"We need to reevaluate the current battle situation," Wolf said in a deep voice. "Though we've breached the Frostwall, the humans' overall strength still surpasses ours."

"The core of our wolf clan's millennium-old tactics lies in covert hit-and-run attacks, not head-on assaults against humans. So I propose a two-pronged strategy."

"First, since we've achieved our strategic goal, we should take our victory and return to Wolfhold. Then send envoys to contact the griffin clan, phantom lynx clan, frost-tongue tribe, blood-claw tribe, and other demonkin forces. The tundra clans used to fight among themselves, but now they've seen your power to break cities—they'll set aside their grudges and come to swear fealty to you. You can use this opportunity to form a united demon army."

"Second, we can dispatch multiple wolf patrols to weaken the humans with guerrilla tactics. Now that the Frostwall is destroyed, we can easily infiltrate the Northern Realm: raid villages, burn granaries, kill scouts, and drain their towns' resources. If we face strong resistance from human Divine Folk, we retreat beyond the wall immediately."

"Once you've assembled the united demon army, everything will change. Then all demons will march out—our wolf warriors as the vanguard, demonkin elites as the flanks—and strike the human kingdom from multiple directions. We'll wipe out the humans in one fell swoop and dominate the entire continent!"

Wolf's voice grew louder with each word, his impassioned tone buzzing in Will's ears by the end.

The Wolf King frowned throughout, utterly dismissive of Wolf's proposal.

Wolf, you're always so quiet. What's gotten into you today?

Do you even know what you're saying?

Form a united demon army? That's childish nonsense!

The Griffin King is arrogant and unruly, the Phantom Lynx King is cunning and unpredictable, the Horse King is as fierce as flame—none of these tundra warlords are easy to subdue. You think taking the Frostwall will make them bow to me?

If forming a united army was that easy, I would've done it ages ago!

Besides, the human camp may seem divided, but they still outnumber us. If we give them time to unite, even all the snow demons together might not stand a chance!

Have you lost your mind, Wolf? Or do you have an ulterior motive?

If it's the former, I can forgive you. If it's the latter, don't blame me for being ruthless!

Will stared at the scar crossing his right paw's palm, his thoughts churning, but his face remained calm.

"You speak with the air of a Wolf King," Will said coolly.

Wolf started, stepping back. "I dare not, Master."

"But every word you said is wrong!" the Wolf King raised his voice. "You don't understand the battle at all—blitzkrieg is the only way to break this deadlock!"

"We hold the initiative now. We must seize the rhythm, chase our victory south along the Queen's Road, and slice through the human defenses like hot knife through butter! We won't let these lambs catch even a single breath!"

"As long as we take the Capital and hang the Queen's crown on the city walls, the humans will fall into chaos, and their kingdom will split apart. Only then will those tundra warlords smell blood and come to the Capital, begging to share the humans' territory! That's when I'll have the chance to form a united demon army!"

"In short, opportunities vanish in an instant. Hesitation means defeat! Only a swift strike will lead us to victory!"

After speaking, Will shot Wolf a sidelong glance. If you're the mole, this speech was for nothing. I hope you don't disappoint me again.

"I object! The wolf army is not stable enough—this blitzkrieg could lead to total defeat!" A sharp voice cut in. It was White Wolf, who had moved to stand beside Wolf. "I agree with Wolf. We must return to Wolfhold and plan for the long term."

Who do you think you are?

I don't have time for you right now. Don't ask for trouble!

Will's anger flared. "Excuse me, but we're discussing the wolf army's future. You have no right to speak."

I'm giving you one last chance to save face. Get out while you can!

"Old Wolf King Watt is dead. By our agreement, Ash is now the new Wolf King. He has the right to speak on all matters," Shentu, the chief white wolf rider, stepped behind White Wolf.

"Old Watt? Wolf King?" Will snorted. "As far as I know, Watt's title as White Wolf King was never legitimate. When did he become the Wolf King? Besides, according to wolf clan rules, the Wolf King is always the strongest, not inherited. So where does this 'Ash is the new Wolf King' nonsense come from?"

"Will, are you going back on your word?" Shentu said sharply.

"Hmph!" Will waved his paw, and seven wolf guards—Aken, Ali, and others—emerged from behind the tower pillars. Their wolf blades scraped sparks from the plaza's stone pavement, forming a wall of steel before the Wolf King in an instant. Meanwhile, other guards surrounded White Wolf and Shentu from three sides.

Will smiled, pleased with his guards' swift action.

The white wolves' last ace is self-destruction, but they don't have time for that now.

He turned to Shentu. "By our pre-war agreement, all white wolves were to self-destruct and sacrifice themselves for the clan. Why are you still alive?" Will's eyes flashed with menace. "You coward! How dare you stand before me and talk?"

"By Old Watt's order, my duty is to protect White Wolf and help him claim the Wolf King's throne." Shentu showed no fear despite being surrounded by blades, his red eyes blazing as he stared at Will. "You swore under the howling moon with Old Watt, letting two hundred white wolf warriors die bravely. Now keep your promise and hand the throne to Ash!"

Will shook his head, smiling. "You're right—the white wolves' contribution was great. So I'll erect a stone monument in Wolfhold's cellar to honor the two hundred warriors, so future generations of wolves will remember their deeds on this blood moon night."

"Liar!" White Wolf roared. His pupils narrowed to slits, he stomped his right paw and lunged at Will.

In an instant, violet luminescent chains coiled around White Wolf's silver form like serpents, tightening into bindings that sank into his fur and pinned him to the ground—he couldn't move an inch.

"Stay still!"

Several guards pressed their wolf blades to White Wolf's neck. At the same time, violet chains appeared around Shentu's body; Aken's blade pressed to his chest, while Ghost Rider Hayward's sword held to his back.

"Hayward! You!" Shentu's voice was a mix of shock and fury.

"Hahahaha…" Yu, leaning against the tower's broken wall, laughed so hard she could barely stand. "Will, you're so foresighted! You knew these two would betray us! So three days ago, I planted the Soul-Binding Curse on the back of their necks. It came in handy tonight!"

Will grinned. "Little fox, you ask for a lot of rewards, but you earn every bit of them."

Though even without your curse, I had other plans in place.

The Wolf King walked slowly to White Wolf, looking down at him. "Ash, do you remember what I told you? When we reclaim our homeland, you'll be crowned ruler of both wolves and humans. Why are you in such a hurry to betray me?"

"Liar!" White Wolf's face, pressed to the ground, twisted with rage.

You've used up all your cards, yet you still dare to snarl at me!

Did you draw the fool's card?

Will's lips curled into a sneer. "Old Watt was a clever old wolf—he held his own against me for ten years, never backing down. But you…" He dragged out the word, savoring the mockery. "You have brute strength, but no brains at all. You're not fit to be Wolf King."