Night fell over the Bleeding Desert.

And what was nighttime on the Bleeding Desert, the Three Moons dimmed their light, bathing the endless dunes beneath a faint crimson glow that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Over Horn Lizard Town, both humans and Beastmen moved through the streets that were bustling with activity.

Previously, the town was lively because of the war rumors, but the strange sorrowful cry had now become the talk of the town.

Every previous discussion regarding the war had been pushed aside as the mysterious phenomenon occupied everyone’s thoughts.

In taverns and tea houses, that was what everyone was talking about.

Speculations and rumors flew everywhere.

Each person was trying to deduce the origin of the strange cry and its implication for the Bleeding Desert, while others eagerly listened, hoping someone could provide a convincing explanation.

Some believed it was the Three Moons wailing in pain because of too much bloodshed.

According to them, the endless slaughter throughout the Bleeding Desert had finally angered the heavens, causing the moons themselves to mourn.

Some believed it was a cry used by a powerful beast to summon its subordinates.

Some wild ones believed the Bleeding Desert was waking up from its slumber. They whispered that an ancient existence buried beneath the endless dunes had finally awakened after countless years of silence.

While some Beastmen believed their god was angry with them. The more they discussed it, the more convinced they became that the sorrowful cry was a divine warning sent from above.

Many started performing various sacrifices.

Some burned incense, while others offered fresh beast carcasses beneath the moonlight, praying that their gods would calm their anger and spare their clans from disaster.

At the top floor of an inn, Solenne sat by the window and listened to the absurd rumors flying around below and couldn’t help but sneer.

Her calm eyes drifted across the lively streets before returning to the noisy tavern beneath her window.

’I thought it was only humans who were delusional. Who would have thought the Beastmen are even crazier than humans?’

She clicked her tongue and averted her gaze.

None of the rumors below sounded remotely believable, yet everyone discussed them with complete confidence, as though they had personally witnessed the event.

She reached out for the wine jar resting on the wooden table and took a sip.

The rich fragrance immediately spread throughout her mouth, causing the corners of her lips to curl upward in satisfaction.

Ever since she tasted such fine wine from Thoren, she did not dare taste any other wine apart from it.

Every other wine now felt bland and inferior in comparison, making it almost impossible for her to enjoy anything else.

Thus, before this mission, she had used every means available at her disposal to get as much wine as she could from Thoren.

She had shamelessly pestered him more than once, refusing to leave until she had secured enough jars.

And now, she could finally enjoy her lovely wine in peace.

She slowly swirled the wine inside the jar before taking another small sip, completely ignoring the noisy discussions taking place downstairs.

"Guild Master, do you think that strange cry might have anything to do with our plan?"

Seated at another table, a healer, who was a woman, asked curiously.

Unknown to her, this was the very question on everyone’s mind.

Shaking her head, Solenne responded.

"Why do you all care about the strange cry?" Her calm voice immediately drew everyone’s attention.

"We should all focus on our mission and nothing else."

"Remember, everything depends on it. And if we fail..." Her voice trailed off, but everyone inside the room understood her implication correctly.

"The Guild Master is right, we shouldn’t care about the strange cry," Kiera added.

"Right now, we must be at our best and not be distracted." She folded her arms across her chest, her expression firm as she looked at everyone in the room.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The curiosity in their eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by determination.

Unlike others, they did not have the liberty to get distracted.

What was waiting for them would decide their future, and perhaps even determine the future of every human currently living in the Bleeding Desert.

Seeing they all understood her meaning, Solenne nodded.

"You don’t have to worry too much about the mission. Half of the mission is already completed." A faint smile appeared on her face as she tried to ease the tension hanging over the room.

"As for the latter half, our job is to ensure everything goes smoothly," she added with an encouraging smile.

Although the most dangerous part had already been handled by Thoren, the task awaiting them was no less important.

"Guild Master, when do you think they’ll send for us?" Riven asked.

His fingers lightly tapped against the hilt of his weapon, revealing the anticipation he had been trying to suppress.

"I don’t know."

Just then, a slight knock came from the door, and everyone shifted their gaze. The room instantly fell silent as every pair of eyes focused on the entrance.

Quickly, one of the members walked to the door and opened it.

Standing outside the door, a tall and imposing Horn Lizard Man was waiting.

His expression remained indifferent, while his sharp eyes briefly swept across everyone inside the room.

"Tell your leader, it is time." His voice was hoarse and deep, carrying an unquestionable authority.

And with that, he departed immediately.

Inside, Solenne was already on her feet together with everyone else.

The atmosphere was charged with tension and anticipation.

"Now, we can decide our fate," Solenne muttered, her face serious.

Her eyes shone with unwavering determination as she adjusted the sword hanging from her waist.

"Let’s go."

Outside, the bustling streets were quiet as everyone had dispersed from the streets.

The lively atmosphere from earlier had completely disappeared, replaced by an unusual silence that blanketed the entire town.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The ground trembled, the vibrations spreading everywhere.

Each synchronized footstep echoed throughout Horn Lizard Town, causing nearby buildings to shake ever so slightly.

Marching through the streets were two thousand Horn Lizard soldiers. Every soldier wore heavy armor and carried polished weapons, their orderly formation stretching far into the distance.

"My goodness! What is going on?"

"...Is the Horn Lizard Clan going to war?"

Shock and confusion marred everyone’s faces, their hearts pounding heavily.

Rumors of war had been spreading, but no one was sure if they were true or not.

But now, looking at the Horn Lizard Army, the truth couldn’t be more obvious.