Watching Levi leave with the seven Clergy from the Ice and Snow Church, Fujero looked to Si Kai. "Knight Si Kai, I would like to discuss something with you regarding Duke Fulina."

"You must have guessed where the Duke has gone."

"If it’s about the Magic Crystal Ore, then yes, I’ve guessed a thing or two." Si Kai touched the sword at his waist.

"I’m sorry for hiding this from you until now, but this is a matter of great importance. Aside from us, no one knows where the Duke has truly gone."

Fujero sighed, pushed open the wooden door, and gestured for Si Kai to enter.

Neither man was subordinate to the other, but when it came to their relationship with the Duke, the Great Knight—formerly her personal Guard Knight—was clearly the one closer to her.

"When it comes to the Magic Crystal Ore, you can never be too careful." Si Kai shook his head. "To be honest, I only suspected the Duke left because of the ore. I don’t know the exact reason."

The two entered the cabin, took their seats again, and began to discuss the matter.

"Frankly, when I first heard Duke Fulina’s theory, I was shocked. I could hardly believe it."

Fujero rubbed his Jade Ring, a look of reminiscence on his face.

It was a Sound Recording Stone that Duke Fulina had an officer deliver to him.

It’s a common type of Magic Item that allows the user to record a spoken message, making it convenient to pass on to others.

Duke Fulina had left her theory and her orders on it.

"The Duke believes this Wilderness Alliance Army’s attack was premeditated. It’s not just a simple raid to the south."

Fujero didn’t keep him in suspense and stated it plainly.

"How is that possible?" Si Kai said in disbelief. "If they aren’t here to raid the south, what do they gain by making such a scene?"

The land was now covered in ice and snow. Launching a war at this time of year was a massive logistical challenge.

The Thorn Corps was backed by Bailiu City, so it was manageable for them.

But for that ragtag army... they must be losing a significant number of Goblin and Kobold Auxiliary Soldiers to frost and starvation every day.

If this dragged on, they might just collapse on their own without a fight.

And yet, they seemed completely unconcerned, in no hurry to launch an offensive.

So Si Kai couldn’t understand. If not to raid the south, why would they waste their resources here?

"The Duke suspects someone else is pulling the strings, with the goal of diverting our attention."

"That..." Si Kai froze, then muttered to himself as realization dawned. ’Of course. Of course... No wonder the equipment of these Wilderness Natives is as good as any second-rate legion’s. No wonder they show no urgency to raid the south. Instead, they’re calmly setting up fortifications, preparing for a long-term war with us.’

"So you’re saying... their real target is the Magic Crystal Ore?!" The thought struck Si Kai like lightning, and the color drained from his face.

Looked at that way, everything clicked into place.

Generally, large tribes raiding the south did so in secret, terrified of being discovered. As soon as they plundered enough supplies, they would immediately flee deep into the Wilderness.

But this Alliance Army had announced its intentions from the very start, making sure everyone knew.

It defied all logic.

They clearly wanted Bailiu City to know they planned to raid the border villages, perhaps even attack Bailiu City itself.

"Precisely," Fujero said. "That’s what Duke Fulina suspected, and it’s why she secretly took the Cavalry Team north to investigate."

"If we’re wrong about all this, that would be for the best."

"But if the truth is as the Duke suspects, then this Wilderness Alliance Army is just the appetizer..."

"This is also why the Duke called in more reinforcements than we had originally discussed."

They exchanged a look, their eyes heavy with concern and a sense of helplessness.

For something like this to happen just as they were preparing for the southern campaign... a single misstep, too many losses in the Wilderness, would clearly jeopardize the entire operation.

"No wonder these Wilderness Natives are so unnervingly elite," Si Kai said. "If Lord Li hadn’t single-handedly turned the tide, we wouldn’t be sitting here so comfortably."

"Yes, his strength is almost inhuman," Fujero remarked with a sigh.

"How can someone so ridiculously powerful exist in this world," Si Kai sighed deeply.

"Good thing that Lord is on our side." The two spoke the words at the same time, as if sharing a single thought.

They looked at each other, expressions of sheer relief on their faces.

In his Heavy Armor, Lord Li was a veritable meat grinder on the battlefield. Any living thing in his path was turned into a pile of mangled flesh.

The Minotaurs could certainly attest to that.

He had single-handedly beaten several hundred fully-armed, Berserk Minotaurs into submission.

Frankly, Si Kai had once traveled to the Royal Capital and witnessed the Sword Saint hailed as the greatest Swordsmanship Master in Debei. That man had defeated him with a single, effortless strike.

Ever since that day, the Sword Saint had been a towering mountain in his mind, an insurmountable peak. But now, having witnessed the terrifying power of Lord Li, he suddenly realized that mountain wasn’t so high after all.

Perhaps in terms of pure Martial Arts, the Lord might not be the Sword Saint’s equal. But in a true life-or-death battle, it would be difficult to say who would emerge victorious.

After all, superior Swordsmanship couldn’t compensate for a massive difference in raw power.

It was like an ant that learned Combat Qi trying to kill an elephant.