The newly appointed knight, Sir Mashengdan Magna, was feeling frustrated today. One of their clansmen had been attacked by a wolf pack while going to the bathroom.
The enormous Ice Wolf had bitten through his throat, and blood was everywhere. By the time Mashengdan arrived with his men, the wolves had already eaten most of the body.
Fortunately, Mashengdan had built a simple camp near the valley and set up animal traps around it; otherwise, their losses would have been even greater.
His guards suggested he go to Griffon Fortress for reinforcements, but Mashengdan thought this was his first task for the lord and didn't want to mess it up. After careful consideration, he decided to handle the problem himself.
However, these Forest Wolves were very cunning and wouldn't fight them head-on. Whenever Mashengdan's main force attacked, they scattered deep into the forest.
They specifically lured Mashengdan into splitting his forces and attacking. Once the soldiers were scattered, the wolf pack would attack them in groups of four or five, killing the isolated soldiers.
Moreover, the soldiers said this Ice Wolf could use magic. Whenever it howled in the forest, several Forest Wolves would instantly emerge, which was very strange!
The wolf pack continued to deplete the lives of Mashengdan's clansmen. After two failures, they had lost 25 lives.
Mashengdan Magna chose to defend in place. In his opinion, the wolf pack was attacking them because they lacked food, so as long as he defended the camp, nothing dangerous would happen.
He had already sent word to the supply team, and the number of people had increased to around 100, so he wasn't afraid at all. He believed he had the time and ability to keep wearing them down.
After getting the news about this Mine, Mako sent Henk and the others to investigate. Finally, the Wolf Spirit Squad found a similar description in this valley.
However, due to a lack of mining experience, Mako could only bring out an apprentice from the blacksmith shop.
The two blacksmith masters configured by the system were top-notch experts in the human countries of the Aishan world, with a solid grasp of basic knowledge such as smelting, furnace building, and prospecting.
Therefore, after this apprentice came here, it only took about a week to find the mine entrance.
It was just the harassment of the wolves that forced a lot of engineering progress to a standstill, which was also the reason why Mashengdan Magna had been troubled.
And he increasingly felt that this pack of wolves was coming for him because there were a large number of elk in the northern forest, and they wouldn't be short of food at all.
And after several days of calculations, Mashengdan estimated that there were at least 40 Forest Wolves here.
Since being tricked by the traps several times, the wolves had become smarter. They no longer attacked the camp directly, instead choosing to ambush soldiers who were out or alone.
Just as Mashengdan Magna was preparing to write a letter to send with the Raven, a clamor of shouts came from outside the valley. Upon seeing this, he immediately ordered the Shape-shifter, Wolf Fang, to go and check the situation.
About two minutes later, Wolf Fang deactivated his Shape-shifter state and said to him, "My Lord! The Lord has arrived. They are fighting the wolves, and it looks like they are about to win!"
One hour earlier.
Mako had ordered the soldiers to march since they set out that day. This time, Mako was very well-prepared. The soldiers were all wearing specially made cold-weather clothing.
This was made by Mako, referencing the costumes of the wild people in the television series. The thick furs were sewn very carefully, and to ensure they were airtight, the trousers and clothes were connected.
This allowed the soldiers to get by while marching in the wild, solving the soldiers' rest and dampness problems. It could be said to be a godsend for short-distance combat.
To make bathroom breaks easier, Mako had fashioned the crotch area of his trousers with a shoelace design. While a bit cumbersome to use, it significantly conserved fur.
Coupled with the white hooded cloak, he'd essentially maxed out his cold resistance. Unlike last time, he wouldn't be fighting in the dirty, heavy, old-fashioned cold-weather gear that many of the raider soldiers couldn't even move in.
Therefore, it only took Mako about two days to reach the Iron Mine Valley this time.
First, he had the accompanying Shape-shifters scout the enemy situation. After identifying the Ice Wolves' activity range, he led over twenty men to act as bait, luring the wolves into an attack.
The remaining soldiers then took out their oil pouches and set up a fire oil array on the ground, combining firewood and thatch with some whale oil.
To prevent the wolves from smelling the scent, Mako also had the soldiers collect animal dung along the way and add it around the fire oil array.
Looking at the prepared trap, Mako gave a satisfied smile. After gathering the remaining men to lie in ambush, Mako led his bait squad forward.
Meanwhile, patrolling the outer perimeter of the valley, an Ice Wolf sniffed the air. It seemed to have caught a different scent: humans, and all sorts of animals.
At that moment, the wolves suddenly became agitated. They had caught the scent of their own kind's blood. Mako had just used "Magic Arrow" to take down a Forest Wolf patrolling the perimeter.
Within a minute, the forest surrounding the valley erupted with howls, one after another. It was clear they were enraged!
Mako ordered Loren Hawk-eye to open fire on the wolves. Seeing two more of their kind fall, the wolves, consumed by their primal instincts, charged towards Mako and his group.
A screech echoed from the sky. Mako, who was retreating, glanced to the side and saw that the Ice Wolf had somehow gotten behind them, to the right.
Mako seized the opportunity and launched a "Magic Arrow" at it, but the Ice Wolf dodged it with surprising agility, making Mako take notice.
He knew that even though "Magic Arrow" was a low-level spell, its speed was nothing to scoff at.
It seems this guy has undergone some kind of special change!
Mako thought as he ordered everyone to retreat.
"Oh..."
A sharp howl echoed from the Ice Wolves, and Mako understood the meaning: "Danger."
However, many Forest Wolves had already charged into the encirclement, with only a few managing to reach the Ice Wolves.
Watching the wolves gradually being herded into the trap, Mako signaled to Swan, the Griffon, in the sky.
Upon seeing Mako's signal, Swan immediately flew above the ambush. Seeing the Griffon's signal, the soldiers decisively launched their rockets.
The thirty-plus Forest Wolves that had entered the encirclement were instantly terrified by the flames, collapsing to the ground and wailing. The Ice Wolves in the distance also howled.
They charged towards the fire ring, but Swan, the Griffon in the sky, gave them no chance. It swooped down and pinned the Ice Wolves to the ground.
The two giant beasts then began to tear at each other. Ultimately, Swan, the Griffon, prevailed, using its size advantage to pin the Ice Wolves down.
The giant eagle's beak, like an iron clamp, held the Ice Wolf pinned to the ground. The Ice Wolf bared its teeth, constantly twisting its body in an attempt to break free.
Mako walked in front of it and said, "Why did you attack my mine? Is there something important to you inside?"
As the "Understanding All Things" skill activated, Mako's words, accompanied by a strange tone, entered the Ice Wolf's mind.
"Humans! Leave! Hot! Stone! Mine!"
After the roar, Mako understood its meaning and thought, It seems there's something remarkable in this valley!
Then, Mako said to the Ice Wolf, "Are you willing to submit to me!"
The Ice Wolf howled, indicating its refusal. Mako's hand instantly lifted, and Swan understood. In a single bite, it snapped the Ice Wolf's neck in two.
The Forest Wolves in the fire were howling and dying in the rain of arrows. At the same time, Mako ordered them to skin the wolves.
Just as Mako and his people were sitting on the ground resting, Mashengdan Magna ran over with more than 50 of his clansmen. He saw Mako looking at him.
He immediately knelt on one knee, admitting his mistake to Mako. Mako just looked at him silently, not saying a word.
After more than ten seconds, the more than 50 warriors beside him all knelt on one knee on the ground, chattering to explain for him.
Mako raised his hand, and Swan, the griffon, immediately neighed in cooperation. After a long time together, Swan already understood many of Mako's habits.
So it cooperated perfectly to help Mako control the scene. Mako then rubbed its head with some appreciation and said:
"Do you know why I'm angry?"
Mashengdan lowered his head, his ears turning red with excitement. However, he still said in a very humble tone:
"Yes! My Lord! It's because I slowed down the mine's construction progress! I..."
Mako stood up angrily, interrupting him excitedly, and said:
"No! You're wrong! I'm angry because you didn't protect my people. I told you, the Rock People on Skaggs Island are my people!"
"I entrusted them to you, not to have them feed the wolves here. The mine can be rebuilt, and the ore can be mined again!
But if my people are gone! What can you use to replace them? Do you think you deserve their trust? Ah! Were you planning on waiting until half of them were dead before you went to find reinforcements?"
After listening to Mako's words, Mashengdan lowered his head until it was almost touching his chest; he was now full of regret.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Mako asked again, "Now, do you understand?"
"Yes! My Lord! I understand! I will definitely not make such a mistake again!"