"It seems like the thing I brought you this time, you’ll definitely like it."

After speaking, without waiting for Raine to inquire, Henry waved his hand, and two Royal Guards placed a wooden box on the table and quickly unpacked it.

This action naturally piqued everyone’s curiosity, whether it was Laisa who was making breakfast, or Elise, Ryu Teng, Reya, they all looked over curiously.

Raine was no exception.

Even Baron Olsen and Benest looked at the box with interest, as Viscount Henry treated it quite preciously on the way here.

Under everyone’s gaze, the wooden box was soon opened, revealing a shield with a peculiar design and emitting a strong radiance of magic, adorned with a skull pattern.

"Wow, a skull, how mighty and majestic!" Laisa exclaimed with wide eyes.

"The level of magical radiance, isn’t this an Epic Level equipment?"

"The skull looks as if it’s alive, it’s scary."

"But it’s really magnificent!"

Raine naturally took a serious look at the round shield before him.

The white skull seemed alive, giving one the feeling that while you were looking at it, it seemed to be observing you too. This feeling was strange, and even more eerie was that the skull was emitting a faint green phosphorescence.

"Wall of the Dead! Epic Level Shield!" Henry introduced it as if chanting like a bard.

"It really is Epic Level." Laisa circled around, examining the shield from various angles, marveling at it.

"Raine, you just established your battalion, and Viscount Henry gifts you an Epic Level Shield, this is a good omen."

"Hmm? You’ve established a battalion?" Henry looked over curiously.

"Yes, we are pretty much three Adventurer Squads here, with Raine as the battalion leader." Laisa answered before Raine could respond.

"Haha, that’s great! Then I’ll give you this shield as a gift for establishing the battalion." Henry gently tapped Raine on the chest warmly, "How about it, Raine, is it considerate enough of me?"

"Lord Viscount, this is too precious."

"What Viscount? Call me Henry!"

"Besides, you have to accept this shield so that when I need to ask you for help, it’ll be easier to ask! Raine, don’t you think?"

While speaking, Henry placed the shield in Raine’s hands and then said seriously, "Raine, whether I can successfully rise to the rank of Earl this time depends on how the situation in Dorne City is handled."

Raine understood looking at the situation.

Having just accepted someone’s Epic Level shield, if someone asks him for help next, it would seem a bit uncouth if he requires further plea.

"My Lord Viscount, is there anything I can help with?"

"We already have a detailed plan here, but we are also worried about any unexpected situations. Let me first introduce the entire situation to you."

Soon, the dining table was cleared, and after everyone was seated, Henry began to explain in detail.

"This time, our mission is to restore order in Dorne City. The focus is on uprooting the Black Fist Army contingent’s high-ranking members, namely Black Fist Commander Gelkuk and his two deputy overseers, Boke and Fear Mage Hades..."

"After the Kingdom’s spies investigated, they mainly reside in the administrative hall... We plan to directly raid the administrative hall, with Commodore Gregory leading a squad of Royal Guards and the Cretan squad to ambush Black Fist Commander Gelkuk, who is skilled with a two-handed Giant Axe and is very powerful."

"... Baron Olsen and Colonel Tessa each lead six Royal Guards to contain the two deputies..."

"... Others are responsible for blocking the Black Fist Army’s reinforcements."

With Henry’s explanation, Raine quickly understood that the Kingdom’s task this time focused on quickly eliminating the high-ranking members of the Black Fist Army contingent in a short time.

This was essentially consistent with what Reya had mentioned before.

"Raine, I hope you can help us in killing Black Fist Commander Gelkuk! The faster we eliminate him, the less pressure and fewer casualties the Royal Guard blocking the reinforcements will face."

"I have no problem on my end, when do we act?" Raine asked.

"It’s hard to say, at the latest, within two days, but if quickly, it could be any time." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"By the way, where is Light and Shadow Priest Siegfried? Isn’t he in Dorne City?" Raine asked again.

"The Kingdom’s spies confirmed he is not in Dorne City." At this moment, Colonel Tessa supplemented.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Alright, I have no more issues." Raine nodded and agreed.

If Siegfried is confirmed not to be present, then with only Black Fist Commander as a Transcendent opponent, Henry’s entire plan has no issues, as their side holds absolute superiority in overall combat strength.

"Raine, a major operation! As our battalion’s first operation, shouldn’t we inform everyone to prepare immediately?" Laisa exclaimed excitedly at this moment.

"Will it be a bit dangerous for you?" Raine frowned slightly.

"Raine, do you want all of us to become greenhouse flowers, only able to live under your protection?" Reya said seriously at this time.

"Only those tempered can become hardened steel." Elise also waved her small fist in agreement.

"Alright then, notify everyone. But you will only be active on the perimeter, and after the battle outcome is clear, you will assist the Royal Guards in clearing the remaining Black Fist Army personnel."

"No problem, that’s exactly what I wanted to discuss. We’re not fools; we won’t engage in combat with a Transcendent Strong Person actively."

At this time, Henry’s body emitted a slight vibration. Henry, with surprise on his face, picked up the Communication Crystal Stone. After listening, his expression changed, "Raine, I’m afraid we need to set off right now."

"This isn’t a solo operation; the Kingdom is launching counterattacks in multiple locations simultaneously," Henry explained. "The first wave of Griffins is ready, we can head over first, and subsequent Griffins in the second wave can bring others over."

"Alright! But give me a moment." Raine smiled, gesturing to the new shield in his hand.

Soon, Raine went to his room on the second floor, took off the Obsidian Defender that Elise bought him, and neatly placed it in the cabinet.

Then he took out an Identification Spell scroll to identify the ’Wall of the Dead’.

As the white streamer passed, the specific information of the new shield displayed in Raine’s mind:

[Wall of the Dead]

Type: Shield

Quality: Epic Level

Effects:

1. Shadow (Eclipse) Energy Immunity.

2. Can immediately form a protective barrier made of phosphorescence surrounding the body.

(This effect can be triggered only once within three minutes, lasting 15 seconds.)

3. When hit in battle, it has a certain chance to trigger ’Death Gaze’, causing the target to be stunned or even panic.

(The duration is inversely proportional to the target’s willpower.)

"So that’s what the phosphorescence does..."

"Death Gaze?" Raine couldn’t help recalling the strange feeling he had while observing the shield just now.

"I just wonder if it has any effect on Transcendent level enemies?"

Moments later.

Raine descended the stairs, bearing the ’Wall of the Dead’.

....

Not long after Raine left with Henry riding the Griffin, a unique, tall leather-armored girl with white hair arrived at the northern street of Mill Town.

She glanced down at a position compass made of white ice crystals, showing a surprised expression.

"Huh? Half an hour ago, the target was supposed to be in this small town, but now it’s showing it’s in the west?"

"Is this a temporary departure? Or is there another reason?"

Shuang Zhuo did not rush to pursue. After a brief consideration, she decided to enter Mill Town first to see if it held any traces of that human’s presence.

If traces exist, there would be no need for pursuit, as the individual would inevitably return.

...