Great Wall Shieldhold.

Oracle Spire.

Inside the Commander's chambers, a fire blazed in the hearth. Opposite it hung a massive military map.

"Why did you access the Great Wall's defense scrolls?" Orekl asked in a low voice.

"According to Ding Rui's report, Wolf King Will has returned to Wolf Fort, and his movements are highly suspicious. Additionally, the Red Moon has reappeared in the night sky. As the bards' ballads say, werewolves stir when the Red Moon is full. I need to know every detail of the Great Wall's structure to formulate precise military strategies to counter these threats." Layla pressed both palms to the edge of the long table, her eyes fixed on the defense scroll spread before her, not lifting her head to answer.

All the Great Wall's secrets are hidden in those scrolls, and you're trying to pry them open. Orekl's brow furrowed.

He suspected Layla, but lacked concrete evidence. He knew that acting rashly would give her a reason to incite the Golden Knights to revolt, making the situation even more unmanageable. I've lost the Holy Light's power—now I can only rely on wits and experience. The best way is to let the werewolf reveal herself.

Orekl said nothing, keeping his gaze locked on Layla. Finally, she looked up.

"What, do you mind?" she asked. "I didn't know your rules. If you'd told me earlier, I wouldn't have borrowed them."

Typical werewolf—always trying to turn the tables on me! Orekl took a deep breath and said slowly: "Why did you send Shana on patrol beyond the wall? How do you explain that?"

"What kind of explanation do you need?" Layla narrowed her eyes. "Great Wall Legion rules state that everyone serving here must fulfill ranger duties at least once. Assigning Shana to train beyond the wall is perfectly reasonable."

Do you take me for a fool! Orekl could barely contain his anger: "If there was nothing wrong, you wouldn't have deliberately taken down the Mandala Banner from the wall, forcing her to choose to go beyond the wall to preserve the witches' honor!"

Layla stared at Orekl, her expression slightly surprised.

Orekl took several deep breaths to calm himself. "Shana's just a novice. Do you have any idea how much danger you put her in?"

"You betrayed me." Layla said coldly.

"What did you say?"

"I can see it—ever since she arrived at the wall, your mind has been in turmoil. You care more about her than you do about me."

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

"Do you think I'm blind? At the banquet the day Shana arrived, you stayed by her side all night—did you even think about me? And when she got close to Feto, that ugly look on your face—did you think I didn't see it?"

Orekl's heart jolted, his cheeks burning like fire. Layla's words were a sharp sword, piercing straight to his core, exposing a secret he hadn't even fully acknowledged himself. Impossible… Is she crazy, rambling like this? Is this another werewolf tactic?

"Orekl, what exactly do you take me for?" Layla shouted.

Orekl froze, and memories of Layla's past words flashed through his mind:

The Prophet is a guiding light. If the light goes out, the good will lose their way. The Golden Knights will swear allegiance to the true Prophet.

From now on, wherever Ray points, we will strike. Anyone who opposes Ray opposes the entire Golden Knights.

Ray, you are my only true god…

After Layla arrived at the wall, she'd showered him with admiration, letting him taste the thrill of being adored by a woman for the first time. Then he'd broken his vow again and again, falling into an endless abyss. Those who turn away from the Light cannot be saved…

Orekl snapped back to his senses: "What do you want me to take you for? A lover? Or a werewolf?"

"You think I'm a werewolf?" Layla feigned shock.

"Yes." Orekl's gaze hardened again.

"What! You… what proof do you have?"

"Proof? You knew all along that a Prophet who engages in romantic relationships loses the Holy Light's power, didn't you?"

"You lost the Holy Light's power? How? I didn't know that would happen…" Layla's eyes widened.

"After you arrived at the wall, murders started happening one after another. How do you explain that?"

"That… it could be a coincidence, or the werewolves deliberately framing the Golden Knights."

"Layla, stop pretending! This is all a conspiracy! You knew the Prophet couldn't have romantic ties, so you seduced me into breaking my vow! You wanted to disable my divination first, then carry out your killings, and finally destroy the entire Great Wall Legion! Am I right? You're the hidden werewolf!"

The usually restrained Prophet had finally snapped.

A sharp clang rang out as Layla drew her sword, pointing it directly at Orekl.

Facing the cold, glinting blade, Orekl showed no fear. "What? Did I hit the mark? Are you going to kill me to silence me?" he sneered. "Go ahead—without the Holy Light's power, I'm no match for you anyway. But this time, you won't be as lucky as before. How do you plan to escape the Great Wall?"

Layla's eyes blazed with fury: "Is this how you Prophets accuse people of being werewolves?"

Orekl snorted: "And is this how you Knights point your swords at Prophets?"

Layla stared at him, the fury in her gaze fading, replaced by deep disappointment.

"Orekl, let me tell you—for half a year, murders have plagued the wall, and the culprit remains at large. Many people have doubted you, but I've stood by you unwaveringly, supporting you fully. I hoped that when the truth came out, I could proudly tell everyone that light will always dispel darkness, and my trust was justified!"

Her eyes shifted from disappointment to hollow sorrow, as if all her passion and hope had been swept away by the wind: "I never thought this would be the answer I'd get…"

Seeing her like this, Orekl's heart tightened suddenly. Could my deduction be wrong again?

"I misjudged you. Completely misjudged you." Layla shook her head slowly, lowering her sword. "The Golden Knights came to reinforce the wall because we were inspired by the Prophet's deeds. But now, the image I had of you has crumbled to dust."

Orekl's chest was a jumble of emotions. He couldn't tell if her words were genuine, or just a werewolf's performance.

"Now that Lord Orekl has returned to the wall, I return the Vigil Badge." Layla sheathed her sword, pulled a black badge from her coat, and placed it on the table.

"The Silver Knights have withdrawn from Awakening City, leaving its defenses empty. At Count Wilder's invitation, the Golden Knights will go reinforce Awakening City."

You're leaving? Orekl could barely believe it.

"Thank you for your care over the past half year, Commander. The road is long—farewell." Layla turned and strode toward the door, without a hint of hesitation.

Orekl watched her tall back, silent. He knew her words were just an excuse. With the wall in such turmoil, the Golden Knights' departure would cripple the legion. He wanted to beg her to stay, but had no reason to. After all, he'd accused their leader of being a werewolf—with no evidence…

Orekl let out a long sigh. He felt like he'd made another terrible move.

His gaze fell on the long table. The Vigil Badge lay atop the defense scroll, its faint, unyielding glow catching the candlelight.

The Great Wall's defense scroll… Rumored to have been written by the Oracle, it holds the secrets of the Frost Great Wall. The wall built by the gods is unbreakable—except for the section where Shieldhold stands.