They had clearly survived an even more difficult winter, but the food shortage situation had not improved.
Skala showed no joy, merely handing the document to the shaman apprentice beside him, then quietly instructing, "Arrange accommodation for them, starting with the renovation of the old residential area on the west wall."
"Yes," the shaman apprentice bowed and turned to leave.
Skala stood alone by the window of the administrative office, watching the team of artisans working on the new water channel outside.
That was a miracle bestowed by God.
"I hope we are worthy of His great love," he murmured to himself. "More and more people are coming, and we must continue to work hard."
The town was expanding, tasks were piling up, but resources remained tight. And his duty was far more than just maintaining stability.
As he was pondering, footsteps sounded outside, followed by a Paladin's announcement:
"Captain, the Resistance Alliance has sent a messenger."
Skala raised an eyebrow slightly. "Now?"
"He claims to be carrying urgent intelligence by order and requests an immediate audience."
He didn't ask further, simply turned and sat down, playing the role of a competent administrator, his voice steady:
"Let them in."
A moment later, an Ice Troll walked in, draped in a deep brown cloak with the blue and white double-line flag pattern of the Resistance Alliance sewn onto his shoulder pads.
His bluish-grey skin had already turned pale, indicating his advanced age, but his gaze was still sharp; he was clearly a battle-hardened veteran.
"I have been chosen by the Alliance Council to bring intelligence regarding the impending southern invasion of the Frost Howl clan," the Troll first gave a simple bow, then took out a folded, coarse paper map from behind his back. After receiving Skala's permission, he spread it out on the wooden table in the main hall.
ZulDrak is a land divided like steps by mountains and snowfields.
Southwest is low, northeast is high.
The entire area can be roughly divided into three tiers:
First Tier: Tundra, woodlands, and shallow hills, occupying the vast hinterland of South Zuldazar.
Suitable for grazing, farming, and marching, almost all small and medium tribes are gathered here. Most of Italk and the Resistance Alliance's territories are located here.
Second Tier: Plateaus, snow hills, and ice cliffs, with rugged terrain but still passable for marching, this is the main base of Frost Howl.
This area has many strategic passes, making it a crucial point for military contention, connecting the upper and lower regions.
Third Tier: Frozen plateaus and eternal snow-capped peaks, extremely cold and unsuitable for permanent settlement, yet it is the spiritual holy land of the Drakkari Ice Trolls, where the holy city of Gundrak stands.
"According to our informant's intelligence, Morag'on will personally lead this expedition," the messenger lowered his voice. "They intend to crush all southern forces in one fell swoop and unify the entire ZulDrak."
His finger traced several passes outlined in thick strokes, which were the main connecting points between the first and second tiers.
"Currently, we are holding these few places, but we are unable to be responsible for this area anymore," the messenger's finger finally stopped at the pass closest to Italk. "In the last attack, they broke through our defenses from here."
Skala looked at the location marked 'Gray Tooth Valley' on the map, his thoughts, however, drifted to what he had seen and heard over the past few months.
Both the Uglo tribe, to which Siye once belonged, and the residents of Italk had recounted the Frost Howl's previous invasion to him.
The Frost Howl tribe seemed particularly fond of abducting women and children, while for adult males, they more often raised their butcher's knives.
This was completely different from previous tribal wars.
One should know that adult males meant more labor and fighting power, important resources for tribal expansion and survival.
But the Frost Howl tribe seemed not to care about these...
Skala shook his head, temporarily not understanding the reason for their actions.
Seeing Skala shake his head, the messenger thought he was refusing and quickly spoke, "We are not forcing you to make a commitment immediately, but Lady Zukora made it very clear—if Gray Tooth Valley falls, the entire southwest will become Frost Howl's hunting ground."
"What we can offer is not just alliance membership," he emphasized, "but also border trade rights, armaments allocation, and priority distribution of resources after the war."
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