Levi didn’t elaborate on the many difficulties. He just trotted back to his tent and began to tame his hair, which looked like a bird’s nest.

He ended up with a fashionable hairstyle, donned his exquisite Leather Armor, slipped his feet into a pair of fine Deer Hide Hunting Boots, and hung a beautiful Secret Silver Longsword at his hip.

Gazing at the tall, well-proportioned, and exceptionally handsome young man reflected in the basin of ice-cold water, Levi nodded in satisfaction.

Never mind anything else—his attire alone was fit for a Duke, matching his dignified bearing perfectly.

Finally, with his head held high, he strode toward Fujero’s tent.

If he was not mistaken, the Priests from the Ice and Snow Church were currently being hosted by Fujero.

As a member of the force holding back the Wilderness Alliance Army, it was both proper and reasonable for him to welcome these Priests who had come as reinforcements.

...

「Meanwhile.」

Zat was sneaking over to the campsite assigned to the Panda Warrior Squad.

Their camp was conveniently located right next to High Cliff Castle.

Several Panda Warriors were carrying supplies, taking the initiative to help the Auxiliary Soldiers of the Thorn Corps construct their camp.

They had arrived so quickly that Fujero hadn’t had time to prepare their campsite, so one had to be built on the fly.

All the new arrivals, including the more than three thousand reinforcements who had shown up unexpectedly, were building their own camps.

As Zat watched them build, his eyes suddenly lit up.

These Panda Warriors were almost all three ren tall, burly and barrel-chested, but one of them, currently setting up a tent, was a clear standout.

He stood a full three-and-a-half ren tall, if not more, a full head taller than the other Panda People. He had also creatively bound the black-and-white fur on his chin into distinct locks with copper rings, giving him a unique look.

’He’s perfect.’

Panda was in the middle of draping the waterproof tarp over the frame, layer by layer. He was about to walk around to fix the other side when a large, green hand beat him to it, pulling the sheet into place.

"And you are?"

He asked, looking quizzically at the Green-skinned Orc who had just appeared. Internally, however, he was quite surprised.

As far as he knew, Green-skinned Orcs were typically only about two or two-and-a-half ren tall. Yet this Beastman, in terms of sheer size, was nearly as large as one of his own people, his body a mass of corded muscle.

"I’m from High Cliff Castle next door. Saw you folks who came to reinforce us were building your camp, and figured I’d come lend a hand."

Zat said, scratching his head with a good-natured, simple-looking grin.

"High Cliff Castle? I know of you. Thank you for your help. I’m Panda. And you are?"

The Panda Warrior said sincerely.

The Panda People always had a good feeling about those with kind intentions.

"Zat."

Zat stepped forward, and the two bumped fists.

"Hss..."

That simple tap made Panda wince, grimacing in pain.

This Beastman, Zat, was about as powerfully built as one of Panda’s own people, but Panda himself was a giant among his kin. In comparison, this Beastman should have seemed almost malnourished.

Common sense dictated that, leaving aside enhancements from special energies, greater size usually meant greater physical Power.

And yet, in that moment, he felt that this Beastman’s Power was even greater than his own. It defied all logic.

Looking at Zat’s persistently good-natured face, Panda decided he probably hadn’t done it on purpose.

"Panda, where’s your leader?" After their brief introduction, Zat asked curiously.

"That would be me."

"So you’re the commander of the Panda Warrior Corps! Marshal Pan, my apologies for being so informal just now," Zat said, his expression turning respectful as he quickly added the title.

"Hah, I’m just a bit stronger than the others, so I was lucky enough to be chosen to lead our people. Just call me Brother Panda," he said, waving his hand modestly. Inwardly, however, he was feeling quite pleased.

"Brother Panda, as it happens, I’m a commander myself," Zat said smoothly. "I’ll go get the High Cliff Castle Warriors to come help you build your camp."

Though still a little disconcerted, Panda was faced with Zat’s overwhelming hospitality and quickly waved his hands. "We can manage this ourselves! How could we possibly trouble you?"

But Zat was insistent. "Brother Panda, in a way, we’re kindred spirits. If I don’t help you, who should I help?"

"Hss."

Panda sucked in a breath, startled. He looked at Zat, then back at himself, full of doubt. No matter how you looked at it, this Green-skinned Orc and his own furry kin couldn’t be more different. They were completely unrelated.

’Could there be some secret history between our two races that I don’t know about?’

Before long, a whole crew of muscular brutes from High Cliff Castle arrived at the Panda People’s camp and pitched in to help build.

It was a stark contrast to the frail humans they had seen earlier. While those men put on a calm front, the Panda People’s sensitivity to Qi told them that deep down, they were terrified.

But this group of Beastmen radiated a genuine, heartfelt enthusiasm. Since both sides were composed of brawny titans, it didn’t take long for them to hit it off.

They were soon calling each other "bro" and "buddy," acting like they were long-lost cousins who had grown up together.

"Marshal Pan, meeting you all today has been a true stroke of luck for us! High Cliff Castle has prepared a bonfire feast to welcome your arrival," Zat invited enthusiastically.

"Marshal Zha, the Panta Race is deeply grateful for your hospitality," Panda replied with a broad smile.

You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Though Panda looked like a big, rough brute, he had lived in human society long enough to understand such pleasantries.

Panda slung an arm over Zat’s shoulders like a true big brother, and the two of them walked toward the High Cliff Castle camp, chatting and laughing all the way.

The other Panda People were also chatting happily with the High Cliff Castle Warriors, mostly swapping stories about past battles. At just the right moments, one would give a thumbs-up and exclaim, "Bro, that’s badass!"