Orion shook his head, sharing the concerns on his mind.
"It's not exactly the sa as last ti. Back then, those two were basically friends of mine, and they treated us kindly.
"But this ti it's different. We really don't know where we stand with the white dragon Frostsire.
"Granted, we'll all be heading south, which ans our goals are aligned. But beyond that, anyone else we co across, consider them the enemy."
A brief silence fell over the group. Everyone could imagine how once the army marched south, if trouble arose, they would have no one to rely on but themselves. No outside force was about to co running to their aid.
"My lord, how many troops are we bringing?"
That was Delilah's concern. Orion thought for a mont, then swept his gaze around the room before answering with utmost seriousness.
"This ti, I plan to take half of our cave spider armies—that's five hundred thousand spiders.
"We'll also take all the cannon fodder troops. The Hunting Party and cavalry regint will stay behind in the Horde to rest and defend Blackstone City.
"Delilah, Onyx, Rockwell, Earthshaker, Slagor—you five co with . Everyone else stays ho and holds down the fort."
Several who weren't chosen opened their mouths as if wanting to protest but said nothing in the end. They knew Orion rarely went back on a decision once it was made.
"Once I leave, Lilith will oversee everything. Lysinthia will assist, and Arch Elder will keep close watch. Thundar will maintain order both inside and out, leading any battles that arise."
"Yes, my lord!"
"Yes, sir!"
"…"
After everyone voiced their agreent, Delilah brought up another issue.
"My lord, are we really departing in half a month?"
Orion shot her a puzzled look, signaling her to continue.
"My lord, if you head out, and the army from the northern ice fields happens to pass through our territory—maybe even pillages Blackstone City—what then?
"After all, we don't exactly have good relations with that northern lord."
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This problem hadn't crossed Orion's mind yet. Almost imdiately, soone else proposed a solution.
"My lord, we can still leave in half a month, but adjust our marching speed as we go.
"If that white dragon is heading south, the ice-field lord will be the first to catch wind of it. It's likely his army is already on the move toward the south.
"All we have to do is slow our pace. Once we spot the ice-field troops, we just fall in step and head south together."
It was Slagor who spoke up. Orion wanted him along for his cleverness and ticulous thinking.
"Then we'll do it Slagor's way. We march out in half a month, heading south slowly and waiting for the ice-field forces."
"Yes, my lord!"
So half a month later, Orion led the main army out of Blackstone City, moving at a relaxed pace toward the south. Their flying beasts—thunderhawks and Four-Winged Blood Bats—were sent out in both directions to scout for enemies, continually going back and forth.
Up north, at Abyssal Chasm, Lord Jorik had spent two years letting his icefield snow wolves and snow monsters rest and multiply, building up a fresh army. A blast of icy wind whipped past, and Gustalon appeared within the swirling breeze.
"My lord, a thunderhawk and a Storm Vulture have been spotted near Abyssal Chasm. Looks like they're trying to track our movents. Should we kill them?"
Between thunderhawks and Storm Vultures, Gustalon had had more than one bad run-in.
Standing firm against the frigid wind, a giant sword strapped to his back, Lord Jorik shook his head.
"No need. We're entering the Abyssal Chasm and passing through the black forest. They won't attack, and we don't want any trouble, either."
At the mont, Lord Jorik felt a pressing urgency. His ancestor, the white dragon Frostsire, was awake, and Jorik still needed Orion to help with the southward invasion. Stirring up conflict now would be a waste of ti and could easily derail his ancestor's plans.
"Gustalon, keep scouting. Feel free to venture farther this ti.
"I've already sensed Lord Orion's presence—he's heading south.
"Go take a trip to the Desolate Plains and see if that centaur horde is making any moves."
Gustalon nodded. Without further ado, he shifted with the wind toward the Desolate Plains.
anwhile, in the southern reaches of the black forest, Orion was nearing Thunderwood Forest. Rather than cut straight through it, he angled east, planning to pass through the Half-Moon Lake region to continue southward.
After realizing that Lord Jorik was rely marching obediently through the black forest, Orion felt much less worried.
Upon entering the Half-Moon Lake area, Orion sensed Gareth's presence from afar.
"Keep moving ahead. I'll be right back."
In a flash of lightning, Orion sped off toward the spot where Gareth had previously arranged to et him. Half a day later, the thunder faded, and Orion landed alongside a small river.
Gareth was already there, calmly seated on her abyssal dragon, waiting.
"Lord Orion, your 'ssenger' really ca with quite a punch!" she teased with a wry grin.
Orion gave an awkward laugh. He knew Gareth was joking, but it wasn't exactly funny. An arch lord at the peak level serving as a re envoy? Orion couldn't pull that off in his wildest dreams.
"Lord Gareth, you can still joke at a ti like this? Looks like that white dragon didn't give you any trouble."
He was feeling Gareth out for intel. Unfortunately, she shook her head.
"One reason I'm here is to see if you have any intel for ."
Orion shrugged, indicating he knew absolutely nothing.
"So if neither of us knows anything," Gareth said, "we'll just wait for him here. I already sent soone to invite him."
Orion's expression brightened. Gareth was obviously referring to Lord Jorik. Orion, Gareth, and Jorik were all acquainted. Getting the three of them together would be way easier than grilling a white dragon for answers.
"Lord Gareth, you think that insect lord will just bow down this ti?" Orion asked.
Gareth didn't respond—clearly, she thought that was a pretty naive question. Of course, Orion wasn't looking for a real answer.
Orion just wanted to be sure Gareth's relationship with that insect lord wouldn't screw up any joint plans. Obviously, every lord Frostsire passed during his push south was going along for the ride. On the surface, at least, they were all in the sa boat, sharing the sa fate and interests, needing to move forward together.
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