In the stone house at Eaglebeak Cliff, the fire had been stoked back to life, its dancing flames reflecting off several grim faces.
A heavily worn map of Frostsnow Castle was spread out on the rough stone table.
Luo En’s staff thumped heavily on the “South Gate” position on the map as he began analyzing the situation.
“Frostsnow Castle is built against the mountain, with sheer cliffs on three sides. Claudius is hiding in the lord’s meeting hall, concentrating his main forces at the South Gate. The moat is filled with ice spikes, the drawbridge has been burned, and the walls are stocked with fire oil…”
Xue Yin stared at the map.
“Truly a formidable place to attack. A frontal assault will inevitably lead to heavy losses. Is there no other way?”
“That’s for us to worry about, but for now a direct assault is the only option.”
Luo En’s voice was firm.
“I’ll take the former Garrison troops and launch a conspicuous attack from the main gate. We have to draw all of Claudius’s attention. After we breach the outer castle gate, I’ll entrust you with taking Vera to the inner castle’s meeting hall. That’s the most critical step.”
Ailia understood immediately.
“You mean, feint to the east and attack to the west? Then let me join the frontal assault too. My holy light magic can shield and heal the Garrison.”
Jin nodded, then raised a key question.
“The hardest part now is how to get into the inner castle’s meeting hall. There’ll be countless obstacles along the way.”
Vera, who had grown up in Frostsnow Castle, thought for a moment, her fingers lightly tapping the edge of the map.
“Here.”
Vera’s voice was quiet, but it electrified everyone.
“The Abandoned Ice Channel in the east. Its exit is in the inner castle’s courtyard plaza. My grandfather told me it was a secret passage left by the craftsmen for repairs back then.”
Xue Yin stood up, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.
“Then allow me to summarize. General Luo En will lead a frontal assault on the Garrison, drawing the majority of the Blackscale Guard. Ailia will accompany the army to heal and cover the siege. After the castle gate is breached, Jin and I will take Vera through the ice channel and infiltrate directly to Claudius in the inner castle’s meeting hall.”
Luo En was silent for a moment, weighing the options carefully.
“It’s settled. Everyone, please follow the plan.”
Night fell.
Below Eaglebeak Cliff, campfires linked across the encampment.
The former Garrison troops arrayed themselves on the snowfield.
Their weapons were of mixed quality—rusty spears, homemade slings, even sharpened wooden sticks.
But the look in their eyes was unanimous.
It was the determination and fury of people pushed to the brink.
Xue Yin stood on a high rock, the night wind lifting her silver hair.
“Master.”
Jin walked up beside her, the Heart-Binding Chain on his left wrist dimly shining under the moonlight.
“If it was just about doing what I can, doing something for this world, I understand. But this time, acting so recklessly… even I’m afraid.”
Xue Yin’s gaze fell on a small, deep-purple figure in the crowd.
She tightened her grip on Jin’s hand.
“Yeah, I’m scared too. But I promised Philen I would keep her safe.”
She looked at Jin, her eyes calm but unyielding, and placed her other hand over his.
“And more importantly, the spark of Qianhaiyuan can’t stay buried at the bottom of the abyss forever. Someone has to take the first step.”
Jin gazed at Xue Yin with deep affection.
Suddenly he opened his arms, intending to pull her into his embrace.
But Xue Yin sensed his intent a step ahead.
Before he could get close, she stepped forward half a pace, gave him a quick hug, and immediately pulled away.
“There,” she turned her face away, the tips of her pointed ears showing a faint blush under the moonlight.
“With so many people watching, if you actually held me, I’d be really embarrassed.”
Jin’s arms were still suspended in midair.
He froze for a moment, then the corners of his mouth lifted as he slowly withdrew his hands.
“Understood, Master.”
Vera had now changed into a dark purple military uniform.
Though it was a bit loose on her, it looked especially dignified.
“Are you ready? You can do this!”
Ailia adjusted Vera’s collar, cheering her on.
Vera took a deep breath and stepped to the edge of the platform.
The noise below gradually subsided.
The veteran Garrison soldiers all turned to look at the small figure on the platform.
Vera gazed at them—at the faces carved with wrinkles by wind and frost, at the eye sockets sunken from hunger.
She thought of Philen, of the seventeen personal guards who had died to protect her.
Though fear still lingered in her heart, another, stronger emotion overwhelmed Vera’s timidity at this moment.
“I am Vera Brino.”
Her voice was not loud, but amplified by Xue Yin’s magic, it reached every ear clearly.
“I know many of you don’t know me, or have only heard my name. You probably think I’m just a sheltered noble girl hiding in the castle.”
“But tonight, I stand here not to prove who I am. I’m here to tell you what we’re going to take back!”
She suddenly drew her sword, the blade cutting a cold arc through the moonlight.
“We’re going to take back the grain that Claudius has been hoarding! Take back the mines that the Blackscale Guard have seized! Take back the dignity of our Frost Snow Wasteland!”
“Do you know what will happen to the Garrison under Claudius’s rule—his number one threat?”
Vera’s voice shot up.
“Disbanded! Broken up and thrown into the Blackscale Guard as frontline cannon fodder! Or dumped straight into the mines to work until they drop dead!”
In the crowd, someone clenched their fists, someone ground their teeth.
“Will Claudius treat you well? No! He’ll only drain you dry so he can rest easy! What about your families? They’ll face heavy taxes and a dark life without enough to eat! Because the people have never existed in Claudius’s eyes!”
Vera’s voice grew louder and more piercing, carrying a heartrending pain and anger.
“Now, General Luo En will lead us to attack the South Gate of Frostsnow Castle. I won’t lie to you—it will be a bloodbath. Many will die. Hell awaits ahead.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, meeting the eyes of the veterans one by one.
“But I, Vera Brino, will stand with you and fight shoulder to shoulder! I won’t hide in the back, I won’t run away alone while you bleed!”
“So we don’t starve! So we aren’t enslaved! So our families can survive!”
Vera raised her sword high, the tip pointing straight at the sky.
“Follow me to take back Frostsnow Castle!”
“Kill! Kill! Kill!”
The roar of the Garrison converged into a torrent—the pent-up fury of months, a declaration of war against tyranny.
“Vera is braver than we imagined,” Jin said, watching the soldiers’ soaring morale with rare praise.
“She’s completely ignited their fighting spirit in an instant.”
“A girl only eleven years old…” Ailia’s eyes reddened.
“And such a heavy burden on her shoulders.”
“Passion is good, but we can’t rely on just hot blood.”
Xue Yin muttered to herself.
“We have only one chance, and Claudius likely has something up his sleeve. I need to think if we’ve missed anything…”
Luo En rode his horse to the base of the platform, holding high the ice crystal banner of the Brino family.
“All troops, hear my command! Strike camp! Target: Frostsnow Castle South Gate!”
“Grandfather, please protect your people…”
Vera was about to mount her horse when Xue Yin stopped her.
The wind suddenly picked up, blowing Xue Yin’s silver hair wildly.
She leaned close to Vera’s ear, her voice so low only the two of them could hear.
“Vera, there’s something I need to tell you…”