I'd imagined him as a sharp, imposing figure, but instead, his face looked haggard.

Will stared at the Seer and sneered. "Long time no see, Lord Orek."

"You're faster than I expected. I just arrived in Holy Light Village, and you're right on my heels." The Seer lowered his gaze to the clear pool, where the blurred reflections of a man and a wolf danced on the water's surface. "It was your mole who told you, wasn't it?"

The Wolf King frowned at the Seer's unflappable demeanor. He scanned the woods, seeing only white leaves and dappled light, sensing no hidden presence.

Strange. Why isn't he panicking at all?

I can't smell any other humans in the woods—there must be no ambush.

What is this guy playing at?

Will's brow furrowed silently. He couldn't read the Seer's hand, but no matter how he calculated, victory should be his.

"Heh heh. Our wolf mole is quite something, isn't he? Turned your Frostwall Legion upside down." The Wolf King laughed.

"Who is that mole?"

"Don't play dumb. You've planted a spy in my ranks too—who is he?"

Orek sighed. "I'm already surrounded by you. I just want to die knowing the truth. Can't you grant me that small request?"

"Everyone dies, but not all deaths are the same. If you confess, I'll at least make sure your end isn't too painful." Will's voice turned cold. "Since you know you're doomed, why carry your secrets and bitterness to the grave?"

"Fine. A fair trade." Orek stood up and locked eyes with Will. "We'll exchange secrets."

Will almost snapped, "What makes you think you have the right to bargain with me?" But when he met Orek's gaze, a flicker of something stirred in his chest.

This guy has fought me for years. Maybe I owe him a modicum of dignity.

At least he didn't burn Wolfhold to the ground.

Will nodded. "Deal. You go first. Who is your spy?"

The Seer said, "I didn't send any spy."

This is ridiculous. Will's tone turned icy. "I'm showing you respect by giving you dignity. Don't spit on it."

"I'm telling the truth. I didn't send a spy, but that doesn't mean someone else didn't plant one among the wolves."

"Is that so?"

"Half a year ago, I knew your battle plans in advance because an intelligence report was handed to me. It detailed your strategy, which let me set up an ambush ahead of time."

Is he telling the truth? Will stared at Orek, his mind racing.

"Assuming you're honest, the only one who could plant a spy without your knowledge…" The Wolf King paused. "It's the Archbishop, isn't it?"

"I looked into it. The one who delivered the report was Dreamweaver Shu, who's always been the Archbishop's man."

You're surprisingly frank. Will said, "Whoever sent him doesn't matter. I just want to know who the spy is."

"I truly don't know. But I can tell you one thing I found out: the secret letter was signed 'Lonely Maiden'."

Lonely Maiden? Is there such a wolf among us?

Will's eyes darted as he searched his memory, but he couldn't recall any wolf—by name or alias—matching that.

"I've shown my utmost sincerity, laying out everything I know." Orek spread his hands, his expression open. "Now it's your turn to answer."

Will nodded slightly. Though Orek hadn't named the spy, he'd revealed plenty of information.

In that case, I don't need to hold back.

"I did send a mole to the Frostwall. You know her—Wolf Beauty Asha. But she was exposed before the Blood Moon Battle, so she couldn't have sent that secret letter. And she didn't have the strength to kill Magician Peter or Dreamweaver Shu. So there must be another wolf hiding in the Frostwall Legion. I don't know who it is either, but I can tell you: it wasn't me who sent them, nor the White Wolf King."

The pool was split into light and shadow by the sun's rays. On one side stood the enigmatic Seer; on the other, the imposing Wolf King.

After a moment of silence, Orek said, "I don't think your sincerity is enough. Neither of us knows who the moles are, but clearly, I've shared more information than you have."

Will blinked. He couldn't argue with that.

"Fine. I'll tell you more. I didn't find out about the spy in my ranks on my own. Just like you have the Archbishop pulling strings behind you, even though I'm the Wolf King, someone controls me too."

"What do you mean?"

"The Blood Moon Apostle. He's the one pulling my strings. He told me about the mole, and he's the one who incited me to launch these two wars." Will's voice was heavy.

The mystery of the Blood Moon Apostle had hung over Will like a dark cloud for a long time. In fact, compared to the mole hiding among the wolves, the Apostle was the real source of his confusion. Ever since the man had appeared a year ago, guiding Will's attacks on the Frostwall, he'd never once shown his true face.

Does he even exist?

Standing before his old rival, Will felt an unexpected urge to confide. It wasn't just part of the trade—he wanted to say it.

This secret has weighed on me for too long.

Finally, there's someone else in the world who knows.

"The Blood Moon Apostle…" The Seer's face twitched slightly, as if a realization had struck him.

If you ask more, I'll tell you everything. Will found himself hoping Orek would press further.

But after a moment of thought, the Seer didn't ask more about the Apostle. Instead, he said, "Do you have any other questions?"

Will was stunned, a flicker of disappointment rising in him. You're not interested in him?

He thought for a moment, then asked, "Rumor has it you've lost the Holy Light. Is that true?"

This was the second thing Will cared about. Since they'd met, the Seer had remained calm and collected, which had made him suspicious.

If you haven't lost your power, capturing you will cost me something.

"Is that even a question?" Orek smiled. "As your secret letter said, I came here to draw power from the Holy Light Tree and restore my Holy Light."

You didn't answer directly.

Will was cautious. He lowered his head, staring at the horizontal scar on his right paw.

It was a mark left by a Seer's Holy Light in a past battle. He still felt a shiver thinking about that brush with death.

"Have you restored it yet?" Will asked in a deep voice.

"You've brought your army here. Why don't you just come and find out?" Orek closed his eyes, signaling the trade was over.

Sunlight danced on the pool like shattered gold.

The Seer stood silently by the water. Though he said nothing, the mysterious aura radiating from him made the Wolf King feel a faint sense of dread.

Is he just putting on a show?

Will glanced at Hayward, seeing the Ghost Rider standing like a stone statue, his sword in hand and his aura sharp. Courage surged back into him.

Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!

Orek, you're the one who's alone here. Why does it feel like I'm the outnumbered one?

Even if you haven't lost your strength—so what?

I've got a hundred Ghost Riders backing me—what the hell do I have to fear?!

You're just one man! No amount of posturing will help!

Just then, a beam of white light pierced through the leaves and struck Will's eye. His fur stood on end, and he turned his head to avoid the blinding glare.

"Shit!" Will's patience snapped. "Attack! Cut down the Seer!" He roared the order.

"Swish!"

A hundred Ghost Riders drew their swords in unison, forming a semicircle around the pool and advancing on the lone Seer.

"After I kill you, I'll mount your head on top of the wolf flag to show the world the wolves' might!" Will threatened.

But the Seer remained silent, as if he'd tuned out the Wolf King's taunts.

Suddenly, the silver-white canopy of the Holy Light Tree erupted into thousands of golden flames, which transformed into a rain of light arrows streaking toward the Ghost Riders.

What's happening?!

Beneath the Holy Light, the Ghost Riders' masks let out a shrill screech. White light seeped from the cracks in their black armor, and they stumbled to a halt, doubling over in pain.

"What… what is this?" Will stared, dumbfounded.

Hayward staggered a few steps, then planted his sword in the ground and knelt on one knee.

The Wolf King's black fur stood on end, his claws gouging deep furrows in the mud.

The snarl building in his throat caught between his fangs, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

Impossible… this can't be happening…