Two hourster, in the Far North...


    Alex''s initial n was to intercept the Beastmen as they were leaving and turn them into undead. This way, she would have enough power to confront the five elders of the Arctic Tigerfolk.


    But fate, it seemed, had other ns. Lilith''s sudden crisis had presented Alex with an unexpected opportunity.


    Not only had she gained a lv2 King level undead, but Reaper Guard had also broken through, adding two more King levels to her forces. Alex was ecstatic.


    With three King level undead, herself, and the two elders, theirbined might could challenge the entire Arctic Tigerfolk tribe.


    With this lineup, Alex didn''t need any borate tactics.


    She had expected to wait until nightfall, but now it seemed unnecessary.


    Alex abruptly stood up, drawing the attention of Maulw and Shadowfang.


    Shadowfang knew it was time for action. It was raring to go.


    Just then, an young Arctic Tigerfolk barged in, freezing in its tracks upon seeing everyone in the room, unsure whether to speak.


    "How many times have I told you to knock before entering? Speak!"


    Maulw said, annoyed. The younger generation was always so impetuous.


    "Elder, the Beastman Empire''s envoys have left."


    Maulw was taken aback.


    "When did they leave? Which direction?"


    "They left towards the southwest, just now."


    The young Arctic Tigerfolk replied respectfully.


    "You are dismissed."


    Maulw waved its paw. As the Arctic Tigerfolk retreated, Maulw turned to Alex.


    A smile spread across Alex''s face upon hearing the news. What perfect timing.


    "What are you nning to do?"


    Maulw sensed the human girl''s recklessness and worried that she would kill the Beastmen, bringing trouble to the Arctic Tigerfolk.


    "Get rid of them, of course."


    Alex said with a charming smile. Why would she let those Beastmen go? Killing them meant more King level undead.


    As for Maulw''s concerns, Alex had a simple solution.


    She would wait until the Beastmen left the Far North, then eliminate them with magic, leaving no trace.


    She would pin the me on the human Mages'' Association. Even the mighty Beastman Empire wouldn''t dare to provoke the humans directly. That would be suicide.


    "You can''t do that!"


    Maulw''s worst fear was realized. It hurriedly tried to dissuade her.


    "Maulw, your ways are outdated. I won''t bring trouble to the Arctic Tigerfolk. Trust me."


    "Wait for me here. We''ll proceed with our n when I return."


    With that, Alex vanished, her voice echoing in the room.


    Maulw sighed, worry etched on its face. This upheaval would cost the Arctic Tigerfolk dearly. If they provoked the Beastman Empire, they would be forced to abandon their ancestral home.


    Alex activated Invisibility and flew southwest at full speed.


    The Beastmen had just left, and considering most of them were Monarch level, their speed wouldn''t be too fast. Alex estimated she would catch up to them soon.


    The vast, open expanse of the icy ins made it difficult for anything to escape her sight.


    Half an hourter, she spotted them.


    But Alex frowned. She hadn''t found them in the sky, but on the ground.


    Those Beastmen were running?


    Only an eagle was flying. The rest were sprinting across the frozen wastnd.


    Alex saw Dogs, Lions, leopards, horses, and with various other animalistic features. It was like a bizarre zoo.


    As she got closer, Alex realized why these Monarch level Beastmen chose to run. They were faster onnd than in the air.


    They werepletely oblivious to Alex, who was tailing them from the sky. Even eagle, soaring above, remained unaware.


    Alex followed them northwest, out of the Far North.


    Soon, they arrived at a mountain peak covered in lush forests, teeming with small animals.


    Alex followed the Beastmen into the mountains, reaching a hidden cave halfway up the slope. Several Beastmen stood guard at the entrance.


    "Leader Windrider, you''re back."


    The guards bowed respectfully to eagle.


    "Prepare the teleportation array. We''re returning to the Empire."


    Windrider said coldly, still fuming from their encounter in the Far North.


    It led the Beastmen into the cave.


    Alex followed, strolling casually past the guards. If even the King level Windrider couldn''t detect her in her invisible state, these two Commanding level Beastmen didn''t stand a chance.


    As she brushed past them, a white light shed in Alex''s left eye. She took control of their minds with soul magic and entered the cave.


    Time to end this.


    The cave''s interior wasrger than it appeared from the outside, with various facilities. It was clearly a hidden Beastman outpost.


    Windrider sat at the center, surrounded by its subordinates, angrily discussing how to deal with the Arctic Tigerfolk.


    "Why didn''t we just wipe them out?"


    A beastman with a Leon head and a human body asked, confused. It didn''t understand why they had been sent to negotiate time and time again.


    "You idiot, Leonidas. Do you think our Alpha has nothing better to do? They''re busy dealing with pressure from all the major factions. Besides, a living race is always more valuable than a dead one."


    A Gnoll sneered at Leonidas. This stupid question was the perfect opportunity for it to show off in front of Windrider.


    Windrider shot Leonidas a re. The Gnoll, smug, puffed up its chest.


    But then, Leonidas noticed something strange about the Gnoll.


    A red line appeared around its neck, and its smug grin froze.


    Thump!


    The Gnoll''s head rolled on the ground, silencing the Beastmen.


    Windrider sensed something was wrong and leaped to its feet, ws shing towards the tunnel entrance.


    Bang!


    An invisible barrier materialized, blocking its attack. A transparent ring expanded rapidly, engulfing the entire cave.


    In an instant, every Beastman except Windrider was sliced in half.


    mes erupted, engulfing the cave in a fiery inferno.


    Alex reappeared, smiling at Windrider. She wasn''t afraid. Beacuse she could summon her undead army at any moment.


    "Who are you?"


    Windrider snarled, wary of the beautiful girl with human features.


    "You''ll never know."


    Alex''s right eye glowed red, and magic circles of various colors appeared around her.


    Elemental energy crackled, and a torrent of spells, woven together in a deadly symphony of destruction, hurtled towards Windrider.