Seeing Feto and Basru about to come to blows, the witch didn't hesitate for a second—she stepped right beside Feto.

"He's under my protection!" Shana shouted. "Anyone who touches him gets a taste of my poison!"

At the witch's threat, the burly knight froze for a moment, then grinned maliciously. "Many say the witch is the wolf pack's grand sorcerer—now I see it's true! But sorry, you picked the wrong opponent! You think I'm afraid of your poison?!"

"Then go ahead and try! I guarantee someone won't see tomorrow's sunrise!"

"I'll smash your skull first!" Basru raised his fist in fury, but Shana quickly positioned herself in front of Feto.

"Who's out there?" Orekl's voice came from inside the chambers, just as the fight was about to erupt.

Basru's fist hung in the air, and Shana loosened her grip on the poison vial she'd been ready to fling.

"Ray, it's me!" Shana called out.

"Ah, Sister Shana! Come in. I told you, you can come see me anytime." Orekl's voice replied.

Shana shot the big knight a glare. Hear that, gatekeeper?

Basru panted heavily, his eyes still burning with anger, but he stepped aside silently. Shana snorted and pushed the door open.

When Feto tried to follow, Basru moved to block the door again. Feto shot him a dirty look, shoved the big knight aside without a word, and walked in.

Inside the Commander's chambers, a fire crackled in the hearth. Prophet Orekl sat at the ancient long table, gracefully spooning tomato soup into his mouth and savoring it.

Half the wall's defenders are leaving, and he's still this relaxed! Shana couldn't help but admire Orekl's calm—though it bordered on indifference. She walked to the table, planted one hand on her hip and the other on the edge, and glared at him. "Ray! That tomato soup must taste amazing!"

Orekl glanced at her and set down his wooden spoon. "Not really. Since Camon died, no one here on the wall can make tomato soup to my satisfaction."

"The soup's not good? But you're eating it like it's a feast. You didn't even go see the Golden Knights off when they left."

Orekl wiped his mouth with a napkin and said calmly: "The Golden Knights don't answer to me. We're comrades, not superior and subordinate."

"Comrades should still see each other off when they leave, right?" Shana frowned.

Orekl stared at her, his voice steady: "I don't want them to go, but I have no right to interfere with their decision. Besides, I'd never beg them to stay. Defending the wall is the Great Wall Legion's duty. If brothers want to lend a hand, I welcome them. If they want to leave, I won't force them to stay."

Shana said: "This is different! A huge pack of werewolves is gathering in Bear Woods—they're definitely planning something against the wall…"

"The werewolves have always coveted the wall. For a thousand years, they've fought the Great Wall Legion. But what of it? The Frost Great Wall still stands unshakable, proud and tall on the northern tundra."

Is Ray being blindly confident? A vague unease settled over Shana. More than the Golden Knights' departure, the Prophet's confidence worried her.

"What about the Red Moon in the sky lately? And the werewolf hiding inside the wall—we still haven't caught them! Ray, with all these strange things happening at once, aren't you worried at all?"

Orekl sighed and stood up, pacing slowly around the room.

"The Red Moon is a normal phenomenon that happens once every hundred years. Nothing to be surprised about. Unscrupulous bards use lunar anomalies to write sensational songs, saying werewolves will rise up and slaughter humans on Red Moon nights. It's just a trick to grab attention and make money. Anyone who believes those rumors is a fool!"

"As for the hidden werewolf… well, I've received important instructions from the Archbishop. Light will dispel darkness in the end. The werewolf can't hide forever—the truth will come out soon…" Orekl coughed twice as he spoke.

Shana's brows furrowed. Orekl insisted everything was fine, leaving her at a loss for words. But her anxiety hadn't faded one bit. Light will dispel darkness… Will it really be that easy?

Just then, Feto's lips moved like he wanted to speak, but he held back.

"Spit it out." Orekl caught his microexpression.

Feto hesitated, then said: "Boss… has your Holy Light's Power returned?"

Orekl's face turned ashen, his dim eyes flashing with a sudden, sharp light. He slammed his fist on the table so hard that tomato soup splattered across the surface.

"What nonsense are you talking about?!"

Orekl's sudden roar shocked Shana. What's going on?

Feto was also stunned—he hadn't expected the Commander to fly into a rage out of nowhere. "I thought… the Archbishop had already fixed the problem…"

"What problem? Who said I lost the Holy Light's Power? Who's spreading these lies?!" Orekl's angry voice trembled slightly.

"No one's lying. But I've been by your side for years, and I've noticed something off…"

"What's off? Tell me! Tell me!"

Feto was silent for a moment, then mumbled: "Back in the old days, would you have taken half a year and still couldn't find the werewolves?"

Orekl's chest heaved with rage. "You! Cough-cough-cough—" He was about to unleash his fury, but a fit of coughing cut him off.

Ray… Shana's eyes widened. Feto's words were suggestive, but she didn't think they were that bad. It was Orekl's overreaction that made her suspicious. Could something really be wrong with Ray? No way…

"You!" Orekl pointed a trembling finger at Feto. "You're far too bold! I replaced you with Basru—haven't you reflected on your mistakes at all?"

Feto looked confused. "You assigned me to guard the Scholar these past two days. I thought it was a normal rotation… wasn't it?"

"What a pity. You've been with me for two years, and you've grown almost nothing! You're still the same naive kid I met in Holy Light Village!" Orekl coughed again. "Looks like replacing you with Basru was the right call."

Feto gasped. "Boss! You're replacing me? What… what did I do wrong?"

"You've done too much wrong!" Orekl frowned. "Your words just now slandered the Prophet's honor—they're a serious crime of spreading lies! That's unforgivable!"

"Boss, what lies? I was just asking a reasonable question…"

"Unrepentant! Guards!"

At the Commander's order, Big Guy Basru walked in.

"Lock Feto in the Bunker Dungeon. Ten days!"

"Ah!" Shana gasped. She never expected Ray to take such drastic measures. Are you kidding? Feto just asked a few questions—he doesn't deserve to be locked up!

"Feto didn't mean any harm. He just…" Shana started to plead for Feto, but Orekl raised a hand to stop her.

"The Prophet's honor is inviolable—it's a line no one crosses. No matter who they are, no matter their achievements, anyone who crosses that line will be severely punished!"

The Commander's sharp words silenced Shana instantly.

Orekl said firmly: "Take him away!"

Basru walked behind Feto and grinned maliciously. "Shield Bastard! You heard that! You're out of favor! Better obey orders, or I'll make you!"

Feto snorted, ignoring Basru like he wasn't even there. He only kept his eyes on his boss. But Orekl turned to stare at the military map on the wall, deliberately avoiding Feto's gaze.

"Fine."

Feto nodded, accepting the order calmly. He turned and walked toward the door.

Feto's so disappointed… Shana could read the hurt and disillusionment on his face. Her heart ached. What's happening? Why did things turn out like this?

The witch looked at Ray's gaunt back, feeling an indescribable sense of strangeness. Is he still the wise, gentle Prophet I knew? Why does he feel so completely different?