“When did the Young Lord enter the forest again?”

“It’s been about five days.”

“And there’s been no news in the meantime?”

“None, sir.”

“Hm.”

The Black Dragon frowned slightly.

It had been five days since Theo led the vanguard to infiltrate the Naga Forest. The unease that they might simply remain on standby indefinitely gnawed at him.

During this time, Ragnar’s army had seized control of most strategic points surrounding the Naga Forest and erected iron fortifications. Behind those, they had even begun digging deep trenches.

The fortification efforts were meant to send a clear message to other factions: …