"Absolutely not!" Feto shook his head vigorously. "How could the boss be the mole? It's impossible!"

"He locked you up, didn't he?"

"Uh, well, I was in the wrong first…" That incident was long behind them. Feto said firmly, "The boss might've acted in a hurry, but he's definitely the true Seer. No question about it."

"Is he…" Shana stared at Feto, her eyes full of doubt.

Feto was confused too. Why would Shana suspect the boss? Had someone put ideas in her head?

Just then, the cavalry ahead suddenly reined in their horses.

What's happening? Feto craned his neck and saw shadows moving at the end of the tree-lined path.

Did the wolves catch up?

No, that can't be—they'd deliberately avoided the Queen's Road and taken the remote Scent-Seeking Pass to evade pursuit. The wolves could never track them here!

Hooves crushed leaves and kicked up snow dust as a dozen shadows approached.

Feto finally got a clear look. They were human cavalry. The leader was a burly man in black armor, familiar to him.

"Yefu?" Shana was the first to recognize him.

Feto remembered—this was the black market merchant Yefu. What was he doing here?

"Hey, dear brothers, how's everyone holding up? Count Yefu of Awakening City's here to pick you up! Heh heh!" Yefu waved at the crowd.

Right, he's also the Lord of Awakening City. I almost forgot.

Feto shrugged at Shana, and they rode forward in unison.

Lady Lei rode out to meet Yefu.

"We were just heading to join you!"

"A few days back, your old man invited you to Awakening City, but you bailed halfway. I figured you must've gotten a mission. Heh heh." Yefu pulled on his reins.

"You're right. The Archbishop sent word for us to meet the Frostwall Legion at Reflection Village."

"I've been keeping an eye on the Frostwall's situation too. When I got the raven's message yesterday, I immediately took eighteen musketeers north. Sure enough, I guessed right—you'd retreat south through the Scent-Seeking Pass! Heh!"

Feto noticed the eighteen riders behind Yefu, each with a long iron barrel at their waist—hunter muskets. He thought to himself: If the muskets hadn't been destroyed at the Frostwall two years ago, last night's battle might've turned out completely different!

"Where's Lord Orek? I don't see him." Yefu's eyes darted around as he asked.

"He had urgent business and left ahead of us. For now, I command the Frostwall Legion." Lei held up the black iron badge.

"Huh?" Yefu blinked, then sighed. "I had a feast and some heartwarming stories ready to soothe Lord Orek's broken spirit. Shame he's not here… But this is better! With a valiant, sharp-witted lady knight in charge, the good guys will definitely turn the tide and crush the wolf army. Heh heh!"

Yefu's flattery earned only a faint "Thank you" from Lei, but it made Feto seethe.

You're belittling our Frostwall Legion! He rode forward and said loudly, "Lord Orek isn't as fragile as you think. He has his own plan to turn things around."

"The Frostwall fell, the Legion lost, and I hear the Seer even lost the Holy Light. What makes him think he can fix this? Orek has no leadership skills! Anyone who still believes in him is a fool!" Yefu didn't seem to notice who he was talking to until Feto reached his side. Then his eyes lit up. "Oh, it's you! I didn't see you there. Sorry, sorry—I wasn't talking about you. Heh heh!"

I don't know if you're acting or not, but if you really cared about people's feelings, you wouldn't keep calling yourself "your old man." Feto snorted. He'd never liked Yefu—too greedy, too fake.

"Black merchant, we meet again!" Shana rode up beside them.

"Shana's here too! Heh, I'm a merchant, sure, but right now I'm the Lord of Awakening City."

"Then I didn't misname you! So, if we join you, are we safe?" Shana pursed her lips.

"Absolutely!" Yefu made a circle with his thumb and index finger. "The flying ravens have spread the news of the Frostwall's fall across the continent. Forces are gathering at Awakening City. Latest word: the Capital's sending two hundred Divine Folk to reinforce the North, and the Silver Knights, who were heading south, have turned back to return to Awakening City… Clearly, the Frostwall's fall has woken everyone up."

Lei frowned. "All that might be too late! If the wolves launch a blitzkrieg, Awakening City could be surrounded before reinforcements arrive."

"Hey! No wonder you're the greatest lady knight alive! I was thinking the exact same thing!" Yefu gave her a thumbs-up. "So I'm not planning to hunker down in Awakening City. I've got another plan."

"Tell us."

"Right now, Awakening City's forces include a musketeer squad of fifty hunters. Except for the ones I brought, the rest have already gone to set up an ambush at Ghost Shadow Hills."

Ghost Shadow Hills! Feto's eyes widened. That's the strategic choke point along the Queen's Road heading south!

Yefu continued, "The stupid wolves will think we'll fight to the death defending the city, but instead, we'll strike first and ambush them at Ghost Shadow Hills. I came here to invite you all to join us. If our Awakening City Musketeers, Golden Knights, and Frostwall Legion work together, we'll send those wolf pups running with their tails between their legs and avenge the fall of the Frostwall! Heh heh heh!"

Yefu's words were crude, but they had an unexpected rallying effect. Some of the demoralized Divine Folk, still reeling from their defeat, cheered loudly.

Shana nudged Feto's side and whispered, "What do you think?"

Feto thought for a moment. "I want to hear Old Rui's opinion. He's better at strategy than me."

Their eyes turned to Old Rui.

"Uh… Lord Yefu's idea isn't bad." Old Rui stroked his white beard, speaking slowly. "But there's a question: will the wolves definitely take the route you're expecting? What if their target isn't Awakening City, or if they don't launch a blitzkrieg? Then your plan falls apart."

"The old scholar's concern is valid." Yefu raised an eyebrow. "But we've fought these wolf pups for years! Do you think that Will character would do anything else?"

Lei frowned and thought for a moment. "I've never met Wolf King Will, but I've hunted hundreds of wolves. I know their nature: they're impulsive, greedy, short-sighted, and bloodthirsty. When things go well, they want to strike immediately; when they hit trouble, they'll blow themselves up. It's in their bones."

"They took the Frostwall so easily—they'll definitely be eager to expand their victory. So based on their nature, I think Lord Yefu's plan is solid. I vote yes."

With the badge holder's decision made, Old Rui fell silent, and the others quickly agreed.

"Good, since no one objects, we'll head to Ghost Shadow Hills immediately." Lei called out. "Lord Yefu, lead the way."

"Deal." Yefu chuckled.

As everyone nodded in agreement, Feto saw Shana muttering to herself. He leaned in. "Shana, I can't hear you."

"I don't agree." Shana whispered.

"Huh? You have objections?"

"I'll go to Ghost Shadow Hills, but I'm taking the Witch Coven to act alone." Shana pouted.

"This…"

"I'm not part of the Frostwall Legion or the Golden Knights. Even if Lei has the badge, she can't command me!" The witch stared at Feto seriously. "Feto, are you coming with me?"

"I…"

Feto's Adam's apple bobbed. This was a question he didn't know how to answer.

---

*Notes:*

- Scent-Seeking Pass: A remote, little-traveled mountain pass, chosen by the Legion to evade wolf patrols.

- Ghost Shadow Hills: A narrow, forested hill range that serves as the only major choke point on the Queen's Road south of the Frostwall.