The battle at the third ambush point raged on.
With the Wolf King commanding the pack, the icefield snow wolves were a terrifying force.
Though their attacks weren't disciplined or coordinated like a trained army, their relentless, fearless charges were awe-inspiring.
The wolves were especially dangerous when working together, their pack instincts making them formidable opponents.
As a result, the Stoneheart Horde's bloodline warriors began to suffer casualties.
---
"Orion, can't we capture so of these icefield snow wolves and ta them?"
Delilah's voice carried a spark of excitent as she stood beside Orion on the Thunderhawk.
"Just like your four Frost Wolves, we could have more of our warriors ta them!"
"These icefield snow wolves are massive—they'd make excellent mounts for our warriors!"
"If we succeed in taming them, our warriors would beco much stronger!" Read exclusive adventures at empire
"With these wolves, we could increase the mobility and combat power of our bloodline warriors!"
"And…"
Delilah's enthusiasm grew as she spoke, her imagination running wild with visions of the Horde fielding an army of wolf-mounted warriors.
Orion didn't respond imdiately. He was deep in thought.
From the mont he first saw the icefield snow wolves during his reconnaissance mission to the Abyssal Chasm, the idea of creating wolf cavalry had crossed his mind.
The concept of a wolf-mounted unit had been in Orion's plans for so ti, but the opportunity to act on it hadn't yet presented itself.
"There hasn't been a good chance to capture them," Orion finally said.
"And even if we manage to capture so, who will train them?"
"Do we even have anyone in the Horde capable of taming icefield snow wolves?"
Orion's questions weren't just directed at Delilah—they were questions he was asking himself.
Ever since Onyx gifted him four Frost Wolves, Orion had been planning to create a wolf-mounted unit.
However, the Frost Wolves grew slowly. Even now, they hadn't fully matured, let alone produced offspring.
With only four Frost Wolves, it would take decades to build a proper wolf cavalry unit.
The appearance of the icefield snow wolves, however, gave Orion hope.
But the lack of tars within the Horde was a significant obstacle.
Orion had already taken steps to address this issue. He had tasked his four guards—Dace, Otho, Beyn, and Torba—with raising the Frost Wolves from a young age, hoping to cultivate both tars and future leaders for the wolf cavalry.
---
Delilah fell silent, realizing that the Horde truly lacked the expertise to ta the wolves.
If they had to rely on existing talent, the best candidates would be Elan from the Skytalon Tribe and Orion's four guards.
"So, are we just going to give up?" Delilah asked, her tone tinged with frustration.
"These icefield snow wolves would make such incredible mounts, and we're letting the opportunity slip away?"
"Let's wait and see," Orion replied.
"Once we've dealt with the invaders, we can revisit this idea."
Orion's response was pragmatic. Until he had a clear understanding of the enemy forces approaching from the Poison Dragon Swamp and the Desert Oasis, he couldn't afford to take risks.
For now, the priority was to kill as many icefield snow wolves as possible. Reducing the enemy's numbers was the best way to preserve the Horde's strength.
Besides, Orion had already thought of a better solution: enslaving the Wolf King.
If he could enslave the Wolf King, he would gain control over the entire pack.
Taking shortcuts like this was sothing Orion was more than willing to do.
---
As Orion and Delilah discussed the wolf cavalry, the battle below reached a fever pitch.
Large numbers of icefield snow wolves had broken through the trap zones and were now engaged in close combat with the bloodline warriors.
"Orion, the supplies at the third ambush point are depleted. It's ti to order the retreat!"
Delilah's voice snapped Orion out of his thoughts as the sound of a horn echoed from the mountain pass.
"Alright, give the retreat order!"
"Have Onyx, Thundar, Slagor, and the eight council elders cover the rear with a portion of the cannon fodder troops."
As Orion spoke, he guided the Thunderhawk to the edge of the pass, dropping Delilah off so she could oversee the retreat.
Then, he directed the Thunderhawk toward the densest part of the wolf pack on the slope.
The Thunderhawk unleashed bolts of lightning as Orion hurled his trident from above, raining destruction on the wolves like a bomber.
As he swept through the battlefield, Orion kept an eye out for Gustalon.
The wind elental's presence was a constant threat, and Orion couldn't afford to let his guard down.
With the battle nearing its conclusion, Orion was determined to ensure there were no last-minute surprises.
---
Orion, Onyx, Thundar, and Slagor, along with a group of elite bloodline warriors, spread out to hold the mountain pass, buying ti for the rest of the Horde to retreat.
At one point, Orion summoned the Abyssal Dragon.
Roar!
The dragon's appearance sent a wave of fear through the wolves. Its massive body tore through the pack, slowing their advance significantly.
The stalemate continued for half a day.
Once the senior elders had safely retreated, the Abyssal Dragon dissolved into a red light and returned to Orion's heart.
With that, the battle at the third ambush point ca to an end.
---
To the West – Desert
When Gustalon entered the desert and disturbed the icy snow covering the dunes, Lumi imdiately sensed his presence.
With nothing else to do, Lumi decided to head north and et Gustalon halfway.
"Gustalon, this is my territory!"
The mont Lumi saw Gustalon, she made her stance clear.
This desert was her domain, the area she had been assigned to invade.
"Lumi, my friend, I have no intention of competing with you for territory!"
"I am the wind, free and unbound. I don't stay in one place!"
As he spoke, Gustalon whipped up a playful breeze, scattering the snowflakes around him like a mischievous child.
His words put Lumi at ease.
As fellow elental beings, Lumi felt a natural affinity for Gustalon.
"Lumi, your ice and snow are beautiful, but they're so cold!"
"I like them, but I prefer sothing warr."
"Like flowers—I love scattering petals through the air…"
Lumi raised her delicate hand and snapped her fingers.
In an instant, the falling snow transford into crystalline flowers, drifting gracefully on the wind.
"Ahahaha! That's exactly the feeling I love!" Gustalon exclaid, his voice filled with childlike joy.
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