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However, Shaman Romeo expressed another concern. Originally, my plan was to ambush the fallen city after Lanster's army entered the marshes and then trail them into the Snow Wolf Grasslands. Using a tactic similar to the cavalry strategies of the Liao and Jin Dynasties, I intended to harass, divide, and gradually wear them down before ultimately destroying them on the grassland.

But now, with the unexpected turn of events, if the human main force is annihilated by the Red Wolf, Gray Wolf, and Black Wolf tribes, the glory of capturing the Fallen City won't be mine alone. If these three tribes demand a share of the Golden Trade Route's profits using this as leverage, I, lacking substantial backing, would suffer greatly. Thus, the final solution became to wipe out Lanster's invading force entirely within the marsh after seizing the Fallen City.

Sighing softly, I had no choice but to accept this change in plans. As the saying goes, "life rarely goes as planned, nine times out of ten." Now, I could only hope that my previous meticulous preparations would come into play.

"Icewind, let's return."

Gently patting Icewind's neck, it promptly turned around and followed the secret passage Hake had provided, disappearing into the depths of the marsh. My presence here was solely to confirm that Lanster's troops had indeed left the Fallen City. The actual assault on the city wouldn't occur until three days later, when Lanster was well clear of its walls.

Upon returning to the hidden camp nestled within the swamplands, approximately a hundred disciples were stationed there. Originally, this site had served as a resupply point for smugglers navigating the swamp. However, after the broad passage appeared, it fell into disuse, now conveniently repurposed as our hidden military base. The issue with the large number of half-orcs was their uncontrollability; thus, they were all left at the entrance of the swamp to act as a force against the Lanster army. For the assault on the city, only three hundred Werewolf knights, twenty yak-people, and fifty-five Beamon entered the swamp.

The moment Icewind entered the camp, two snow-white balls of fur tumbled out from a tent, circling around him playfully.

These furballs were, in fact, two infant Ice Mountain Beamon. On that day when I received the distress signal from Ice River Village, I immediately abandoned all my prey and rushed to provide assistance. Afterward, naturally, I had to return to the mountains to retrieve my belongings, especially the forty-nine Grand Yin Spirit Banners that couldn't be lost. Unexpectedly, while retrieving his hunting spirit banners, Icewind returned with these two furballs.

It turned out that while searching for pack animals, Icewind had made a detour to the nest of the Ice Mountain Beamon he encountered before, where he stumbled upon a pair of newborn Beamon, still crying for milk. Fortunately, after its evolution, Icewind's intelligence had increased, allowing him to perfectly understand my intentions. Thus, instead of eating them, he brought them back for me.

This was undoubtedly a massive treasure for me. Adult Beamon were fiercely untamed, refusing to submit even if captured. Only by capturing them as infants, before their intellect developed, could they be successfully domesticated. However, Beamon were known for their meticulous protection of their young. Once the mother gave birth, she would immediately retreat deep into the mountains, never leaving their side. If cornered, she would rather sacrifice her offspring than show mercy. It's believable that without Icewind's allure, the Beamon mother wouldn't have left her nest. And if not for the "Grand Yin Illusionary Demon Array" trapping her, she likely would've fled back to her nest at the first sign of danger.

Moreover, even if one acquires the cubs, they cannot reproduce unless a matching pair of the same species is found. The current Beamon army consists of three types of Beamon, all of which were fortunate discoveries of compatible male and female young that were later tamed and bred. Although attempts have been made to diversify the species, they have only succeeded in maintaining these three.

Now, with this pair of cubs, one male and one female, I might, with luck, someday possess my own Beamon combat unit. Fortunately, despite being classified as high-level magic beasts, Beamon aren't renowned for their intelligence, and their young are even less so. They won't be aware that I killed their mother, nor hold a grudge against me for it, seeking revenge in the future.

Most creatures are adorably charming when young, and when I brought the two fluffy bundles back to the village, the trio of melancholic beauties were immediately captivated. Not just the half-elf, Avril, but also the mature and composed Priestess Bai Lanling and the aloof Mage Hai Ruo couldn't resist. I handed the cubs over to them for nurturing, hoping to lift their spirits. After all, while I have contractual obligations with the half-elf and the Priestess, allowing their resentment towards me to fester wouldn't serve me well.

Wherever there are two little ones, the Three Beautiful Maidens are sure to follow. This was a consensus among all villagers in Glacier Village.

"Icy, Bambam, come back quickly! You need to bathe and change after your meal!"

Indeed, following the two youngsters were three beautiful maidens, led by the half-elf, Avril. The moment they heard the girls' voices, the two little ones scurried behind Icewind, tumbling along the way. Perhaps it was because Icewind carried the scent of a mother that made them particularly clingy to her. Upon catching her fragrance, they would immediately stick close.

I leaped down from Icewind's back and exchanged a helpless glance with her. Two renowned descendants of the Beamon race, adorned with braids and bow ties, freshly bathed and wearing red vests - it was uncertain if, upon growing up, they would be ashamed to the point of suicide.

At the same time, a hint of relief flickered in Icewind's eyes: Thankfully, she had fought for her name back then, or else she might have ended up with an equally embarrassing title, making death a better choice. Knowing Icewind like the back of my hand, I couldn't help but recall the mental sting of her ungrown teeth clamping onto my tail years ago as her gaze drifted downward.

Next, the others emerged to greet us. In the lead was the Head of the Guard, Antara, followed by Oseveli, a young maiden from the Heavenly Wolf Tribe who had recently broken through the Ninth Layer of the Golden Bell Shield and been appointed Deputy Commander of the Guard by me. Then came Old Hake and a few other teenage Werewolves serving as team captains, followed by the yakmen and mastiff men leaders.

"The human army has already departed from the City of Corruption, and everything is proceeding according to plan. From now on, everyone should return to your respective units to prepare. Captain Hake, contact your subordinates within the city. At dawn, three days from now, we will initiate the 'Rebirth' operation."