Chapter 169 The Duke and the Player

A week later.

Stratford Castle, the residence of the Duke of Bosc.

Duke Leo Bosco was stroking his beard, waiting anxiously. He hadn't lost his composure like this in a long time. There had been too much bad news recently, and even he, who was always calm, found it hard to accept.

The Principality of Norton was suddenly attacked by the Kingdom of Ashes in just one day, and was quickly destroyed without even sending out a signal for help.

In the north of the kingdom, as strange horns sounded, the legendary "frost disasters" began to stir again, and signs of the advance of frost giants appeared near the Valhalla Glacier.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Duke!"

The adjutant rushed in and brought the latest news again.

"Our scouts in the north found traces of the Frost Giants' hasty march! The remains of beasts that had been eaten and huge footprints appeared on the roads that had long been sealed, and the ground was covered with snow."

Duke Leo's expression suddenly darkened, and his face was covered with a heavy gloom.

"Just as recorded."

"That is indeed a frost disaster."

Duke Leo looked at his adjutant and asked anxiously:
"What about their marching movements? Where will the frost giants appear?"

The adjutant quickly answered truthfully: "Storm Hill, according to our current intelligence, they will go south from Storm Hill, pass through the Trier Valley, and enter the northern area."

However, he added:
"However, the area around Storm Peak is the territory of the Burning Embers Kingdom. Although their patrol and defense focus has now shifted to the former Rackman Principality, it is still controlled by the Red Dragon's followers. The intelligence we can obtain is very scarce, and it is all obtained by the scouts at the risk of their lives."

The adjutant took out a map and presented it respectfully.

The parchment map was covered with scratches and scars, with red paint marking the areas where traces of frost giant marches had been found.

Duke Leo looked through the map carefully, his expression changing in a complex way, showing both joy and confusion.

He paced up and down the hall.

“No, this is different from the frost disaster recorded in the history.

"According to records, during the frost disasters sixty years ago and one hundred and seventy years ago, frost giants poured into the Northland from different directions and began to march quickly, destroying everything along the way as quickly as possible and looting everything around. Often, dozens of frost giants were enough to destroy a city."

"According to the analysis of domestic scholars, their main purpose should be to plunder supplies and weaken our forces, so these frost giants will wantonly exert their destructive power."

"But this time, they seemed to have a clear goal."

"And the target that they should focus their efforts on should be the current Burning Cinders Kingdom."

Continuing to browse the map, Duke Leo's eyes flashed with a strange light.

Hearing this, the adjutant immediately showed a look of joy.

"Sir, then wouldn't we make a lot of money?"

"The Burning Kingdom has blocked the frost disaster from the north for us. The forces of the frost giants and dragons are entangled with each other and have no time to look south. We can take advantage of this opportunity."

"Attack the Burning Kingdom, right?"

Duke Leo finished the rest of his words for him.

The adjutant bowed his head and flattered: "Your Excellency is wise, this is what I think."

Duke Leo's expression also eased a little, and he finally showed a hint of relief: "I would like to correct you on a word - it's not taking advantage of the opportunity, but waiting for an opportunity."

"We still don't know the upper limit of the strength of the red dragon of the Burning Cinder Kingdom, and the frost giants in the north only appeared in records sixty years ago. The outcome of the fight between the two is still unknown." "So we have to wait, wait for an opportunity to see the situation clearly."

"If the Frost Giants are in the ascendancy and are about to destroy the Burning Cinder Kingdom, then we can help the Burning Cinder Kingdom resist the Frost Giants, consume their last strength to defend us against the frost disaster, and wait for the Frost Giants to retreat, and then slowly settle accounts with the Burning Cinder Kingdom. If the Burning Cinder Kingdom is in the ascendancy, then when they relax because of the attack on the Frost Giants, we can launch a surprise attack."

The adjutant made an expression of sudden enlightenment and quickly agreed:

"My Lord, your wisdom is far beyond my reach."

Duke Leo did not continue to respond, but looked at the map thoughtfully.

“What a rare opportunity!”

"But luck is also part of strength. The initiative is back in my hands. How will you deal with it?"

"Cassius Klaubeu Norichius."

He once again pronounced the long, obscure and difficult-to-pronounce name that had made it uneasy for days, but this time there was a hint of anticipation in his tone.

Burning Kingdom, North Wind Castle.

"Ah, isn't this Mr. Mantou?"

"You're out on patrol again. Thank you for your hard work."

Passing citizens greeted enthusiastically, but there was also a deep sense of awe in those voices.

"Yes, it is my duty to serve the citizens of the Burning Cinders."

Mantou said righteously.

He still wore his sheriff's uniform and patrolled the streets of the southwest city area he was responsible for.

However, due to the dictatorship, there were very few players who dared to break the law in the city, so Mantou now targeted the natives. For example, the famous "Black Beer" gang in the southwest city was wiped out by Mantou alone, and he earned more than 7,000 faction contributions in one mission.

Since then, the southwestern city area has been in a state of panic, with few special cases occurring, which makes Mantou feel bored.

"Why are you so calm? Can't you give me some big cases?"

"Why isn't there any hidden gang in North Wind Castle that would allow me to make a lot of money?"

Mantou thought so while riding on the dragon's back.

"Hey, isn't this a bun? Why are you dressed like a human?"

A mean voice interrupted Mantou's thoughts.

Mantou immediately took advantage of his ability to abuse his power and shouted sternly without even looking at the person who was speaking:
"Citizens, please watch your words and do not attempt to provoke the sheriff!"

Unexpectedly, the person who spoke not only did not restrain himself, but became even more arrogant: "You are just a second-level sheriff, why are you showing off?"

"I am now the Minister of Nocturne, two levels higher than you in the Burning Embers system. Let me tell you, I can directly contact Boss Long. Who do you think you are?"

"Come on, call the sir!"

The person who was speaking was none other than Langli Baitiao. At the moment, he was very proud and his tail was raised to the sky.

When they heard the name "Nocturne", the residents around them dodged and closed their doors and windows, for fear of offending this big shot - after all, the Nocturne troops were able to stop children from crying at night in the Burning Kingdom, and it was rumored that they had assassinated countless people who attempted rebellion.

(End of this chapter)