30. Evil Intention or an Opportunity.

Reed frantically scanned the surroundings for the wolf, but after the snow settled back onto the ground and the black stone spikes vanished, the creature was nowhere to be seen.

He cursed in his mind, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"Lord, Madam, should we continue searching for the wolf?" James asked.

Reed nearly scoffed. Had James lost his senses? In this vast, dense forest, how could they possibly track down a lone wolf with only four of them? And if they split up, the only one among them who stood a chance of survival was Madam—while the rest, including the Lord, would likely end up in the belly of the beast.

The wolf was no ordinary creature. It was a Bronze-rank magic beast, and they had attacked it in an attempt to subdue it. If the Baron could bind the wolf as his familiar, he would advance to a 6th-rank Magic Hunter.

Reed turned to see how Lord and Madam would respond to James' question.

The Baron, however, was not looking at James—he was looking at Madam.

Of course. Reed understood immediately. Madam was a 6th-rank mage. In the end, it was her decision that would determine their next move.

Alice didn't need to think about her answer—the moment the question was asked, the answer had already formed in her mind: No.

"No," she said simply before walking toward the corpses of the three Silver Sword Men.

Her thoughts drifted to the immense cost of this hunt. She had already wasted enough money to build her house in Gate City three times over. If she could salvage anything from the bodies, at least she could recoup some of her losses. But after just a single glance, she knew—their remains were beyond recovery.

Elan spoke up. "Alice, should we return or keep searching for another Bronze-rank magic beast?"

Instead of answering directly, Alice asked, "What's your opinion?"

Elan considered for a moment before replying, "This Bronze beast was unusual—unlike any 6th-rank magic beast I've encountered before."

Alice nodded. "Yes, you're right. The wolf's control over the Earth Element was impeccable—something only seen in Earth Elementals." The thought amazed her. The wolf wielded Earth magic with a mastery that rivaled even elemental beings.

Elan agreed. "Then let's return—but take the long way back. If we come across another Bronze-rank magic beast, we'll take our chance."

With their decision made, they began walking toward their camp.

As they walked, Elan's mind drifted to the future. There was much to consider.

They had already destroyed the totems of the four tribes on the far side of the mountain range. Their settlement had also begun construction, and once completed, it would house around a thousand people. He had even chosen a name—Tús Ùr—and the surrounding territory would be known as the Barony of Tús Ùr.

But claiming the land came with its challenges. According to the law, he would have to defend it for five years without requesting aid from the main force. That was the dilemma. His family lacked the strength to hold such a vast territory, and protecting a fledgling settlement from potential threats was an overwhelming task.

Yet, despite the risks, Elan was drawn to this land. He had seen its layout, and he knew opportunities like this were rare. If he let it slip away, another chance might never come again.

The terrain was naturally fortified—mountains enclosed the land from the north, east, and south. The southern side had two narrow passes that could be easily defended with well-placed forts, blocking any future invasions from that direction. The western side was more open, but with strongholds built on the high plateaus, even that entry point could be secured.

Elan was so lost in thought that he didn't hear Alice calling his name. It was only when she shook his arm that he snapped back to reality.

Startled, he said, "Yes?"

Alice frowned. "I've been calling you for some time. What are you thinking about?"

Elan took a deep breath and shared his thoughts—his plans for the future, his vision for the settlement.

James, listening intently, nodded in approval. "Baron, the name of our settlement is fitting. Tús Ùr truly represents a new beginning for our Wright Barony."

He wanted the Baron's vision to become a reality. Back home, in the Wright Barony, all high-ranking positions were already occupied. His father, a minor lord, ruled over a small village, and once his father passed, his elder brother would inherit the position. That was why James had followed the Baron to this new land—seeking an opportunity of his own.

If the Barony of Tús Ùr was successfully established, he too could become a lord of a village.

But his daydream was quickly shattered by Reed's voice.

"Baron, I don't think we have the power to defend the settlement come spring. Once word spreads about our destruction of the northern tribes in Wintermoon Forest, it won't stay hidden from the southern tribes."

Reed's voice was grave as he continued, "And we can't even ask for reinforcements from headquarters after their recent defeat."

Elan's expression darkened. He already knew this was their greatest challenge.

When Reed had last visited Gate City, the air had been thick with gloom. The army had suffered its first major defeat against the natives of this new land. The situation had worsened when the Three-Eyed Race joined the war, having seemingly cracked the process of manufacturing magic guns. 

The headquarters had been unaware that the natives possessed magic guns too, and when they launched an attack on a strategic pass, they were ambushed by the Three-Eyed race Army, armed with deadly magic guns of their own.

That defeat had pushed back the frontlines, leaving Elan and his people stranded without the prospect of outside help.

It was precisely because of this situation that Elan had considered occupying this land for his family. If no reinforcements were coming, they would have to fend for themselves.

But the real challenge lay ahead. The southern region of Wintermoon Forest was home to more than ten tribes, all closely connected to the powerful Dark Panther Tribe near the southern border. If word of their actions in the north reached them, an attack was inevitable.

As Elan thought about the southern tribes, his mind drifted to a particular one—the Hidden Tribe, the most mysterious group in the region. Their location, their numbers, even their strength—everything about them was a mystery. Yet, according to what little information he had gathered, the Hidden Tribe was responsible for the destruction of the Snake Tribe. More notably, the totem of the Snake Tribe had been slain by a...

Elan stopped abruptly and turned to Alice. "Alice, can you tell what type of wolf that Bronze-rank beast was?"

Alice considered for a moment before replying, "Judging by its control over the Earth element, it was likely an Earth Wolf... but I'm not entirely sure. Its mastery over Earth magic was exceptional."

Elan nodded as the puzzle pieces in his mind began to align. "Do you remember when I told you my plan to become a 6th-rank Magic Hunter failed because of a tribe? And that their Magic Realm wolf was the one that killed the Snake Tribe's totem?"

Alice's expression darkened as she recalled the conversation.

He continued, "Back then, you told me that the wolf might have been on the verge of advancing to Bronze rank. And I distinctly remember—it also controlled the Earth element."

James and Reed, who had been present during that event, exchanged glances. They vividly remembered rushing to the Snake Tribe's village with the Baron, only to find the tribe's totem lying dead on the ground. At the time, they hadn't connected that wolf to the Bronze-rank wolf they had just fought.

Why? Because the wolf that killed the Snake Tribe's totem had been twice the size of the Bronze-rank wolf they had just fought. Its fur had been sandy-colored, while the Bronze-rank wolf they encountered now had bright yellow fur.

James and Reed nodded, shock evident in their eyes.

Alice's expression turned serious. "Then… that Bronze-rank wolf must be part of the Hidden Tribe."

Elan nodded. "If the information from the Golden Sparrow Tribe was accurate, then that tribe was indeed the Hidden Tribe."

At the time, they hadn't known that tribe's true identity. It was only after Alice arrived and helped them destroy the remaining four tribes that they uncovered information about the Golden Sparrow Tribe, one of the tribes they had eliminated.

Their suspicions had first arisen when they failed to destroy the Savage King Tribe—the Golden Sparrow Tribe had come to their aid far too quickly. That led them to believe that the tribe possessed an ordinary flock of golden sparrows, which they used as spies to monitor the region. But what made them even more dangerous was their ability to view the memories of those sparrows. Among the Three-Eyed People and the wolf that attacked the Snake Tribe, the Golden Sparrow Tribe had recognized the shaman of the Hidden Tribe.

Alice's eyes narrowed. "If the wolf has advanced to a Bronze-rank magic beast, then the Hidden Tribe's totem that controls it must also be Bronze-rank."

James frowned. "Then why hasn't the Hidden Tribe risen to become a Middle-rank tribe and taken control of this region? There are no Middle-rank tribes here."

Through the enslaved members of the four tribes, they learned how the Three-Eyed Race's tribal system worked. A Middle-rank tribe had the power to dominate the surrounding lower tribes. If the Hidden Tribe truly possessed two Bronze-rank magic beasts, why hadn't they claimed their place?

Alice's gaze sharpened. "We need to make contact with the Hidden Tribe."

Elan's expression hardened. "Why?"

The Hidden Tribe's strength now surpassed their own. They had two Bronze-rank- their totem and the bronze-rank Earth Wolf, while Elan's side had only one—Alice, a Sixth-rank mage.

Alice spoke, "The Hidden Tribe—or as they call themselves, the Statue Tribe—never declared themselves a Middle-rank tribe because they lack the required ten members with strength between 3rd and 5th-rank professionals."

She paused, her expression thoughtful. "With our help, they could achieve this and finally claim their place as a Middle-rank tribe."

Alice wasn't just thinking about the Hidden Tribe's advancement—she was thinking about Elan's vision. If she helped establish another barony, she would gain access to even greater wealth to fund her magic research.

Elan smirked, seeing through her self-serving intentions. "And once they do, they'll come into conflict with the Dark Panther Tribe for control over this region." The conflict will give them much-needed space for them to raise their defenses.

A sense of excitement filled the group. Their future ambitions were slowly taking shape, and they could already envision the possibilities ahead. They walked toward their camp in high spirits, unaware that above them, hidden among the trees, the same wolf was silently following their every move—leaping from branch to branch, listening intently to their conversation.

Meanwhile, deep within his spiritual space, Gavin erupted into laughter.

"I like their plan," he mused. "But who will be the final winner? That remains to be seen."

Ever since his Clone had advanced to Bronze rank, and a seal had been broken, extending the range of his spiritual connection with it to nearly 50 kilometers. That was how he was able to listen in on them now while still inside his seal space.

A part of him wanted to reveal himself immediately and discuss the plan with them. But no—now wasn't the right time.

Instead, he decided to let them come to him.

When they did, he would negotiate from a position of power—and ensure he got something valuable in return.