Chapter 013: A Letter

“But if we hadn’t acted on impulse and gone alone to fight, we wouldn’t have been surrounded. If we hadn’t been trapped, Lord Commander wouldn’t have had to lead a large force to rescue us. With our advantage in defending the city, we could have held our ground and achieved the same results with far fewer casualties than fighting head-on outside the city.” Du Fan pointed this out sharply after listening to their conversation for a while.
Hearing Du Fan’s words, Carol nodded.
After what had happened, it was clear that Carol’s opinions would play a key role in military command. By Duke Green’s side, Carol had experienced many battles, large and small, and she was also an outstanding commander.
Of course, major strategic decisions would still be made based on Duke Green’s views, but for frontline command, it would naturally rely on the opinions of generals who were directly involved in combat.
“Does the third young master have any thoughts on the current situation?” After Du Fan finished speaking, Carol suddenly asked him.
“Let’s hold our ground for a while! The Frozen Alliance is known for its barren lands. Over the years, it has constantly invaded us due to food shortages, plundering resources and grain from our Gavin Empire. Feeding an army of over 300,000 must be a huge problem for the Frozen Alliance’s strength. When food runs out, they will surely intensify their attacks on the city. At that time, we can defend Chihu City and resist them, gradually weakening their forces. Once the time is right, we can deliver a fatal blow!”
“Not bad, it’s a good plan. But this strategy assumes that the Frozen Alliance’s army will face food shortages. If they don’t lack food, this plan might be difficult to implement,” Carol immediately pointed out the flaw in Du Fan’s strategy.
“Hasn’t the Frozen Alliance always lacked food?” George asked in surprise.
“That’s right. Over the years, the Frozen Alliance has indeed come to our Gavin Empire to steal and plunder because of food shortages. But when have you ever seen their leaders send troops here due to lack of food?” Carol retorted quickly.

After some thought, George nodded immediately. Indeed, over the years, those who came to the Gavin Empire to steal food were all ordinary people who were extremely hungry. As for the nobles of the Frozen Alliance, there had indeed never been any reports of them suffering from food shortages.

That said, if someone from the Frozen Alliance led an army—even if it were nobles’ private troops—as long as it was a proper army coming to the Gavin Empire to steal food, it would no longer be considered stealing food but outright invasion! Such an act would surely lead to war!

“What about Uncle Carol’s opinion?” Hearing Carol say this, Du Fan immediately asked.

“Well, the same as you—defend first!” Carol replied upon hearing Du Fan’s question.

“Although you’ve brought troops, in terms of military strength, we’re still far inferior to the Frozen Alliance. Moreover, we originally had a decisive advantage with our experts at the Saint level and above. But this time, there are also many experts at that level in their camp, so we no longer have an advantage in that regard. Therefore, given this situation, I still choose to defend! After all, defending a city is much easier than attacking one. If I can fight while defending, why would I go out to attack?” Carol said with a smile.

A cup of Spring of Life from Du Fan had fully healed Carol’s injuries.

“Third brother, why don’t you transfer Rob here?” Hearing Carol say this, Allen immediately spoke to Du Fan.

“No, Rob is the best expert among us, and his strength must be hidden!” Du Fan immediately rejected the idea upon hearing Allen’s suggestion.

Facing that strange, hybrid monster, Rob would have to reveal his strength to win. Moreover, even if Rob came, he might not necessarily succeed, because if he revealed his divine-level strength, his days on the continent would be numbered. With Rob’s ten-year indenture in hand, Du Fan certainly didn’t want him to be summoned to the divine realm so soon.

“Since that’s the case, divide the troops into three shifts to take turns defending the city. You all go and rest too!” Seeing that no better solution could be found by continuing the discussion, Carol quickly said.

……

Nai Xiu and Moses still weren’t used to living in the military camp. As a result, Du Fan, Nai Xiu, and Moses went back to the hill by Red Lake City, where they had meditated last time, to rest.

Sleep was no longer important to the three of them. Moses had gone aside to train, as was the case for someone like him who had only half stepped into the divine realm. Training was the most appealing thing; in their eyes, with just one more small breakthrough, they could fully reach the divine realm. Even for the elf race, known for their indifference, this represented a tremendous temptation.

Du Fan and Naixiu sat quietly on a rock. Du Fan’s gaze was fixed on Chihu City and the camp of the Frozen Alliance stationed in front of it, while Naixiu leaned obediently against him.

Suddenly, magical fluctuations appeared in front of Du Fan. Reaching out, he grabbed something, and a magical letter appeared in his hand. He quickly read its contents.

“Du Fan, what’s the matter?” Naixiu asked anxiously, seeing him still silent after reading the letter.

“Naixiu, it seems we need to return to Siluo Province,” Du Fan said. “Chenchen wrote that there are too many issues— the Bilu tribe of the dwarves has all migrated here, the Magic Guild is pressing for the establishment of a magic academy, and there are also construction problems in the other three provinces. It seems we really should go back to Siluo Province.”

“If that’s the case, let’s set off right away!” Naixiu said promptly.

“Okay, I’ll talk to them now. You and Brother Moses wait here for me!” Du Fan replied.

“You’re all here!” As soon as Du Fan entered the large courtyard where George lived, he saw Carol, George, and Allen discussing the battle situation together.

“Hey, third brother! We sent people to look for you but couldn’t find you! Where did you go?” George said eagerly upon seeing Du Fan.

“I was on that small hill,” Du Fan replied. “Uncle Carol, Brother, Second Brother, I have something to take care of—I need to return to Siluo Province first to let you guys know.” He then found a spot to sit next to them.

After the three armies gathered in Chihu City, they formed a unified command center, which was set up right in this courtyard. This courtyard had originally been the residence of the lord of Chihu City, a duke from the Toad Duchy. After Chihu City was captured, that duke fled, and Carol naturally took over the courtyard. After George, Allen, and others arrived, many of the high-ranking officers from these armies were stationed here.

Hearing Du Fan say this, the others immediately stopped.
“Third Young Master, if you’re leaving, could you please keep Lord Moses here? In my opinion, apart from Lord Moses, there’s probably no one on our side who can subdue that six-uniform monster after it merges.” When Carol heard that Du Fan wanted to leave, she didn’t try to hold him back but instead suggested that Moses help defend Red Lake City.
“There shouldn’t be a problem with that. Besides, when I return to Siluo Province, I’ll drop by to see my father. I’ll ask him to send more experts to reinforce our defenses.” Hearing Carol’s words, Du Fan immediately agreed. After fighting that six-uniform monster, he knew full well that it was an extremely dangerous creature. If he, Moses, and Naixiu all left at once, and that monster merged again, the Northern Army would indeed have no one capable of fighting it!
“Great! If the Third Young Master can keep Lord Moses here, our defense of the city won’t be so vulnerable,” Carol said happily upon hearing Du Fan’s agreement.
“Be careful after I leave! Don’t be reckless anymore,” Du Fan said to George and Allen before departing.
……
“Elder Brother, I plan to return to Siluo Province first. I’d like to ask you to help defend Red Lake City,” Du Fan said to Moses after returning to the hilltop.
“That’s fine. Go ahead!” Moses opened his eyes, which had been focused on cultivation, and replied to Du Fan.
After thinking for a moment, Du Fan took out a bunch of magic scrolls.
“Younger Brother, why did you bring so many of these things for me?” Moses was stunned as he saw the stack of magic scrolls Du Fan had brought out.
“Elder Brother, I’ve thought it over. Although that six-uniform monster can break magic, it might not work against magic scrolls. These scrolls can be used as long as they’re thrown out. Although mages can cast spells to break magic, it’s probably impossible to forcibly interrupt spells that release sealing power,” Du Fan said with a smile. “These scrolls may not help you directly harm that monster, but if they truly aren’t affected by its magic-breaking abilities, I think they’ll be quite useful for you, Elder Brother.”

“Brother, you must not underestimate these spells. For example, this spell that reduces defense—although it’s only a level 3 spell—I believe that if used on the Six-Form Monster in sufficient quantities, it can definitely lower its defense as well.”
“Like this spell of Confusing Mist—it doesn’t have a killing effect, but it can blur the enemy’s vision, making it a great skill for escaping or striking at them in chaos!”
“And then there’s Earthquake—it does the same thing; when cast, it shakes the ground over a certain area, completely disrupting the enemy’s movements.”
“Hmm, I already know all these things. Since that’s the case, I’ll take them.” Moses said with a smile as he watched Du Fan explain repeatedly. “By the way, Third Brother, if you give these to me, what will you use?” Moses asked suddenly, puzzled.
“Haha, don’t worry about that, Brother. With my current speed, on this road, aside from god-tier experts, who else could hurt me? Besides, with Nai Xiu by my side, even god-tier experts would have to consider whether they can dodge her deadly arrow!” Du Fan said with a smile.
“Not bad. Your Absolute Protection is also one of the strongest defenses. Nai Xiu’s Elven King Arrow skill is surely among the top attack skills on this continent. With such defense and offense, it’s almost impossible for anyone on the Roland Continent to harm you.” Moses said with a smile. “Since that’s the case, I’m relieved too. If you’re going back to Siluo Province, hurry up!”