Chapter 005: A Decisive Victory

As the holy-grade experts of the Frozen Alliance died or fled, their army began to collapse. Du Fan, Duke Green, George, and Allen released all their magical beasts. Although these beasts were not as powerful in combat as the holy-grade experts, their huge size gave them a far greater killing force in group battles! Of course, the holy-grade experts referred to human warriors, not holy-grade magical beasts.

The final blow to the soldiers of the Frozen Alliance came when warriors from the Northern Legion, numbering over ten thousand, suddenly attacked from both flanks! The appearance of these two forces dealt a fatal blow to the already weakened morale of the Frozen Alliance army. Although they knew that Xiao Yulong and George each led twenty thousand troops to attack them, not all soldiers were aware of this. Only a few generals and the soldiers sent to ambush these forces knew.

For the soldiers of the Frozen Alliance who were desperately resisting the Northern Legion’s attack, these two forces came like divine reinforcements, striking right between their lines!
“Run! The Green Family’s army is already surrounding us!”
“Brothers! Let’s go quickly! That Duke Green isn’t human—he’s a devil with eight arms!”
“Damn! That giant wild boar! Our teeth aren’t even enough to fill its gaps!”

The army collapsed like a mountain. In an instant, with the holy-grade experts dying or fleeing, and two surprise forces attacking from behind, the Frozen Alliance army crumbled like a snow-capped mountain. Soon, the army began to flee, with no fighting spirit left!

…

One month later.
In the Tiger King Palace of the Tiger Kingdom. In the main hall of the palace, Duke Green, the supreme commander of the Northern Legion, was discussing matters with a group of Northern Legion generals.

Though called a “main hall,” it was far less grand, imposing, and luxurious than those of the Gavin Empire or Lani. The main hall in the Tiger King Palace was barely better than Duke Green’s own council hall.

Duke Green stood at the center of the hall, with a group of key Northern Legion generals forming a semicircle in front of him.
“My lord, General Xiao Yulong has captured Phoenix City. Out of the eighteen kingdoms of the Frozen Alliance, we have taken seventeen. Only the Dragon Kingdom remains under their control,” said Carol.

“The defending forces of the Dragon Kingdom are now nothing but the remnants of the defeated Icebound Alliance troops; their total strength is less than 200,000! I believe they will collapse in just one battle under the attack of our Northern Legion!”
“One more thing—after a month of fighting, our army has captured 300,000 soldiers from the Icebound Alliance. What plans does Your Grace have for them?” Carol asked finally.
“Dufan, do you have any opinions on what to do with these captives?” Duke Green looked at Dufan with an utterly indulgent gaze.
“By convention, we could sell these soldiers in the slave market. 300,000 slave soldiers would be quite valuable,” Dufan said with a smile. “But I think it’s better to release them.”
“Release them? Third brother, that’s not a good idea, is it?” Allen immediately objected upon hearing Dufan’s suggestion.
After two months of warfare, Allen had reached the peak of the Saint rank, possessing the cultivation level of a Saint Domain expert. Breaking through to become a Domain powerhouse was just one step away!
Allen exuded a fierce killing aura. This aura even made the star energy within him turn slightly red; faint red lights flickered intermittently among those starlight dots.
“Second brother, my idea is to send these captives back to their respective homelands. Then, we can hand over the cities we’ve occupied to the Church to spread their teachings. Finally, we can leave those cities under the guard of the Imperial army,” Dufan said with a smile.
“In that way, another faction within the Icebound Alliance will be able to secretly counterbalance the Empire’s strength. If Prince Fischer really wants to harm us, this will be another hidden tactic,” Dufan added.
Hearing Dufan’s words, Duke Green nodded repeatedly.
“Since that’s the case, Carol, go handle it. Remember, when releasing those captives, try to shift the blame for attacking the Icebound Alliance onto the Empire, as if we were forced to do so,” Duke Green said with a smile. “The sooner we release them, the less extra food expenses we’ll have!”
“Yes, Your Grace!” Carol replied promptly upon hearing Duke Green’s words.
“Father, won’t releasing those captives back be detrimental to us?” Allen asked.
“Dufan, explain it to your second brother,” Duke Green said with a laugh, assigning the task of explanation to Dufan.

“Second brother, on the surface, it does seem that way. But we scattered those captives and sent them back to their respective homelands. In that case, even if they are at a disadvantage compared to us, they won’t be able to cause much trouble,” said Du Fan.
“Moreover, second brother, if there’s no trouble on Prince Fischer’s side, then under the combined pressure of the imperial army and our northern legions, these captives simply won’t be able to stir up any upheaval.”
“And besides, second brother, we sent these captives back to their own countries. It will be the imperial army that takes control of those cities. As for us, if Fischer wants to harm us, he certainly wouldn’t grant us territories first. He would attack us before doing that. In that case, we only need to send a small number of spies to stir up unrest in those cities occupied by the empire—of course, this unrest would be directed against the empire,” Du Fan said with a smile.
Hearing Du Fan’s analysis, Allen nodded. It seemed that dispersing and releasing those captives not only saved money and effort but could also serve as a means to restrain Fischer at critical times.
……
In the Gavin Palace.
“Master Abraham, what do you think?” Fischer asked with a smile, handing Abraham the news reports about the northern legions.
“Well, it depends on which perspective the prince takes,” said Master Abraham. Fischer’s three-year mourning period hadn’t ended yet, and he hadn’t been formally addressed as His Majesty. So, at this time, Abraham hadn’t yet called Fischer “Your Majesty.”
“If the prince intends to take action against the Green family, then this isn’t a good thing. But if he doesn’t plan to target them, then it is,” Abraham said after reading the battle reports.
“What do you mean?” Fischer asked immediately, puzzled by Master Abraham’s words.
“Your Majesty, if you don’t take action against the Green family, then after our Gavin Empire conquers the Frozen Alliance, our glorious military achievements will surely dissuade those with ulterior motives from harboring such thoughts. But if you do target the Green family, then our Gavin Empire will once again be plunged into chaos!” Abraham said, fiddling with the many rings on his fingers.
“It seems the master’s advice is that I shouldn’t take action against the Green family!” Fischer thought to himself before speaking.

“Your Highness, everything should be done according to your wishes. Abraham, obey orders alone!” Hearing Fischer say this, Abraham immediately spoke up.
“Actually, what the master said makes sense too.” Seeing Abraham’s reaction, Fischer’s expression softened immediately, and he spoke with a smile.
“But I’m worried that once the Green family gains control of the lands of the Frostbound Alliance, their strength will soar! Plus, their son, Du Fan, owns four provinces in the south. By then, with the Green family attacking from both the north and south, I’m afraid Austin’s thousand-year honor will be destroyed by them!” Fischer said, frowning.
“If Duke Green dares to think such things, I’ll personally destroy him!” Hearing His Highness Fischer say this, Abraham replied firmly.
“I know of your loyalty, master. But I’m afraid you may have the desire to kill Duke Green, yet not the ability to do so!” His Highness Fischer said coldly after hearing Abraham’s words.
Hearing Fischer’s words, Abraham’s lips twitched, but he finally held back and said nothing.
“According to my intelligence, the Frostbound Alliance has forty-three saints and experts in three major fields! Master, think about it—such strength yet still defeated by the Green family. Their power is unimaginable!” Fischer suddenly said expressionlessly.
“What! There are so many experts in the Frostbound Alliance!” Hearing His Highness Fischer say this, Master Abraham’s expression changed drastically!
“That’s right! This information was provided to me by the Pope. Otherwise, how could I set up such a huge lure to make the Green family attack the Frostbound Alliance?” Fischer said sharply. “Now, master, can you imagine how great a threat the Green family poses to our empire? If they unite against us, our Gavin Empire will soon be in utter ruin!”
“Then, Your Highness, make a decision soon!” Master Abraham said firmly.
“I already have plans! At that time, I’ll still need your help, master!” Fischer replied immediately upon hearing Abraham’s question.
“I’m willing to go through fire and water without hesitation!” Abraham said, emphasizing each word.
“With your words, master, it’s worth more than a million soldiers!” Fischer said emphatically.
……
“Amazing! Truly amazing!” Duke Wade said coldly, looking at the intelligence in his hands.
“Grandpa, what’s the matter?” Randy, who was leisurely drinking tea nearby, asked.

One hand held the teacup, while the other added tea. Randy’s two hands were now intact, though one was noticeably fairer than the other. His arms had grown back thanks to the pope’s magic, and even just drinking tea, Randy seemed extremely content.

“The Old Green family has already conquered seventeen duchies. Of the Frozen Alliance, only the Land of Dragons remains unconquered,” said Duke Wade.

“So fast? The Frozen Alliance has at least a million troops!” Randy stopped pouring tea, his hand frozen mid-motion.

“This information must be correct. It seems Prince Fischer will send someone for me soon,” Duke Wade said gravely.

Just as Wade finished speaking, a voice came from outside the door: “My lord, Prince Fischer has sent someone to summon you. There’s urgent business to discuss. Please enter the palace immediately!”

Hearing this, Randy’s mouth dropped even wider!