The battle did not end just because the Undead Tyrant had retreated. On the contrary, even more slime molds mutants poured out of the slime molds layer.
Toward the rear of the battlefield, the cold chanting of lich Vexis rang out.
Those bloodline warriors and small scorpions from the Stoneheart Horde who had fallen rose again, struggling amid the slime molds layer once more.
As wave after wave of living corpses were summoned, the battlefront stabilized yet again.
Immediately following that, Vexis activated a soul-summoning array, bringing nearby wandering spirits into the fight in a new form.
Only after she finished did Vexis speak again, offering further explanation to Orion.
"Lord Orion, living corpses are not the end of it either."
"Huh?"
Orion grew puzzled, and Vexis's soft, eerie tone continued.
"If any living corpses are dragged into the slime molds layer, the fungal creatures can invade and claim them."
"When that happens, the summoning contract I signed with those living corpses enters a tug-of-war with the fungal creatures."
"Whoever wins will control the corpses."
"If I lose, our living corpses will become slime molds mutants."
"That, in a nutshell, is the terror of this war!"
"It's also the main reason this conflict has stalled my master for so long."
After hearing this, Orion finally understood. Vexis's explanation made it clear why this war was so difficult.
"In truth, we've gotten off easy in this region. The slime molds brood mother here specializes in parasitic and integrative breeding; she relies on external resources for her own growth."
"The Undead race's summoning arrays offer just enough of a stalemate to hold her back."
"But in other areas, the situation may be much tougher."
Orion nodded, then continued orchestrating the Eightfold Spear Barrage to deliver large-scale attacks, relieving some of the pressure on his people on the ground. At the same time, he used the intel Vexis provided to analyze the battlefield.
Time trickled by. For the Stoneheart Horde, needing to hold this line for three days was only the beginning of their ordeal.
––––––––
Titanion Realm, Human Kingdom, Soaring Bird City.
Inside the largest makeshift tent in this city, Torin beamed with delight.
The first merchant caravans sent to the giants' domain had returned—Torin's own caravan included—and every member was brimming with profit.
Moreover, as the caravans resupplied and rested in Soaring Bird City, Torin could earn another lucrative bonus.
"Master, I can't believe how easily we made so much money!"
Mike from the Mercenary Corps stared at the chests piled throughout the tent; they overflowed with gold coins and various rare items, making his eyes glimmer.
"This is just the start. Once Soaring Bird City is fully built, we'll have access to even greater wealth—and influence."
At that moment, Torin's expression held more than excitement; it revealed ambition and greed.
Indeed, it was only the beginning.
Although the nobles of the Kingdom had offered support and Soaring Bird City was under normal construction, Torin himself had poured massive investments into it. The costs in gold alone were astronomical.
Finding an excuse to send Mike and Wyatt away, Torin carefully picked out some of the rarest materials from this haul—some he kept for his own use, while others he immediately listed on the Survivor's Platform.
Torin was shrewd. Even while building Soaring Bird City, he never neglected his quest for greater personal power.
According to Torin's plan, by the time Soaring Bird City was complete, he would break through to Alpha-level. With that degree of strength, he could subdue the new city. Then he could freely exploit Soaring Bird City for status and riches, continually boosting his own power. Otherwise, everything he had now would be seized sooner or later by others.
"The city wall foundation is already finished. Before long, the walls will be in place."
"All we have to do is get through this winter, and everything should develop the way I want it to."
"Just wait. My ambitions don't end here—Soaring Bird City is only the beginning!"
––––––––
Stoneheart City's trade with the Human Kingdom merchant guilds turned into a win-win deal.
Stoneheart Horde and the Human Kingdom each got what they needed and were both well satisfied.
In this transaction, the Stoneheart Horde obtained a great deal of gear and farming tools from the Human Kingdom—along with an array of clever odds and ends—laying the groundwork for their next move into agriculture.
Here in the south, the land was bathed in sunshine, the soil rich and fertile; raising crops was a natural course of action.
Though Orion had stockpiled a large amount of grain through the Survivor's Platform, even that stockpile could be exhausted one day.
Hence, establishing a sustainable way to produce their own food was essential for any large faction.
In the Stoneheart Horde, agriculture would be the foundation, the lifeline that fed its people.
On the second floor of the Mysterious Tavern, Delilah sat with a trade list on her left and intelligence reports from around the territory on her right. When she set down the trade list, she turned and addressed Ursa, Thundar, Grulbane, Dace, Otho, Beyn, and Torba, who were seated properly in their chairs.
"Winter isn't far off. The dark beast tides will rise again."
The atmosphere on the second floor instantly tensed. Yet Delilah spoke with a confidence that subtly uplifted everyone, a steady maturity that was undeniably reassuring.
"Stoneheart City has me and the Four-Winged Blood Bat to guard it, so it should be no major issue."
That was the baseline—whatever happened, Delilah would remain in Stoneheart City to ensure the safety of this southern stronghold.
"Dace, Otho, you will take the Guard Corps to Buffalofolk City. Do everything you can to hold it."
"Beyn, Torba, you two head to Obsidian City."
"Grulbane, Ursa, you're going to Lilith City."
"Thundar, take your Dark Fiend and secure Delilah City."
Buffalofolk City, Obsidian City, Lilith City, and Delilah City were the four key strongholds Orion needed to connect the territory as a whole.
Before winter's arrival, each of these four would complete their walls and defensive structures.
They had to protect them from dark creatures, preventing any damage to these crucial fortifications—a formidable challenge facing Delilah, and indeed the entire Stoneheart Horde.
"Do your utmost to hold them!"
Delilah's voice sharpened slightly, underscoring how serious she was.
"Elder of Stewardship, have no worries. We pledge to accomplish this mission."
"So long as I live, no city will ever fall!"
Thundar responded first.
After that, Grulbane, Dace, Otho, Beyn, Torba, and Ursa all followed suit:
"I vow upon my life to protect the city!"
"I vow upon my life to protect the city!"
"…"