Chapter 195: Planning and Gaming

Members of the Shadow World Sect all had their own identities and responsibilities. With important matters to attend to, it was impossible for them to gather at a moment’s notice to launch a coordinated assault on Wind Orchid City.

"Keep it in mind. I’ll send someone to investigate."

"Dismissed."

As soon as the shadow leader finished speaking, Phield felt his vision blur. When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the collection room.

"My lord, are you alright? You were dazed for quite a while." Gogris clung to Phield’s leg, looking up with a pitiful expression, her eyes filled with concern. "Did something happen?"

"Mm. The Empire’s situation isn’t looking good."

After a brief pause, Phield reached down and gently rubbed the little fox’s ears. "It’s nothing. Just focus on your research. If you need anything, come to me."

"Understood, my lord."

Leaving the basement, a faint sense of unease lingered in Phield’s heart.

"That meeting just now... there was barely any concrete information, everything was vague. But the more it’s like that, the more cautious I need to be." Phield let out a sigh. "Trying to develop peacefully for a while really isn’t easy."

After all, he was also a noble of the Empire. If he chose to do nothing and hide, it would only prove one thing: when you don’t go looking for trouble, trouble will come looking for you.

"Still... this serves as a reminder. It’s time to deal with Adrian."

A sharp glint flashed in Phield’s eyes.

"Thorns must be pulled out one by one. I won’t allow any threat to stand in my way—not even a potential one."

Back in his study, Phield began drafting his next plans, occasionally sketching on parchment.

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in, Ashina."

Having spent so much time with his Divine Chosen, Phield could tell who it was just by the way they knocked. Ashina always adjusted her clothes at the door before knocking gently. Charlotte, on the other hand, "pounded" on the door, while Rosalia never used the door at all—she climbed in through the window.

As for Gogris... she didn’t even dare to knock.

"My lord, I’ve scouted part of Starnight City."

Ashina’s hands were still stained with dried blood. Though she had washed them several times, faint traces remained.

"Come, tell me in detail."

Phield led Ashina to a large map of Nightfall Domain, upon which the structure of Starnight City had been drawn.

Starnight City covered an area of eighty hectares, with a peak population of eleven thousand.

Yes—an entire city was only about twice the size of the Starnight Grand Estate. Without vast farmlands, that was already sufficient for a city.

"I’ll report the intelligence I gathered."

"First, the residential district. Upon entering Starnight City, you’ll reach it. The buildings have collapsed, and it’s filled with tentacles and thorny growths. Corpses are piled everywhere—at least three to four thousand of them, including five Tier-3 corrupted."

"Second, the slums. Equally worthless. Turn right from the residential district and you’ll reach them. Around five thousand corrupted there, along with numerous dangerous mutated cats and dogs—they’re even more threatening than ordinary corpses. A filthy, corruption-clogged river runs through the area, dividing the city’s classes."

"Third, the commercial and noble districts. Shops line the streets—blacksmiths, potion houses, even an adventurers’ guild—and they’re well preserved, making them highly valuable. Most buildings are stone, and high-tier corrupted are common."

"Fourth, the Church of Holy Light. Drakewolf issued a danger warning—there’s an extremely dangerous creature inside."

"Fifth, the lord’s hall. Also dangerous and difficult to approach."

"My lord, the reason we weren’t attacked by the corrupted inside the city is because the city gates have collapsed. The stone walls have buried the entrances." Ashina traced the map with her slender fingers. "They can’t get out, and we can’t get in."

"Haha, Ashina, sometimes you need to step outside the limitations of a wolfkin’s perspective."

Phield smiled, patting her head as he spoke. "Why would we go through the gates? As long as we build siege ladders and climb the walls, we can attack from above. The crossbows Gogris is making will give us even greater firepower."

"Oh..." Ashina’s lips parted slightly in realization.

Most wolfkin lived in a state of extreme primitiveness or low civilization. Even the more advanced ones only grasped rudimentary agriculture and craftsmanship.

Large-scale engineering? They wouldn’t even dare imagine it.

"Also, the residential district and slums have little value. We’ll burn them. There’s no need to waste lives on things that can be discarded." Phield pointed to the other half of the city. "The wealth of the rich is what matters."

"I see... My lord is amazing."

Ashina’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

Phield scratched his head, slightly embarrassed. "Just standard thinking. Don’t idolize me."

"Then I’ll go prepare the troops right away!" Ashina turned eagerly toward the door.

"No rush. Let it settle first."

"We have everything we need—but we’re still missing a fire."

"A fire?" Ashina tilted her head in confusion. "Do we not need firewood?"

Phield gave a mysterious smile. "Ashina, train the cavalry more over the next few days. In a couple of days, I’ll take you all out for a little raid—to relax."

"Yay! I love going raiding with you, my lord!"

At the mention of raiding, Ashina’s primal instincts ignited instantly. A blush spread across her face, and her wolf tail spun like a propeller.

"...That hobby of yours is a little concerning," Phield muttered, speechless. How did she get addicted to raiding?

Meanwhile, in High Castle Province—

The esteemed Baron Zoetter, his massive beer belly shaking, burst into laughter as he indulged in his favorite hunting game.

"Run, children. Run!"

Seven or eight children were shoved forward by soldiers. The soldiers raised their spears and shouted, "Move, you worthless fleas! Run like rabbits!"

Tears welled in the children’s eyes as they trembled, too afraid to move.

"Come now, children," Zoetter said gently. "The one who runs the fastest will earn a full meal. Don’t forget, I feed you regularly—you should repay me."

At the mention of food, the children hesitated no longer. They sprinted off in all directions.

"Good, good..." Zoetter stroked his warhorse’s mane with satisfaction, as if caressing a lover. He turned to the woman in a white dress beside him with a grin. "Look at their energy—how fast they run! I’d wager even the rabbits of the great plains couldn’t match them."

"Indeed... all thanks to your generosity, my lord..."

The woman instinctively flattered him, but suddenly stiffened.

Zoetter had just taken a cavalry lance from a guard.

"Hoho, look at this magnificent warhorse I purchased from Maple Leaf Territory. When it charges, it can tear apart anything before it." With a chilling gaze, he examined the lance. "What a pity—the Empire is too peaceful. There are no enemies to bring me glory."

"Hyah!"

With that, Zoetter dug his heels into the horse’s sides—

And the warhorse shot forward like a blade unleashed!