Hold Back

Early the next morning, the atmosphere inside the council tent of the Gallon temporary camp was solemn.

Several heavy wooden tables were pushed together, and seated around them were several counts dressed in ornate armor or luxurious robes. They were the lords who had responded to Kaiaolen's call and had successively arrived to rendezvous.

Among them, the obese Count Leon was particularly conspicuous. He wore a custom-made suit of golden armor with edges inlaid with jewels, yet it still couldn't hide his rolls of fat.

Kaiaolen sat at the head of the table. His gaze swept over the crowd, and just as he was about to speak, the tent flap was lifted, and Ye Chuan slowly walked in.

He was still in his casual attire, completely out of place among the lords in their formal wear inside the tent, yet he instantly drew everyone's attention.

"This must be Xi Xi, right? I've heard so much about you!"

The red-haired count sitting next to Kaiaolen was the first to stand up. He solemnly cupped his hands toward Ye Chuan, his tone full of genuine praise.

"Last night, Kaiaolen told us about your deeds. Having a mage like you, who possesses both strength and a sense of responsibility, is exactly the kind of help we need most to conquer the royal capital!"

The other counts also stood up to echo his sentiments, their eyes full of admiration as they looked at Ye Chuan.

Their respective territories were more or less facing shortages of provisions. Ye Chuan's ability to stably supply high-quality rations was nothing short of a reassuring pill to them.

Ye Chuan simply nodded and found an empty seat in a corner to sit down, having no intention of exchanging further pleasantries.

Meanwhile, Count Leon, who was off to the side, stiffened the moment he saw Ye Chuan, his fat quivering slightly.

Although they were no longer enemies, he knew just how terrifying this seemingly ordinary young man could be. At this moment, he didn't even dare to breathe too loudly, let alone take the initiative to strike up a conversation like the other counts. He merely lowered his head, pretending to study the map on the table.

Standing next to Count Leon, the Valkyrie Leah was not as constrained as him. Even though she had been given a sound beating by Ye Chuan, she held much more respect for him.

Strength reigns supreme; it is the same in any world.

Seeing Ye Chuan seated, Kaiaolen cleared his throat and drew everyone's attention back to the main topic:

"Gentlemen, thank you all for leading your troops here to rendezvous. Right now, the royal capital is occupied by monsters, and the Hill Empire is in imminent danger. Conquering the royal capital and saving our people is our primary objective this time."

As he spoke, he reached out and spread a detailed map of the area surrounding the royal capital on the table, his fingertip landing heavily on three red dots on the outskirts of the capital:

"The three major territories surrounding the royal capital—Black Rock, Green Hill, and Falling Wind. These three territories serve as the only three main routes leading to the royal capital. If we do not conquer them in advance, our logistical supply lines could be cut off at any time, and our advancing army might suffer surprise attacks from the flanks or the rear."

"My plan is to divide our forces into three routes and launch simultaneous attacks on the three territories to prevent them from supporting one another."

"I will personally lead the main force of Miral to attack the most heavily fortified Black Rock territory. As for the task of conquering Green Hill and Falling Wind, I will have to trouble you counts to lead your respective troops and take charge.

This is the allocation plan I have compiled based on the military strength and combat power of each territory. Please take a look and see if it is reasonable."

As Kaiaolen spoke, he signaled his adjutant to distribute several copied plans to the crowd.

"Count Kaiaolen, wait a moment!" Before Kaiaolen could finish, he was interrupted by a lord wearing blue armor.

This lord had a solemn expression, and his tone carried a hint of urgency. "There is something I must report to everyone—Count Gray of the Dior territory did not arrive to rendezvous as agreed!"

"What?" Kaiaolen frowned. "Count Gray? Wasn't he very proactive before? He even took the initiative to send a message saying he would assemble his troops in advance. How could he not be here?"

"It's not just that he didn't come." The lord in blue armor slammed a letter onto the table, his tone growing increasingly urgent.

"The trusted aide I sent to contact him brought back news this morning. Count Gray has not only closed all the city gates of his territory but also ordered the garrison to set up defensive magic arrays, forbidding any foreign army from approaching."

"It seems he is targeting us—this is a betrayal."

"A betrayal?" The tent was instantly in an uproar, with several counts showing expressions of disbelief.

"That's impossible, right?"

"Could there be some misunderstanding? Or perhaps his territory encountered some unforeseen event?"

Kaiaolen's face completely darkened. "Count Gray... Just a few days ago, he specially sent an envoy with a secret letter, preparing to clear out the monster forces together. How could he suddenly betray us?"

He paused, his tone becoming somewhat more cautious.

"Could it be that his territory has been completely taken over by monsters, and Count Gray was forced to compromise? Or... was my envoy intercepted, the secret letter falling into the hands of the monsters, and this is a trap they deliberately set?"

Everyone made their own guesses, but none had a clue.

The atmosphere inside the tent became rather heavy for a moment. The original plan to divide the forces into three routes was completely disrupted by Count Gray's absence and suspected betrayal.

After a moment of silence, Kaiaolen raised his eyes and looked at Ye Chuan in the corner.

"Xi Xi, the situation has suddenly changed. Count Gray's military strength is directly related to our siege plan."

"You possess powerful spatial magic. Could I ask you to lead an elite squad to the Dior territory to investigate the real situation? If Count Gray was coerced, we can try to support him;"

"If he has truly betrayed us, you can rely on your strength to stabilize the situation, or at least ensure the safety of our flanks and prevent our logistical supply lines from being exposed to threats."

Everyone's gaze focused on Ye Chuan, anticipating his response.

Ye Chuan looked up at Kaiaolen. "I don't mind—but I'll go alone."

"Alone? In that case, your safety..." Although Kaiaolen knew that Ye Chuan's spatial magic was very powerful... if he were to fall into a magic trap, he would end up in big trouble.

"A mage's ability to protect themselves is still too weak."

Hearing this, Leah, who was standing beside Count Leon, twitched the corner of her mouth.

He, weak?

Leah had personally experienced just how strong Ye Chuan's close-combat abilities were.

He had almost beaten her to the point of meeting the Goddess, and that wasn't even the result of Ye Chuan using his full strength.

Ye Chuan threw his hands up. "I'll be fine. Just give me a map."

"I'll go with you," Leah suddenly spoke up at this moment.

"You?"

"Yes."

"Forget it, I don't need anyone holding me back," Ye Chuan said lazily, making Leah freeze for a moment.

At this time, the several counts off to the side began to sweatdrop.

What did he mean by holding him back? Leah was a seventh-tier Battle Aura Swordmaster, which was considered top-tier combat power. It wasn't certain who would be holding who back.

Everyone thought Leah would be angry upon hearing this, but when they turned their heads to look, they found that Leah was silent. "True..."

What?!

Leah actually felt that she would really hold him back?!