Chapter 82 Summoning the Subordinates
Brian temporarily suppressed his thoughts about the Red Flame Staff and continued to observe the human army.
The vast expanse of the Northern Ice Field made the two-thousand-man troop seem insignificant. Hidden within the clouds, Brian watched their progress.
Simultaneously, he surveyed the surrounding terrain from above, estimating the possible routes the human army might take.
As time passed, Brian's expression grew increasingly somber.
Unless something unexpected happened, they would pass through the Ogre Basin. However, Brian didn't care about this.
He noticed a Spellcaster within the army closing his eyes and using some form of detection spell. Upon reopening his eyes, he pointed in a direction, leading the army straight toward the Ogre Basin.
"Divination spells..."
They followed the traces left by Morton, and at this rate, they would find the Ice Cliff Dragon's Lair.
When the Ogres brought Amos and Lilith to the Ice Cliff Territory, they didn't consider covering their tracks. Anyone using detection spells could easily follow them there.
The well-armed, two-thousand-strong elite army had a considerable number of extraordinary warriors and Spellcasters.
Brian was not confident in achieving victory over them.
Facing such a sophisticated force, even less than a thousand strong, with a full complement of dragon-slaying capabilities, was daunting. These soldiers were not ordinary humans; most were extraordinary warriors capable of tearing beasts apart.
If Salia saw such an army, she would flee at once.
Dragons could fly, but Spellcasters could use anti-air spells like Sky Seal to drag them to the ground. Every Spellcaster in the army knew how to deal with airborne enemies.
However, given Brian's speed, even if his flight was restricted, he could still escape, unless the area was already filled with barriers and traps.
Still, the ease with which flying could be inhibited greatly displeased Brian.
'I need a flying ability that's unaffected by such spells,' he thought. Otherwise, he would always be hampered, unable to act freely.
Unwilling to take the risk of attacking the army alone, Brian continued observing their movements for another half hour before retreating into the clouds.
Moving as a large group had its benefits, making it harder to be attacked and allowing for mutual support...
However, there were also clear disadvantages.
Their pace was constrained by the slowest members, meaning progress was slow. Traversing the vast Ice Field to reach the Ice Cliff Dragon's Lair would take some time.
Brian had enough time before they reached the lair to gather his retinue and plan a preemptive strike.
He did not want to abandon his recently stabilized territory. If confronted by the human army, a battle would erupt as soon as they discovered Morton's relics in his possession.
Brian disliked waiting passively.
Rather than waiting for them to come to him, he preferred to take the initiative.
Arctic Ice Spirits, Terror Lizards, White Hounds, Ogres... gathering all his followers could form a formidable force useful in this situation.
Passing through the Ogre Basin, Brian halted.
Tancred had just returned with his Ogres. They looked at Brian in bewilderment, not knowing why he was there.
Brian descended to a lower altitude and addressed Tancred the Conqueror. "Gather all the Bonecrusher Tribe's warriors and proceed to Ice Cliff Territory. Await my command for a battle against a human army."
Tancred, seeing Brian's serious expression, nodded solemnly. "As you command! The Bonecrusher Tribe warriors will fight for you!"
The situation was sudden, and while Tancred did not know the reasons, he knew to follow Brian's orders.
Upon learning of the impending battle with humans, the Ogres raised their fearsome weapons and shouted with excitement.
Though they were Ogres, who rarely saw humans in their lifetime, they were now eager to fight.
Not long after, Brian returned to the Ice Cliff Territory, assembling the Arctic Ice Spirits and informing them of the upcoming battle.
"The Hunting Team should refrain from going out. Consolidate your forces and stay alert."
The Ice River Tribe had around one hundred and fifty Arctic Ice Spirits capable of fighting. The over three hundred newborns had no combat ability yet.
Each Arctic Ice Spirit was equivalent to a two-circle Spellcaster, though their abilities were limited and not as versatile as regular two-circle Spellcasters.
Stronger than the Arctic Ice Spirits, the Terror Lizards numbered ninety, while over four hundred White Hounds provided moderate strength.
Compared to the well-trained and disciplined human army, they lacked coordination, but they could still cause significant trouble for the enemy.
After a while, the Bonecrusher Tribe Ogres entered the Ice Cliff Territory with their fearsome weapons and gathered with the other retinues.
Simultaneously, the rabid Frost Tiger emerged from its nest, sensing the heavy atmosphere. It roared and approached Brian, its eyes filled with a bloodthirsty glint.
Seeing this, Brian patted the Frost Tiger's head and whispered, "Not now, but when I need you in the future."
The fierce Frost Tiger had a strong desire for slaughter. It often went out hunting, returning with wounds and spoils, exhibiting a much more violent temperament compared to Brian's other companions.
It showed affection only toward Brian; his other companions still feared it to this day.
With all his followers gathered, Brian did not immediately lead them out of the Ice Cliff Territory. Instead, he returned to the Dragon's Lair. Recalling the terrain he knew of the Northern Ice Field, he began to anticipate the human army's movements, carefully selecting appropriate ambush sites.
He had ample time due to the slow pace of the human army.
The human army did not know that they had already attracted the attention of a dragon.
Unlike head-to-head confrontations, dragons preferred surprise attacks.
Especially white dragons.
White dragons were master hunters, adept at finding the best ambush spots in complex terrains, and Brian was no exception.
Extending his dragon claws, Brian unconsciously etched a simple map on the ice as he thought.
Ice valleys, snow mountains, lakes... After a few minutes, Brian's eyes moved, and he found a location on the map.
It was a steep, nearly thousand-foot-high snow mountain.
At the same time, a familiar Dragon's Might surged, causing the Frost Tiger to growl discontentedly.
"Luna... maybe she can help."
Brian looked out of the Dragon's Lair.
