A scarlet blood moon hung in the night sky, its edge split by jagged cracks.

On the windowsill of the Frostwall's Oracle Tower, a metal spike dripped a black viscous liquid, which landed precisely on the tattered black-and-white flag hanging from the stone wall below.

The Wolf King leaned against the window, staring at a small scrap of parchment, deep in thought.

"Where did you find this?" Will asked.

"While I was grooming the snow dragon steed, I found it tucked in the saddle's lining," Aken replied respectfully, standing at attention.

"Hmph." Will crumpled the parchment into fine shreds and tossed it out the window.

Is this a trap?

He paced slowly through the war council chamber, the clink of his iron boots echoing off the stone floor.

Judging by the wolf clan cipher, the note must have been left by one of their own. After all, the cipher used by the wolf army to send secret messages was unknown to humans.

Will glanced at Aken. He's been cooking for me for years—he wouldn't lie to me.

The Wolf King's eyes narrowed into slits.

I've long heard there's a mole in the Frostwall Legion, someone who killed Magician Peter, Dreamwalker Shu, and Clerk Camon, making a great contribution to the wolf clan.

But this mole wasn't sent by me. Wolf's Wolf Beauty only killed one hunter before being exposed as a wolf by the humans. Old White Wolf Watt also swore he didn't send anyone.

With no wolf claiming responsibility, I began to doubt if the mole even existed. Maybe it was just infighting among the humans, using the wolf clan as a smokescreen?

But this letter confirms it—there really is a wolf brother hiding in the human camp.

Yet the same question lingers: who sent this mole?

Will looked at the three giant flags—gold, black, red—hanging on the chamber wall, his brow furrowed.

Footsteps sounded outside the chamber, and Wolf Guard Ali, covered in frost and snow, stepped inside.

"Master, the wolf pack is assembled and ready to depart."

"Hmph." Will mused. "Not yet. Wait for the Fox Sorcerer—she said she'd be back by the second sunset."

"The Fox Sorcerer is already here."

What!

Will darted to the tower window. Outside the broken wall, across the snow-covered ground, a group of creatures was heading toward Shield Fort.

Orcs!

Nice work, little fox!

The Wolf King's eyes lit up. He slammed his paw on the windowsill and leaped out.

Will soared through the air, landing at the edge of the tower's shadow on the plaza. Stones scattered as he touched down; a small pebble clanged against a nearby wolf's blade.

"Will, I'm back!"

A purple whirlwind burst through the wall's gap into the plaza. As it dissipated, the silver-haired Fox Sorcerer landed on glowing light trails, her purple silk robes flapping in the wind.

"I recruited thirty-three orcs to join you!" Yu snapped open her purple fan, its crystal pendant refracting a shimmering violet light.

"Excellent!" the Wolf King roared. He saw towering figures by the broken wall—green-skinned orcs with fangs and tusks, dragging giant hammers, stepping onto the plaza with heavy, thudding footsteps.

Orcs are so tall! Will realized these monsters were twice the height of his wolves. He'd spotted orcs in the Wolf God Mountains before, only from a distance. This was the first time he'd seen them up close.

But will they obey my orders?

The orcs filled the already cramped plaza.

Swish! Aken and Ali jumped down from the tower, landing in front of Will.

"Master, be careful!" The two guards drew their wolf blades.

"It's fine." Will patted Aken's shoulder, signaling him to step aside.

The Wolf King walked up to the orcs and shouted, "Welcome to the Victor's Alliance! I will lead you to witness glory like never before!"

"Ugh—ugh—ugh!" The orcs threw back their heads and roared, stamping their feet so hard the bluestone tiles shattered.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Will felt the plaza shake beneath him; plaster crumbled from the tower, walls, and ruins.

What's going on? I'm addressing them—what's this reaction? What do they want?

He glanced at Yu in confusion.

Yu raised her fox paw gracefully and waved her fan. Instantly, the restless orcs froze in place as if hit by a paralysis spell, falling completely silent.

Will frowned inwardly. These orcs look fierce, but their demonization level is far too low to communicate effectively. If I send them into battle, will they follow the wolf army's discipline?

Worse yet, these fools will obey Yu's commands. That's unacceptable!

Yu twirled her hips, flicking her silver hair as she walked to Will's side, her voice sweet. "Will, with these fearsome orcs, plus the Ghost Riders, Gray Wolf Cavalry, and Black Wolf Army, we can strike from four directions. Crushing the human kingdom will be easy!"

Will's irritation grew at her triumphant tone.

Do you want to be another Wolf? Get cocky just because you did one thing for the clan?

The Wolf King's brow furrowed sharply, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Little fox, I brought you here to advise me, not to take my throne. Understand?"

Yu blinked in surprise, then let her fan fall to her side, her voice trembling with hurt. "Will, how could I ever covet your throne? Why are you being so mean?"

Will snorted. Good, you know your place.

He took a deep breath and called, "Aken!"

"Here, Master."

"Our army has rested here for a day. Those who haven't recovered their strength will return to Wolfhold with you to recuperate. Also, take the remains of our fallen brothers back to be buried beneath the Wolf Ancestor's Great Head."

"Yes, Master."

"Additionally, take White Wolf and Shentu to Wolfhold as prisoners."

"Yes." Aken hesitated, then added, "Uh… what about Wolf?"

Will paused, blinking.

Wolf's identity as a mole isn't fully confirmed.

After all, I have no solid evidence.

And he killed the Brown Knight in the Blood Moon Battle—That doesn't seem like something a mole would do.

Will sighed softly. "Wolf… I don't have time to interrogate him now. Take him to Wolfhold too. But treat him differently from the white wolves. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly."

Good. Will turned to the other guard. "Ali, lead the wolf pack south along the Queen's Road to attack Awakening City!"

"R-Roger that."

"Will, you're going to attack Awakening City with that small force?" Yu asked in shock.

Did you forget already?

"Don't question my decision!" Will said sharply.

Before I received the letter, I did plan to attack Awakening City with the full army. But now, I've changed my mind!

"Oh, I was just trying to remind you—"

"No need. Stay here with those fools you brought and turn Shield Fort into the wolf army's new base."

"Ah!" Yu's fox eyes widened in disbelief. "Will, you don't want me to join the battle?"

Will shook his head.

The situation has changed. I need to make a new plan based on the letter.

The next move is a high-stakes gamble—it needs absolute secrecy!

You're not part of the wolf clan. I can't trust you with this!

"These orcs are too poorly demonized. I'm worried they won't tell friend from foe on the battlefield. You need to train them first," the Wolf King said coolly.

"If you're not going to use the orcs, why did you have me recruit them? Why did you wait here for a day?" Yu demanded loudly.

"I wasn't waiting for you. I was waiting for important information." Will walked past her. That wasn't a lie—I did receive a secret letter.

"Do you no longer trust me?" Yu's voice trembled.

It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that you're no longer useful for now.

Will smiled. "Don't overthink it. If you can successfully turn the human Frostwall into a new wolf clan stronghold, that will be a great achievement."

The Wolf King didn't look back at Yu. His gaze swept over the Black Wolf Army, Gray Wolf Cavalry, and Ghost Riders arrayed solemnly in the plaza, and his blood boiled with excitement.

It's a risk—I don't even know who the mole is—but with the Ghost Riders at my side, I'm certain I'll win!

He walked to the Ghost Riders' formation, staring at Hayward's deep blue eyes at the front. "I will lead you!"

The hundred Ghost Riders knelt on one knee in unison. A low, rumbling growl rose from the ground, like a thousand-pound iron gate descending on the plaza—a terrifying, awe-inspiring sight.

Will's smile grew colder, as if the dark abyss had bared its fangs to swallow all light.

"Blitzkrieg begins now!"

"Wolves march under the night!"