in this other world!

Zijin returned quickly, carrying only some alchemical materials.

"No one's there." She shook her head. "The location you detected is just a relay array; there's no one there."

"Not surprising. Given the old man's dog's quirky nature, it would have died long ago if it weren't slippery," Su Ming said.

Jimite had to put that aside for now; the immediate priority was dealing with the current situation. Although he had a general idea that the White Graupel Cavalry had also been tricked, the fact remained that this threatening army was rapidly approaching.

Su Ming ordered Hansite to start the Youth Civilization and begin leaving the scene. Taking advantage of the downhill slope, with one locomotive working, the Youth Civilization quickly increased its speed to about 10 kilometers per hour.

Su Ming and Zijin descended from the sky and stood on the roof of the train carriage.

"Our speed isn't enough, is it?" Zijin asked worriedly.

The snow will affect everyone's progress, but at present their speed will indeed be caught up by the White Dew Cavalry.

"It's alright." Su Ming looked ahead at the Youth Civilization, where a small plume of snow was rising – the snowmobile was approaching. "Our little king insect is here!"

****

[Su Ming!] As soon as she entered the range of the Wind Message Spell, Katharine anxiously sent a message: [The Cold Mountain Royal Family has been framed. Do not attack the White Graupel Cavalry!]

"Don't worry, I already guessed it," Su Ming replied. "You guys got here pretty quickly!"

[We didn't stop for a moment, afraid something might happen!] Katharine breathed a sigh of relief. [The whole thing was probably Jimite's conspiracy.]

Although Jimite tried various methods to prevent Katharine from capturing any live prisoners, and the Black Shot Shadows were no different in terms of weaponry and equipment, the battle-hardened Katharine still noticed something amiss from their modus operandi.

Fortunately, Su Ming also saw through Jimite's attempt to sow discord at the same time.

A few minutes later, Katharine took off directly from the snowmobile, landed on the roof of the vehicle, and stood beside the two of them.

The group quickly reconciled the information and the current situation.

"So these are the real White Graupel Cavalry, here to rescue me. The Cold Mountain Royal Family really isn't the murderer." Katharine relaxed, but quickly remembered something else, "This train must be hidden immediately!"

She took out her spellbook, switched to amplification mode, and activated the crystal ornaments on her body.

"Water Curtain Sky Splendor!"

High Rank, large-scale illusion Youth Civilization, instantly transforming the already white train into something indistinguishable from the snow-covered landscape, while simultaneously silencing the sounds of the locomotive.

"This spell will last for an hour," Katharine said.

Su Ming glanced at the wide ruts left at the rear of the train. Zijin raised her hand and used a tidying spell to restore it to a smooth, fluffy state.

Katharine had no idea what this new spell was, but she was already used to it.

"Ailisha, take the train and find a secluded place to hide," Su Ming said. "I'll take Queen Katharine to see the commander on the other side."

Su Ming donned the forbidden magic cloak and jumped out of the car with Katharine.

The unicorn had just retrieved the snowmobile into the mechanical compartment of the Youth Civilization vehicle when it arrived. Seeing Su Ming, it greeted him warmly, "Hi, hi!"

You promised me the honey cake!

Su Ming was very puzzled, "I gave it to Katharine when we left, so you didn't get to eat it?"

Qiluo looked at her teammate, with whom she had spent two days and nights, in disbelief. "You secretly ate cake while I had to eat steamed buns!!"

She lunged at him and they rolled together in the snow.

Su Ming shook his head and sighed, picked up his tablet to check the drone footage, and noticed a particularly conspicuous figure mixed in with the White Graupel Cavalry. She was not wearing armor and was rather petite. She was riding a lion-like beast, and the circle of guards around her was clearly composed of elite guards.

Su Ming zoomed in on the image.

"Katharine, I think I've seen Princess Dafulin."

"Oh? She's here too." Katharine, having somehow calmed the rampaging unicorn, rubbed her chest and stood up from the snow. "To travel all the way from Lisi City in five days, Dafulin must have killed countless snow beasts pulling her cart."

"Princess Dafulin is even better," Su Ming said. "I need to make a deal with her next; could you introduce me?"

Hiding the train wouldn't solve the problem; the fact that Su Ming and Zijin's whereabouts had been exposed was irreversible. However, Su Ming still came up with a plan. If he could reach a deal with Princess Dafulin, the acting governor, the prison break might still be possible.

Since we've been caught sneaking into someone's house, let's persuade the homeowner to join us!

Avoiding the limelight or leaving was never on Su Ming's list of options. Once the intentions of the Divine Might Prison were exposed, who knew what changes might occur if he returned, or even if the person he was trying to rescue would still be there.

"Of course, you can." Katharine brushed the snow off herself and tidied her messy hair. "However, my introduction would be pointless."

"What, is Princess Dafulin difficult to deal with?"

"That's true for many people; she's not exactly a smooth-talking politician."

****

Su Ming controlled the drone to return to base, allowing Younier to store it in the mechanical warehouse. He then folded up the tablet computer.

Behind them, the Youth Civilization had already departed under the cover of magic. On the horizon ahead of them, White Graupel Cavalry riding war beasts appeared, kicking up snow dust.

Katharine picked up her binoculars and carefully observed the enemy's military formation, confirming that they were indeed White Graupel Cavalry.

She breathed a sigh of relief, lifted the hood of her cloak to reveal her face, and released a signal flare indicating that she was part of a friendly force.

The main force of the White Graupel Cavalry cautiously halted five kilometers away, allowing their warhorses to recover. General Price deployed his lookout and immediately witnessed a sight that astonished him. "Queen Katharine!"

Dafulin caught up. "Don't even talk about analysis, my brain's a complete mess right now." She interrupted the staff officer who was about to speak, "Just tell me what to do!"

"Something's fishy. Send someone to make contact immediately!" the staff officer replied. "Then go right away," Dafulin ordered.

The staff officer was Yi, who had always been a behind-the-scenes planner and rarely went to the front lines. But upon reflection, this was not a matter that required force, and a meticulous civil official like him would be more useful.

He immediately bowed, ready to receive his orders and depart.

Emilio had already caught up from the rear of the city guard cavalry column. "Wait, let me go!"

While it is certainly dangerous for military commanders to go forward, there are some matters that ordinary officers cannot decide, and relaying messages back and forth is very time-consuming. Given the current situation...

It is important to minimize any setbacks and unexpected events.

Dafulin nodded in agreement. Others might not know, but these high-ranking officials certainly understood the seriousness of the situation.

Queen Catherine of the Stars, she must not be lost!

****

Price ordered his troops to rest on the spot and arranged for reconnaissance units to deploy to both sides.

Emilio, himself a Intermediate Rank mage, simply flew alone straight to the location of Katharine and Su Ming.

"Queen Katharine!" he exclaimed, bowing upon landing. "It is so good to see you safe and sound!"

"Good day! Minister Emilio!" Katharine returned the greeting. "This is Mr. Graves, the adventurer. He and his companions saved me. Although there are a hundred things to complain about, Emilio knew that now was not the time to nitpick over the details. Especially since Su Ming was standing next to a little girl with one leg buried in the snow—the other party had made no attempt to conceal the aura of a unicorn."

Would adventurers even have this?

"Where is His Highness the Prince?" he asked the crucial question.

"He's safe," Katharine said. "Now there's something I need you to do!"

She intended to arrange for them to pursue Jimite, but Emilio rudely interrupted, "Let me deal with the most important matter first!"

He quickly released signal flares into the sky—two green and one blue. The former indicated that Katharine and the little Tuanzi were safe, while the latter indicated that they had not been abducted and were in normal condition.

Those who saw the signal flare breathed a sigh of relief.

Princess Dafulin, in particular, finally felt relieved after a long period of anxiety. The attack and disappearance of Empress of the Stars and her son in the Northern Lands was the worst diplomatic incident ever.

King Xialike's words sounded like inquiries and urging, but he was already mobilizing border troops. If Queen Katharine or the prince were to suffer any harm, even if force was not ultimately used, the relationship between the two countries would be far from amicable.

She didn't discuss the matter publicly, but those in higher positions were well aware of how difficult the situation was. Now that the crisis has suddenly been resolved, everyone is truly relieved.

Price was equally excited. He ordered his men to immediately set up a mobile communication array to report the good news to Bubing City.

Suddenly, Dafulin slapped the lion-like beast beneath her, and the white mount immediately leaped forward, galloping towards Su Ming.

Price was alarmed. He wanted to give chase, but his mount couldn't catch up with the lion-like beast. Moreover, as a military commander, abandoning one's post in the face of battle was a grave taboo.

Upon seeing this, the princess's guards all followed.

As she approached Su Ming, Dafulin recognized Katharine, and the two nodded slightly to each other. Having no further questions, she waved to stop the guards behind her and approached alone.

"Katharine!" she leaped off the lion-like beast.

"I'm fine." Knowing what the other person wanted to ask, "My injuries have healed, and the little Tuanzi is alright too—the whole thing was done by the Northern Lands Lords' Alliance, Jimite was the mastermind. Half of their troops were decimated; one unit is at Red Fruit Slope, and another is nearby."

"So now we're going after Jimite?" Dafulin asked. She waved for Emilio to take charge. "I don't understand military matters, but either you, Price's head, or Jimite's head, has to come back!"

Su Ming raised his hand and interjected, "Sorry to interrupt, but Jimite needs to be alive." He remembered that Zijin had mentioned Master Newman and needed to "ask" Jimite about it.

Dafulin looked at Katharine, who nodded. The princess didn't speak, but waved again, signaling Emilio to leave.

"This guy's appearance is really a bit difficult to deal with," Su Ming thought to himself.

When he rescued her in Lisi City, he was in disguise, so Dafulin wouldn't recognize him. And even if he wasn't in disguise, it's hard to say. Princess Dafulin had been kidnapped for several days and held hostage with her neck held to the side. Su Ming suspected that she might not have been able to see the chaotic situation clearly, especially since the huge explosion followed immediately afterward.