Holding a huge warhammer, Changliu River, the chief of the Luo Ze Elite, gazed out at the snowy expanse from the city wall.
Teleportation arrays had been set up all around this city. If the Colorful-haired Masked Man dared to come and set fire to the city, the most elite troops of the Luo Ze Empire would teleport from within the city to surround him and launch a fierce attack.
To be precise, the plan was to temporarily hold the Colorful-haired Masked Man off, first targeting his subordinates to eliminate them, and then deal with him.
Changliu River had also seen the images of the Benliang City incident from a memory crystal.
From the available intelligence, it seemed that the Colorful-haired Masked Man was a pure warrior, incapable of using any magic.
The recorded scenes in the memory crystal mostly focused on the Colorful-haired Masked Man and Benliang City, without capturing the real spellcasters involved.
One had to admit, the Colorful-haired Masked Man was very clever.
Just displaying himself in everyone's view allowed him to shift all hatred and fear onto himself.
Most people in the empire were completely fooled by the Colorful-haired Masked Man, focusing solely on him and neglecting others who might truly need their attention.
Mages capable of using weather magic are considered top-tier magicians.
This alone was enough to make the Luo Ze Empire take notice and put them on the elimination list.
Not everyone was blinded by Yang Yu's trick.
Changliu River became the chief of the Luo Ze Elite under the training of the Luo Ze Empire.
As long as his judgment wasn't clouded by emotions, he could make more accurate decisions than most others.
After the defeat at Blazing Fire City, Changliu River sincerely reflected and strengthened himself.
Admittedly, he initially underestimated the Colorful-haired Masked Man.
But he would never repeat the same mistake.
For the sake of the empire, the plan this time had to be executed flawlessly so as not to let the empire's efforts go to waste.
Alas, the plan wasn't as perfect as imagined; it had a fatal flaw.
"I say, that guy should come, right? I want to wash away the shame he left me last winter."
A girl with long black hair in a tight black outfit, wearing a white mask, approached Changliu River. Her right hand gripped the hilt of a sword tightly, her words full of coldness.
She was Aslit, one of the users of the Broken Wind Style, who had crossed paths with Yang Yu last winter.
Faced with Aslit's questioning, Changliu River candidly admitted the plan's fatal flaw:
"I can't guarantee that.
The cities where the Colorful-haired Masked Man has been sighted have no pattern in their distribution.
He most likely chooses locations randomly to prevent us from detecting his movements.
The element of surprise is the most threatening aspect.
If we could track the Colorful-haired Masked Man's movements, we could leave empty cities everywhere, making him run in vain, playing right into our hands.
He reduced the size of his group to a few individuals to avoid being detected by scouts.
The meaning behind this isn't just that.
'The Beastmen want to create an illusion that a small group can turn the tide of war, thereby promoting the end of the conflict.'
After several days of discussion, the higher-ups arrived at this conclusion, which serves as a reference.
From the results, it seemed he had partially achieved his goals before we realized his true intent.
The morale of the Luo Ze Empire's soldiers is now in disarray.
No matter how well prepared we are, dispersed morale is more frightening than anything, leaving us as easy prey for others.
The empire needs to regroup and use a truce to modify the rules of this war to prevent Wansheng Country from taking further advantage and creating disasters.
Before that, we need to complete our task, removing obstacles at all costs.
The truce period is insufficient, even if he reaches an S+ level, he can still participate in the upcoming war."
"The rules of the giant dragon are truly troublesome. They consider an insufficient truce period to be an extension of the previous war..." Kui Yi said, leaning against the wall with twin blades on his back.
"This is the giant dragon's idea of allowing both sides to cool off, organize, and find peace. A truce anytime, anywhere would lose its significance." Changliu River said.
Kui Yi sneered, "It's just that three years is such a long time.
From the initial surprise to the subsequent stalemate, eroding Wansheng Country bit by bit, accumulating advantages gradually…
The Luo Ze Empire never anticipated conquering Wansheng Country in a day.
The empire's ambitions have been exposed, and Wansheng Country has united. Even though it's just three years, dragging it out is very unfavorable for the empire.
If it could be prolonged for a hundred or eighty years, Wansheng Country might revert to its original state, and the empire could plan at leisure.
Unfortunately, it's impossible."
Changliu River said, "Therefore, the empire sent us here to make an attempt.
If the task succeeds, if it is widely announced that the 'Demon' and his partners are dealt with, leaving the remaining Beastmen easy to defeat, then morale will be reignited.
The current withdrawal plan will also change.
Starting this winter, the Luo Ze Empire can launch offensives against the Beastmen. As long as most of the cities can be held during the winter, it will be a success.
Don't forget your mission, Aslit.
Prioritize resolving the people around that man, then slowly deal with him.
Hearing Changliu River's advice, Aslit pursed her lips.
Even though she was confined for a long time after the previous event, and the higher-ups deliberately assigned her away from the Colorful-haired Masked Man to prevent contact, the sight of the Colorful-haired Masked Man's unearned victory and smug demeanor that day was etched into Aslit's mind. She wanted to show that man her growth and make him pay.
Of course, after the last incident, Aslit learned to temper her thoughts and resolve.
Dealing with that man's companions first, then savoring the process of defeating that man, wasn't bad either.
Unfortunately, as Changliu River said, that man's movements are too unpredictable now.
Their special assassination unit was adopting a strategy of lying in wait for a rabbit, but if the rabbit didn't come, they'd just be wasting time sitting in the city.
Perhaps sensing the discontent emanating from Aslit, Changliu River smiled slightly, swinging his warhammer:
"You needn't worry so much.
I am favored by the goddess. Somehow, I can feel that they will definitely come to this city.
No, it seems the goddess is already telling me they are nearing this city.
Today, for the empire, we must slay them all here."
After speaking, Changliu River left the city wall without looking back.
Aslit jumped down from the wall into the city and rushed swiftly towards the teleportation point. Thɪs chapter is updated by NoveIＦire.net
Only Kui Yi, alone, slowly stood up, glanced at the distant, desolate snow, then followed the steps back into the city, one step at a time.