Work Prophet

Hannah's back was instantly drenched with cold sweat.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Solomon did not give her the chance to speak.

"The only reason I haven't sent you back to Hardland right away is that I still need you to take care of Lady Lannita.

"However, I do not wish to see a repeat of today's events, so if Lady Lannita has any new ideas in the future, I want you to stop her, and if you can't, inform me immediately. Can you do that?"

Hannah swallowed hard, stuttering, "I... I, I think I can."

"Good, according to the plan, we will launch an attack on the Western Territory first thing tomorrow morning, you and Lady Lannita will stay here. I will leave a hundred men to ensure your safety."

"But..."

"No buts," Solomon said indifferently, "This is an order."

"Okay, okay." Hannah could only swallow the words that had risen to her lips.

When she stepped out of the room, the Witch felt her legs go weak.

She had now experienced what it felt like to stand opposite Solomon.

Hannah silently vowed in her heart to never again stand against this Wing Clan Commander from this point onward.

If Solomon's other enemies knew of her thoughts at this moment, they would likely agree wholeheartedly, though most of them no longer had the chance to regret.

The next morning, the Wing Clan Commander summoned everyone in the city, not only the ten thousand Wing Tribe troops but also the Dwarves and the imperial nobility who had already sworn fealty.

A Wing Tribe interpreter repeated the warning brought by Li Yu to Solomon before everyone, translating it into different languages.

"—You shall advance no further, else you shall be consumed by the fiery wrath of the True God."

Before his words even finished, the Wing Tribe burst into laughter, and someone hoisted a straw man dressed in black with a noose around its neck, its body riddled with swords and knives.

And beneath the straw man, a dead rabbit was hanging.

After the laughter subsided, Solomon spoke, "This is the message that the self-proclaimed Prophet had someone convey to us.

"His Sabbath threatened us, in my presence, calling his so-called Saturday the True God, which is a disrespect to us, a disrespect to Gaia.

"That's why I've decided to march on the Western Territory, not to mention that he and Ireya killed Shajia, imprisoned Lannita, and stole a giant dragon from us.

"Kill them!"

"Kill all their relatives and friends, kill everyone they know!!!"

The crowd erupted once more, and the straw man's head was cut off.

"Good." Solomon was satisfied with the morale of his troops, "We set out today, and you will join me in taking down the Western Territory, making Merlin and Ireya pay for their arrogance."

Amidst the massive cheers, the Dwarves and the imperial nobility who had been summoned to join the campaign exchanged glances with each other.

After a moment, a Dwarf leader plucked up the courage to speak, "But we... we're not ready for a long campaign, capturing the Western Territory isn't something that can be achieved overnight. The supplies currently stored in the Abundant Corner are only enough to sustain the army for less than ten days.

"I'm not saying this because Lady Lannita has approached us, but from a military standpoint, we should wait for food from other places to arrive before setting out."

"What is your name?" Solomon asked.

"I am Willie, good-tempered Willie, as I possess a rare good nature amongst Dwarves," the Dwarf officer said.

"Well then, good-tempered Willie. Lift your head and look around you. If I have my translator announce loud enough for those who are celebrating to hear that you are already a corpse—"

The Dwarf officer was rendered speechless.

After a pause, Solomon continued, "No need to worry about provisions. We can recruit locally. For this campaign, you may freely loot. Any town that dares to resist can have all its people killed.

"As for those who open their gates and surrender, you may take half of the city's wealth."

His words made many eyes light up.

After all, what were they risking their lives in grueling battles for, if not to make a fortune?

In their eyes, with so many hands in action and Solomon along with his army of ten thousand from the Wing Tribe personally joining the campaign, conquering the west was just a matter of time.

With Solomon's promise, they would make a tidy profit from this war.

Everyone was beaming with joy, and no one mentioned provisions anymore.

...…

When Lannita opened her eyes from the bed, Solomon and his army had already left the Fertile Crescent.

The news struck the Wing Tribe girl like a bolt from the blue. She felt her body deteriorating rapidly, clearly not a cold or mere fatigue from traveling.

It was very likely related to the curse Li Yu had left on her.

Solomon had recklessly broken his promise, despite her advice, triggering the curse to take effect.

Grinding her teeth in anger, Lannita was also clear that she was no match for Solomon now, and even without the curse, she might not have been able to confront the Wing Clan Commander.

Given her current physical and mental state, she was even less likely to win against Solomon— Lannita also realized in hindsight that she had been too hasty yesterday, as if clutching at straws in desperation.

Solomon's control over the military was simply beyond her challenge.

As Lannita reflected on the strategy she had adopted before, she noticed Hannah beside her looking panicked.

The Wing Tribe girl lowered her head, only to see saliva dripping from the corner of her mouth, unaware of it until then.

Lannita wiped it off and found the saliva to be grey, emitting an odious stench, then she couldn't help but vomit again.

Hannah did not show any disgust, continuing to care for her by bringing herbs and water, but Lannita knocked them away with a wave of her hand.

"The medicine you're giving me is useless," the Wing Tribe girl shouted in anger, "Merlin's curse has merged with my blood. If I want to survive, I must undergo a blood exchange!"

"A blood exchange? But that's just a legendary method... no one has succeeded in thousands of years, not even the most devout servant of Gaia, your teacher, who presided over the blood exchange rituals. No one survived," Hannah said hesitantly.

"I don't care," Lannita gripped her arm, yelling, "I want you to prepare everything needed for the ritual right now, and select ten, no, thirty people to exchange blood with me."

"But according to the Witchcraft Collection, only members of the same tribe are likely to complete the ritual, and there are not that many warriors from the Golden Eagle Tribe here."

"Then use people from other tribes. Tell them it's the Wizard Association's decision, and they will be fine," Lannita said, gasping for breath.