Aleron enjoyed the Halfling's special honey-smoked fish, then took a few sips of crisp beer to wet his throat.
He put down his goblet, the excitement on his face slightly subsiding, turning to solemnity.
The firelight danced on his chiseled face, reflecting the sharp features characteristic of the Kujit.
"Lord Shen Mu, everyone," Aleron's voice deepened slightly, overriding the nearby clamor, "While everyone is here, I should immediately report on the situation in the east.
New Rivadin's defenses are solid and temporarily secure.
But recently, in the wilderness and ruins to the east and north of the Castle, the activity that has become significantly more frequent is not that of scattered Undead Monsters, but something more troublesome."
As soon as he spoke, the core generals gathered around the bonfire all put down their food or goblets, their gaze concentrating on Aleron.
Fatis frowned slightly, Lezalit's fingers habitually tapped lightly on the table, Bestour licked the grease from the corner of his mouth, his eyes sharpening.
Shen Mu also put down the honey water in his hand, which he had barely touched, and quietly watched Aleron, waiting for him to continue.
"It's Skeleton Cavalry."
Aleron clearly articulated the term: "Their numbers… are far greater than before. What's more troubling is that we've seen, on more than one occasion, their ranks mixed with Skeleton Knights whose equipment is distinctly different, their movements swifter, and their destructive power greater! They usually patrol and gather regularly only near specific areas. The Kujit who returned from reconnaissance said that the fragments of equipment on them, their style… are unlike any Undead Monster we've ever seen."
He paused, seemingly recalling the details described with fear in the scout's voice: "Although that equipment is severely decayed, its outline and style are more like… the creation of some non-human creature? It has a twisted sense of refinement, perhaps the cannon fodder elite scouts of some higher Undead Plane?"
The celebratory atmosphere in the courtyard was somewhat diluted by this sudden intelligence.
The faces of the generals, illuminated by the bonfire, were half bright with joy, half cast in deep shadow.
The delicious mutton, venison, fragrant pumpkin, and cabbage seemed to instantly lose some of their flavor.
Lezalit spoke in a deep voice: "Unique equipment style, non-human standard… and operating in organized formations? These are not scattered Undead; there might be a deeper commanding will involved, with a clear target on our new stronghold. The threat of the Hell Devil has not yet erupted, but it seems the corruption of the Undead is trying to get ahead? The east, I fear, will become the next eye of the storm."
Fatis looked at Shen Mu: "My Lord, though New Rivadin is strong, its forces are far less than Deherim's. If these Undead Cavalry form on a large scale, combined with potentially appearing Skeleton Behemoths or other high-level Undead, it will cause devastating damage to our fragile supply lines and outer outposts."
Bestour licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with fierceness rather than fear: "Skeleton warhorses? Hmph, perfect! I didn't get to cut down enough green-skinned fellows in Deherim; these bone frames, when they clash with our Kujit's swift horses and scimitars, will also turn into a pile of shattered bones!"
Shen Mu listened quietly, his deep gaze sweeping over the grave faces of each general reflected by the bonfire.
His fingers gently traced the cold rim of the goblet, feeling the cool touch of the wooden texture, like a lurking cold blade on the battlefield.
"Eye of the storm?"
Shen Mu's voice was low and clear, carrying a cold penetrating power that easily suppressed the lingering clamor in the courtyard.
He did not deliberately raise his voice, but every word fell like a heavy hammer on the generals' hearts: "The Undead Abyss wants to stir up waves again on our nascent land?"
He shook his head slightly, a faint, yet deeply sarcastic, curve appearing at the corner of his lips.
Aleron keenly sensed his liege's subtle change, immediately sat up straight, all distracting thoughts instantly cast aside, leaving only focus.
The dark clouds he brought did not bring despair; instead, they ignited the unfinished chess game in his liege's heart.
"The wind…" Shen Mu's gaze turned eastward, as if piercing through Deherim's thick stone walls and the night, cast towards that wilderness trampled by Skeleton iron hooves: "Can be used to our advantage."
His fingertip hovered over the location of New Rivadin on the map, then gently tapped it.
"Aleron."
The command was decisive, without the slightest hesitation: "After the banquet, immediately arrange the following in New Rivadin: withdraw all small outposts and dispersed forces from the periphery. Pay attention to reconnaissance to ensure no troop losses. However, reconnaissance cavalry must be sent out in large numbers to ensure all intelligence within the eastern area is under control."
This command instantly ignited a wolfish green light in Bestour's eyes, and a suppressed growl escaped his throat.
This was already preparation for war.
"At the same time."
Shen Mu's knuckles rapped on the table, producing a crisp sound: "Always pay attention to providing reconnaissance logs to Deherim; if there's a situation, support will be dispatched immediately from here."
The atmosphere around the bonfire settled completely under the gloom brought by Aleron.
The celebratory clamor and the aroma of fine wine had not dissipated, but a layer of solemn frost had settled over the generals' hearts.
The distant shouts of the soldiers drifted in, but could no longer reach the battle intent, isolated by an invisible barrier, within the core circle.
Shen Mu's action of tapping New Rivadin's location with his fingertip was like a decisive chess move.
Aleron abruptly stood up, his right fist striking his chest armor, emitting a brief metallic clang: "As you command, My Lord! New Rivadin will not slacken an inch!"
Shen Mu's gaze, however, had already passed Aleron, looking towards the night in the depths of the courtyard, beyond the reach of the flickering firelight.
"The banquet ends here." Shen Mu's voice was not loud, yet it instantly silenced all whispers.
He picked up the almost untouched cold honey water on the table and drank it in one gulp, the clear, cool liquid sliding down his throat as if carrying the chill of a firm decision.
Everyone's spirits sharpened.
"Bestour." Shen Mu turned to the fierce Kujit general, his command as direct as a drawn scimitar: "Immediately tally 500 of your most elite Khergit Mounted Archers, prepare horses and quivers, and provision three days of rations. I want your arrows to tear through wind and snow, and your scimitars to sever specters."
"As you command!" Bestour's eyes blazed with ferocity, his rugged face contorted with excitement.
He slammed a fist on the table, making the cups clatter: "Those bone scraps better get ready for a show! The sound of Kujit hooves is their funeral song!"
He suddenly stood up, the gust of wind he created almost dimming the flames by a third, and strode towards his subordinates who were eating and drinking, his rough roar instantly overpowering the courtyard's clamor: "Kujit! Put down your goblets! Grab your bows! Check your blades! Blow the eagle whistle! Lord Shen Mu commands—the hunt begins again!"
The answering shouts were like the howling of wolves, and large numbers of Khergit Mounted Archers stood up with a rustle, their movements swift.
"Lezalit!" Shen Mu's gaze was like an ice pick fixed on this steady general.
"My Lord!" Lezalit instantly stood at attention, his right hand pressed tightly against his left chest, his posture impeccable.
There was no trace of the banquet on his face, only the cold sternness of a soldier.
"Select 500 of the most valiant Swadian Knights. Their armor must be gleaming, their lances sharp and straight, and their warhorses full of vigor." Shen Mu's voice had the quality of clashing steel: "I want them to be an unshakeable wall, crushing any decaying bones that try to block them on the plains."
"Yes! My Lord!" A sharp glint flashed in Lezalit's eyes.
He was calmer than Bestour, but his aura of killing intent was equally terrifying.
He bowed slightly, then quickly turned, barking out in standard, clear words: "Order! Fifth Knight Squadron! Emergency assembly! Check equipment! Mount up! Prepare to deploy!"
"Fatis." Shen Mu's gaze fell on his most trusted Knight Commander.
Fatis had already risen, like a silent steel sculpture. The ice-lake eyes beneath his visor remained calm, yet they pulsed with the cold flame of duty under the firelight.
"You and the Holy Tree Knight Order will remain in Deherim." Shen Mu's orders were unequivocal: "The Castle is a fortress, the city is a barracks. You are fully responsible for city defense, guard posts, and internal stability. Any abnormal activity, whether from the sky or underground, you are permitted to handle with the highest state of alert, without needing to ask for instructions."
"As you command!" Fatis's right fist struck his chest, producing a low clang of metal. He had no superfluous words; his promise was heavier than mountains.
"Manid." Shen Mu's gaze shifted to his astute steward.
"My Lord!" Manid immediately bowed, his face devoid of any lingering relaxation from the banquet.
"You will personally supervise the construction projects of the East and West Town Areas; no delays are permitted. Absorbing prisoners, planning their resettlement, and resource allocation—I want to see the initial outline within ten days. The expansion of defensive works and internal security in the Castle District will also be assisted by you and Fatis. All non-military affairs within the city are entirely your responsibility."
"Yes! Manid will certainly give his all and not fail My Lord's trust!" Manid's eyes gleamed with intelligence; he was already well-versed in the role of central management.
"James." Finally, Shen Mu looked at the medical officer.
James also stood up, his expression humble and focused: "My Lord, I understand. I will remain at the Castle infirmary, continuing to research the light spells and herbal samples you provided, and I will also monitor Zhang Bo and Yang Di's conditions, ensuring the continuation of their 'value.' At the same time, I will be ready at any moment to respond to… special situations that may require magical support."
Shen Mu nodded slightly.
His commands were clear as a blade, and the generals' responses were crisp and forceful.
The entire central system of Deherim, driven by his will, instantly switched from a joyful feast to the state of a cold war machine.
The attendants swiftly and silently cleared away the leftover food, making way for the impending march.
Just fifteen minutes later.
Deherim's heavy main city gate slowly opened with a mechanical roar.
The cold night wind, like countless invisible hands, instantly poured into the warm Castle courtyard, dispersing the last trace of alcohol and bringing the dust and desolate air peculiar to the wilderness.
The torchlight swayed and flickered in the wind.
Shen Mu had already mounted his magnificent Holy Tree Heavy Steed, his dark cloak flapping in the wind.
To his left were the Swadian Heavy Cavalry, arrayed as stern as a moving iron wall.
Their heavy plate armor gleamed with a cold metallic luster under the torchlight, their lances pointed forward like a forest, their warhorses' breaths exhaled white mist into the cold air, and their hooves pawed restlessly at the ground, yet without a single sound of clamor.
Lezalit held his long sword high, standing at the very front of the formation, like a solidified battle standard.
To his right was a restless, wild-spirited cluster of Khergit Mounted Archers.
They were arrayed somewhat loosely, their warhorses small and lean yet full of explosive power, scimitars hanging at their saddles, longbows slung behind their backs, each face filled with the fervor and anticipation of a long raid, with occasional excited whinnies from the horses.
Bestour, like a wolf king, rode on the flank, his hawkish eyes scanning his wolf pack, occasionally licking his blade-like lips.
"Depart." Shen Mu's voice was calm and unwavering, like the night wind brushing over cold stone.
There were no impassioned declarations, only the authority of issuing the final command.
The Holy Tree Heavy Steed's hooves clattered crisply as they crossed the cold wooden planks of the moat.
Immediately after, the sound of hooves exploded like thunder on flat ground!
The formation of Swadian Heavy Cavalry began to move, their steps heavy and orderly, the rising and falling of their hooves converging into a low drumbeat that shook the earth.
The Khergit Mounted Archers' contingent, like a breached black torrent, surged out first from the flank, Bestour leading the charge, emitting a sharp whistle. The horse archers transformed into hundreds of shadows, rapidly merging into the darkness outside the city gate, leaving only the urgent, rain-like sound of hooves spreading across the plain outside the city, like countless probes piercing towards the unknown east.
Fatis stood on the city wall, gazing at the massive cavalry cluster gradually merging into the boundless darkness.
The flames extinguished, and the city wall fell into deep silence, leaving only the sound of the wind and the faint, distant thunder of iron hooves.
Beneath his visor, his ice-blue eyes were colder than starlight.
Lezalit silently followed at Shen Mu's side, the heavy cavalry cluster like a giant black war hammer, slowly and steadily grinding across the dark-shrouded wasteland, advancing towards the unknown eastern dawn.
Each step made the air heavier and more stagnant.
The eastern horizon was still enveloped by the thick night, and Shen Mu, leading his elite cavalry force, was quietly venturing into this dark heartland to search for the signs that would put all of Deherim on alert.
The wind of the plain carried a deeper chill, as if foreshadowing the approaching winter represented by the Skeleton Cavalry.
Right beside Shen Mu, Aleron accompanied him with the Steppe Bandits.
However, on the outermost periphery, those lightly equipped Steppe Bandits, unburdened by armor and highly mobile, had already fanned out to scout ahead and reconnoiter.
These light cavalry themselves were the best scouts and reconnaissance troops.
"The changes are becoming more and more significant." Shen Mu now looked at the pitted, no longer complete concrete road before him, where the hollowed-out areas were various sandy or Gobi desert terrains caused by the descent of the spiritual realm.
It was as if bald spots had appeared on what was once thick hair.
Quite unsightly.
However, Shen Mu also understood that the phenomenon of the Blue Star World gradually transforming towards the spiritual realm was becoming more and more obvious, and increasingly irreversible. (End of Chapter)
