"Oh?"
Hearing Strategist Lau’s suggestion, General Shaw turned to study Commander Lin. What he saw gave him pause—gone was the unflinching, steel‑edged commander. In her place stood a woman who seemed almost... nervous. A touch of color on her cheeks. Her proud bearing softened.
General Shaw’s brows lifted slightly. Though he was as straight‑edged as any soldier, years of command had honed his perception. The truth was obvious:
Commander Lin had her heart moved.
This woman was his protégé, the one he had trained with his own hands—the heir to his mantle. In his eyes, Lin Mei had always been like a daughter. Until this moment, he hadn’t realized his "daughter" had grown up—and bloomed in her own way.
If she were a young lady from one of Bianport City’s great houses, she’d have been married off long ago, he mused with a sigh.
His plan had been simple: Lin Mei as his successor. In the original thread of fate, he would die of wounds inflicted by Taotie, naming her commander before his last breath.
Now... was that still the right path?
Fixing her with a steady gaze, General Shaw asked mildly,
"Commander Lin, do you think Sir Fenric should stay?"
Of course she did. Every fiber of her wanted Fenric to remain.
But she still answered with perfect composure:
"Commander, Sir Fenric is a rare talent. If the Nameless Order had him, our strength would rise to new heights."
General Shaw’s lips curved in a knowing smile. He understood her meaning well enough. Inwardly, he could only sigh: Ah... a woman’s heart cannot be restrained.
"Very well," he said aloud. "After this battle, the task of inviting Sir Fenric falls to you."
"Yes, Commander." Lin Mei accepted, though unease flickered behind her joy. What if he refuses me...?
Strategist Lau broke the moment:
"Commander—Sir Fenric approaches."
Fenric strode toward the command tower, boots ringing on stone.
He knew the script. This attack by the Beast Queen wasn’t just a blind assault—it hid a deeper stratagem. On the surface, the Taotie were hammering the Great Wall. In truth, the Beast Queen had dispatched waves of soldier‑beasts to dig beneath, hoping to open a tunnel and breach the line from below.
The creature’s cunning rivaled that of men.
According to the original plot, the Beast Queen would soon withdraw, regroup, and strike again. Fenric had no intention of letting that happen.
Kill the Beast Queen now, lock in a massive point payout—and end this farce early.
He’d been prepared to grind for days if needed, but with the system’s kill‑cap strangling his farm, there was no reason to drag this out. The moment the Taotie horde was broken is the moment ripe for a killing blow.
"Sir Fenric!"
Strategist Lau stepped forward with a respectful bow. Behind him, General Shaw smiled broadly.
"Sir, your valor today cannot be overstated. With Taotie crumbling, you stand as the first contributor to this victory."
Fenric inclined his head. "The soldiers paid dearly. I dare not claim the honor." His tone shifted. "General—do you have a magnet in your stores?"
"A magnet?" General Shaw blinked. "What purpose?"
Fenric raised the black blade Shusui. "My sword is forged with magnetic ore. During the battle, I noticed Taotie reacted strangely when struck. I suspect magnets may restrain them. I need to test my theory."
Of course, that was a complete fabrication.
He knew the truth from the plot: magnets disrupted Taotie’s internal senses. In the original arc, magnets were pivotal in killing the Beast Queen. But Fenric’s face was calm, his delivery flawless—deception wrapped in logic.
General Shaw’s eyes lit up.
"Strategist, do we have magnets in camp?"
"In the refining workshop, most likely," Strategist Lau replied at once.
"Then fetch some—personally," General Shaw ordered.
"Yes!" Strategist Lau clasped fists and left at a run.
General Shaw turned back, gaze intent.
"Sir Fenric... if magnets prove effective, what then?"
"Then we end this," Fenric said simply. His eyes gleamed like drawn steel. "Permanently."
"Oh? And how?"
"You cover me. I’ll kill the Beast Queen."
In Fenric’s mind, the thought pulsed: Boss kill = jackpot. Whatever the risk, that head was his.
Before General Shaw could answer, Lin Mei broke in, her voice sharp with alarm:
"No! Sir Fenric, the Beast Queen is no ordinary Taotie. It’s guarded by elite beast‑generals—an assault would be suicide! Please, think twice!"
Her urgency was plain. General Shaw saw it and sighed inwardly.
Tsk tsk. This girl is smitten.
Fenric met her eyes and smiled faintly. "Commander Lin, rest easy. I won’t act without certainty."
When she still looked ready to protest, he cut in, voice ringing with righteous conviction:
"As long as the Beast Queen lives, the world knows no peace. If slaying it costs my life—so be it."
"!!"
The words fell like a war drum. Around them, officers stiffened, eyes blazing with respect. In their hearts, Fenric wasn’t merely strong—he was a hero who bore the world upon his shoulders.
...If only they knew he was really calculating point multipliers.
"..."
Lin Mei’s lips parted, but no words came. She only looked at him, her chest tight with an emotion she could not name.
Even General Shaw’s stern gaze softened. What General wouldn’t prize a man with such courage?
Moments later, Strategist Lau returned bearing two heavy magnets.
Fenric bound them to his gear with practiced ease, then turned to General Shaw:
"General—if this works, I’ll strike for the Beast Queen. All I ask is cover fire."
General Shaw clasped his shoulder, voice grave.
"Sir—be careful. If success is impossible, withdraw. We’ll hold the line and await your triumphant return."
From Sir Fenric to Sir—a single word spoke volumes.
Fenric only smiled.