When Victor led the allied army to Baron Duval's Castle, the sight that greeted them left everyone stunned.
The castle gates were wide open, the drawbridge hung limply over the moat, and the walls were completely deserted.
The entire castle was unsettlingly silent in the afternoon sun.
"This..." The Snow Wolf Lord reined in his warhorse, staring in disbelief at the empty battlements. "He's abandoned the castle itself?"
The Ice Eagle Lord narrowed his sharp eyes, his tone laced with vigilance. "Something isn't right. Even if they were retreating, they should have left a garrison behind to buy time."
The Frost Bear Lord stroked his thick beard, a thoughtful expression on his rugged face. "Does he intend to abandon his territory completely? The *Noble Inheritance Technique* explicitly forbids such an act..."
"Of course he knows!" Victor suddenly roared, his tattooed face contorting with rage.
