92. A Miscalculation

Mo Fei watched as they disappeared into the forest, then turned around, intending to head up the mountain. Yet, he found all four elders standing behind him. “What’s the matter? Do you elders have business with me?”

The Grand Elder hesitated. “Ah, Mo Fei, we really have you to thank this time. If not for your help, we wouldn’t have known what to do.”

“Grand Elder, in truth, I was helping myself,” Mo Fei replied after a moment’s thought, deciding to speak plainly. Sooner or later, it would have to be said, and now might be as good a time as any. “The Bear Tribe has twice invaded our continent, causing great casualties and loss each time. This time, I came to see how things are here, hoping to find a solution. At the very least, I must find a way to weaken their power. Meeting your tribe was unexpected. Now, by helping you, we are also helping ourselves, so Grand Elder, you needn’t feel grateful. We simply share a common enemy.”

“No matter what, you were willing to send your people into this forest where they might never return. That alone earns my gratitude,” the Grand Elder paused, then continued, “True, the Bear Tribe is our mutual enemy, but you didn’t seek out the Wolf Tribe for aid; instead, you came to us, the Minotaur Tribe. With the strength of the Wolf Tribe, you could have gained their help with the promise of benefits, yet you chose to pull us up at this critical moment. I’m an old man, I won’t say anything more. Rest assured, from now on, the Minotaur Tribe will be your most loyal friend. We never break our word.”

“Thank you, Grand Elder. I have decided your tribe will be our empire’s ally. We will support you in reclaiming what is yours, and restoring the Minotaur Tribe to its former glory.”

Several large hands gripped Mo Fei’s at once; nothing more needed to be said. Mo Fei never bothered with paperwork or formalities when making alliances. His word was his bond, as it was on the other continent. The allies of the Empire of Death never demanded forms or contracts—what use are words on paper when interests collide? They become nothing.

Mo Fei said no more, turning out of the village towards the mountain. On the mountain, over two thousand Minotaur warriors remained, their stamina a bit depleted, but in single combat with Bear Tribe warriors, they still held a clear advantage. Moreover, after several consecutive victories, their morale soared; they fought with reckless abandon. If not for their numbers, the Bear Tribe would have been driven from the pass long ago.

Standing atop the mountain, Mo Fei surveyed the scenic beauty and felt a surge of emotion. Even the mountains here were beautiful—far surpassing those on his own continent. Wherever there were mountains, the Dwarves could be found. Though the Dwarves were careful not to destroy the landscape when mining, developed places could never match the allure of untouched wilderness.

The warriors sent by Cain divided the two thousand Minotaurs into many small squads, each led by one of Cain’s men. With these leaders, the Minotaurs no longer crouched tensely behind cover, watching the outside. Some kept watch, while others lay behind resting and regaining their strength. After a while, another squad would rotate in, so everyone could recover. When Mo Fei saw them, he saw a force slowly getting on track; given time, the Minotaur Tribe would learn to use their minds in warfare.

“Master, are we about to attack?” A berserker, seeing Mo Fei ascend, grew excited.

“How did you know we were about to attack?” Mo Fei asked, amused.

“That’s obvious,” the berserker replied with a grin. “Our captain sticks to your side every day, even Aileen is annoyed with him. But now you’ve come up alone—our chief would never let you do that unless he was off attending to something.”

“Then what do you think your chief is doing?” Mo Fei laughed as well.

“Princess Aileen isn’t here either…” The berserker looked up, spotted the distant forest, and suddenly grew excited. “They…”

“Shh!” Mo Fei quickly stopped him. “That’s enough. Pass the order—prepare for action. When their signal comes, we move. Also, take all warriors as close as possible to the enemy camp. Go.”

“Yes, Master!” The berserker rushed off like a gust of wind, elated. Cain’s strategy seemed effective; this berserker, seeing Mo Fei ascend alone, guessed there was a major operation—clearly, he was talented.

Soon, all the Minotaur warriors knew to prepare for an attack, each one brimming with excitement. Led by the berserker captain, they left their defensive posts and began covertly approaching the Bear Tribe camp at the pass.

Mo Fei advanced with the Minotaurs, moving stealthily to the front. Watching the Bear Tribe camp, which showed no sign of activity, Mo Fei couldn’t help but feel uneasy. How could this be?

Before the enemy retreated, it would be foolish to attempt a raid on their main camp with so few troops. Yet the odd situation made Mo Fei fear his concerns might come true sooner than expected. He worried the enemy already knew the outcome of the sea battle and had withdrawn early to avoid losses.

Staring at the silent Bear Tribe camp, Mo Fei’s sense of foreboding grew stronger. If he waited any longer, night would fall when the enemy broke camp, and trekking mountain paths in darkness was nearly impossible. Yet the camp remained still. Mo Fei realized he had miscalculated. The Bear Tribe’s communication was rapid; with only two thousand men, he had no means to monitor enemy movements. The enemy had left, and his side was still anxiously guarding their positions.

Mo Fei sighed inwardly, stood up, and walked towards the camp.

“Master…” The berserker squad leader grew nervous as Mo Fei strode forward.

“Signal Cain—the Bear Tribe has already left.”

Behind him, two sharp arrows whistled into the sky. The piercing sound filled Mo Fei’s heart with frustration. In the past, that sound signaled the start of a fierce assault. Now, for the first time since the days of the City of Death, two arrows carrying the order to cease battle soared together.

As the signal arrows rose, Cain and Aileen emerged at the forest’s edge, leading four thousand troops ready for a surprise attack. But instead of charging, they marched in formation.

“Master…” Cain began, but Mo Fei interrupted him.

“It’s just as well they ran. I never wanted our intervention exposed so soon—perhaps it’s for the best,” Mo Fei said with a bitter smile. He recalled considering whether to risk exposure and strike directly at the enemy’s sixty thousand troops. If his two thousand heavy cavalry could frighten the Bear Tribe warriors, exposure might have its advantages. But now, clearly, their involvement remained hidden. That meant they could still use their forces as a secret weapon in future battles. Judging by the enemy’s behavior, the Bear Tribe wouldn’t trouble the Minotaurs again anytime soon.

“Take two hundred from the capital and train the Minotaur warriors, and protect Elder Auf and his people. These two thousand heavy cavalry will come with me. As long as this stronghold is well defended, the Bear Tribe won’t gain anything here. With two hundred berserkers training the Minotaur warriors, and Elder Auf—the old fox—present, I have no worries about this base.”

After a long and frustrating night, Mo Fei rose early. Cain’s two thousand heavy cavalry had already prepared to depart.

Last night, Mo Fei and Elder Auf had discussed matters and, by midnight, opened the magic array. From the imperial capital, nearly five hundred berserkers arrived—originally, Mo Fei only wanted two hundred, but Elder Auf insisted on five hundred. Since they wouldn’t be accompanying Mo Fei and he needn’t worry about their supplies, numbers hardly mattered. More would help guard the base and facilitate future plans.

Once decided, there would be no change. Despite the four newly appointed Minotaur elders’ earnest pleas, Mo Fei still led the two thousand heavy cavalry out of the mountains.

The ranks included ten heavily armed Minotaur warriors, as Wodo had returned to the forest. Mo Fei was still unfamiliar with this continent and didn’t know the routes. After decades of hiding, the Minotaur Tribe knew every ravine and mountain like the back of their hand. For this reason, Mo Fei summoned ten magical beasts from the capital and assigned them to these ten Minotaur warriors.