Fairy tale: Little Red Riding Hood's wolf mentor

Watching Lake and the others leave the palace, the King waved his hand, and the guards on both sides bowed and exited as well.

The palace doors closed heavily.

Inside the court, only the shadows of the King and Commander Ward remained under the flickering candlelight.

"My court commander, is our capital truly safe? Why are most of the soldiers from the countermeasure brigades who have arrived in recent days so pessimistic about it?"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, our capital is impregnable.

Moreover… our enemy is just a con man who has gained a bit of an advantage."

Commander Ward said with confidence.

As if afraid that the King didn't trust him, he added, "The giants' intelligence keeps them wandering in the same place.

But what we have mastered over the years is enough to fight them.

I have already started working on… the official deployment of new war weapons. When that time comes, those giants and bandits will be no problem."

"Hmm."

The King nodded slightly, his face unreadable. "I trust you, Commander Ward. Do not disappoint me."

"I will not fail your expectations, Your Majesty!"

Commander Ward bowed, his eyes seeming to burn with raging flames!

"Then go and get busy. Time is running out."

The King nodded and gestured for the commander to rise.

The commander rose and took his leave, walking towards the palace gate.

Near the palace, royal guards in heavy armor bowed to the commander and stepped aside. The commander nodded and walked inside.

A winding staircase led to a vast underground space, where many more guards stood watch.

"Commander, you've arrived?"

In the very center, several people dressed in black robes, holding chisels made of crystal, looking like mages or artisans, bowed to Commander Ward.

"Yes. Masters, how is the refinement of the array going?"

"Most of the areas have been finely tuned. We only need some… blood of combatants to activate this unprecedented miraculous creation."

The leading artificer revealed a hint of fanaticism on his face under the black cloak.

"Hmm, have you calculated approximately how much is needed?"

Commander Ward raised his eyes, a deeply hidden tremor within them.

"Each one requires about a thousand people."

The artificer paused and said.

"So, to activate all of them, we need… four thousand people?!"

Commander Ward's eyes trembled slightly, revealing a hint of anger. He drew his sword with a 'shing' sound. "How dare you! Do you want to kill off all the soldiers in the entire Kingdom of Bolhen?!"

"Your Excellency, please forgive us! Your Excellency, please forgive us!"

The artificers hurriedly bowed and begged for mercy. The leader secretly rolled his eyes and said loudly, "Your Excellency, we are doing this to prevent the giants from wreaking havoc in the capital—

If those soldiers who die fighting know that their deaths saved tens of thousands of residents, they will surely be gratified in heaven!"

Commander Ward listened and sheathed his sword.

Perhaps… he never intended to kill these artificers. After all, in the Kingdom of Bolhen, there are many who can replace his position as commander, but there are only these artificers!

"Hmph, don't let this happen again. If the situation weren't urgent, I would never condone such inhumane atrocities!"

Saying that, he took out a match from his pocket and lit an oil lamp in front of him.

The fire was bright, illuminating the huge outlines within the dense shadows behind the artificers—

They were four humanoid sculptures, and within the range illuminated by the oil lamp, one could see that these colossi were pieced together from countless thick bones!

On the surface of the bones were densely packed, dizzying patterns.

They were connected to a larger array on the ground.

Carrying a mysterious and heavy pressure.

"You can sleep a little longer to recharge your energy, Giant Bone Guardians…"

Commander Ward extinguished the lamp, allowing the four colossi to be swallowed by darkness again.

His one eye also radiated a kind of eager fanaticism, but after the artificers looked over, this fanaticism was quickly hidden by him.

"Check again. If you can't activate them when the time comes, the residents of this city will die in the giants' rampage—you can't bear that responsibility!"

Seeing the artificers nod in agreement, Commander Ward turned around with satisfaction and walked towards the exit of the underground space.

Light enveloped him again. Several capital soldiers arranging chains and practicing ambushes in the city stood at attention and saluted when they saw Commander Ward.

"Commander!"

"Yes, good training."

Commander Ward nodded with a smile. "With your solid training, just some giants are nothing to worry about. With the array-inscribed weapons and your courageous fighting, no one will be hurt!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Commander Ward!"

A Bolhen soldier, his young face looking at Commander Ward, filled with admiration and gratitude, said loudly, "I will dedicate all my strength to defend the Kingdom of Bolhen!"

"Yes, very spirited."

Commander Ward had an affable smile on his face.

But beside the young soldier, a slightly older soldier opened his mouth and finally couldn't help but say:

"Commander, I have some friends who escaped from Elm City. They said the giants are very powerful. Can we really… succeed with just our training and those 'Giant Butchers'?"

"Soldier, I won't lie to you. As long as we all charge forward fearlessly—those giants are not worth worrying about!

The array inscriptions you are equipped with are specially designed…

Although the giants' skin is tough, it can't stop your swords infused with life!"

Listening to Commander Ward's firm voice, the older soldier's gaze also met Commander Ward's sharp eye.

For some reason, he felt a little guilty.

Commander Ward is such a person who takes the lead and has led troops to encircle and suppress giants many times, and can be called a kingdom hero, how could he lie?

"Sorry, Commander… I just…"

"It's okay, everyone is afraid, but sacrificing our lives for the kingdom and its citizens is what we should do."

Commander Ward left in the soldiers' respectful gazes.

But where the soldiers' gazes could not reach, a strange hint of guilt flashed in Commander Ward's eyes, but soon, it was covered by a flame-like ambition!

"Sorry, I didn't lie. As long as you offer your lives as quickly as possible, we will win this victory!

And after killing the new Nine-Headed Giant, the Kingdom of Bolhen will break free from the shackles of this plain…

Those people in comfort—

Will also know their fragility. In this world, only power is the eternal territory, and those who covet pleasure are not worthy of having fertile soil!"

Thinking of this, Commander Ward adjusted his eyepatch, slightly restraining the ambition in his one eye.

"Old Majesty… your stagnation and conservatism appear increasingly昏庸愚蠢 [confused and foolish].

The Star-Slaying Sword, which cannot be used, is just scrap iron.

If His Highness the Prince does not return…

I can only take over the reins of Bolhen. I will make the Kingdom of Bolhen—great again!"